Right is Wrong

 

Today was the big day for picking up the RV’s.  We were so excited that we woke up at 4am, and it allowed us to listen to qualifications for the Daytona 500!  This is the first time in 12 years that we haven’t been at the track, and its pretty amazing that we can listen live that many miles away (and at 4am!)

Our wagon masters gathered the group for a morning briefing to describe the process for picking up the RV’s and then reviewed our trip log with detailed driving directions on where we are headed.  The most important instruction was that right is wrong!  In Africa, they drive on the left side of the road.  Many of us have not experienced driving on the wrong (left) side of the road,  especially in a large vehicle, so this is going to be interesting!

The first order of business was getting everyone’s luggage loaded on the bus for the trip to the RV depot.  Oh my goodness, what a load it was.   Most of us found that things in our suitcase had expanded and it was much harder to get it all back in, so there were lots of “supplemental” bags in the luggage pile.  (We added a small duffle bag  filled with laundry that we did in the sink, but hadn’t dried!)   We had to watch our own luggage get loaded before we boarded the bus—I guess that’s from past experience where someone’s luggage was left behind.

Once we arrived at the RV depot they gave us our RV assignment.  We are #14.  We each had to watch a safety video and complete paperwork.   Then, someone from the company came around to show us details about the motorhome, and do an inspection on both the inside and the outside.

The motorhomes are Inveco Maui motorhomes, Class C (with a van-like front cab).  They are about 24 feet long, with an automatic transmission (thank goodness).   It is a mercedes diesel engine. We were lucky to get one of the vehicles with a bed above the cockpit.  It can be used for storage (or for sleeping if someone in the back bed snores too loud!)  We were impressed with the available storage and equipment.  

They provided linens (one flat  sheet and comforter and two pillows per bed), towels, and lots of kitchen stuff including a brand new hot pot and toaster. Getting the RV’s was a pretty efficient process. During the inspection process someone found a low tire which they immediately took care of. Someone else had a broken mirror, which they replaced, and someone else wasn’t quite full of fuel, so they filled it.  We were the last ones to leave the lot because we were in one of the back vehicles parked behind others, so we had to wait for the others to leave.  But, that doesn’t bother us…we’re on African time and they don’t hurry for anything (except driving)!

It was the strangest feeling taking off and having the steering wheel on the wrong side; and even more, driving on the left side of the road.   On top of that, driving/riding in a different vehicle added to the stress of getting underway.   Traffic was a bit crazy too. (These Africans like to drive fast and honk!) 

 Being the navigator, I failed right off the bat…we missed our first turn! (I was on the wrong map!)  Talk about major stress—for both Jim and me.   Luckily we had arranged to follow two campers in front of us and were in contact via walkie talkies.  They waited for us and we were able to correct our course.

To add to the excitement, there were high winds, which blew the RV from side to side.   It was a white knuckle drive—dealing with the wind and getting used to the “wrong” side of the road.  I needed a grab bar on my seat.  We kept hugging the left side of the road, and I was leaning right, hoping it would help us stay on the road! 

Halfway to our destination, we stopped at a grocery, so that everyone could stock up.   How funny to drive in the back of a parking lot and see 18 motorhomes lined up! 

  We filled our cart with 3 gallons of water, and all the necessities that weren’t provided—toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, dish soap, coffee, cokes, bread, eggs and lunchmeat, along with some snacks.   We had a cart full of goods and our bill came up to R1500…it translated to $84….probably my cheapest trip to the grocery in a while!

It was after 4pm when we finally arrived at Onrus Caravan Park in Hermanus.  The scenery was beautiful along the way, although we didn’t get to look around much because I was focused on the map and Jim on the road.  We saw our first bit of rain since we’ve been here…just a little mist, that didn’t hamper driving, but sure brought in the clouds and cooler temperatures.   We’ve been experiencing hot days, but today and tonight are very pleasant. 

After getting parked, the wagon masters Kay and Nick made it official by tagging our vehicle with our number.

We all went out to dinner and made it in time for happy hour!  After that frantic drive, we all needed a cocktail.   I bet we will all sleep well tonight!