Despite our desperate denial that the trip was almost at it's end. The only thing between us and the soil of the homeland (not mine but you get my drift) was a 48 hr stint on various flights. First flight was from Windhoek to Johannesburg. The international airport in Windhoek is about 40km outside the city and it seemed like there was a fixed price to get there, but Dan and I had been busy asking the local taxi drivers around to get a better price. We got hold of a guy which gave us a decent deal and we agreed that he would pick us up on the day of our departure at a certain time. Luckily, we also got his number just in case. On the day of our flight there was no taxi in sight. We waited about 20 minutes and then called the taxi guy. Sounded as if he was asleep but he was on his way, apparently 10-15 minutes away. Another 20 minutes went by and still no sign of him. As we were considering a plan B, he finally showed up. Good thing we always leave plenty of time to get to airports etc. If there is one thing that Dan and I consistently agree on is that we hate to be in a rush to catch a flight. Off we went once the taxi guy had taped over all the taxi-related numbers on his car. We figured it was a way to show that the taxi was engaged in case any other people were trying to wave him down.....although that theory didn't hold up since we still picked up another passenger? We didn't care as long as we made it to the airport.
About halfway to the airport, there was a military checkpoint. No big deal we thought, although we started to get a sense that something was not quite right when our taxi was pulled aside. A furious looking military guy was screaming at our taxi driver and waving his arms in anger. Wooh "What the hell is going on?"(the French guy Thomas' favorite expression). The military guy switched language to English, probably so that we would understand as well. Apparently only taxis with special permits are allowed to drive to the airport (that explains the fixed price!!!) Oh oh, now what? The public shouting went on for another minute or so and I was trying to think of what we should do if we were dumped on the road and our taxi had to return. The outlook wasn't very promising. Actually being dumped there would not at all be convenient!!! BUT I think the military guy realized the same thing and after his shouting and anger venting he let us continue, although our driver had to surrender his driver's license to the angry guy......presumably only temporary. I felt a bit bad that our driver had gotten into trouble and he wasn't all smiles after that. Seemed slightly concerned....who could blame him really. We tried to make up for it with a bigger tip although it didn't sum up to much since we didn't have much money left (and we wanted to keep some for supplies).
Finally at the airport we finished our trip in style with our "supplies" (ie chocolate and diet coke:)) that we consumed happily while waiting to board our first flight of five.
Travel route back: Windhoek-Johannesburg (1.45 hrs), 7 hrs stopover, Johannesburg-Dubai (8hrs), 2 hrs stopover, Dubai-Auckland (via Melbourne)(20 minute delay for me to get clearance from the Australian immigration so that I could board the flight+ 18.35 hrs flight), 3 hrs stopover, Auckland-Wellington (1 hr)! Final destination reached....kind of. Ten days in Wellington to eat, socalize, sleep, unpack, then re-pack......before moving to Melbourne!
About halfway to the airport, there was a military checkpoint. No big deal we thought, although we started to get a sense that something was not quite right when our taxi was pulled aside. A furious looking military guy was screaming at our taxi driver and waving his arms in anger. Wooh "What the hell is going on?"(the French guy Thomas' favorite expression). The military guy switched language to English, probably so that we would understand as well. Apparently only taxis with special permits are allowed to drive to the airport (that explains the fixed price!!!) Oh oh, now what? The public shouting went on for another minute or so and I was trying to think of what we should do if we were dumped on the road and our taxi had to return. The outlook wasn't very promising. Actually being dumped there would not at all be convenient!!! BUT I think the military guy realized the same thing and after his shouting and anger venting he let us continue, although our driver had to surrender his driver's license to the angry guy......presumably only temporary. I felt a bit bad that our driver had gotten into trouble and he wasn't all smiles after that. Seemed slightly concerned....who could blame him really. We tried to make up for it with a bigger tip although it didn't sum up to much since we didn't have much money left (and we wanted to keep some for supplies).
Finally at the airport we finished our trip in style with our "supplies" (ie chocolate and diet coke:)) that we consumed happily while waiting to board our first flight of five.
Travel route back: Windhoek-Johannesburg (1.45 hrs), 7 hrs stopover, Johannesburg-Dubai (8hrs), 2 hrs stopover, Dubai-Auckland (via Melbourne)(20 minute delay for me to get clearance from the Australian immigration so that I could board the flight+ 18.35 hrs flight), 3 hrs stopover, Auckland-Wellington (1 hr)! Final destination reached....kind of. Ten days in Wellington to eat, socalize, sleep, unpack, then re-pack......before moving to Melbourne!
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