Back in August of last year, Candace and I began talking seriously about visiting South Africa for Christmas 2021. My eldest sister wanted us to come and her family would host us. It would be a surprise for the rest of my family. And so we had tickets booked at the end of August and were looking forward to a summer Christmas with our Cape Town family!
Fast-forward three months and omicron's rise almost brought an end to our plans, but we decided to carry on as usual. We certainly weren't going to let fear get the best of us. The only change we made was switching our flights to avoid Europe completely (due to additional COVID testing requirements) and fly direct from the USA (Newark) to Cape Town with United Airlines.
And so the week of our departure arrived and with it our COVID tests on Tuesday afternoon - within the 72 hour window prior to our departure from Indianapolis on the Friday. Our test results took their time coming back and we made one more change to our itinerary - pushing back our departure from Indy - on the Thursday night.
Finally, the day (Friday 10th December) dawned and our three test results arrived during the course of the morning. My test was the last to arrive and we had made an appointment for a rapid PCR test for me, but thankfully while we were waiting at Washington's Quickcare facility my result arrived and we were good to go! Three negative PCR tests and we were on our way to Indianapolis for our 15h35 flight to Newark and then on to Cape Town!
Despite cutting it a bit fine in Indy and being the last to board that flight, our travels went really well and the 14 hour flight from Newark to Cape Town was fantastic - and the kiddos did amazingly well! We departed the USA at around 21h30 and landed in Cape Town at 18h25 local time. There were tears in my eyes as we came down over False Bay and lined up for Cape Town International Airport's main runway. It was an emotional landing as passengers applauded and we were finally home!
My sister Shirley and her husband Montassir met us at the airport and we had a relaxing evening, enjoying boerewors rolls and settling in at their lovely house. It was lovely to see them and my nephews again since the last time we saw them was in March 2017. We also reminisced about our rather stressful travels. It was good to be on solid ground in Cape Town!
Excitedly waiting for our departure from Newark. :)
They were so ready for land!
Flying over the Cape Peninsula as we begin our final turn for Cape Town International.
Lined up with the runway.
On final approach into Cape Town.
View of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
First view of Table Mountain and Devil's Peak as we drive to Shirl and Montassir's house.
Our cozy flatlet.
Our home for the next (almost) three weeks. :)
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