There to Here – Cape Town and on to Namibia
/Continuing the never-ending saga of There to Here …
Arriving in Cape Town was a pretty momentous occasion. We had rounded the five southern capes and completed our world circumnavigation. Celebrations were in order and we celebrated in fine style at the Royal Cape Yacht Club.
Table Mountain backdrop as we arrive at Royal Cape Yacht Club, Cape Town, South Africa
Our time in Cape Town was accentuated by boat work and meeting lots of friendly local folks who invited us into their lives. We worked; we sailed and raced with friends. We worked; we toured with friends. We worked; we ate and we drank with friends. We worked; we explored Cape Town … what a fabulous city!
We managed a few getaway days to celebrate our navigational achievements. Hardly the accomplishments of the great circumnavigators … but two bucket list items ticked off for us and we figured it merited a special weekend off the boat. Besides, the first mate insisted and she would not be denied.
Back on Cups, our major projects included installing new chainplates and rigging, purchasing new sails and all new lines … time-consuming and budget-consuming, for sure! But all quite necessary when your “home” is a sailboat and you’re planning an Atlantic crossing.
A new yankee
Midst all the chaos, it was determined that both our visas and Cups’ customs permit were about to expire. Previously, if you left the country and returned, the visa clock would start again. That procedure was suspended, however, and in order to renew our visas, we would have to fly back to our home country … not quite in the plan. With much to-do, we were able to garner another couple week's respite and worked hard to get all of our work done and ready Cups and crew to head out.
Lots of paperwork to check out of South Africa ... finally!
Finally … finally … finally … with no time left on our visas, we checked out of South Africa in late June up the west African coast bound for Namibia, South Africa’s northwest neighbor.
Catch up with us next week as we return to Namibia, by sea this time, and enjoy the tiny, isolated town of Lüderitz before heading across the Atlantic.