Awesome African Adventure. Day 46/47 – May 23-25, 2025

Leaving Madagascar, hello Nairobi and bound for Dubai…and home.

Out to the airport, it ticked over midnight. Check in with Kenya Airlines was time consuming as they were keen to see all our tickets home. We had plenty of time and there seemed to be almost no-one else here.
No stress through passport. control (once we’d completed our embarkation papers) and security checks were hassle free too.
We sat and had a coffee (which was good coffee) and hung out in their seats for most of our wait. Keith informed us that the plane was 40 minutes delayed.
Anyway just our plane load of people in the airport and not a huge plane maybe a 120 passengers.
We boarded seamlessly and were away 30 minutes late at 3:30am for a three hour 20 minute flight to Nairobi. First airbridge we’ve had for a bit.
Suzie jumped into the empty two seats in front so we had a little more space. Got a couple of hours sleep I reckon.
Awoken by cabin lights and captains landing announcement.
Kenya Airlines was a good flight. A bit of a wait to get in from the runway. Pulled into the terminal and seatbelts off at 6:45.
Onto the bus and into the sausage machine.
Suzie passed through passport control but not the rest of us. Seems our multiple entry East Africa visa is useless coming from Madagascar- after some conversations and questions on our part – the woman was going to charge us $USD 20 for a fast track transit Visa. A woman (with US or Canadian accent) in the line behind me advised to be sure to get a receipt. We were being waved through having handed over $USD60. I asked for a receipt which held us up some more. She said no worries then walked to another station then came back and returned the money and said she would let us through this time. We thought we’d dodged a bit of corruption. Thanked the lady behind profusely.
We arrived at luggage carousel and ours were the only Four bags left!!
I saw the woman again and she asked if we got our money back. I asked if she’d been caught before – ‘I’ve lived here for a number of years’ was the response.
Our lovely lady from Crowne Plaza – Joy was waiting for us with Suzie for our transfer.
Poor Phil had worn his whole apple juice on his pants thanks to the bloke in front reclining his seat violently onto Phil’s plastic cup.
Checked in and straight to a delicious buffet breaky.
Mary checked the East Africa Visa rules and it seems we weren’t being scammed. A trap for new players. The East Africa allows you to move between Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya (and Tanzania) but not from other countries. So maybe we misjudged our passport control woman.
Then up to see if we can sleep before our 4:35 flight to Dubai.
We had hoped to visit the Sheldrick trust but feel we might be cutting it fine and no-one needs the stress when already a bit short on sleep.
The hotel was fabulous – a delicious buffet breaky on arrival and the rooms were very nice.
A bit of blogging and a bit of sleep before meeting in the lobby at 1:30pm to check out and catch the 2pm shuttle to airport for our 4:35pm Emirates flight to Dubai. (Seems I took not one photo of our short stay in Nairobi)
This is where I get lucky. My extremely generous Aunty Sue and Uncle Keith have gifted me upgraded flights home to Melbourne for my 60th. This birthday just keeps on giving.
So we left Mary and Phil after attempting an upgrade and also failing to get them into the Emirates lounge with us. It was about a 5 hour flight and was nice to have the extra space to stretch out for movies – I finished watching Bookworm a quirky and entertaining NZ based film, and another based on a true story – A Penguin Friend – a tearjerker and even a bit of sleep as well.
We landed into Dubai and had quite a walk and train ride to our gate. We had a little over 3 hours (again unable to get Mary and a Phil into the lounge) a shower was welcome and while no food was needed, the meal on previous flight (Mezze option and Beef Fillet) were beyond delicious. However when tired nibbling helps.
It is a huge Emirates lounge at Gate A with direct access to A1 gate.
Boarded around 2am local time for a 15 hour flight to Melbourne. We were delayed in departure, as an unwell passenger needed to disembark and getting her luggage took some extra time. (No hassle when you are comfy and stretched out in business but I do feel for others). The captain is hoping to make up the time in the air – let’s hope so for all concerned.
We finally pulled away from the gate at 3:10am – 30 minutes late.
Took off just before 3:30am.
Into pjs and bed flat watching a lovely animated movie called Flow. Revolved around a stray cat but also had a capybara and Ringtailed Lemur.
Sleep.
Breaky – Chia Pudding
Movie – Cordially Invited.
Then a doco – Expedition Killer Whale.
Wicked
Lunch
Coming into Melbourne at 2:51 by my watch – I’ve lost all track of am/pm. It’s 10pm Saturday night Melbourne time. And it’s freezing compared to what we’ve been experiencing for the past 7 weeks.
Melbourne looks clear and organised with the lights twinkling on a clear night.

We farewelled Suzie at the airport- we are utilising the Emirates Chauffeur service that comes with Business Class. I had pre arranged for Mary and Phil to accompany me in mine. Given the hour we had decided to stay in the city. A little hotel (nothing flash) Yehs Hotel in little Bourke st. We checked in and found a Maccas for coffee before bedtime.

Arose next morning after a great sleep for the short walk to Southern Cross station. Breaky at one of the cafes in the Spencer Outlet centre, very nice.

As usual no Gippsland trains running (rail works again! Or still!). Down to the bus depot we went. There were three bus options – direct to Warragul, direct to Moe, then Morwell and Traralgon or direct to Traralgon. Mary and Phil kindly opted to come on the very full Moe option. So lucky it was a Sunday and a hassle free ride home.

Thanks to Pete B for coming to pick me up at station (and for mowing my lawn too).

Home safe a sound before midday, for the great unpack, shop etc. Not back to work until Wednesday.

Thanks Africa and Madagascar and especially to my fellow travellers for an unforgettable experience.