Welcome back to Cape Town, hidden below a layer of heavy clouds

07 April 2013

We were up early on Sunday morning, hurriedly finished some last-minute packing and then drove out to Hosea Kutako International Airport, some 30-40 minutes drive away from Windhoek’s city centre. I could clearly remember how exciting it had been to land here, 10 days previously after my very first proper plane ride!

This time, though, I wasn’t feeling as excited as I had then: I was feeling rather sad, in fact, because I was saying goodbye to people who had welcomed me into their homes and made me feel like I belonged. I had a big lump in my throat, when I gave Aunty Lissi a goodbye hug.

“You keep writing and travelling, Flat Kathy,” she whispered to me, as we hugged. “Stay strong and courageous, and don’t let anyone stop you from achieving your dreams.”

I gulped, hugging her back tightly, and then we had to go through customs and passport control and, before I knew it, it was time to board the plane home. When we left Windhoek, the sky was clear and blue, without a cloud to be seen anywhere. I kept looking out the window, marveling at the vastness of this land, with its mountains and plains, and rocky desert and bushveld, and wild open spaces. I wonder if I shall ever see it again.

(Click on any of the photos below to access the slideshow with captions.)

We have taken our seats inside the Air Namibia plane, and are waiting at Hosea Kutako International Airport for our plane to take off

Airborne! Looking down at the ground far beneath us

I feel so fortunate – I am sitting inside the airplane again, rather than being stowed into cargo!

Breakfast – hmmm…

I think we are now flying over southern Namibia

Reggie thinks that might be the Orange River below, marking the border between Namibia and South Africa

I wonder if that is really the Orange River? It looks amazing!

A little cluster of clouds

Those are strange-looking circles on the farms

A few small clouds

More clouds

A thick blanket of clouds

Approaching Cape Town, we have to dive through this thick blanket of clouds

We find ourselves flying over False Bay, approaching the runway from the south

This is Cape Town!

The Cape Flats

Crossing the N2 highway

Touchdown!

We taxi past the airport buildings

And come to a stop in front of the terminal building – home again!