Day Six:  Flight to Windhoek, Namibia

I am remiss in not continuing to introduce my travel companions. I have a bit of time as yesterday and today are travel days. Yesterday was a long flight to Johannesburg and a little hotel near the airport just for an overnight and this morning is our final flight leg of our journey to Windhoek, Namibia where we pick up our vehicles. So, to my travel companions.

Well, I should really introduce the lovely couple, Klaus and Gerrit, first as they owned the travel agency that our travel agent used to work at and then took over for when they retired. They are good friends and travelers with Richard and Linda who happen to be the parents of my 'roomie', Alesa, a young lady close in age to my daughter and who has a delightful dry sense of humour which I love. Then there are Bill and Ricki who have been traveling for many years with the group and are seasoned, not only at travel, but at the idiosyncrasies of the group and of the travel agent and enjoy offering humourous tidbits at opportune times. 

Rita is Donna's roommate and another longtime traveller with the group. The couple who Alesa and I will be driving with in our vehicle is Lynn and Noel.   Although they give the illusion of being quiet and somewhat reserved, they both have a mischievous sense of humour and I am really looking forward to being on safari with them!  Donna's sister, Derry and her husband, Ash, joined us in Dubai.  I've yet to get to know them better but I've heard stories that Ash has been known to demonstrate strange behaviour and that Derry may or may not acknowledge it (which can then result in minor hiccups but, of course, these are all rumours.....to the best of my knowledge......lol!).

Rounding off Donna and Rita's vehicle are Hans and Bob, more seasoned "groupies" and all around gentleman (thank you, Hans, for the water and tissue when a little birdie decided to "bless" me with a little "good luck" on my shoulder while we were touring the gold market in Dubai)!  Then there's John and Molly.   John with the winning smile and happy go lucky nature and Molly, who, behind that "Mona Lisa" smile, hides a ravenous chocolate fixation that must be satiated or heads will roll!

Margaret and Anna are travelling together and are two of the sweetest women I've met.  And, bringing up the rear, which is literally his role with the group, is Roger, a quiet, reliable, dependable guy and his fun and gregarious companion, Eileen. Oh, of course, there's Michael, the travel agent, himself.  Intense, uber-organized, tends to worry but, who wouldn't? with all the above characters to take care of!   I hear he goes by nicknames such as "Emperor", "Bwana", or "Captain". I guess he just wants to make sure we all know who's in charge! 

And, for those of you who may be reading this and don't know me, the blogger, I'm Jo-Ann, the complete and utter "newbie" to this gang.   I've recently retired and have been looking forward to this trip for over a year now!   So, there you have the CanAfrica troupe of 2014! 

Africa, here we come!!!

Until next time.....JT