Interesting discussion re: safari and cruise. Carol and I would prefer safari only. We want to spend some more days at the safari camps then we did in 9/08. If that is tied into a cruise it would be tempting but need the stock market to double or triple from where it is today to be able aford the cost of that kind of trip.

I think you guys mean land only, not the whole time in safari camps? There is so much to see in S. Africa; it is a lovely country. If I had unlimited funds, I would love to do 2 weeks in S. Africa, and float home for 27 days. Not going to happen! So for going that far, I'm choosing land only this time. I guess I should start saving my Delta points now!

We'd be happy with camps only, Olivia.

Yes, I mean land only. Do want to spend some time at La Residence and have a dinner or two , with wine of course, in the local town.

We'll drink to that Ralph

I looked at the website for LaResidence today (through www.birkenheadhouse.com ) and they do have prices for B/B as well as Full Board.

What a great property!

Olivia, the first group from LION is heading to La Residence this morning. We go with another couple for 2 nights tomorrow morning. Hopefully my missing piece of luggage with a couple of connectors and chargers will appear by then so I can continue working on incorporating pictures on the blog I'm doing for this trip.

We chose just have breakfast at La Residence because the restaurants are supposed to be so spectacular (and relatively reasonable). As I said before, I'll try to be pretty detailed. I do think we are having one of the two dinners there, but probably not the multi-course extravaganza.

I can say Birkenhead has been very nice once again. The rooms each have their own charms. The food is been quite good, though we arrived too late for our first dinner. IMO, the appetizers, soups, salad, and desserts have thus far out-shined the main dishes, even though last night one of the selections was rack of lamb, which all our table had (and Ngaire was at another table). The other main selection was a mixed seafood risotto, which a few raved about. Now if the winds would just die down. They were really howling once again during the night, and no matter that most items are secure, there was still a lot of banging.

We may walk at least one way into town today, as we didn't do the shark expedition with some of the group this time (assuming it even went out in these winds); we had done it last time.

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Eugene

Eugene, are there any other lct people at La Residence? How long are they staying? I do love Birkenhead and all the different charms of the various rooms. I want to go back to do that walk! Can't wait to hear from you and Gail when you get to LaR!

Olivia, There are several LCT lurkers here, but I'm not sure how many actually post very often. I know that several have met you, but I'm reluctant to write down a list of all participants. Ngaire and a group left for La Residence this morning. They are staying just one day and then going to Cape Town. Tomorrow we and Jim McCabe and Mary Ellen Goffredo are going to LR for two nights. Ken's brother and sister-in-law (Richard and Lori) are meeting up with us in Johannesburg and then going with Linda's group first to King's Camp and then to Leopard Hills. Then we will join Ngaire and Ken to go to a new property (for Ngaire) the Vuyatela Lodge at the Djuma Game Reserve.

Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for my missing piece of luggage. It's not clear that it even left Atlanta until today. Another person's luggage was finally delivered to Birkenhead Road near Cape Town instead of here in Hermanus. Aren't the airlines great! I did buy a card reader today so I could download some pictures. I'm trying to get my blog underway so I can post the address here.

More later.

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Eugene

I probably put this in the wrong thread. Karen, if you want to move it to LION, go right ahead.

The stragglers landed in Joburg about an hour ago. We had good flight connections through Amsterdam. Continental wouldn't confirm our business seats, but did offer to switch us to the Northwest flight that left two hours earlier. Fine by me. The only slightly confusing part was the Delta plane operated by NW uniformed personnel. It was a new A330 with the really good in flight entertainment system. Business was maybe 60% full on that flight. We had a 4 hour layover in Amsterdam. KLM has opened a pretty new (and enormous) lounge, so we hung out there. They have 'deep rest' areas, beds and pitch black. Good to catch a few hours of shut-eye if you have a friend to ensure you don't oversleep. 30 minutes free internet use, and it automatically knocks you off if you exceed the time.

We took KLM to Joburg. Business was about 2/3 full. Preferred the seats on this 777 versus the A330. Food was African themed and tasty. Snoozed during the early part of the flight, then had my own film festival, finishing up with the ever popular 'Duma'.

The new step of terminal 1 or terminal 2 for arrivals in Joburg was a bit messed up. our flight was marked for Terminal 1, but everyone in front of us was heading to Terminal 2. I headed off to Terminal 1, until I realized the signs for Passport Control were no longer posted. We had taken only carry on luggage, so luggage pick up was irrelevant.

I did an about face & headed back to Terminal 2. It was quite a scene - 90 people panicked and followed me back to Terminal 2. Turns out luggage was offloading on the carousel in Terminal 2, so who knows whether it even mattered which terminal one used?

elections were held here today. I'll be interested to hear the reports tomorrow. Local news said no unusual violence in Joburg today (presumably related to the elections).

tomorrow we go straight to Leopard Hills. I did include the one episode of Fantasy Island in my personal film fest, so I'd be up to speed on Saturday when Gary and I can head out to meet 'Da Plane, Boss! Da Plane!' when the rest join us there.

Cheers, Anne

Anne, I was wondering when we would hear from you!Hoping you will post from the camps like before, as there is nothing like your commentary to get one psyched for either a first or return visit to Africa!

Be sure to ask the pilot to do a runway inspection, in the Caravan 208b...

Olivia, it's good to hear from you. I have the laptop and will check in if the internet works. OF COURSE, if our personal internet guru and photo poster were here, there'd be no question of continuous commentary :D . I decided no more africa trips without my own laptop after the last time. Unfortunately, a well meaning but technology challenged staff person burned the memory cards onto a CD in Kenya at 10% of the original pixels. Arg!! I'm not risking that outcome again.

We'll have to get the pilot trained on our flight this afternoon, Grant. No charter flight is worth its measure without a runway inspection.

I'm wondering which plane we will draw today. The all time best draw was the Burnside service from Mateya. Luxury six seater, complete with gourmet chocolates to pass the time.

The Caravan is of course the preferred choice. The Heathman Memorial seat is like a retired basketball jersey - no one gets to use it again. Save the back seats for me, and sling the Coleman Cooler down the aisles for a refreshing mineral water.

Pleasure, Nos. 7 (assuming the camp gives us our requested room)

Glad that the rigorous travel is over with. Duma is a great movie to get you in the spirit. Enjoy Leopard Hills!

#9 RM Emeritus

I just saw this...been busy with end of year stuff with my daughter graduating HS, finding a place for Gil (and me in the fall) to live, our parents, etc. Anyway, the answer is YES.

Bill and Gemma want to be added to the list!