Dag 4 Vlug na Port Elizabeth

Today we left our lodge in Hazyview and took the approximately four-hour drive to Johannesburg airport. There, an domestic flight to Port Elizabeth was waiting for us. Both the car ride and the flight went perfectly. Therefore, at this point, a few words about South Africa and the infrastructure or the South African everyday life.

The airports in both Johannesburg and P.E. are comparable to German airports. Johannesburg is more like Frankfurt and P.E. is more like Dortmund. The airports are very clean, there are numerous shops and restaurants, and the service of the airlines (in our case SafAir) was even better than that of many German airlines. Quick and easy online check-in. No queue at the baggage drop-off, constant updates regarding gates, etc. via WhatsApp, and a departure that is right on time. Clean short-haul aircraft with plenty of space. Especially for us at the emergency exit 😏

After landing in P.E., we had our luggage in about 15 minutes and could take a shuttle to the hotel where we could end the day.

Much more crazy, that's how we would describe the conditions in the cities and on the streets. Many South Africans do not have a car. So it is completely normal for hitchhikers to stand on every national road (comparable to German federal roads) and highways or simply walk along the road. Even students walk along the road by the hundreds. On the other hand, the roads are very empty and driving on the left occasionally poses a problem only within the city. In general, traffic is much simpler: "whoever arrives at the intersection first has the right of way," and people are often transported sitting on a loading area, but it works and people drive very considerately with the use of headlights and hand signals. Most national roads and highways are in good condition. Only the roads in the towns are like a bumpy ride. There, you have to avoid one pothole or another. Also noticeable are the many small "shops" by the roads. The harvest from the numerous cultivation areas is sold directly on the roadside.

If you go shopping in one of the numerous malls, you can look forward to numerous services. Parking assistance in the parking lot and even the shopping cart at the checkout is loaded. On returning to the parking lot, the shopping cart is also unloaded and you don't have to worry about the shopping cart. All this is done without asking for or charging any money. A small gesture is gladly accepted, but you do not get the feeling that this is a must.