Check Table Mountain off the list.

After a few quieter days of walking around Cape Town, the V and A, and the beaches (and pools on the ocean), we decided to try Table Mountain this morning.  Early in the morning, Table Mountain Cableway was closed due to gale winds.  We went to the hiking path to check out the walk, and started to walk up the Platteklip Gorge.  After a few hundred meters, the boys and I decided to try for the summit.  Cindy and Nancy continued for a while, but after a bit had to turn back as Nancy discovered hiking up a mountain path in bifocals make one sick.
After a steep 90 minute climb, some strong winds, thousands of big rock steps, several moments of convincing Nate that he could do it, we finally made the table top.  My fourth time to the top, but I do not remember the other times being quite so taxing.  After an hour of looking around, the cableway opened up again and

we had the good fortune of catching a three minute back down to the bottom.  For the second Sunday in a row, a body was found on Table Mountain.  The person from last week was a Icelandic teenager.  This week had the helicopter blocking the road, so we were trapped on one side.  Unfortunately for the climber this week, they did not put him in the helicopter, but put him in the back of the forensic truck.  Never a good option for us.  The education for the boys continues.
Off to Robin Island tomorrow.

Conquering Lion's Head

Path near the top

Tuesday was a great day for Luke, Levi and myself to revisit Lion's Head.  After a great hike which involved some fairly strenuous climbing, several ladders and chain ladders, we finally made the summit.  The boys were great at encouraging each other on as at times one or the other would lose their nerve with the heights and sheer drops. Very proud of the boys for conquering the 600m plus hill.

On top of Lion's Head with Table Mountain in the back.

Capetown is a touch breezy.

On Saturday night, the plan was put in place that we were going to scale Table Mountain.  After sharing research with the kids that Table Mountain is dangerous and more people die here than on Everest, we then spent the next hour trying to convince the students that we can climb it.  That evening had major winds and we decided to not climb the beast on Sunday.  I however decided to walk up and check it out.  When I finally get to the base of the walk, I am informed that the path is closed halfway up due to a climber getting blown off the path and killed.  I noticed the Tourism Safety van driving up the hill rather slowly...guess they realized that they were too late on their responsibilities.  That night, we decide to wait for Nancy's arrival before we climb it.  We will climb Lion's Head Monday.

Table Mountain in the background, from the base of

Lion's Head

Up bright and early on Sunday, we go out to grab a city bus to the start of the walk.  The bus does not take money, so we manage to wave down a combi taxi.  Awesome!  The five of us and eleven of our closest friends, our driver constantly negotiating drop off and pick up points, the door to the van open more that it was closed.  Music blaring, and his conversation was great fun.  Asked if we were like the Alaskan Bushpeople he watches on TV.
The climb to the top of Lion's Head came up a little short today due to not all of our party enjoying the heights.  The height lovers will attempt again tomorrow.  We finally arrive back at our apartment around 3 pm, exhausted.  But to add to the fun, our driver from this morning spots us and gives a honk and a loud greeting as he passes.  We hope we catch a ride with him again tomorrow.

At last...warmth.

We made sure we were plenty early for our plane out of Brussels, not wanting to risk trying to rebook tickets again.  The boys got to witness a young couple denied onto their plane for being late for their boarding call.  Plane was sitting there, but regardless of how they argued they were not going to be permitted on. 
We had just over 9 hours to get to Addis Ababa.  The Ethiopian Airlines jet we were on was humourous.  Ethiopian Airlines is considered the best airline in Africa (not sure who does the voting), but is was a scary funny.  On take off, an overhead bin fell open, the trim around a TV fell off, and when I went to the washroom, the cabinet in there had to be fixed by me.  Cindy's table tray also broke and she ended up with coffee on her lap.  Our greatly shortened time in Addis Ababa was a bit of an eye opener for the boys.  The men's washroom in the airport had two window openings from the waiting room in.  Granted the place is under some construction, but I am sure that something could have been done about the windows.  And then when our flight was called, it was a bit of mass confusion.  So much for the days of organization.  Another 6 hours and we finally landed in Cape Town in the afternoon, and into 25 C. 
After settling into our apartment, we walked the 100 m to the Atlantic Ocean.  After a good game a tag in which a couple of local kids joined us, we had a very good needed sleep.  Saturday had Cindy and Luke for an 8 mile run along the Ocean.  A very runner friendly city, with miles upon miles of paved paths along the Ocean.  Then we all hiked into the waterfront and had a great day. 

Table Mountain with a table cloth - Lion's Head, from our apartment

Nice last day in Europe, for real this time.

After receiving the birth certificates, we headed out to Brugge on Wednesday for a sleep over.  After a pleasant 70 minute train ride, we arrived in Brugge and caught a bus to the city centrum.  While loading, I was blocking a bus so he gently ran into me and nudged me over.  So much for having the vehicle wait.  Big difference in drivers between Brussels and Brugge.  Brussels, they will stop - Brugge, the pedestrian better stop.  Nate is quickly going to stand out as the most street smart kid in Carman.

Brugge is beautiful, and the architecture is again amazing.  Not quite the grand scale of Brussels, but non the less impressive.

We have birth certificates!

Still loving FedEx!  Thank you Tom Hanks.  Hope you have recovered from your time on the island.  Regina package arrived at 7:40 am and the Winnipeg package arrived at 9:40 am. 
Still not loving Ethiopian Airlines.  We feel we were wrongly denied boarding.  Although we did not have the required documentation for South Africa, we did have the required documentation for Ethiopia and could have flown there, spent our week, received our documents in Addis Ababa, and then been off again.  Disappointed to have lost the opportunity to visit Ethiopia.
Cindy went in to rebook our tickets for Thursday.  This required some good negotiations by Cindy, with Nate looking cute in the background, as the charge for changing flights is US $750 ($150 per ticket).  After much discussion, they changed the flights for free.  A well paid couple of hours.
We are hoping for a reduction in the paper work.  This has been busier than if we were at school.  Luke's backpack was damaged by Iceland Air, so we had paperwork with that as well.

Brussel's Grand Place

h that, the applying for birth certificates from the other side of the world, and other items.  This is way too much work!
In the afternoon we went out and enjoyed a pleasant day in Brussels, and today we are off to Bruge for the night. 

FedEx should run the Embassy!

After a hectic Sunday of getting birth certificate documents printed by using the Marriott's business center, filling them out, taking pictures of the documents, and then emailing them, we got our forms to Nancy in Winnipeg and friends (Kathy and Bob) in Regina, so that they could start the process Monday morning.  With Monday morning arriving 7 hours earlier for us, Cindy and I decided to trek to the Canadian Embassy to see what assistance they could offer us.  We got as far as the reception area. 
Them - Do you have an appointment? 
Us - No. 
Them - Then you cannot come in, no meetings without an appointment. 
Us - Can we call using your phone? 
Them - No.  You must use your own phone. 
Us - We do not have one, can you not call for us. 
Them - No...  Sorry
We then walked to the Fed Ex office.  Security let us in.  The new secretary was apologetic for not being able to answer our questions about parcels being delivered.  She did phone someone for us and allowed Cindy to talk directly with the person.  The person on the other end was very helpful, answered our questions, and told us what service to request for the shipping of the certificates.  Cindy then asked if we could use their phone to call the Canadian Embassy.  Of course... the number did not work.  We then walked to the Marriott to get one more form printed off.  On the way out, they let us call the Canadian Embassy as well... again the number did not work.

Back at the apartment, we found that you can book an appointment by email with the Canadian Embassy.  The response received was that they would endeavor to respond within 10 business days.  FedEx would ship our package to us 5 times over in the time that the Canadian Embassy would endeavour to respond to us.  I love Tom Hanks!  However hoping for a better flight that we ended up with.
At 3:30 pm Brussel's time, we starting to get emails from Nancy in Winnipeg and Kathy in Regina.  Birth certificates in both locations to be done in the day and will be FedEx'ed out and to us by Wednesday lunch.  Glad our plans were hinging on the provincial government and not the Canadian Embassy.  With travel plans back on track, we can now start touring again.

Still in Europe, but not as cold.

Believing in the process that it is good to learn lessons the hard way should not apply to the people who think that.  Upon arrival at the Brussel's Airport Saturday afternoon, we were informed that we require birth certificates for the kids in order to enter South Africa.  Our stop in Ethiopia is only a stop over enroute to South Africa. After about 90 minutes of discussion at the desk, while Cindy had Larisa on FaceTime in Canada, who was with Jacquie, who was talking to Bev to get our birth certificates out of our house and send us a photo, which all happened in about 20 minutes.  Amazing friends! We were still not permitted to board the plane.  Not only do we need a birth certificate, we need the new abridged versions.  South Africa has been having an issue with illegal adoptions, and the new abridged birth certificates have the names of the parents on them as well.  We then quickly scrambled for some accommodation and by 8 pm were back in our same neighborhood with our previous host.  Then started the process of figuring out how to get new birth certificates processed and to us in as short of a time frame as possible.
Two Tom Hanks' movies come to mind, first Apollo 13 "Men, we have lost the moon."  or in our case Ethiopia.  The second is Castaway, and the hope that FedEx can deliver anywhere in the world quickly.  They can, and Darrell found out 24 hour service for the envelop is about $1000.  A couple of days declines the price significantly.  But for now we have a waiting game as our flight was on a Saturday night and we now have to wait until Monday morning to get the process of these birth certificates underway.  To make things a touch more complicated, we need to get Luke's birth certificate from Saskatchewan, and the other two from Manitoba.  Even little issues about finding a location that the birth certificates can be sent to.  We have accommodation for a couple to nights, but then will have to move as our current location is booked later this week.  We are learning quickly, the hard way.  Life is still good.  We are all healthy, have great accommodation, and great family and friends to help us navigate our issue. 

Europe is still cold!

Friday we did a walking tour around Brussels.  The two hours were well spent and very enjoyable, minus the freezing weather.  When I mentioned earlier that the Grand Place was spectacular with medieval architecture, I was not wrong as I later saw a book that titled the Grand Place the most beautiful square in the world.  Everytime I enter I am impressed.  The walking tour took us around to the King's Palace and numerous other historical sites, including the Mannekin Pis (the little boy peeing).  For a little country, they have made up by having the biggest buildings.  All buildings are enormous and detailed. 

Saturday had us go back to the Grand Place and area for a final look before we fly for Ethiopia tonight.  Still magnificent, and still cold, but also snowing today.  Nice to know it will be over 10 C next week.  Oh well, it will be 25C tomorrow in Addis Ababa.

I discovered I like chocolate.

 A pleasant two hour train ride landed us in Brussels in what felt to be substantially warmer conditions, although the temperature was approximately the same.  After navigating the subways and metro's, we found our apartment which is located in the Muslim quarter.  We then went exploring the town centre.  Wow!!!  The Grand Place, or town square is 360 degrees of spectacular medieval architecture.  I cannot think of a time in my life where I have been in that much awe of the buildings.  The carved stone works on the buildings' facades are everywhere, and are amazingly detailed.  There is also a great deal of gold inlay to contrast the stone work.

Ward, the person we are renting the apartment from told us that there is a chocolate festival this weekend going on just down the street from where we are staying.  After supper, we headed out in search of this festival.  After a few wrong turns (of course), we entered what we discovered to be a "by invite only" chocolate festival.  Always let Cindy do the talking in these cases, and within a minute we were in.  Of course the building was immense and spectacular.  Willy Wonka was just finishing up his dance number with his helpers on stage (for real), and this proceeded into a fashion show.  The major chocolate companies had their chefs present making chocolate goodies, and all were for the sampling.  This was a major event with a great atmosphere.  Incredible!  Who knew the Belgiums were big into chocolates.

Land of bikes.

Backpacked up looking for a train.

After an early morning trip to the airport, we have made our way to Amsterdam.  The boys are definitely learning to read subway maps, as we used trains, metro, and trams today.  This was the first day we actually backpacked up as we did not have the use of a vehicle today. 

Outside the Anne Frank House.

It was a cold damp day as we made our way to the Anne Frank House.  As we entered the main concourse of the house, one women in her early 30's ran out of the area to vomit after seeing pictures of the Holocaust in the opening presentation.  This quickly put a new perspective of what the boys were about to witness.  The museum is very well laid out and a very powerful testament to the difficult times that people lived in, and in that apartment, eight people lived in continuous periods of silence.  Staying in our apartments, the boys with one game of cards would have given us all up in about 90 seconds.

Who knew zero celsius could be that cold?  Iceland was way warmer.  We went for a canal tour and self guided walking tour around downtown Amsterdam on Thursday.  The wind off the North Sea was not pleasant and resulted in some grumbling.  The canal tour was warm however, and the boys enjoyed the views of the city.  The architecture of the buildings being built into each other allows for interesting viewing.  Saw one family moving out of their house, which requires a truck with a winched ramp as stairways are too narrow to move items to street level.  We also enjoyed the advertising posted, but not sure what it meant.

Iceland

The boys now know what jet lag is.  Monday morning is the first day up prior to 10 am.  But we are getting our internal clocks adjusted.
After landing on Friday morning and spending several hours driving the streets of Reykjavik trying to find our apartment, we finally got settled and had a nice walk around the city, checking out the Hallgrimskirkja and eating cinnamon buns.   Saturday was more eventful.  Luke went out for his first international run, and Cindy ran as well, logging in 6 miles due to getting lost in the streets.  Saturday afternoon we went to the Harpa and the boys got to check out some tech toys at a convention show.  We then travelled to Vogar to check out Cindy's hometown roots.  This Vogar has way fewer trees, but looks much more prosperous than the Manitoba version.  That evening was the festival of dark and light.  There was a 5 km run through the streets of Reykjavik that Cindy, Luke and Nate took part in.  Although not timed, it is always a race and our three runners did fine.  We then did was all people do in February in the most Northern capital city in the world (64 N), we headed to the outdoor pool and spent a couple of hours swimming.  Little different seeing lifeguards in parkas.

On Sunday, we headed out on the Golden Circle.  First stop was Pingvellir National Park.  A nation divided, or more accurately the dividing point of North America and Europe.  This is also a sacred place to the Icelandicers.  We then hit Strokkur Geysir, Gulfoss, the golden waterfall, and closed our evening off at Fludir for another outdoor swim.  It had to be a short swim due to the hot temperature of the waters, and the heavy snow concerned us for our drive home.

Pingvellir National Park

And the drive did prove to be the most eventful (or maybe stressful would be a more accurate description) part of the day.  Our budget rent a car we have discovered is budget for a reason.  Besides lots of warning lights that do work, we discover the dims are the same as day running lights, which in a heavy snow storm do very little.  I also discovered that the Icelandic people do not appreciate brights on all the time.  Eventually made it home safely.  One more day in Iceland and then we are off to Amsterdam.

From Toronto to Reykjavik, February 2 - 3, 2014

Hockey Hall of Fame

 Day one of the trip had us spend a cold day in Toronto.  Got the opportunity to check out the Stanley Cup.  Brother Ben was right, it is not the real cup that they present to the Stanley Cup Champs.  This trophy never leaves the room.  Checked out Wade Allison's sweater on display, and lots of Eddie Belfour representation.  Nice to see both future and past represented there.  Then for the grueling trip to Iceland.  Landed at 6:30 am, but this was actually 12:30 am Manitoba time.

Hoping that we could knock off the health curriculum today with the boys sending a few hours at the museum in Reykjavik.

(update - we did not actually go.  We are still sort of responsible parents, but the boys did have a good laugh at the poster\0