Mixed review on transit hotel in Joburg airport. Rooms better than I expected from recent Tripadvisor reports (shower and sink are in the bedroom area for standard rooms; no tub) but beware stone floors. Sound travels EVERYWHERE. First cleaning crews, then repairs (sledge hammers, drills, etc), someone who needed to whistle while they worked ... ugh! Were moved to upper floor - but by then, it was time to collect boarding passes.

True to form, boarding passes were not available as advertised. Gary did a bit more digging and found out the South African reps issue the RwandaAir/RwandaExpress boarding passes in the transit area. Headed back out, picked up a sandwich, ate & got last of stuff @ hotel, checked out and then returned to transit lounge. Boarding passes are a GO. No where to check our probably overweight duffels per RwandaAir's max weight of 15 pounds for a carry on piece in coach. Flight only half full; several folks were bringing everything but the kitchen sink on the flight as well.

Flight goes on "indefinite delay" status. Fortunately, that mean an hour's delay. I slept for nearly the entire flight. Our driver was from the same group who took us on the gorilla trek last year - Primate Safaris. We asked Joachim to send our best to Theo and Patrick.

We are staying at the Serena Hotel this time, which it turns out is the same Intercontinental we stayed at last year. Significant improvements in the physical plant were a welcome surprise. Front desk is located just as you walk in the door; the upstairs lounge is far more elegant; the restaurant down near the pool is still wonderful; and the service level much improved. I've not touched down in Dar Es Salaam yet, but if I compare a compulsory overnight in Nairobi to one in Kigali, I'd take Kigali every time. The front desk clerk was all over getting box breakfasts for the 6 am departure tomorrow morning, and called in our 4 am wake up call without being asked. Duty manager was keeping track of guests & visited for a few minutes while we represented the Return of the Gorilla Trek team at our favorite table in the poolside bar and restaurant. Food was better, too - tho the pizza is missing from the menu.

Time for my shower, a quick nap and then Return to Faru Faru. I am SO psyched!

Cheers, Anne