. OnHiatus.com > Journal 1 > Day Index > Journal Entry: January 7, 1999

Thursday, January 7, 1999
Douala, Cameroon to Johannesburg, South Africa
Cameroon's FlagZïare's FlagZimbabwe's FlagSouth Africa's Flag

Map
Johannesburg, South Africa:
Latitude: 26° 7' 46" South
Longitude: 28° 1' 48" East
Altitude: 5306 feet
From Seattle: 11663 miles
Lodging: Hostel - The Backpacker's Ritz

Map
Today's Travel:
Countries: Cameroon, Zïare, Zimbabwe, South Africa
Regions: Province du Sud-ouest, Gauteng
Route: Cameroon Airlines, flight 808: Douala - Kinshasa, Zaïre - Harare, Zimbabwe - Johannesburg
Start: Douala, Cameroon
Stop 1. Kinshasa, Zïare
Stop 2. Harare, Zimbabwe
End:Johannesburg, South Africa
Linear:2939 miles
Weather: Overcast / Rain

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Map
Trip Stats to Date:
Day: 637
Linear Dist: 134643
Countries Visited: 49
Regions Visited: 183
More stats...
Hotels: 197
Friends / Family: 155
Camping: 77
Hostels: 146
Transit: 55
Other Lodging: 6
Beers: 2211
Hide...

Journal Entry:
Pretty much spent the entire day getting to South Africa. Dean got up early to go get the paperwork for the car from the shipping agent. He had some problems because it wasn't ready, then they decided they wanted complete payment now as opposed to on delivery. Since Dean had no where near enough money (well over $1,000) and the car had already been loaded they had to agree to take payment on delivery - as we'd agreed to before. Headed to the airport several hours early since we didn't have seats. Waited around for several hours, but had no problems getting seats (and in fact the plane wasn't crowded at all). The plane stopped in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre) - which was a surprise. They wouldn't let us off the plane there, but it was less than an hour layover. Second stop was in in Harare, Zimbabwe - again a short stop. Finally around midnight - nine hours after leaving Douala we landed in Jo'burg.

Dean has a friend who lives here that had already booked a hostel for us - and the hostel had a car waiting for us. It's amazing how un-Africa like this place is - first sign was the Toy's 'R' Us I saw as we were landing. I can not wait to go to Mc Donald's!

Sat around the hostel for a few hours before going to sleep. I feel really nervous and anxious, I think it's just because of how different everything is from where I've been for the last four months.


Related Sites:
CNN: Current Weather in Johannesburg
US State Department Consular Information Sheets: South Africa
CIA World Fact Book: South Africa

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