Author Topic: Trip Report: Etihad Glitch Fare (UAE, Vic Falls, Chobe, Joburg, and Cape Town)  (Read 27656 times)

Offline Markus

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Notice the people scuba diving in the bottom picture.
« Last Edit: March 27, 2015, 02:52:08 PM by jj1000 »

Offline Markus

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Thanks. I figured as much, but it’s not really any easier.

I lied. It is easier. Thanks for the tip.

Offline Markus

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Offline Markus

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Indoor Skiing at mall in Dubai


Offline AJK

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Really well done. I know how long it takes to write these things so thanks!

How much was the elephant camp per night?

Did you upgrade your EY flight by transferring to EY miles or did you just pay for it?

I don't know if the weather was good for you,  but the drive from CPT to Cape Point is one of, if not the prettiest in the world. Mind bogglingly pretty.

I personally wouldn't have crammed in as much as you did, miss too much that way, IMHO, but it seems like it worked out for you.
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline Yaalili

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Really well done. I know how long it takes to write these things so thanks!

How much was the elephant camp per night?

Did you upgrade your EY flight by transferring to EY miles or did you just pay for it?

I don't know if the weather was good for you,  but the drive from CPT to Cape Point is one of, if not the prettiest in the world. Mind bogglingly pretty.

I personally wouldn't have crammed in as much as you did, miss too much that way, IMHO, but it seems like it worked out for you.


The drive is mind blowing pretty the second half of it, first part (outskirts of CPT) stinks. I crammed in a ton in my trip too, maybe more.

Offline Markus

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Really well done. I know how long it takes to write these things so thanks!

How much was the elephant camp per night?

Did you upgrade your EY flight by transferring to EY miles or did you just pay for it?

I don't know if the weather was good for you,  but the drive from CPT to Cape Point is one of, if not the prettiest in the world. Mind bogglingly pretty.

I personally wouldn't have crammed in as much as you did, miss too much that way, IMHO, but it seems like it worked out for you.

Thank you. It really did take a long while, but it was my way of giving back to the community which has helped me on all of my other trips. I’m glad you appreciate it.

I transferred miles to EY for the upgrade. I was offered the option to bid, but my low bid was not accepted and a higher bid would not have been worthwhile. The minimum bid (which I understand is never accepted) on the NY — AUH leg would have been $1,200 per ticket each way.

You are absolutely correct. The city just breathes beauty. Everywhere you look there are magnificent mountains and coastlines. Unfortunately, much of the brush was burnt in some of the areas though.

I prefer crammed trips. I don’t get to travel as often as I would like, and I try to do as much as I can when the opportunity arises. I understand your perspective; to each his own I guess...

Offline Yaalili

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Oh and beautiful pictures!

Offline Markus

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The Elephant Camp Hotel
(I will complete this set once my pictures finish uploading to Flickr)

Hotel Bed



Tent Living Area



Tent Bathtub



Standard Tent Private Plunge Pool



View from our private deck with Vic Falls mist



View from our private deck



Lobby tent indoor dining area



Main tent seating area

« Last Edit: March 20, 2015, 06:02:18 PM by Markus »

Offline Markus

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Oh and beautiful pictures!

Thank you! We almost lost them. But a fellow DDFer helped me recover (most of) them from a corrupted SD card.

Offline AJK

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The drive is mind blowing pretty the second half of it, first part (outskirts of CPT) stinks. I crammed in a ton in my trip too, maybe more.

From what I remember, the drive was almost instantly pretty. If anything only the first 15-20 mins aren't breathtaking, but soon after that the scenery changes dramatically from minute to minute. I can't recall anything prettier... even <gasp> the drive to Milford Sound.
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline AJK

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Thank you. It really did take a long while, but it was my way of giving back to the community which has helped me on all of my other trips. I’m glad you appreciate it.

I transferred miles to EY for the upgrade. I was offered the option to bid, but my low bid was not accepted and a higher bid would not have been worthwhile. The minimum bid (which I understand is never accepted) on the NY — AUH leg would have been $1,200 per ticket each way.

You are absolutely correct. The city just breathes beauty. Everywhere you look there are magnificent mountains and coastlines. Unfortunately, much of the brush was burnt in some of the areas though.

I prefer crammed trips. I don’t get to travel as often as I would like, and I try to do as much as I can when the opportunity arises. I understand your perspective; to each his own I guess...

I'm not sure which place is prettier, CPT or AKL... CPT can hold it's own against the prettiest of AKL, but AKL as a country probably gets the nod. Either way, you can't go wrong with either.

Don't get me wrong, I've done crammed trips, but this one seems ambitious even for me :) You missed shark diving in CPT...!
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline Markus

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I'm not sure which place is prettier, CPT or AKL...

What’s AKL? I didn’t “miss” shark diving; I took the opportunity to maintain my shalom bayis... ::)

Offline AJK

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What’s AKL? I didn’t “miss” shark diving; I took the opportunity to maintain my shalom bayis... ::)

New Zealand.

No shalom bayis issue if your spouse does it with you ;)
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline Markus

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Zambezi River Cruise






Offline Markus

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New Zealand.

No shalom bayis issue if your spouse does it with you ;)

Boy, do I wanna go there! One day…

LOL!

Offline Markus

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Some Safari Pics

Impalas





Elephant Skull



Elephant Crossing



Offline smart brit

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Thanks so much for the beautiful and detailed TR

Offline Yaalili

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I'm not sure which place is prettier, CPT or AKL... CPT can hold it's own against the prettiest of AKL, but AKL as a country probably gets the nod. Either way, you can't go wrong with either.

Don't get me wrong, I've done crammed trips, but this one seems ambitious even for me :) You missed shark diving in CPT...!

The question would really be between CPT and GIG. Out of which GIG may just tip it over.

Offline shauly

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Thanks so much for typing this up, it's really well written and informative. South Africa is on my list of places, so I hope to make use of your notes some day.