Monday 27 February 2017
Flying High
Luke and Levi saw Cape Town from a bird's eye view this afternoon. By tandem paragliding they jumped off Signal Hill, soared over Sea Point and the Atlantic Ocean before landing in the park near out apartment.
Robben Island
I had been looking forward to going to Robben Island. The Dutch named it after the only large mammals found on the island - seals. We have seen plenty of playful and sunning seals in the harbour in Cape Town.
Robben Island has had a variety of inhabitants over the centuries. It was once a leper colony, housed a mental institution, was a military base and what we synonymously think of it as - the maximum security prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years of incarceration. There were three prisons on the island. One for political prisoners (maximum security), one for Robert Sobukwe who opposed apartheid, and a prison everyday criminals. Only black, coloured or Indian men were sent to the island. We were given a tour of the maximum security prison by a former inmate who was imprisoned for 7 years. The overall message that comes through is one of triumph of the human spirit over adversity.
Two hundred people still live on Robben Island. They work for the museum.
Nelson Mandela's cell.
Robert Sobukwe's "house".
Elementary school. Older children take the ferry to school in Cape Town.
Limestone quarry where prisoners toiled for day after day for years. The cave served as a bathroom, eating area and meeting place.
A tough, barren landscape.
Robben Island has had a variety of inhabitants over the centuries. It was once a leper colony, housed a mental institution, was a military base and what we synonymously think of it as - the maximum security prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years of incarceration. There were three prisons on the island. One for political prisoners (maximum security), one for Robert Sobukwe who opposed apartheid, and a prison everyday criminals. Only black, coloured or Indian men were sent to the island. We were given a tour of the maximum security prison by a former inmate who was imprisoned for 7 years. The overall message that comes through is one of triumph of the human spirit over adversity.
Two hundred people still live on Robben Island. They work for the museum.
Robert Sobukwe's "house".
Elementary school. Older children take the ferry to school in Cape Town.
Limestone quarry where prisoners toiled for day after day for years. The cave served as a bathroom, eating area and meeting place.
A tough, barren landscape.
Have you ever seen a dassie, a dassie, a dassie...
The dassie is, believe it or not, to the elephant, lives on Table Mountain or other rocky outcroppings. Although they are far from the size of an elephant, they are a sizable rodent! They are not able to protect themselves from their predators (eagles), and live a rather lazy lifestyle consisting of eating and lazing in the sun. Looks like the elephant has more going for it!
Sunday 26 February 2017
Table Mountain
The boys climbed Lion's Head on Tuesday (669 meters) and we have been waiting to do Table Mountain (1085 meters) until Nancy arrived. Today was the day. The Table Mountain website reported the cable cars were not running due to gale winds. Jack decided we should go anyway since the weather looked good from the apartment. At the mountain the cars were indeed closed, but we thought we would start the climb regardless. Halfway up Nancy wasn't feeling well so we turned back while Jack and the boys kept going. As we reached the bottom, the cable cars had started to run. Rather than wait for the boys to come down we decided to ride up to the top. The cable car was amazing. Sixty five people fit in. We got to the top and were stunned at the views. The top of the mountain itself looked a lot like Iceland. We, of course, could not find the boys so after awhile we went back down. We took the shuttle bus to the parking lot and thought we would put a note on the windshield telling Jack we would stay near the cable car entry. The van was gone, so obviously Jack tired of waiting for us. Nancy and I thought surely he would come back. We waited a bit and then decided he was not coming. I told the taxi driver our predicament of how my husband and children had left and now we were separated. He told me to phone him. I said he didn't have a phone and we did not have a meeting point. He said, "Madam, that is not a good plan." Nancy and I have laughed over that line as I am sure we will hear it many more times. We took the taxi to the apartment and in the end we all ended up at the there within three minutes of each other. Luke has amazing video of their climb up Table Mountain.
Views from the top.
Robben Island in the background.
It is flat as a table on top!
Lion's Head
Sadly, there was another death on Table Mountain today. That is two in the week we have been here. The boys saw a rescue helicopter on the mountain and later the body being loaded into a truck.
At the base of Table Mountain
On the way up.
Views from the top.
It is flat as a table on top!
Lion's Head
Thursday 23 February 2017
The V & A Waterfront
The V&A is in the heart of Cape Town. Saturday we walked to see this busy harbour full of shops, restaurants and entertainment. Levi has finally like someplace we have been. Luke thinks he will move here one day.
On route to the V&A we came across a farmer's market. We loaded up one some new, strange fruits.
The more wrinkled the better was what we were told when selecting Granadilla. Very citrusy. The figs and mangoes were delicious.
Coastline and cacti along the way.
This Ferris wheel is an iconic fixture of the V&A.
On route to the V&A we came across a farmer's market. We loaded up one some new, strange fruits.
This Ferris wheel is an iconic fixture of the V&A.
Capetown - The Mother City
We arrived in Cape Town on Friday February 17. We have 2 weeks to pretend we are Capetonians. We are staying in Sea Point, right on the Atlantic Ocean. Lion's Head, Signal Hill and Table Mountain are in view.
We took the city bus to the apartment. After our 18 hours in transit, I couldn't believe how energetic everyone was. The park next to the ocean was a hit and has been a favourite place every evening. Nate's choice is always tag. He never tires of this.
A rare down moment in the park.
Being by the ocean is new for us prairie people. We are used to feeling the strong north-west wind at home, but here, the south-easterly winds are vicious! Saturday night I thought the apartment building was going to blow down.
The temperature of the Atlantic is between 12 - 15 degrees. Nate is toughing it out. The beaches just beyond our neighborhood have been rated by National Geographic as 2nd best in the world. Pity the water is so cold.
Luke and I have been taking advantage of the promenade that runs out our door all along the coastline. A wonderful running track. Captonians love to run. Two Saturdays ago I ran along the Atlantic coast in Reykjavik. This Saturday (Feb. 18) Luke and I ran 8 miles along it again in the Southern Hemisphere. A big difference in temperature. I much prefer the below 0 temps of Iceland for running.
Great running path, fantastic views and usually a cool breeze.
We took the city bus to the apartment. After our 18 hours in transit, I couldn't believe how energetic everyone was. The park next to the ocean was a hit and has been a favourite place every evening. Nate's choice is always tag. He never tires of this.
Being by the ocean is new for us prairie people. We are used to feeling the strong north-west wind at home, but here, the south-easterly winds are vicious! Saturday night I thought the apartment building was going to blow down.
Luke and I have been taking advantage of the promenade that runs out our door all along the coastline. A wonderful running track. Captonians love to run. Two Saturdays ago I ran along the Atlantic coast in Reykjavik. This Saturday (Feb. 18) Luke and I ran 8 miles along it again in the Southern Hemisphere. A big difference in temperature. I much prefer the below 0 temps of Iceland for running.
Sunday 19 February 2017
On the African Continent!
We were allowed to board Flight ET 705 bound for Cape Town on Thursday February 16 at 17:30. Alas, we will only see Addis from the airport.
After 18 hours in transit, we arrived to 30 degree heat in Cape Town South Africa. By 16:30 we had found our way via city bus to our apartment on the Atlantic Ocean.
With the ocean out our door, we spent the evening on the promenade and in the park enjoying the feeling of not wearing toques and mitts!
After 18 hours in transit, we arrived to 30 degree heat in Cape Town South Africa. By 16:30 we had found our way via city bus to our apartment on the Atlantic Ocean.
With the ocean out our door, we spent the evening on the promenade and in the park enjoying the feeling of not wearing toques and mitts!
5 unexpected days in Belgium
On Saturday I thought I would have to sign off of my diet of Belgium beer, Belgium chocolate and Dutch cheese. One of the silver linings to our extended stay in Belgium is I could maintain my eating habits for a few more days.
Lots of variety!
The first few days we did paperwork and made for the documents arrangements. After everything was in place we took the one hour train ride for an overnight stay in Bruge. Picturesque cobbled streets, horse drawn carriages and scenic canals make this medieval city a must-see destination. It is a picture perfect city, and I took many, many pictures.
Nate under the windmill.
The Market in Bruge. Some deep thinkers!
Lots of variety!
The first few days we did paperwork and made for the documents arrangements. After everything was in place we took the one hour train ride for an overnight stay in Bruge. Picturesque cobbled streets, horse drawn carriages and scenic canals make this medieval city a must-see destination. It is a picture perfect city, and I took many, many pictures.
The Market in Bruge. Some deep thinkers!
Negotiation Skills
Wednesday February 15, 2017
Missing the flight to Ethiopia was not only a let down in terms of lost experiences, but presented some financial implications. The airline fee to change the date of our flight was set at $1050.00. I did not feel this fee should be imposed since we could have been allowed to travel onto Ethiopia and await our documents there. Nate accompanied me on the half hour train journey to the outskirts of Brussels where I presented my case to an Ethiopian Air representative. My negotiation skills, tone of voice, word choice and body language must have been strong since at the end of my presentation the rep was not only pleading my case for me to the airline (the fees were waived) but recommending that I seek financial remuneration from the airline for being wrongfully denied boarding of my flight Saturday evening.
Missing the flight to Ethiopia was not only a let down in terms of lost experiences, but presented some financial implications. The airline fee to change the date of our flight was set at $1050.00. I did not feel this fee should be imposed since we could have been allowed to travel onto Ethiopia and await our documents there. Nate accompanied me on the half hour train journey to the outskirts of Brussels where I presented my case to an Ethiopian Air representative. My negotiation skills, tone of voice, word choice and body language must have been strong since at the end of my presentation the rep was not only pleading my case for me to the airline (the fees were waived) but recommending that I seek financial remuneration from the airline for being wrongfully denied boarding of my flight Saturday evening.
Flight ET 705 - Not to be
Saturday February 11 we headed for the airport in Brussels to catch our 19:30 flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We arrived before 17:30 and proceeded to the check in counter. When I presented the passports to obtain boarding passes the clerk said, "birth certificates please." I said, "here are the passports." She replied that when travelling to South Africa, children under the age of 18 require birth certificates. I said I had passports. That was not good enough. I had to go to the Ethiopian Air desk and discuss the matter. The desk demanded the same identification. I said I was not informed of this policy. Thanks to the help of Larissa, Darrell and Jacquie playing the Amazing Race they were able to get Bev and Ashley into our house and take photos of the birth certificates. One clerk thought if we presented photos of the birth certificates this would be good enough. These were emailed and I presented the pictures to the clerk. This was still not sufficient. I pleaded for us to be allowed onto the plane and I would have the documents fed exed to me in Addis Ababa. We had 5 days there before moving on to South Africa. Darrell was heading in to WPG to get them on the next plane, everything was in motion. No. This was denied. We would not be allowed onto the continent without the proper documents.
In Brussels airport waiting for things to get sorted.
After 19:30 came and went and our flight had departed without us, we needed to find somewhere to stay. I contacted the man we had rented an apartment from for the past 2 nights and he had something available. We headed back to our familiar neighborhood and were settled by 21:00. The barrage of phone calls started and I found out I needed an unabridged birth certificate for each child. Being Saturday night, vital statistics would not be open until Monday AM. Thanks to amazing friends and family, when Monday morning started in Canada we had Bob and Kathy in Regina at vital statistics by 8:00 and Luke's birth certificate fed exed by 14:00. Nancy took care of Levi and Nate's in Winnipeg and had them on a plane that afternoon. All was delivered to our door on Wednesday by 10:00. I agree with Pat's comment, "Good grief - all anyone would have to do is take one look at your boys to know you and Jack are their biological parents."
Waiting for train to go back to meet Ward at Le Lorrain. No Addis for us.
Levi told Big Nate he thought we would miss all of Africa with this set back. As far as he was concerned this was good news - he thought he would be home 2 months earlier.
In Brussels airport waiting for things to get sorted.
After 19:30 came and went and our flight had departed without us, we needed to find somewhere to stay. I contacted the man we had rented an apartment from for the past 2 nights and he had something available. We headed back to our familiar neighborhood and were settled by 21:00. The barrage of phone calls started and I found out I needed an unabridged birth certificate for each child. Being Saturday night, vital statistics would not be open until Monday AM. Thanks to amazing friends and family, when Monday morning started in Canada we had Bob and Kathy in Regina at vital statistics by 8:00 and Luke's birth certificate fed exed by 14:00. Nancy took care of Levi and Nate's in Winnipeg and had them on a plane that afternoon. All was delivered to our door on Wednesday by 10:00. I agree with Pat's comment, "Good grief - all anyone would have to do is take one look at your boys to know you and Jack are their biological parents."
Levi told Big Nate he thought we would miss all of Africa with this set back. As far as he was concerned this was good news - he thought he would be home 2 months earlier.
Saturday 18 February 2017
In Awe of Architecture
February 9 - 11
Brussels, Belgium - the land of beer, waffles and chocolate!
The train ride from Amsterdam to Brussels was quick. We arrived at Brussels Midi and found our way by subway to the apartment we would stay in for the next two nights.
Everything about all buildings in Belgium appears grand. I thought our front door was grand.
We stayed in the Muslim quarter of Brussels. Fresh produce grocers displayed their wares on the street, butchers with kosher cuts, bakeries with delicious pastries.
Our boys are not cut out for apartment life. With their ability to make noise and constantly wrestle and thump, there is a reason we live on the outskirts of Carman. So far, no complaints from neighbors here.
Belgium Chocolate
A chocolate festival was on in our neighborhood the first night we arrived. Chocolatiers demonstrated their craft and showcased their skills, and lucky for us, they provided many tasty samples of their work. Why are Belgium chocolate so good? Belgium, after laying claim to The Congo in the 1880's (not a good thing; watch the movie Tarzan) had access to cocoa from Africa long before any other European nation did. Through engineering they were able to produce machines that could mix the cocoa beans to a thin, smooth consistency.
Apparently Belgium waffles are not what these are called. They are Brussels waffles. The boys thought they were delicious!
Grand Place
Photographs do not do Grand Place justice. I have never seen a more spectacular square. Majestic, ornate and medieval just begin to describe it. We would walk the 20 minutes from our apartment to Grand Place everyday.
What we found yucky was the amount of dog poop everywhere. Near the end of our stay we found a fantastic park to play in. Unfortunately, we had to keep to the gravelled paths as the grass was not worth stepping on! Levi thought if he returned in 20 years there would be nothing to see. The piles of dog poop would block all these beautiful buildings.
City Hall steeple from another view.
Near Grand Place
Manneken Pis. He is in the top 5 most disappointing attractions in the world. None the less, he was a part of our walking tour. He has a wardrobe of over 800 costumes and is found everywhere! From souveniers to graffiti on buildings.
Amazing graffiti around the city.
Hmmmm. I wonder what Levi was up to the night before?
Brussels, Belgium - the land of beer, waffles and chocolate!
The train ride from Amsterdam to Brussels was quick. We arrived at Brussels Midi and found our way by subway to the apartment we would stay in for the next two nights.
Everything about all buildings in Belgium appears grand. I thought our front door was grand.
We stayed in the Muslim quarter of Brussels. Fresh produce grocers displayed their wares on the street, butchers with kosher cuts, bakeries with delicious pastries.
Our boys are not cut out for apartment life. With their ability to make noise and constantly wrestle and thump, there is a reason we live on the outskirts of Carman. So far, no complaints from neighbors here.
A chocolate festival was on in our neighborhood the first night we arrived. Chocolatiers demonstrated their craft and showcased their skills, and lucky for us, they provided many tasty samples of their work. Why are Belgium chocolate so good? Belgium, after laying claim to The Congo in the 1880's (not a good thing; watch the movie Tarzan) had access to cocoa from Africa long before any other European nation did. Through engineering they were able to produce machines that could mix the cocoa beans to a thin, smooth consistency.
Apparently Belgium waffles are not what these are called. They are Brussels waffles. The boys thought they were delicious!
Grand Place
Photographs do not do Grand Place justice. I have never seen a more spectacular square. Majestic, ornate and medieval just begin to describe it. We would walk the 20 minutes from our apartment to Grand Place everyday.
What we found yucky was the amount of dog poop everywhere. Near the end of our stay we found a fantastic park to play in. Unfortunately, we had to keep to the gravelled paths as the grass was not worth stepping on! Levi thought if he returned in 20 years there would be nothing to see. The piles of dog poop would block all these beautiful buildings.
Near Grand Place
Manneken Pis. He is in the top 5 most disappointing attractions in the world. None the less, he was a part of our walking tour. He has a wardrobe of over 800 costumes and is found everywhere! From souveniers to graffiti on buildings.
Amazing graffiti around the city.
Hmmmm. I wonder what Levi was up to the night before?
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