Our travel agent had booked us a transfer to the airport through Intrepid. I am going to suggest to fellow travellers and the agent that this is not the way to go as we paid 4 times more than what the locals quoted. Still we had a large people mover which also accommodated Suzy and Tracey and their luggage.
The driver took a rather different route to the airport. Down crowded market streets with traffic at a standstill. Occassionally he turned down side streets, tooting his horn, foot down to make up time, but it didn't seem to get us far. We were glad we had allowed nearly 3 hours rather than the recommended 1.5.
There was plenty of time to look at the market wares and people watch. Streets specialised in clothes, food, bikes and automobile parts. Special scooter parks wedged in the bikes guarded by valets.
Peddlers knocking on windows selling bunches of garlic, electronics, wallets, bicycle tires etc. We wondered how much business they get - perhaps more than we originally thought given the speed of the traffic.
We did think we could invent drive by shopping. Sit in your car, slowly drive along and peddlers come to you.
Street full of cars, taxis, bikes, people powered carts, people movers, people carrying stuff on their heads. A busy place.
We think we followed the Pope trail cos he is coming soon to visit his catholic followers.
Roads are being improved - saw our second digger, concrete roller and lots of sweat and tears. Flags flying - both the Madagassy and we think the Vatican flag (gold and white). A pope mobile has been built for the occasion.
Got to the airport with time to spare. It took ages to check in. Once through it was more or less lunch time but the offerings were sparse. Do we settled on croissants and a bottle of water. The cafe refused to take local currency and insisted on euros or US $.
Back in Johannesburg the customs officers were welcoming. I lost Harry somewhere between the toilets and the luggage carousel and spent a few minutes waiting for our driver. Lots of other drivers assured us he would turn up. He didn't disappoint.
The wind changed direction as we ate dinner. When we started to relax in our cabin there was a loud noise and shaking. We were close to the airport. I had trouble falling asleep due to these earthquake like symptoms but there must have been a curfew just after midnight or perhaps I was just too tired to care any more.
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