Today was a travel day. My sister Syl picked me up at 8:00 am on Saturday to take me to the airport. I met up with Judith at the Montreal airport and we finally arrived at the Welgelegen (pronounced Val gal A gen) Hotel, Cape Town in Victoria time the next day Sunday at 2:30 pm. During that time, I sat in 3 different planes for a total of 23 hours. Needless to say, my butt is sore, despite all that padding. It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that many people who commit mass murders start out along this path.
The good news is that Judith and I are still talking to each other. The width and extras legroom of our upgraded premium economy seats worked out great, especially during the Montreal to Paris leg when we were sandwiched between two robust sized men. I shudder to think how squished we would have been had we had the cattle class economy seats, particularly because Judith is dealing with a very tender frozen shoulder. Because of this we strategically arranged our seating so that I would be seated on her right side to help protect her shoulder.
The Paris to Cape Town was an 11 hour flight. We ended up behind the bulkhead so there was at least an extra foot or so of legroom. Judith special ordered vegetarian meals and since our ad hoc seating arrangement had us switch our assigned seats, I mistakenly ate her last plane meal when it was delivered to me. Oops.
We went through immigration in South Africa without a hitch. The officer I had did not utter any words - didn’t say hello, or ask me how long I was staying, etc. She just stamped my passport and handed it back to me. That’s definitely a first for me. After immigration, I see my first elephant.
It happens to be artwork at the airport but it’s the biggest paper sculpture I’ve ever seen, about 5.5 feet high.
As we exited the arrivals door, our driver was waiting there holding the framed sign with our names. We walked over to the parking garage and was surprised to see he was driving a late model Mercedes. That’s the most high end vehicle we’ve ever had in all the guided traveling we’ve done. The drive to the hotel doesn’t take long. He points out the hospital where Dr. Christian Barnard performed the first heart transplant. We both remember how groundbreaking it was and how much publicity it generated. The driver indicated that thanks to Madame Tussaud there is a museum at the hospital with a re-creation of the operating room as it was during the procedure, but I could find any confirmation to his comment.
We arrive at the Hotel, local time about 10:30 pm. It located in an former grand residence that was once used as a hospital and has since been converted into a hotel. We get a quick tour of the common areas by the night desk clerk. The room isn’t huge but its well appointed and has everything we need. The bathroom is small. There is a glass shower stall in the other corner that the picture did not capture. The room has a complementary decanter of Port (Judith says its very good) and a small fruit plate. Here are the requisite pictures before we mess it up.
The view from the entry by the bathroom door.
The beds are pushed up together. I think its one that converts into a king or two twins depending on the guest requirements.
An old claw foot tub. I think its been refurbished because the enamel on the inside looks pretty new.
The good news is that Judith and I are still talking to each other. The width and extras legroom of our upgraded premium economy seats worked out great, especially during the Montreal to Paris leg when we were sandwiched between two robust sized men. I shudder to think how squished we would have been had we had the cattle class economy seats, particularly because Judith is dealing with a very tender frozen shoulder. Because of this we strategically arranged our seating so that I would be seated on her right side to help protect her shoulder.
The Paris to Cape Town was an 11 hour flight. We ended up behind the bulkhead so there was at least an extra foot or so of legroom. Judith special ordered vegetarian meals and since our ad hoc seating arrangement had us switch our assigned seats, I mistakenly ate her last plane meal when it was delivered to me. Oops.
We went through immigration in South Africa without a hitch. The officer I had did not utter any words - didn’t say hello, or ask me how long I was staying, etc. She just stamped my passport and handed it back to me. That’s definitely a first for me. After immigration, I see my first elephant.
As we exited the arrivals door, our driver was waiting there holding the framed sign with our names. We walked over to the parking garage and was surprised to see he was driving a late model Mercedes. That’s the most high end vehicle we’ve ever had in all the guided traveling we’ve done. The drive to the hotel doesn’t take long. He points out the hospital where Dr. Christian Barnard performed the first heart transplant. We both remember how groundbreaking it was and how much publicity it generated. The driver indicated that thanks to Madame Tussaud there is a museum at the hospital with a re-creation of the operating room as it was during the procedure, but I could find any confirmation to his comment.
We arrive at the Hotel, local time about 10:30 pm. It located in an former grand residence that was once used as a hospital and has since been converted into a hotel. We get a quick tour of the common areas by the night desk clerk. The room isn’t huge but its well appointed and has everything we need. The bathroom is small. There is a glass shower stall in the other corner that the picture did not capture. The room has a complementary decanter of Port (Judith says its very good) and a small fruit plate. Here are the requisite pictures before we mess it up.
The view from the entry by the bathroom door.
The beds are pushed up together. I think its one that converts into a king or two twins depending on the guest requirements.
An old claw foot tub. I think its been refurbished because the enamel on the inside looks pretty new.
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