2. Part I - Getting here / Day 1-2 - To Frankfurt

The trip to South Africa was a bit circuitous, in large part to enable us to get there in a reasonably rested state.  It isn't good to start what is supposed to be a fun vacation jet-lagged and stiff and sore from a long plane ride.  The shortest length of flights generally available from SF to Johannesburg take over 24 hours including a reasonable layover or 3 hours at some airport because no one flies non-stop.

So, instead, we decided on a flight to central Europe (in the same time zone as South Africa -- at least at this time of year) and several days layover there to get rid of jet-lag.  Then a nice long overnight flight in business class (thank you credit card miles) to arrive in Johannesburg fairly well rested.  The choice of the city in Europe was based mostly on what flights to South Africa are available from there.

Going from San Francisco to Frankfurt via a change of planes in Dublin starts off with a nice BART ride to SFO.

Michael on BART

Take a farewell look at that suitcase.  You won’t see it after we leave Johannesburg for Victoria Falls.  And the yellow strap gives up the ghost shortly before then.  The guy and his iPad do make it through just fine, though.  

Then just 10+ hours later, we’re at Dublin Airport.  Being an expert in all things Irish due to 5 hours in the Dublin airport, I can say that Ireland is clearly a bilingual country although while there we heard  only English.  But Irish sure looks interesting.

Dublin Airport

Then just 2+ hours more and we’re in Frankfurt in its large airport with a lot of glass.  Frankfurt is the busiest airport in Germany and the third busiest in Europe after London Heathrow and Paris de Gaulle.  Frankfurt itself is only the fifth largest city in Germany but as a financial capital (and as a Lufthansa and United Airlines hub) draws a lot of airport traffic.

Frankfurt Airport

Now we’ve gone pretty far east (although Johannesburg is a bit further east and way further south) and it’s time for a couple of days in Frankfurt to recuperate before heading south.

We arrive in Frankfurt around 8 pm of the day after we left San Francisco at 5 pm (and due to the miracles of time zones, we have been traveling for about 18 hours).  We need rest.

Link to full resolution photos.