Our bedroom which is my packing area, George uses his office, looks as though it has been hit by a hurricane. I throw clothes out of the wardrobe as I decide they will be necessary on the trip...however looking at the pile now I realise that there is no way they will all fit in my suitcase. We are flying Porter Airlines on my daughter Fiona's recommendation and their free baggage allowance is pretty tight so we shall have to be careful. Also to get to Toronto Island Airport we have to cross on a ferry and I for one don't relish lugging alot of heavy baggage. BUT we are away for three and a half months in varying climates so we have to be creative.
The reason for choosing Porter is that by all accounts they are extremely comfortable, to Business Class level, and the service is fantastic. Fiona flies to conferences in the States often and loves flying on these much smaller planes. Also the whole boarding procedure is more relaxed and alot less crowded. I'll report on the validity of these claims later!
This morning is our 'French' breakfast morning: Croissants and freshly ground,(by George)dark roast coffee from Columbia, delicious! We shall sit out on the balcony listening and staring into the tree tops, watching the birds. Our balcony makes you feel you are sitting high up in a jungle or a tree house and it gives Bess a vantage point from which to growl and bark at any intruder as she peers down and challenges innocent dog walkers on the trails below. I shall miss this, and her, so much!
We are hoping to receive all the information about excursions and FDPs today because until we do we can't get our multiple entry Indian Visa. This has been a great frrustration for Jeannie in Naivasha, Kenya and ourselves. We have to find out which day we should depart India and on which to return to the ship. Jeannie has to be sure of her Emirate flight home from Columbo. I know.. I should be grateful to have such exciting problems! It will be interesting to read the possibilities too in Morocco. We hope to visit Fez but have heard that the SAS excursion is very short so may have to book independently...time is running out.
I am happy to know that we shall be seeing school friends of mine in South Africa. Ali and Geoff Kaufmann and Joan and Trevor Teeton. The latter definitely in Calitzdorp and the Kaufmanns possibly in Cape Town. Amazing and wonderful to have sustained our friendship over many, many years. Would love to see Jean, Sally and Phillida too (if you're reading this) even if just for a brief coffee at the V&A Waterfront. And I have just given this blog address to Luzuko so perhaps we could meet you too Luzuko? Michael Williams, Artistic Director of Opera Cape Town will be the Theatre Professor on board. A dynamic and delightful man whom George and I have met twice before. I shall be his student for sure if he has room in his class, the prof's permission must be obtained.
Enough for now, back to dog walking, breakfast making and possibly the Hamilton Frings Festival during the day.
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