A Labor of Love

Mom's theory on packing is that it's easier to "bring everything" , for efficiency on the front end. Well, let me be the first to tell you that lugging ~150 pounds of luggage- per person- around two international airports, both which have separate international terminals (of course!)- is no light load! Not sure it's worth it on the transit and endgame! I'll let you know if I used everything I brought. Here we are at the Qatar line in Doha.  Here's where we had to consolidate one of our 30 pound carryons into our existing two 50 pound max bags.  (Mind you, this is a thirty day cruise. You have to dress for formal affairs and safaris, swimming, exercise, and travel, all!)

 Qatar Airways does have its luxuries. (Leg and elbow room not included in that category)- but the entertainment system and service - food and beverage- are excellent!

The main leg of the international flight (Atlanta to Doha, Qatar)- was 13 hours. We had center seats, people on each side of us...and sleep was crazy hard to come by.  This screen on the TV system was a constant check in...for how close we were getting.  The Claustrophobic Factor really started to kick in after about the fifth hour.  We had to go 13 in those middle cramped seats!  It could have been way, way worse, but knowing that once we landed, we still had eighteen hours yet to go before we got to CapeTown at that point was a tricky headspace to be in.

 When this screen came on- and we landed in Doha shortly after,   Ahhhh! 

Found some lovely leather anti-gravity recliners in a "Quiet Room" at Doha. Caught a couple hours rough sleep next to all these folks. Until someone let a LOUD fart - in the Quiet Room! Laughter erupted. My nap was done!

Spotting Table Mountain on our descent into CapeTown!

The vibe in the CapeTown airport, already peaceful, exotic.

After getting separated from our Cruise Reception at the airport, frazzled, exhausted, weary travellers spilling espresso all over our bags, we frantically drug those 150 pounds of luggage (EACH!) all around the CapeTown airport looking for our shuttle- we got our own cab to the cruise port.

The ship is lovely, all is well. Mom's friend David Van Duyk and his daugther Marian, picked us up later that evening for a drive up to Table Mountain.  The winds were excessive (25-30 knots) and we couldn't go to the top! But we went as far up as we could, and this video gives a good feel for the intensity of Mother Nature on this South African summer day. 

Table Mountain is said to have a "tablecloth" on it when the cloud covers it this way.

I see why Mom loves CapeTown so.  It's truly a geographical wonder, with  Table Mountain in the center and the city and surrounding townships filling in all around, with the Indian Ocean coastline on the east and Atlantic on the west. Incredible rich natural beauty, with a cultural vibe that is like no other.

Here's Marian, David's daughter packing up the awesome car picnic that she made for us to enjoy up on the mountainside!

-and David...what an incredible tour guide, and person! He's lived there most of his life and is very loyal to the people of his city.

The first view out of our stateroom window in CapeTown harbor.

These lovely cloud beds saved us...a solid eight hours of sleep our first night on the ship. We woke renewed and ready for day two in CapeTown!