My travel buddy, Mike has left for home. It was a sad departure, as Barry and Chrissie really took to Mike. He was so skeptical when we planned this part of the trip. Now, he wants to rent a place on the beach for six months! And I would agree. Come to Cape Town!!!!
After exploring the city center in starts and fits of rain and wind, we settled back in the comfort of Camps Bay last evening. We started off with some champagne at Barry’s parents home a few miles away. We were both impressed by the seven story elevator. Why? It was an elevator for automobiles! We entered through a gate, took a sharp, downhill, right hand turn about 270 degrees, and were greeted with a steel door. The door opened, and Barry drove the car onto the elevator. I about freaked out! As he rolled down the window, the door closed behind us, and he pressed a button. We emerged several floors down.
Needless to say, their ocean condominium was spectacular, as in Sunset magazine spectacular. Though we did not have a typical sunset due to the storm, it was breathtaking to say the least. And we met Barry’s lovely parents, Teddy and Esme’. We got to hear some great stories about Jack Varkel, Barry’s grandfather of Lithuanian origin, and the famous Jewish American comedian, Jackie Mason. It was a real treat. We laughed so hard I almost spilled my bubbly.
After dropping our car at the airport, we headed off to a great Thai dinner along the coast. Barry and Chrissie got married there, and have been dining there almost weekly since. We had some sushi starters, a great Kingklip steamed fish, and some Thai ice cream to top off a great dinner. Too bad we missed the great view due to the storm and lateness of the night.
With one more night here, I am already dreading the four flights home. I leave Cape Town tomorrow morning around 8am for Johannesburg. Then onto Addis Ababa, with a plane change and another stopover in Rome. I finally land in Washington, DC Thursday morning, and get into SFO on Thursday afternoon. The only saving grace is that I am flying in Business Class and can sleep.
I would agree with Mike that this has been one of our best trips. Not for the animals, but for the great time we were shown here in Cape Town. It is truly one of the great places on earth. How long will it remain this way? It is changing as I write, and it faces many challenges since apartheid ended. This is not the right time for a lesson on politics and social unrest. Another time and place.
So where to, next? I am hoping for the Trans Siberian Railway next year. Perhaps I have one great adventure left inside of me.
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