Our last day . . . . it was bitter-sweet packing our bags at the Wilton Manor and taking one last look around. We left our bags with Cornie (Cornelius) and caught a Tuk-Tuk into downtown Cape Town to the Green Market Square. Here we found all kinds of traders booths and artisans selling their various wares. Of course we couldn’t pass up on the odd last bargain! We will certainly need to do some serious repacking! From there we walked back into the Waterfront to wait for Michael and Joan to pick us up. We sat and listened to the live music, which happened to be the same singer that we heard in Mama Africa last night. Michael and Joan arrived and we headed back to Wilton Manor to repack and freshen up a bit before heading to the airport. The Manor was kind enough to hold a room for us with fresh towels. We repacked and carefully weighed each bag, washed up and changed our clothes for the flight. We then loaded our luggage into the rental car and headed to the airport.
At the airport, things got a bit confused. In South Africa there is a sales tax called a VAT. As foreigners, we can claim the VAT back on any items purchased while in the country. However, there are two steps to this (which we weren’t aware of). Prior to booking in you must go to the VAT counter and show all of your receipts as well as the actual items purchased. They then verify everything and write you a cheque for the total amount of VAT paid. You are to take this cheque and cash it once you are through security and on the gate side of the airport. We asked several times where the VAT office was and were told over and over again that it was through security. By the time we arrived at the passport verification area where they stamp your passport on your departure we asked once again. This time we were told that we had to go there before going through security. As the official had already stamped my passport I couldn’t go back, but he didn’t stamp Julie’s. So, she went back, receipts in hand, to the VAT office on the other side. This is where the problems began. After waiting in the long line-up full of people unpacking every suitcase they owned to show various spices and flip-flops they had purchased Julie was informed by the woman that because many of the receipts were in my name she wouldn’t accept them. Julie explained to her that I was not allowed to come back through security but to no avail and Julie was getting frustrated. She left there being told that we could have them verified in Canada and send the paperwork back to South Africa for a refund. She returned to us waiting airside, not very happy. . . . Soon we were on our plane and said “Goodbye, Africa, may you fare well”.
On to our next journey . . . wherever that may be!
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