Day 10 - George, Port Elizabeth & Johannesburg

Bit of a shocker. Staff received a 4.30am phone call from our bus driver Adam saying we would need to push back our 6am start to the journey for Port Elizabeth. Apparently a drunk driver smashed into the back of our coach (affectionately named “El Josa” by the boys) in the early hours of the morning and was now inactive at a depot. Therefore one of Adam’s colleagues was driving through the night from Cape Town (an eight-hour journey) to bring a replacement vehicle.

A huge thank you to all the billet hosts who transported the boys to the staff guest house from the school meeting point at 6 on a Sunday morning to await the coach. Team McDonalds breakfast ensued while staff changed our booking to a flight later this evening just to be safe.

The silver lining to this event was the group being able enjoy a more leisurely, scenic drive up the garden route, stopping off in towns like the lake-side Knysna to do some shopping and burger-buying.

Arrived at Port Elizabeth with plenty of time to check out the beach before checking in for our 19.40 flight to Johannesburg and boarding a small but slick plane. “This reminds me of my private jet, Sir,” remarked James Riley as he found his seat.

After a smooth 90-minute flight we arrived in Johannesburg and were transported to the Protea, a smart airport hotel but with peculiar showers-in-the-bedroom rooms. Still, everyone was grateful for flat-screen TVs and a good night’s rest after a hefty travel day. Clinking of the room service trolleys could be heard about midnight delivering steaks to various boys’ rooms...