12 Days in Germany

Sunday 5 September to Thursday 16 September

Lockdown - no more

I am debating with myself whether or not to officially declare my lockdown over now that I have made it to Europe. The truth is I still feel very much restricted. International travel is difficult. It's costly and navigating all the health and immigration regulations is stressful.

Life for everyone is forever changed by the pandemic. There's no going back to life pre-covid. We will slowly adapt over the next few years to this new world order. So today is as good a day as any to stop counting my days in lockdown, I guess. I'm still going to blog about my travelling life though.

We spent 12 nights in Germany. The early autumn weather in Munich was glorious. Sunny days and evenings warm enough to sit out in the beer gardens. We met up with friends one or two at a time and it was just lovely to catch up.

The city was eerily quiet especially later in the evening.We ate lots of our favourite German foods - Bredzn, Obatz, Weisswurst, Hendl, Haxn, Schnitzel, Tafelspitz...

I had the best birthday lunch ever... perfect truffle pasta at Vino e Gusto in Munich. Next year maybe I can be in Piedmont, Italy...

For Neil's birthday we bought a painting from an artist friend Anthony in Barrydale. It's currently hanging in a guesthouse there until we can pick it up. 

We spent the weekend with Christo watching rugby and braaing. We drove into the Bavarian Alps for a few days. More stunning mountains you won't find.

And we did a tour and tasting at Slyr's - a German single malt distillery.

Places were fairly busy with local germans but there were just no foreign tourists at all...

In Germany you have to show a vaccine certificate or a negative Covid test to enter a hotel or restaurant. We chose not to use public transport so we walked a lot and took a few taxis. And rented cars. Technical lockdown glitches included  the car-hire company having no available cars eventhough we had booked and paid in advance and chaos at Munich Airport due to extra document and test checks at the boarding gate. All part of travelling these days.

Flower Season in the Cape and preparing to fly the lockdown coop

Saturday 29 August to Saturday 4 September

Lockdown Day 521 to 528

We decided to drive back to Joburg via the West Coast to see the spring flowers which are very good this year. After a day in the West Coast National Park we spent the night in the lovely coastal village of Paternoster.

On Sunday we drove over the Pakhuis Pass from Clanwilliam to Calvinia - over 70kms of dirt road in a rental car with low profile tyres. We missed the Cruiser but we didn't get any punctures. The flowers were spectacular though.

We spent the night in Williston.

On Monday it was 10 hours of driving back to Joburg to prepare to fly the lockdown coop. I have never made such last minute international travel plans and I have never before been anxious about travelling. So yes, I got it all done in 4 days including a day to the farm to park up the Cruiser and another day to celebrate our birthdays with my sister. And then it was Saturday 4 September and we were at Buiten Geluk for an early lunch en route to the airport.

Capetown

Thursday 19 August to Friday 28 August 2021

Lockdown Day 511 to 520

It's been two and a half years since we have been in the Cape. We spent 10 days. We had amazing weather eventhough it was winter. Driving around we were overcome by the beauty of this city all over again. We have decided this is where we will settle down when we stop travelling full time.

We stayed with the Ratners in an awesome house on the Camps Bay Beach.

We caught up with friends in small groups.

We went to The Test Kitchen; our first indoor restaurant in 18 months.

We Ubered for the first time in 18 months. We enjoyed visiting some wine farms. There's still a 10pm curfew and places are are very quiet. The vibe is somewhat subdued and the tourism and hospitality industry is still really struggling so travel if you can and support local businesses. Get vaccinated first though, of course!

The Blue Train

Monday 16 August to Wednesday 18 August 2021

Lockdown Day 508 - 510

We arrived at the station in Pretoria early and enjoyed bubbly and snacks before boarding.  All passengers and staff are tested for Covid before boarding.

The train is pretty luxurious, all wood panelling and polished brass.

Lunch and dinner is served in two sittings but there's free flow drinks throughout. You need to dress for dinner which was fun eventhough Neil and I have been in the bush for nearly 18 months now.

We couldn't fault the food or the service. It's a very indulgent way to spend a few days.

We did get into Capetown a few hours late due to a delay caused by cable theft on the line. Thanks Paulet for inviting us to celebrate your birthday with you on the train; we'd do it again in a heartbeat.

We are Vaccinated!

Saturday 14 August and Sunday 15 August

Lockdown Day 506 and 507

Today it was Lisa, our niece and Grant's wedding in NJ and we were unable to get there due to Covid travel restrictions. Today it is also 3 weeks since my second Pfizer jab and I am as fully protected against Covid as I'll ever be. Please everyone get vaccinated as soon as you can!

I didn't only do it to protect myself from serious illness, long Covid and death..

I did it so that my parents in their 80's and Tracy my disabled sister can enjoy more social contact and outings again.

I did it so that Neil who has a genetic blood clotting disorder and knows what it is like to cheat death after a pulmonary embolism can live his life.

I did it for all the friends and family who have lost loved ones to Covid.

I did it out of respect for all the health care workers and other essential service workers who have worked through the worst pandemic.

I did it to protect all those who don't have a choice to work from home.

I did it to help the tourism, travel and hospitality industry and the economy in Southern Africa and beyond recover.

For almost 18 months I have not been on a plane or in an Uber. I haven't eaten once in an indoor restaurant. I haven't been to a concert, a festival or a museum. I am so privileged not to have had to take risks to do my job or have my livelihood taken away from me. 

And now I feel I am able to choose to venture out a little more, see friends and travel further afield. Get jabbed as soon as you can!