- So far the only insurmountable problem has been retrieving an iPhone left at the Lisbon airport security, and you can’t say we didn’t try. Many calls, emails, and embassy visits later, we gave up and Sheila got a new one here in Capetown. Other than that, and struggling with the technology we do have so we can communicate and navigate, this has been a fabulous adventure so far. We started in Chicago, where Sheila had enjoyed a few days with family, and boarded Air Portugal on our way to the Canary Islands. The airbnb in Tenerife was lovely, full of artwork and a patio looking out on the ocean. Lara and Sergio were such great hosts and Sheila formed a bond with Lara as she went out of her way to help Sheila find her lost phone. Wanting to explore another island, we took a small plane to Las Palmas, the historic Capital of Gran Canaria. We had reserved a room for 3 nights very near the plaza and were lucky to be there during a festival. There was lively music in the plaza, folk dancing outside the museum dedicated to Columbus, and events going on throughout the city. Our plane was late going back to Tenerife where we stayed in an airbnb near the airport but we did take a refreshing dip in pool before going to bed with the door to the balcony open so we could feel the breeze from the ocean. Woke up to a sumptuous breakfast served on the patio and said goodbye to the Canaries to travel to Madrid where we had a night and almost a full day before boarding Ethiopian Airlines for a 12 hour flight to Capetown. We rented a car which we’ll have until we get to Port Elizabeth but have spent much of the past 3 days here exploring the city on the HO HO bus. It is breathtakingly beautiful here, People are so friendly and just about everywhere there is music. Tomorrow we drive to Cape Point where we’ll see penquins and stay the night.