It all happened very fast. Linda and I were standing at the automatic teller machine and were about to put the card in when a officially dressed guy with blue shirt and cap came from behind reached between us, pointed at a particular button and said we should press it when entering the card. Whilst another guy tapped me on the shoulder and had me turn around to ask me if it was ok to use the machine next to us, the first guy told Linda to turn the card upside down, took it quickly out of her hand, turned it and did as if he put it in while distracting Linda at the same time by pointing at the button again and repeating that this is the button one should press.

I wondered why there was so much activity and hectic all of a sudden. Moments before the room had been almost empty and quiet. Why was the second guy asking if he could use the other teller machine? Then it struck me that the first guys intention probably not was all that good - he didn't want to help us! I turned around and asked the first guy to show me his right hand with which he just seconds before had held the card. He was obviously reluctant, but I grabbed the hand and sure enough, there was our card.

The worst part about this is the fact that there was a, as far as we can tell, real officer sitting in the corner of the little room where this all happened. He watched us but was happy to completely ignore it. He must have been in on the deal in one way or the other, I figure.

As usual we were running a bit late (same thing every single time). We had used the morning buying the last souveniers, among other the mandatory giraffe (you cannot go to Africa and return without a giraffe, can you?). Then we had our dinner at a restaurant at Greenmarket square where we sat for a long while and watched the activities for a long time. By the time we got to the airport it was too late to make it all the way to Port Elisabeth before sunset or even before last light. We decided just to go to Plettenburg Bay instead.

The flight back over Cape Town and around the peninsula was spectacular. In False Bay we spotted two manta rays and three big sharks from the airplane. Pretty exicitng stuff! The sharks were pretty close to the beach where people were swimming. I had no idea if this was an abnormal situation one is supposed to report. After a short moment of reasoning I decided I'd rather sound like an idiot on the radio then read a newpaper headline stating a family with two kids had been eaten by sharks. With the best aussie accent I could immitate I called up the lady in the Cape Town tower and told her about the beasts in the water. I even claimed this was standard procedure in Australia. She thanked me for the info and I am sure she cut out the microphone and burst into laughter immediately after.

A little later also saw several whales playing close to shore as well - I didn't report that to the tower :-)

The light that day was extraordinary. There were a few low clouds, but not problematic by any means.

In time the clouds increased in number an density and started looking much darker and threatening. The base was also sinking. The air traffic controllers in Overberg and George were both friendly and helpful in providing en-route weather information.

Shortly before entering George airspace we actually had to deviate inland due to really bad weather over the ocean ahead of us.

George called Plett (further up the coast) and confirmed that the weather there was better, so we decided to carry on after George had cleared us for special VFR and told me to just stay clear of clouds. That's what special VFR is all about, just staying clear of clouds instead of keeping a certain distance, both horizontally and vertically, as one is normally required to do. This was the first time for me to fly under special VFR rules.

Luckily Plett was right. The really bad weather didn't last too long and shortly after we could fly over water again.

We arrived in Plettenburg Bay at sunset. The ride had been a bit bumpy that day, but all that more exiting. We got picked up by Frankie from a local Northando Backpackers (kind of a B&B feel). The pick-up did cost extra of course - it always seems to do in Africa (in contrast to Australia).

Dinner was consumed at Miguel's in town. Excellent restaurant!

Cape Town International Airport

The landing fees are reasonable not to say really cheap. Handling on take-off was quick and friendly (arrival was also friendly, but not effective at all).

I was about to write a very positive note on the company on which premises we parked when Renier told me we wouldn't have to pay anything for parking the five nights there, but then, when packing the plane for departure, somebody else came (I think it was Reniers boss) and said it would be 50 Rand a night. That's by far the most expensive parking we've seen in Africa so far. There must be much cheaper parking in Cape Town - one "only" has to plan this in advance (especially important when arriving late like we did).