Our long-awaited adventure is just a month away. Its time to tie up the loose ends and make sure all your questions are answered.
The core of our group is located in South Jersey, and the folks flying from Cedar Rapids, Tampa, Miami and Boston all have some relationship – direct or indirect - to a member of the core group. Because the organization of the trip originated in South Jersey, the 14 passengers there will be attending a pre-trip orientation meeting on Thursday, March 29 th. They will also have an opportunity for a shuttle to the Philadelphia Airport from Vincentown, and a place to park their cars free for the duration of the trip if they so choose. Unfortunately, these services cannot be provided to those flying from the four out-of-state venues. Our Miami, Boston, Cedar Rapids and Tampa passengers will have to make their own arrangements to get to and from their airports. Once we all gather in London we will be one big happy family, hopefully, and the amenities will be shared equally by all. Apologies to those outside of New Jersey for having to suffer through some of the information in this communication that does not apply to them – but I thought it better to send out one universal information packet so that everyone knows what is going on – in case a question arises that should be answered. So here goes:
1. Revised airline schedule enclosed. There are a few minor changes from the initial schedule sent out a few months ago. This document will serve several purposes. One, it provides you all with the list of the 18 people on the tour and the region from which each will be flying. (I duplicated the names and flight information of the core group on each page just to show how all the flights converge in London). The advice to everyone is to get to the airport for check-in two hours before departure. New Jersey people will get their flight materials at the orientation meeting; the others will receive them in the mail.
2. Some of you have asked about upgrades because of the length of the flight. Based on past experience I initially indicated that it was not possible to upgrade. However, after being advised to move my request up the line at Collette I have been informed that, depending on availability, upgrades are available. The cost is prohibitive, but for anyone interested, the upgrade to World Traveler Plus or Premium Economy, would cost an additional $1000. If you prefer Club World, the additional cost would be between $3,500 and $5,500, depending on the available seats. Collette is currently processing the upgrade request of one member of our group. Let me know if you are interested in pursuing this option.
3. I have enclosed some information on the Transportation Security Administration Guidelines for carry on bags. You can get further clarification by visiting their website, http://www.tsa.gov. Please make airline check-in smooth for yourself and your fellow travelers by strictly following the guidelines.
4. I’m not pushing L.L. Bean Duffle Bags, but I’ve enclosed a page from their on-line catalog to illustrate the maximum size bag you can take. Measuring length, height and width, your checked bag cannot exceed 62 inches. L.L. Bean has 3 sizes, but the Extra-large exceeds the allowable dimensions, so the Large is the one you would choose. In answer to several questions, duffle bags MAY have wheels. The other point of this clarification is that you must bring SOFT, DUFFLE BAG-TYPE LUGGAGE. The 50 pound limit also applies to checked luggage!
5. I am once again including Collette’s “Travel Tips for The Plains of Africa”. For those still having difficulty in deciding what items of clothing and how much to take, go to the internet and just GOOGLE: “Kenya Safari Clothing” – you’ll find dozens of travel sites with a variety of suggestions. Remember to stay with the tans, olives, greens, browns and other natural colors.
6. In response to a question about electrical current: the electrical current in Kenya lodges and hotels is 220 volts. If you plan to bring 110-volt electrical devices, it's suggested that you pack an electrical converter and an adapter plug set (socket configurations in destination countries vary between the two-pronged variety and the three-pronged variety).
7. I’ve enclosed something I found on the internet concerning Kenya Money Matters, which simply enhances what Collette has already summarized in its Travel Tips. I also printed today’s FX Cheat Sheet, available at www.oanda.com – it is a handy currency conversion tool for your wallet.
8. Jersey group parking and shuttle. A mini bus will be available at my home for those wishing to avail themselves of this free shuttle service from Vincentown to the Philadelphia International Airport. You can either be dropped off at my home, or drive here and leave your car safely (off street parking) for the duration of the trip. The shuttle will leave Vincentown at 3:00 p.m. sharp and will return us to the same place at the end of our trip. Details will be made available at our March 29 th meeting. Apologies to the folks traveling from Boston, Miami, Cedar Rapids and Tampa – you’ll have to make your own arrangements for getting to and from your local airport.
9. U.S. Department of State Travel Registration Service at http://nairobi.usembassy.gov. In case you are interested, this optional service is worth looking into. Travel registration is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. Registration allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency. If you decide to use the service, use the “Short-Term Trip” form. It is all internet based.
10. Pre-trip Orientation Meeting - I have made arrangements with the Flying W Airport, Medford, to conduct our pre-trip orientation meeting there on Thursday evening, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. We will meet in the Flight Operations area, which is actually behind the Restaurant, with entrance from the outside. Don’t enter the Restaurant, but proceed on the walkway around it to the back area along the Airport runway. Enter the Flight Operations area, which consists of an information desk and a small coffee bar. We will meet in this area. The agenda for the evening is basically to distribute trip documents and airline tickets, answer your questions and give you a preview of our itinerary. If you are unfamiliar with the location of the Flying W Airport ( 60 Fostertown Road), visit their website for directions: www.flyingwairport.com. If you are not an internet user, let me know and I will send you the directions. The meeting should be over by 9:00 p.m. We’ll serve light refreshments. Non-Jersey travelers will get the information by mail.
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO DOZENS OF WEBSITES PERTINENT TO OUR ADVENTURE, INCLUDING WEBSITES OF EACH HOTEL
Joe Laufer
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