I am on the return trip from hell. We were on the runway in Johannesburg when the plane was called back to the terminal. Something about Yemen had just said no to using their airspace, so we spent one hour back at the terminal while they loaded more gas. One hour lost there and another hour added to flying time to Doha. And I had a 2 hour layover. I hoped they would hold the Houston plane, but NO. They now have me booked leaving tonight at 1 AM to Philadelphia, then another 2 hour layover, then back to Houston. SO I am now in a Doha hotel - it is nice - until midnight. Luckily they have a business center with computers because I had to sit in the biz lounge at the airport with no electronics and no passport. Someone whisked that away. I sure didn't like having my passport out of my sight, especially in a middle east country that is being accused of terrorism. Finally they return it, took me through immigration. A shuttle bus arrives to bring us here to the hotel. There are 2 other groups that were with me in biz out of Africa. A family returning to India and a couple off to Japan for a holiday. All of us are unhappy about the passport disappearing act. But now I have it back! Went to my room so I could locate it and then started for the biz center here in the hotel. Waiting for the elevator when the fire alarm goes off all over the hotel. It was a 30 minute drill but the guests didn't know that and start pouring out of the rooms, carrying all their possessions. It would probably be funny but I'm not in a funny mood. Qatar Air could have held the Houston plane for 15 minutes so I could make the flight. They are going to need to figure out how to deal with this ban. BTW - No women anywhere on the streets. And it's Ramadan so all sorts of things are outlawed during daylight.
I should be home sometime mid-afternoon Thursday.
But I did enjoy the safari. Loved the animals, the camps, the staff at both camps and of course my fellow Cheetahs.