African Archery Safari - Part 12, Return Trip Day 1 - Mostly Archery with dustyvarmint

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By Jerry Long, November 15, 2010

In Part 12, Return Trip Day 1, of the African Archery Safari series with Dries Visser Safaris in the Repub lic of South Africa I begin the long return trip. There won’t be any pictures in these last two entries, just information.

24 August 2010 – Return Travel Day 1

I met with Dries and settled up. He was beyond fair in final settlement. We had breakfast of eggs over easy, bacon, cheese grillers (sausage) and toast. I was stuffed. Finished ahead of schedule, Kerneels and I took off for the airport.

The roads turned from red dirt, to gray gravel and finally to asphalt once again. We stopped at Kerneels’ house to drop off a few things and pick up his mother. I imagine they were going to take advantage of the trip to Johannesburg.

The trip was scenic and enjoyable. We stopped at a gas station where I was surprised to see showers in the restrooms (and people using them). Also, Kerneels was nice enough to pick up some biltong for me to finally try. Biltong is their version of jerky, but not the same by any means. I am not sure whether I liked it or not, but I’d like to try some more. From a young female college student to old bowhunters, everyone talked highly of biltong. A hunter like me who is willing to shoot a female animal to eat is referred to as a “biltong hunter” in South Africa.

Kerneels and his mother helped decipher the departing signs at OR Tambo International Airport. He was also kind enough to accompany me into the departure area and help me orient myself. Turns out we still went to the wrong area, but South African Airlines staff pointed me in the right direction. There seemed to be an absence of airline company signs labeling the counters as we’ve become accustomed to in the U.S. There were porters who work for tips only available that know the layout and can assist you, but conflicting reports from previous hunters regarding their value, trustworthiness and penchant for demanding exacting tips had me wanting to avoid them if I could. Stretch warp booths (for luggage security and protection), should one wish to have his baggage wrapped, were readily available.

I was able to enter the line and get my bags weighed, but then was told I must wait until five hours previous to the flight to check in. At the prescribed time I attempted once again, but was told to wait another half-hour. Finally, I checked in. Despite my mild protests I was told my bow must be checked as a firearm and was escorted to the firearm security office.

There must have been six to nine people, besides myself, in the twelve-by-twelve foot office. I was certainly overwhelmed. I had to show an attendant each bow and specify that my case contained no alcohol. The attendant played with one of my bent arrows and we joked, me very nervously, about the Afrikaans phrases I had labeled my bow case with, “Geen gewere, Boë alleenlik.” meaning “No guns, Bows only.” and how to pronounce them correctly. I was able to lock my case up and depart.

I had plenty of time so I perused the souvenir shops for a vuvuzela for my nephew and something for Mrs. dustyvarmint. Being previously cautioned I totally locked up my carry-on backpack and proceeded through security screening without problem. There were a lot of souvenir and food options so I spent my time exploring them. I attempted to call home twice more without success. I’m not worldly enough or technically apt enough to make these things work.

We were not allowed to sit in the departing gate area for quite some time. Even after being allowed to do so we were cleared out for one further very lame security pat down and search of carry-on bags. We were also required to dispose of any liquids we’d bought past the initial security screening contrary to current U.S. practice. We were then allowed to re-enter the gate area.

We boarded the plane. I had an aisle seat in the outside left section. Once again I couldn’t store my stuff under the seat. Being better prepared I pulled items from my pack and got settled. My seat-mate was a young college student from Florida who had been visiting her paternal family in South Africa. She was lucky enough to have had a faceoff with elephants and a rhino (while in vehicles) during her visit – that sounded fun!

Again, the food was decent and plentiful, the service was good and the flight was very long. During the fuel stop in Dakar a team came onboard to look for stowaways in the overheads; another lame attempt at security. Somewhere, sometime the day changed.

Thanks again for following along. Next week will be the final post in this series. I hope you’ll join me back here then.

happy hunting, dv

If you liked this blog you may like the following:

WWAC – What Would Africa Cost?

dv Goes to Africa – Expenses Part I

dv Goes to Africa – Expenses Part II

dv Goes To Africa – Bow and Arrow Set Up

dv Goes to Africa – Packing List and Packing

dv Goes To Africa – Completing The CBP Form 4457

African Archery Safari – Part 1

African Archery Safari – Part 2

African Archery Safari – Part 3, Travel Day 3