Our Brazilian visa process has felt a lot like the 12 Tasks of Asterix,
especially task number 8 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twelve_Tasks_of_Asterix).
In January we were very relieved to hear that our visas had finally been
approved after about 6 months of backwards and forwards with the Brazilian
department of labour. We had a trip to Lima scheduled two weeks later and
thought everything would be ready for us to have the visa issued while we were
there. But that would have been much too easy. We asked several times what
documents we required for the visa process and were told that no further documents
were required. However, when we wanted to arrange to have the visa issued we
were told that we both need unabridged birth certificates and a recent police
clearance *sigh* And so the 12 Tasks continue.
Any South African will tell you that obtaining any documents from the
department of Home Affairs is no small feat. When we were told by a European
not to worry, someone else can apply on your behalf and it will only take 2
weeks to process we had a good laugh! Things don’t work the same the world
over. A phone call to the Home Affairs helpline established that the average
waiting time is 4-6 months if applying abroad and 4-6 weeks if applying in
South Africa. Two days before flying to Lima it was decided it would be better
for us to fly to South Africa instead to apply for birth certificates. Two days
later we were landing in the Mother City.
The Mountain!
View of Table Mountain from Blouberg beach.
Brenainn and Kirsten in their new home
The latest edition to the Cross family, Charlie!
It has been 3 years since we left South Africa and since we were last in
Cape Town. We were expecting many things to have changed in our previous home city
over the last 3 years, however we were surprised to find that not much has
changed. We still recognise all the streets, landmarks, restaurants and stores that
we used to frequent. The same Big Issue seller is still on the same street
corner, traffic cameras in the same spots and the same lady is still working at Dis-Chem! It was hard to believe
that our favourite city hasn’t changed at all yet strangely comforting at the
same time; we’ve changed so much since beginning our travels, it’s hard to
think that everything around us hasn’t changed as well.
What a treat to be back in mid-summer! And what a beautiful Summer it’s been. The sky was clear and deep blue when we arrived and Table Mountain a sight for sore eyes. We were really blessed with the weather, it was clear, hot and still all week. The plan was to spend one week in Cape Town and one week with Justin’s parents in Uvongo on the South Coast of Durban. Justin was unfortunately working every day but we were still able to catch up with a lot of friends and do some of our favourite things in Cape Town and Uvongo.
Picnic at Kirstenbosch!
Bren and Kirsten
Sue, Bren and Gary
Jenny (Oliver's Mom), Bron and Sue
Curious visitors
The gorgeous 6 month old Oliver with his Dad Richard
Inquisitive Francolins
Bird Bath in The Dell
A King Protea in full bloom
Fynbos
The Cape Dwarf Chameleon at home in Lucy's garden
The very first task after arriving was to tackle Home Affairs. We arrived
at the newly renovated Home Affairs office in Wynberg early on Monday morning
and were pleasantly surprised to find it greatly improved and much more
efficient. We collected the necessary forms and joined the electronic queue
with numbers clutched in our hands. We were impressed with the vastly improved
service and friendliness and organisation of the staff. We were all done within
two hours, a new Home Affairs record! Well done Home Affairs, keep up the good
work. All that we can do now is wait for all the documents to be ready.
We had a really lovely week in Cape Town catching up with friends and
enjoying being back. Even though Justin was working every day we were still
able to see a lot of friends and do some of our favourite things. It was so
great to see so many friends; thanks to everyone we were able to see and sorry
to those friends we were unable to see. A big thanks to Bren and Kirsten for
hosting us for the week. It was so great hanging out with you and catching up,
seeing your new home and meeting Charlie! Thanks so much for arranging a car
for us that week, it was so helpful and really appreciated! We miss you guys
already!
View of Table Mountain from the V&A Waterfront
View of the V&A Waterfront
The Clock Tower
Madiba!
Leaf lined streets of UCT
Jameson Hall at UCT
Here are some of the activities and highlights from our week in Cape
Town:
- Fresh hot scones waiting for us when we arrived at Bren and Kirsten’s
house followed by a walk on Blouberg Beach.
- Weber chicken ala Brenainn.
- Attending the morning service at our old church, Claremont Methodist. Was
so great to be back there and to catch up with many friends.
- A Sunday picnic with friends and family at picture perfect
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Thanks to Sue and Gary, Rob and Sue, Bren and
Kirst and Richard and Jenny for coming along!
- Getting a lot of admin done! Such as the visit to Home Affairs to
apply for birth certificates and a new passport for Bron (running out of blank
pages from travelling too much!), renewing Bron’s driver’s licence, going to
the bank, and Bron had her eyes tested and got new glasses.
- Afternoon tea at Abi’s house with Nikki, Jenny and Lindy and all their
children.
- Chameleon gazing in Lucy’s garden, meeting her son Christopher and
seeing their new home.
- Dinner at Richard and Jenny with a visit from Evan and Kerryn.
- Visit to Justin’s previous company PRDW and catching up with friends
still there.
- Dinner at Col’Cacchio’s for pizza with Sahil, Craig, and Jean.
- Breakfast with cousin Sandra
- Walking around the V&A Waterfront
- Walking around the University of Cape Town Campus and seeing friends
there.
- Lunch with Frank at the Waterfront.
- Drinks at the UCT club with Sue, Rene, Lynthia and Mariette.
- Walk on Hout Bay Beach!
- Browsing and dinner at the Hout Bay Market with Rob, Sue, Jean and
Lara.
- Swim and drinks at Dave and Laura’s house.
- Coffee with Mike Gathercole at Caffeen.
- A drive around the peninsula via Sea Point, Camps Bay and Llandudno to
Hout Bay
- Enjoying views of the
Mountain and being in Cape Town.
- Enjoying much missed South African favourites such as biltong, dry
wors, milk tart, milo, steri stumpie milkshakes, marshmallow Easter eggs, hot
cross buns, and good South African wine!
Our favourite beach for walking on, Hout Bay
Hout Bay at Sunset
Justin and his favourite activity
Boibs at Hout Bay
Table Mountain from Signal Hill
The view from Signal Hill
Camps Bay Beach and the Twelve Apostles
Ice Cream!
After a lovely week in Cape Town we moved onto Justin’s parents in
Uvongo on the South Coast of Durban. It was another lovely hot week with a
cooling breeze. Thanks Mum and Dad for hosting and looking after us! We had a
great week, it was so lovely to be on the South Coast again.
Highlights from the week in Uvongo:
- A swim and braai on the day we arrived.
- Mum’s good cooking all week.
- Sewing sun dresses with Mum through the week.
- Ice creams in Margate while Justin worked hard at home.
- Cocktails at the Blue Lagoon one evening.
- A nice long walk on St Michael’s beach.
- Waffles at the Waffle House on the Blue lagoon!
- Drinks, karaoke and fish ’n chips at the Highland Fryer.
- Swimming every day.
- Watching lots of the Winter Olympics especially figure skating.
- 9 holes of golf with Justin’s Mom.
- Taking Herbie the Daschund for a walks most mornings.
Swim and braai time!
Mum and Dad
Family photo!
Going for a drive in the MG
Cocktail time!
What happens when you drink pink drinks
(I'm probably not going to be very popular for posting this photo)
St Michael's Beach
Squeezing in a quick 9 holes
Margate Golf Club
View of Ramsgate Beach from the Whale Deck
Family!
Breakfast at The Waffle House!
Waffles!
African artwork
Friendly Praying Mantis
After a whirl wind two weeks, it was back to Cape Town for one night and
then back to Vitoria for Justin. Bron still had a further three weeks two enjoy
sunny SA: two weeks in St Francis Bay with her parents and another week in Cape
Town to collect the hopefully ready documents.
See you next time for the second installment of an unexpected sojourn in
South Africa!
x
