Getting Going - At last!
June 27, 2007
If I did it all again, I'd... hmm! Stockpile valium, for a start...
I'd been due to fly out on Sunday 24th, but my visa had yet to be issued. South Africans travelling to Oz have to fill out lengthy forms - at least a rainforest's worth of paper - and supply so much supporting documentation that you need a small army of archivists, clerks and forensic auditors to put it all together. And then, the wait.
The visa was finally issued, and delivered by courier, on the Tuesday. My flights had been shifted to the Wednesday - some pretty deft juggling by Michelle - and I was so relieved that it was actually happening that I rushed home to pack in a state of delirium.
Little did I know that the glitches were far from over...
I'd been due to fly out on Sunday 24th, but my visa had yet to be issued. South Africans travelling to Oz have to fill out lengthy forms - at least a rainforest's worth of paper - and supply so much supporting documentation that you need a small army of archivists, clerks and forensic auditors to put it all together. And then, the wait.
The visa was finally issued, and delivered by courier, on the Tuesday. My flights had been shifted to the Wednesday - some pretty deft juggling by Michelle - and I was so relieved that it was actually happening that I rushed home to pack in a state of delirium.
Little did I know that the glitches were far from over...
Finding a shuttle to the airport at prices locals can afford is extremely difficult. Luckily, a friend passed on a tip (thanks Alistair!) and so I found Centurion Tours - +27 21 934 8281 - and was ever so impressed! Good price, professional service and really pleasant driver made the trip a pleasure - heartily recommend to anyone visiting Cape Town (or locals!) who needs to get to or from the airport and doesn't want their budget whacked!
OR Tambo Airport was snowed under, causing a backlog of flights. Flights out of Cape Town were delayed - up to six hours, apparently. I was due to fly at 08h40, arrived around 07h30 thanks to wonderful airport shuttle avoiding all the traffic, and finally got to fly after 13h00. Missing my connecting flight.
The departure lounge has limited seating, floor space filled up quickly making it difficult for the paramedics to get to the passengers requiring emergency assistance. Worse still, public announcements were few and far between, leaving passengers in the dark as to the prospects of their flights ever leaving, and the screens announcing flight departures just quietly kept shifting times later and later.
Eventually - about 12 - apologies were issued for the delay and free coffee offered from two of the outlets. Which didn't help the toilet queues any - I caused minor consternation by using the men's, where there was no queue.
Shoddy service, an uncaring attitude towards passengers coupled with the terrible state of the airport currently (it's like an obstacle course - one large building site) made it a thoroughly unpleasant experience.
Bring on 2010. I'd love to see them cope....
The departure lounge has limited seating, floor space filled up quickly making it difficult for the paramedics to get to the passengers requiring emergency assistance. Worse still, public announcements were few and far between, leaving passengers in the dark as to the prospects of their flights ever leaving, and the screens announcing flight departures just quietly kept shifting times later and later.
Eventually - about 12 - apologies were issued for the delay and free coffee offered from two of the outlets. Which didn't help the toilet queues any - I caused minor consternation by using the men's, where there was no queue.
Shoddy service, an uncaring attitude towards passengers coupled with the terrible state of the airport currently (it's like an obstacle course - one large building site) made it a thoroughly unpleasant experience.
Bring on 2010. I'd love to see them cope....
