Russian to Buenos Aires

Sat 5/Sun 6 November 2022 – Cape Town – Istanbul – (Sao Paulo) – Buenos Aires

Not two days that I would neccesarily want to ever relive in my life.

Saturday morning was a blur – haircut, collecting a car-cover and N-95 Masks from Take-a-lot pickup point, having car washed (so that paint is not scratched by car-cover). Trying unsucessfully to disconnect the car battery and put over cover.

Gave up on vehicle related matters and tried to finalise packing. Completely overwhelmed I eventually ran to meet the airport transfer (15 minutes late – sooooorrrrrryyyyyyy) with a case and multiple bags that needed to be consolidated into case and carry-on backpack before check-in.

Found a quiet place at the airport and somehow managed to consolidate everything into the case and backpack keeping in mind that some items needed to be with me (Carry-on) in case the suitcase does not arrive with me in Buenos Aires. I need the minimum for the cruise… all electronics and chargers, one full set of thermal base layer, thermal socks, fleece, down jacket, beanie, gloves, medication. And then the usual – track pants, t-shirt, spare basics x 2.

I was dead tired by the time I checked in and declared all electronics at customs. There was not much time left after security and immigration – the new ‘self service station’ not registering my fingerprint – I see they abandoned using it by the time I returned.

System issues at Vodacom meant I had to call the call centre while standing in line to board to activate SMS roamer – fun times. The freaken mask was not helping.

A full flight to Istanbul. I ended up next to a Russian sailor returning home after his ship docked in Cape Town. That piece of information was the extent of communication for the trip.

Arriving at Istanbul there was little time to take in the new airport – rushed through immigration to find the Covid Testing Centre. The plan – get a PCR test and get it out of the way before boarding for Buenos Aires. At that point Hurtigruten still allowed lab certified tests or the test at the hotel arranged by them.

Nope.. the PCR test system was down. I can get an antigen test, but that would not be valid for the timeframe. So much for that. Back through immigration.

First impressions – I don’t like the “new” Istanbul Airport. I could not find the lounge. I could not get my international e-sim card to activate – was counting on lounge wifi and coffee.

When our Gate was published it was at the back of beyond. I registered at a kiosk for a small complimentary wifi window and got the e-sim to activate while in line for boarding.

Another full flight. And a flight full of Russians. Google translate worked quite hard – the gentleman next to me had a lot to say. It turned out to be an interesting flight.

Arrived late Sunday night at Buenos Aires EZE and lines at immigration were long. Life was back to Pre-Covid – no social distancing. A relief but not if you have a pre-boarding Covid test looming in the not too distant future.

Pre-paid Taxi at the kiosk was more expensive than I expected and the credit card facilities did not work – luckily I had USD.

By the time I arrived at the AirBnB it was just after 1 am Monday. The lady was super nice. Eventually lying in bed I just could not fall asleep… the hectic past two days, the Covid Test and re-arranging the (hopefully under 23kg) suitcase once again loomed large.