For those that don't know, my first attempt to get here was unsuccessful and most frustrating. My flight from Memphis to Hotlanta on Monday was delayed due to mechanical problems and, after moving back the expected departure several times, they finally settled on 5:45pm (CST, 6:45 Hotlanta time). This being too late to make my connection in Hotlanta and, being informed that they would not await my arrival, I chose to reschedule for Tuesday. While this left Amy and Erin to fend on their own, I had all the confidence that they would make the journey unhindered. Not only did they, but their scouting report of the journey through customs and the airport was invaluable as I following behind.

Let me say that, when you make a reservation only one day before the flight, it sets off a security flag that just adds to the frustration.

The real gem of the trip is that I had excellent seat mates for the entire itinerary. From Memphis to Hotlanta, a young mother and her 2 year old daughter was my mate. Now I know this sounds incongruous, but in fact the young child was such a delight that I didn't mind being kicked and jabbed.

On the International Concourse at the Hotlanta Airport, I found the following restaurant and sushi bar. Thought the name was somewhat prophetic.

For the long flight to Joburg, I was accompanied by a young mother named Raheema. Her child was older and actually had his own seat in the row behind us. He is quite interested in animals and Raheema said that he would love to meet Amy. She gave me the low down on Joburg (mainly high crime and don't wander the streets at night) and her telephone number in case we needed assistance. She was just moving back to South Africa from the US. I didn't ask where she lived, but she had visited Tennessee and loved it. I asked where and she replied "Gatlinburg". For those that don't know, Gatlinburg is second to Pigeon Forge (home of Dollywood) in tourist country. But she loved it and especially loved the pancakes!

Raheema is a devout Muslim and many times during the flight, she partook of her required prayers. While I took care not to intrude, I found it to be quite interesting, being the first time I'd had the opportunity to observe first hand.

So, after 15 and a half fitful hours aboard one of Mr. Douglas' fine 777 aircraft, I finally arrived at Johannesburg. I had abandoned my baggage the day before to make the trip on its own and, though I was assured a number of times that it would be there when I arrived, I was quite surprised to find it awaiting me on the baggage carousel. We arrived at about 4:45pm local time and I was in my hotel by 6:00. Pretty good for having to go through customs and run a virtual gauntlet of people vying to do me a service and get my rand (local currency). Amy warned me about them and I was able to make it unscathed. I checked in and had a quick dinner of butternut squash soup with black mushrooms and nori gorsen, a southeast Asian dish of spicy jasmine rice with chicken and prawn and chicken satay (chicken on a stick) along with a glass of Castle Lager, the local brew. Quite delicious, but I was unable to eat it all after the trip.

Here are a few quick facts on Joburg. Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and among the fifty largest cities in the world. It is the provincial capital of South Africa's wealthiest province, Gauteng. It has the privilege of being the world's largest city not situated on a river or lake. It lies on the eastern edge of the Highveld Plateau at the elevation of 5700 feet. This means that the airport runway is almost 3 miles in length. And take offs and landing are high speed (think Denver) and a little nerve wracking.

And with that, it's to bed (at 8:30 local time) for tomorrow I take the local flight to Hoedspruit and on to the interior and Amy and Erin. This is the real adventure.