Amsterdam, Arrival and JHB Party
Big big city boy goes to the African Bush, planning started last August for a month long trip to the Africam Parks. My trip starts off with an airport limo ride to Toronto's airport. I pass by my old neighborhood, businesses I frequented, places I played as a child. Passed downtown Toronto's skyscrapers, some I had worked in, the Skydome and CN Tower, wondering what would South Africa be like? Would I be in culture shock? Would I be safe? I didnt know. From Toronto I flew to Amsterdam, where during a 12 hour stop over I was to meet a fellow Africam chatter cerinthe, for a short tour of Amsterdam. She was making a special trip in by train from Belgium. She and I decided to meet at the hotel I was booked into as part of my flight, the Hotel Schiphol Ibis. After meeting and receiving a wonderful gift of Belgian chocolates from cerinthe, we set out. We made our way to the main subway station, and once there decided on a canal cruise. We float by historic building after historic bulding, Van Gogh Museum, a palace,Anne Frank's house, a glance of the "Red Light " Distrcit, and various house boats. We pass by oddly constructed tall skinny buildings, and under historic bridges with very old locks dating from the 1600's. All the while cerinthe and I have a lovely conversation, she knows some of the local history, but we are both learning as we go. I learned a tough lesson next, having my wallet lifted while on a tram on the way to The Rembrandt Museum. After being lost and an intial panic, I did all I could to be sure I was covered and then just decided this WOULDNT ruin my trip of a lifetime! On the humourous side of things, cerithe lost me at that point!! When spoken of in chat, prompting the question...How can U lose anyone the size of BIGFRANK? Cerinthe even took the step of reporting me missing showing the picture above taken when we boarded the canal tour boat. She wandered the streets asking if anyone had seen this guy? They said yes but didnt know where? We eventually hooked up again at my hotel, sorted out what we could and got me back to catch my connection to South Africa. I lucked out both flights I took were undersold, meaning I could spread out and be comfy. On arrival in Johanesburg,I was met by fellow chatter and my gracious lovely host doribell, and the travel agent I used at Pippa's suggestion Andrew from Ubuntu Safaris. After a coffee we loaded up dori's car to head to her home. We passed many people on our way which I must say made me uncomfortable, trying to sell us stuff at every stop sign. Of course the first thing I did was try to get into the car on the wrong side. Dori asked if I was going to drive. On arrival at dori's we are met by the family managerie. I am welcomed and made very comfortable. A little nap, a shower and off to Pretoria for a meet at chatter Essie's place, The Olive Grove. Pictures of AmsterdamMy African Adventure continued(see the gang)
