Recently, while rummaging through a dusty box in the garage, David Holt-Biddle found notes made by his mother, Pat Holt-Biddle, on her Trek Airways journey from London to Joburg in 1961, when air travel really was an adventure. It took five days to fly from London to Joburg...
A rough crossing with huge rollers. Thought the blooming boat would capsize at times, but I enjoyed it tremendously. It rained like blazes most of the way, but we were comfortable in the first class covered deck. The train was freezing and everyone thought we had left poor old England just in time.
Nice, friendly crowd. Had a gorgeous dinner, no doubt the French know how to cook, the dining room on the train was warm. Arrived at Luxembourg right on time, still pouring, cold, met by taxis and taken to the most luxurious hotel I have ever been in. I have a double room and sure wish someone nice was sharing it with me. Have my own bathroom toilet and shower, all centrally heated. In bed by 10.40pm. Going to try to have a good night because we are off again at 10am and I'd like to have a quick look around before we go. It's nice to feel rich once in a while.
Another beautiful hotel with a private bathroom. I am sharing with a young lady. Vienna is a mixture of the old and the new. Unfortunately we are in the new. Prince Eugene Hotel, opposite the station. Wide streets with terrific neon signs flashing. It's quite exciting standing out on the balcony.
I did manage to see a lovely old castle which is near here, the Belvedere, with lovely stonework and fascinating gargoyles. We are off early in the morning, at 5. Much nicer crowd on this trip.
10.40pm: Had a nice evening, went down to dinner at 7 and sat with two German girls. They are going out for sight-seeing and asked if I would like to go with them. We certainly saw some wonderful sights.
Part of Vienna is much like Piccadilly, with whirling neon signs but much wider streets, all cobbled. Very gay and beautiful city. We went into a coffee house and had a lovely coffee with thick cream. Gorgeous cakes, but we couldn't manage any as we had had too much dinner. Everyone welcomed us like one of the family and even gave us a memento bookmark. There is a beautiful floodlit fountain, a memorial put there by the Russians, sarcastically called Stalin Square.
Churches are all so beautiful. Saw the State Opera House. It's lit from inside and looks lovely, the carving is wonderful. Very ornate. A funny incident when we were walking home around 11.30pm, no one around, and were so happy we crossed the road while the light was red. Much blowing of whistles and a furious policeman appeared from nowhere and informed us we just couldn't do that in Vienna! The girls spoke nicely to him however and we parted good friends.
We had dinner overlooking the Nile on a terraced dining room, covered, but open all round. Feel just like Elizabeth Taylor! I am on the sixth floor with a large balcony looking over the square, which puts Piccadilly in the shade. I have never seen anything so lovely.
We went on an outing after dinner and saw the pyramids and the Sphinx by moonlight. What a wonderful experience. You can feel all the history all round you, it all seems unreal. Then on a tour of the bazaars, all trying to catch the tourist but I could spend a few pounds, nice things as well as rubbish. Now midnight and we are to be called at 4am. Long stretch tomorrow, but it seems a sin to sleep with so much going on. But I'll have to try.
I believe the poverty and filth in the background has to be seen (and smelt) to be believed, but we didn't see that. They have the most wonderful statues, both ancient and modern. I thought it was terrific.
6.30am: Lovely morning. We watched the dawn break, so romantic. Now we are off again, headed for Khartoum, approximately five hours, stopping there for lunch. The desert looks wonderful in the sun. Funny how Africa fascinates you.
9.30am: Still flying over the Sahara, nothing but sand. We are travelling at about 370km/h and doesn't seem as though we are moving at all. Landed at Khartoum at noon.
Feels as though you stepped right into an oven, never felt such heat, an effort to walk across the tarmac. However, fans whirling in the hotel and iced drinks, the natives very fine types, tall and dressing in flowing robes and turbans with wide coloured cummerbunds. Gorgeous food, tastefully served. Whole fishes about two foot long, in aspic, and served with frozen salads and suckling pigs etc! Not hungry but it tempts.
Next stop Entebbe, Uganda. Landed at Entebbe at 7pm. Pleasant, but a very long "hop". Everyone very friendly now and eager to get home. The air hostess was even giving hair do's to pass the time.
Saw the sunset below the clouds, an unforgettable sight. Even laid on a rainbow for me. Another wonderful hotel with private bathroom, a low two-storey building built around a garden rather like a monastery. Little coloured lanterns hanging everywhere. It's enchanting, sure am living a little.
11.30pm: Had a lovely evening. After dinner we walked by Lake Victoria in the moonlight; it is tremendous, even has a pier and a large ship was docked there. Such contrast to other spots. It's luxurious green and fresh. We sat on the lawn outside the hotel and had a last drink. It has all been like a dream. Had dinner with a family who are returning to Swaziland. We are called tomorrow at 6.30am to take off at 7.30am for the last lap home.
9.25am: Now going over East Africa. At 11.25am the weather is clearing, Now flying over Lake Tanganyika, weather now perfect and it's a lovely sight. We have been flying very low, but now we are high up again, crossed the border, the Limpopo River, into South Africa at 3.45pm, due into Jan Smuts at 5pm. Lots of folk feeling the heat and altitude but I feel fine. Everyone hilarious it's been a long flight.
Joburg 5pm, on the dot. Had to sit in the plane while they fumigated us and looked at medical cards. Gee, it's hot. Crowds waving at the airport. Soon on the airport bus, wonderful evening and thoroughly enjoyed the trip to Joburg, took me right to my door. Maybe in two years, when I've settled the amount, I'll go all over again!
Trek Airways flew a Super Constellation aircraft at approximately 3 000m and there was no food or drinks on board. Times have changed...
