Time flies!

Already gone ten days and only my first entry! Partly the busy days, partly the unpredictable nature of this place, partly the irratic Internet access. Certainly not for lack of material to write about!

The first 9 hour flight was actually pretty good. Jaya is a great traveller, when he's not refusing to sleep. We spent our first day in Amsterdam with Henk, lounging in his gorgeous garden by the canal and wandering the winding streets of his historic neighborhood. It was pretty much perfect.

After a very short night (Jaya was up at 2, ready for daytime), another flight, this one almost 12 hours. But again, not too bad. Jaya was happy and entertaining. Of course, he refused to sleep again, resisting until about half an hour before we arrived, when we had to wake him. I think he got a total of six hours of sleep in 48. I can't believe that's even possible, but true, nonetheless...

So, needless to say, it took us a few days to get back on track. But you can't sleep all day, so we still managed to squeeze in a few wine tastings, a trip to Franschoek, a bit of Cape Town shopping, some tying up of loose work ends and lots of family visiting.

And in the last week - we've toured around Cape Point, visited Kirstenbosh gardens, hiked on Table Mountain, shopped, eaten amazing food, and visited lots with family. How's that for a summary?

So yes, we're having fun and seeing lots. But more than that, even walking down the familiar streets around Athe's house, the common theme is how present dad feels here. So amazing to watch Jaya charming everyone and see their reactions to him mirroring what I can so easily imagine would be dad's. The same expressions, the funny faces and playfulness with little ones that was his best stuff. It's nourishing, somehow, and somewhat unexpectedly.

Well, that's it for now. Photos to come.