Day 29 Oct 4

Hello Hello Hello

Well I am sorry it has been so many days since my last post.We have been very busy and had a number of days with no internet connection.

We left rome on Tue Sept. 29, and here was our first snag so far with standby travel.We didn't get on the 10am flight that was full, so tried for the next flight which left at 1pm, 3 hour wait, and we got on this one.Arrived at Frankfurt a little late at 3:30.

My friend (Darryl Tanner)in Sidney B.C. who flies for Air Canada, had suggested a hotel in Mainz Germany,so I called them and we were in.A Hilton Hotel on the Rhine River,that was very nice to stay in and I might add very helpful and friendly people, after Rome.A special hello to Suman , working at the Hilton in Mainz, his website http://www.explore-napal.net/ .He used to guide in Napal and was interesting to talk to we hope to see him again when we stay there again on Oct 8th or 9th.Mainz was very cool small city and nice and clean.We did dinner at a steak house Darryl recommended, it was great.We took the train again to Frankfurt airport,and got there at 5:30 for a 10:35pm flight to Johannesburg South Africa,this flight was oversold by about 20 passengers so we didn't expect to get on.Guess what... we were the last 2 put on and the flight was full.

The overnight flight was 10 hours long but I really enjoyed it as it was a Boeing 747, I had never been on one.Got some sleep, service was good, Lufthansa is nice to ride on.

In Johannesburg (Joburg) I called the train company to see if we could get on for a two day trip to Cape Town, spend thre full days here and return to Joburg.The train was half full and we took a taxi to the station.

The train did leave fo about 4 hour so we just hung around the station and talked to staff and met some of our fellow passengers.We met Azraa and 6 year old son Zuhale, from Cape Town,later she was a huge help in arranging a ride and hotel in Cape Town,thank you again.We also mert Clive & Andrew and their wives Amelia & Louise,from Joburg,they are all great and we did dinner onSat and will again onMonday.They are good people ,as they ride motorbikes, even though one isn't a Harley Davidson.We also met Ian & Ingrid and their boys from Port Elisabeth,Hello again.Hello also to Aldea and her daughter,nice to meet you.

So here we are in Cape Town staying at a VERY expensive hotel( we are calling it an Anniversary gift to each other)and we really love South Africa,the PEOPLE are so friendly and helpful.e did rhe open top bus tour for Sat. &Sun. and have been very busy,WOW.