Our flight from the Mara was about 1530 and although the delightful French Father and Daughter were convinced theirs was at 1730 they were on the same flight so Darren asked if we'd mind sharing a truck - as if!
As I've already mentioned, Daughter is quite a large lady and Father walks with a stick so naturally we helped get them in the truck for the short drive to the airstrip. Both us ladies decided to use the facilities before the flight and then as Dickson wasn't totally in tune with clients' requirements, either because he's new or maybe not used to the high level of service that Kicheche provide, we continued to help with their bags once the plane arrived.
There was one other passenger waiting and he made sure he boarded first and sat down at the front of the plane. I suggested to Daughter/Father that they got on before us so Ian and I could pass their camera bags up and they could safely stow them at the back. Unfortunately Daughter took one look at the inside of the plane and said there was no way she could get between the rear seats in order to sit down (the plane they'd arrived on was a 30 seater and obviously considerably wider). I was amazed as it seemed a huge gap, but clearly not when you weigh 105kg as she then demonstrated so I quietly explained the problem to the crew (pilot and co-pilot) and they actually unscrewed the rear single seat so she could get past and sit down. The crew were really good and didn't make an issue of it which considering Safarilink's T&Cs suggests anyone weighing over 90kgs books an extra seat and they reserve the right to charge accordingly at check-in I thought was pretty decent.
Once we'd finally got seated, being mid-afternoon the weather was benign and the flight to Wilson uneventful other than Mr Important at the front almost tripping over the loose seat in his desperation to get off first (maybe he had a connection to make).
Having recovered our cushion covers from safe storage we said our goodbyes to Father and Daughter and I did my best to explain gently to Daughter that in all likelihood we wouldn't see them again at Nairobi Airport as a) it was very big, b) we were on different airlines and c) the flights left at rather different times.
Of course Jackson was there waiting for us with his minibus, which ruined the efforts of a "tout" from another camp - we've not come across that before. They must be desperate for customers, but he backed off straight away when he saw Jackson and he found out which camp we'd just been to.
Michele had arranged for Jackson to take us somewhere to eat before the flight and he suggested Four Points by Sheraton which is actually on the airport complex. It was about 3/4 hour drive from Wilson as it was evening rush hour and it was a fascinating journey, I wish I'd kept my camera handy. On roads where traffic was slow and queuing there were hawkers walking up and down with a huge variety of goods on offer; hats, sunglasses, cleaning products, kites! - you name it, you could buy it. Jackson said mostly the hawkers were paid by Chinese to sell the stuff. He tried on a new baseball cap but the price wasn't good enough.
I was amazed when Jackson said he'd be 50 this year as quite frankly he looks older. He was very poorly with Covid last year but couldn't afford the £3,000 bill if he went to hospital so he relied on traditional medicines and fortunately pulled through as his son is only about 10.
Since 2018 new security is in place at JKIA and everyone, bar the driver, has to leave the vehicle and go through airport type security scanning in a little booth. Jackson warned us to completely empty our pockets as anything you had in them had to be placed in a tray whilst you went through the scanner and there were always loads of people hurrying to get through. Just as we were exiting the truck Ian realised he still had the wad of US$ in his pocket and so we handed them to Jackson for safe keeping - knowing absolutely he could be trusted.
Jackson was right, although there was a queue some people thought nothing of pushing and shoving to get through quickly and I'm sure the odd light fingered person could well have helped themselves to something from a tray.
We'd already planned to shower and change in the lounge at JKIA and also eat there but as we had a couple of hours at Four Points we decided to have a light bite and a bottle of wine just to kill time. We both chose Caesar Salads which were delicious and somehow managed to make the bottle last until we were due to meet with Jackson about 2000 hours.
It was a short drive to the departures terminal which is undergoing refurbishment (of course, like everywhere else we go!) but Jackson was able to drop us fairly near the entrance and we joined the queue of about 40 waiting to get in. Armed guards checked we had the correct papers, both flight and Covid and then did a temperature check. Immediately inside the entrance all baggage had to be scanned and each piece of IT (phone, laptop, computer) had to be placed in a separate tray, then liquids, shoes and belts. In all we used 8 trays but luckily we now have our scanning procedures down to a fine art; one of us goes through ready to meet the trays, whilst the other waits behind until all trays have disappeared.
BA check-in was already open and the Priority lane queue was non existent. Despite having uploaded all the info to the VeriFLY App in order to check-in, I was amazed (AKA annoyed) that we had to show all our papers again. Eventually we were given our boarding passes and directions to the Turkish Airways lounge. Next step was Passport Control which has about 6 different lanes, all with different signs but apart from Crew/Diplomat we couldn't work out what they meant as they were in Swahili. Some queues had 2 booths and moved quicker and actually it didn't seem to matter which lane you took. We queued for about 20 mins and then had to provide passports, boarding passes and have photos/fingerprints taken but the staff were very pleasant. Thinking we were now "through" I immediately put all the paperwork away only to find we needed the boarding passes to get through another barrier about 6 meters ahead. Then upstairs to another scanner which involved the same palaver and number of trays as before.
As I mentioned the terminal is under refurbishment and as a result the Turkish Airlines Lounge has been replaced by a small, café like area. There are no showers or changing facilities and not even a loo, you have to go outside and walk 5 mins back to the security area. We found a couple of seats and persuaded the girl opposite to remove her facemask from the shared table. To get food or drink you had to flag down a passing waiter but it was so unbearably hot I only had a bottle of water - yes, that hot! The small portions of food look very nice and smelt good but having eaten at Four Points and anticipating a decent meal on the plane we didn't bother with anything.
Our flight wasn't showing on the departures board but I discovered from my phone that the incoming plane was about 45 mins late so we assumed that would impact our departure time (originally 0010). However we suddenly caught part of a barely audible announcement saying the flight would be leaving on time, this was a total lie but we were glad we left the lounge immediately as at the gate (right next to the lounge) there was a very long queue. Everyone seemed to produce pages and pages of stuff and the more they handed over the longer it took as every page was scrutinised. When it came to our turn I just gave over the passports, boarding passes and showed PLFs on my phone and the VeriFLY App which confirmed our eligibility to fly. That is the whole point of the App and after some "persuasion" from me the girl accepted it even though she didn't seem to have a clue what it was.
Blow me down, we then had to go through the scanning farce once again but this time although the signs said separate trays for each equipment, they then lumped them altogether. I asked about priority boarding and we were told to sit in seats by the window but the seating filled up quickly and a lot of people had to stand. Eventually we boarded and took our seats in Row 7 in the little front cabin and enjoyed a couple of glasses whilst the remainder of the boarding took place. Despite having eating about 1800 I was looking forward to dinner and was absolutely horrified when the steward offered me the choice of a cheese or beef panini - I actually asked him if it was a joke. He did big it up a bit by saying it came with a side salad so against my better judgement I agreed to have a cheese one. When it arrived it was stone cold and I was told that was how it was meant to be served which I totally disputed as the dictionary definition of a panini "is a sandwich made with Italian bread, usually toasted".
For side salad read garnish!
A little while later the Purser came over and apologised; apparently there had been a problem with the wrapping and this plastic was non-heatable. She too is fed up with defending BA's poor service and urged me to write and complain (which I did and I received a fulsome apology from BA and 40,000 Avios points which was very acceptable). Ian and I both declined breakfast, preferring to have a few more minutes sleep if possible and for once Ian slept well but I must get him some sleeping attire for the future as the Purser commented that he was down to his underpants.
Suitable fortified we retrieved the car and headed for home.
We both agree that this was a WONDERFUL holiday and we enjoyed it far more than the last trip to Kenya, whether this was because we were familiar with two of the camps or because it was only 3 camps/9 nights, we don't know but it was fab-u-lous and I'm really looking forward to sorting the 7,000+ photos for this blog.