South Africa is wonderful as always. Quick update on my trip so far. For those who said to make sure I take pictures, I have over 400 to date and will send some at a later date when I can resize them.

May 3 – 5 on the ground and in the air

These days blended for me as I passed thru the time zones and didn't sleep much on the planes so was exhausted.

I was up at 4:30 am but stayed in bed until 6:30am. Then got up and started laundry so the beds would have clean sheets, did my hair, and a few other things. I then did a few errands – dropping of recycling, getting travelers cheques, and a last minute gift for family. BG, BP, & JP arrived to take me to the airport. I was able to check my luggage all the way thru to Cape Town. I had 2 different tickets, Kamloops – Vancouver, and Vancouver-London-Cape Town. We talked until they called for the flight to clear security. I went thru without any problems. It was a quick flight and N picked me up in Vancouver. We went for tea while we waited for RC and C. They joined us later at Aberdeen Mall for cream puffs (YUM!) and chicken fingers. LD arrived later. We hung for a while then it was time to go to the airport. Again no problem with security. I was actually earlier than I thought so I wondered the International section looked at the art work. At Heathrow the security is set higher so I think my watch set it off.

The flight to London was pretty good. I didn't have anyone in the seat next to me so I could lay across both seats. There were also personal screens on the backs of the seats in front of me. I watched "The Bucket List", "PS I Love You", "The Golden Compass" and a few tv shows. Arrived in London to warm, humid, clouds. Transferred from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1. I had a 7 hour wait so after exchanging some money into pounds, I found a bank of seats with no armrests. Put my purse into my backpack and rigged it around my arm and pulled my blanket up. I didn't sleep well but I did manage to nap a few times. Got up later and kind of washed up in the bathroom including washing my hair in the sink. Then had a nice relaxing pizza then there was an overhead call for the flight. Got on the plane into the very small seat. The plane needed some oil in one wing and the maintenance crew had trouble getting the cover back on. Finally an hour later we headed out (10 pm SA time). We were the 10th plane in the line up. The guy next to me didn't have enough room (only kids would have) and took over some of my space. The flight staff were very nice and attentive. The movies were "National Treasure" (2nd one) and "The Bucket List". One was shown at the beginning of the flight then the front screens were turned off and the second one a few hours before we landed. In between they turned the screens off.

I was able to sleep until 3 am. I opened the window cover to the most beautiful sky full of stars. 30 minutes later we passed beside a lightening storm. It was great to watch it from above for a few hours. A jet flew by above us as well. I kept it open and also watched the sunrise. We flew over the water beside Namibia where I could see the beautiful sand dunes. Then we were in South Africa! We flew across peninsula and turned to land. Mom & Dad, CS & AS were there to meet me. I was one of the last one out. I think it was because I was at Heathrow so early that my luggage was loaded first. I was informed we were going to Table Mountain as there was rain in the forecast for the next few days.

May 5th – Cape Town

We arrived at CS & AS's where I had a wonderful shower and a quick snack before we headed for the mountain. There had been a fire some time in the last few years so some of the base was still charcoal black. The gondola floor rotated around so you got a 360 view going up and down. It was a warm wind at the bottom but it was gusting and cool at the top. We walked around the path to get the view of Cape Town. Christopher & I walked further around and looked all the way down to Cape Point. The views were amazing!

We then drove to C and A (cousins) for tea. I was falling asleep but woke up shortly after. On our way home, we hurried to the beach to get a wonderful sunset.

At home, ASs sister C had made us dinner. For me – chicken and vegetables. The storm started that night and did lots of damage around the cape. I went to bed early and slept until 3 am. I read a few hours then slept again.

May 6th – Cape Town

It was still raining in the morning so the plan to go to Cape Point was up in the air. The rain stopped so we decided to head out that way and see what happens.

Indian Ocean (east side)
We stopped at Fishhoek for pictures of the beach there. The waves just kept rolling in. Next off to Boulders to see the penguins. We actually parked at the far parking lot but we didn't have all the bus traffic. The penguins used to be called "jackass penguins" but there are other penguins with the same name so it was changed to "African penguin". The penguins hide in the bushes and dig holes. They look soooo cute as they strut across the beach to the water. There were some babies. We had lunch at Boulders Restaurant. It was still very windy.

Off now further south. We decided that as we didn't have much time left to skip the Cape Point.

Atlantic Ocean (west side)
The wind was gusting on the west side and the waves were enormous! We stopped at Camel Rock for pictures. Also stopped a few more places. The wind was so strong that I was almost blown over at one point. I used a rock to brace myself.

It was CS& AS' 30th wedding anniversary so we went out for dinner to an Asian restaurant. AS wanted to go somewhere where she wouldn't think "I could have made this at home". Later that night her brother-in-law M came over and he recently realized why dad was familiar to him over the last few trips. They used to play together (M played more with Uncle N than dad). They reminisced for a few hours.

May 7th – Cape Town & Elgin

Mom and dad headed to Tulbuagh for the night as I was going to my friend Penni's farm "Ladybird Farm". Penni picked me up late morning. The weather cleared up as we headed towards the farm was it was sunny & warm there. We went for a walk around the farm, thru the orchard, and into the compound. Their neighbour Mike came over to talk to Mark. Dinner was a lovely pork meal. Went to bed early with all the fresh air.

Woke up early in the morning but managed to fall asleep again.

May 8th – Elgin & Cape Town

Another lovely morning. We went into Garbouw to pick up bolts and find out what happened to the labourer who got arrested and the police lost track of him. The police station is under construction so the front desk is a small camper (caravan) with chairs outside for people waiting.

After dropping off the bolts we headed out to Kleimond stopping for pictures. We stopped at the beach to get pictures of the waves. At Bettybaai there was lots of fire damage from various fires plus a few houses burnt down in the storm on Monday night. We had lunch at Rooi Els where there was a conversation about fires, pronunciation, etc. Back in Cape Town where the weather changed to cloudy and cool.

Now we are waiting for CS (junior) to finish making dinner (pojkie pot).

That's it so far in a large nutshell. :)

N
PS Please excuse the spelling names of the places