South African Airways Nigeria Hosted a six member group on a 5 day Familiarization trip to its’ motherland South Africa specifically to Johannesburg and Cape Town, with the aim of allowing them to see firsthand exactly what goes on and gives a genuine feeling of the places they can recommend to their customers and themselves.
I arrived exactly at 5pm for the check-in as advised by SAA representative Mr Olujimi Ayodabo, the Sales Executive for SAA. Some members of the group arrived early not taking any chances of Lagos traffic.
I felt really special after an easy check-in at 8:30pm at the SAA Lagos to Johannesburg bound flight for 10:20pm. Getting through the custom officials was a little tiring due to the long queue on the Economy Departure lawn.
Mr OluJimi led the group to the SAA Gabfol Lounge to relax using the avenue to introduce members of the group to each other before boarding. With a VIP treat, we had time to cool off, charge our mobile gargets, had some snacks and drinks. Quickly, I connect to the lounge Wi-Fi to read my mails, see my twitter, facebook account and surf the internet before boarding was announced.
At 10:20pm boarding was announced on flight SAA 061, a direct flight to Johannesburg on the wings of an Airbus aircraft A340-600. I found myself on the isle of the middle row sitting, 69G.
I arrived exactly at 5pm for the check-in as advised by SAA representative Mr Olujimi Ayodabo, the Sales Executive for SAA. Some members of the group arrived early not taking any chances of Lagos traffic.
I felt really special after an easy check-in at 8:30pm at the SAA Lagos to Johannesburg bound flight for 10:20pm. Getting through the custom officials was a little tiring due to the long queue on the Economy Departure lawn.
Mr OluJimi led the group to the SAA Gabfol Lounge to relax using the avenue to introduce members of the group to each other before boarding. With a VIP treat, we had time to cool off, charge our mobile gargets, had some snacks and drinks. Quickly, I connect to the lounge Wi-Fi to read my mails, see my twitter, facebook account and surf the internet before boarding was announced.
At 10:20pm boarding was announced on flight SAA 061, a direct flight to Johannesburg on the wings of an Airbus aircraft A340-600. I found myself on the isle of the middle row sitting, 69G.
SAA A340-600.
The aircraft has 42 business class seat with 180 degree flatbed style of 60cm width 185cm pitch, a duvet and full size pillow; I could only wish I was on a business class seat. However, the Economy class could offer me an 85cm seat pitch, a touchscreen monitor video and audio and a blanket. I never stopped enjoying the Nigerian hit songs as I plugged in the headphone and was ready for the 5hrs and 45mins flight before we touch down at Johannesburg.
To my surprise, SAA also offers Nigerian menu, Jollof rice as dinner on board. I felt at home as I devoured my well known meal with a cup ofSouth African made red wine and bottle of chilled water.
We arrived to a 3 degree Celsius temperature in South Africa’s most buzzing city, Johannesburg. As chilling as the weather was, many of us on the trip were fully prepared with a handful of jackets to combat the weather.
Our local flight from Johannesburg was a different experience entirely as we had to leave on different time, while some of us arrived Cape Town very late.
V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Sun International hosted the Nigeria Familiarization group in three major properties which possess different styles in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The MaslowHotel was an architectural masterpiece to meet the demands of business travellers. The Maslow boast to be the only Hotel to offer guest with an “uncapped” internet service in Sandton Johannesburg. Maslow offers a lounge which has been designed to enable guests to be productive while waiting to check in or before departure to the airport. The Wayfare Traveller Lounge is setup with space, sockets plug in, shower room and ample storage room for luggage.
The Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town water front unlike the Maslow Hotel was built for leisure vacationers who want to see the Table Mountian, Robben Island and shop among other activities. The Table Bay was furnished in a classic mode right from the entrance to the rooms.
We were surprisingly called upon to be the judge of whose Jollof Rice was better between two top chefs. Funnily, we had difficulties picking one, but we all agreed the jollof rice we consume in Nigeria was different from theirs.
I had the chance to learn how to play the jack pot at the Gran West Casino and Entertainment World. Grand West is the biggest complex in the Western Cape with such grounds that welcome 80,000 visits during the school holidays, offering varieties of fun stuff to children and adults. It is a complete place to visit with the family.
Journey back to Johannesburg, Davinci hotel one of Legacy properties was our last place of rest in South Africa. Davinci is at the heart of Sandton City shopping center inside the Nelson Mandela Square. The hotel runs its hot water into the rooms with the technology of solar power.
Lots of Nigerians visit South Africa. I could spot two different families at Maximillien restaurant where we had breakfast at Davinci. Not only there, at every hotel we lodged, there was a Nigerian mostly for leisure.
The best shopping experience was at the Sandton City mall, on our last day of the trip where we shopped different souvenirs. The City mall has over 1,000 shops and there was a lot to see, try out and pick.
The Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town water front unlike the Maslow Hotel was built for leisure vacationers who want to see the Table Mountian, Robben Island and shop among other activities. The Table Bay was furnished in a classic mode right from the entrance to the rooms.
We were surprisingly called upon to be the judge of whose Jollof Rice was better between two top chefs. Funnily, we had difficulties picking one, but we all agreed the jollof rice we consume in Nigeria was different from theirs.
I had the chance to learn how to play the jack pot at the Gran West Casino and Entertainment World. Grand West is the biggest complex in the Western Cape with such grounds that welcome 80,000 visits during the school holidays, offering varieties of fun stuff to children and adults. It is a complete place to visit with the family.
Journey back to Johannesburg, Davinci hotel one of Legacy properties was our last place of rest in South Africa. Davinci is at the heart of Sandton City shopping center inside the Nelson Mandela Square. The hotel runs its hot water into the rooms with the technology of solar power.
Lots of Nigerians visit South Africa. I could spot two different families at Maximillien restaurant where we had breakfast at Davinci. Not only there, at every hotel we lodged, there was a Nigerian mostly for leisure.
The best shopping experience was at the Sandton City mall, on our last day of the trip where we shopped different souvenirs. The City mall has over 1,000 shops and there was a lot to see, try out and pick.
Nelson_Mandela_Square
After an amazing time in South Africa, finally, it was time to return home. We boarded the Gautrian, the first and only speed train in Africa to the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg where we connected a smooth SAA flight back home.
Take it or leave it, South Africa is one country I will certainly love to visit again and again!
Adeola Olanrewaju
PR/Media Executive in Lagos
PR/Media Executive in Lagos
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