Getting to Munich

After masses of planning the day arrived and my trip was to start. I had packed most of my stuff early in the day then after lunch it was just the final bits and pieces. My flight from Cape Town International Airport was at 17:10 so left home in an Uber just after 14:00 to give myself ample time. Just relaxed at the airport and tinkered online while I waited for my flight.

My plane getting ready for me

Onboard at my seat

The flight was decent, I had an isle seat in the middle section and there was a seat next to me that was empty so that made spreading out a bit easier. I watched a movie called Unchartered which was OK enough. Got terrible stomach cramps and really wanted to have a fart ... but didn't incase it wasn't only a fart - LOL. Later got up to the loo and thankfully it was only a fart and felt better once that was out of my system.

Dinner: Coleslaw Salad. Chicken Breast and Eggplant Salad. Grilled Hake with Coconut Curry Sauce, buttered broccoli and potato mash. Milk Tart

We got into Istanbul Airport a little early and was quick enough to disembark. There is 1hr free internet at the airport with your passport and seeing as I have 2 passports I was able to get one for each so I was set for the time while I was in transit. I only had a few hours layover there, so just enough time to check out the airport shops.

Istanbul airport

There was a pretty cool mirror light pyramid thing that I messed around in front of taking pictures.

Istanbul airport

My gate wasn't on the board as was too early for it to be known, but I checked online and saw what it said there and headed to that gate, almost the furthest one away, and about a 20min walk. Thankfully it popped up on the boards and it was correct that it was that one, that woulda sucked if it was totally different.

Flight to Munich was just a short one, only 2h 35min. Again had empty seats next to me, this time 2 free so that was nice again. Onboard, as a Miles & Smiles (loyalty program) member I got some free internet ... some ... but peanuts ... a whopping whole 10MB ... big whoop. I connected to it and chatted to a few people on WhatsApp who I knew would be up. I didn't do much while connected so as not to use up the data super quick.

About half way to Munich

Got into Munich and then was the passport control, due to Brexit my UK passport isn't as powerful/easy anymore and had to join the queue with everyone else. Went quick enough. Was a sign saying to have all sorts ready for when you got to the counter. I did. Guy asked me about my trip and how long was I there for etc. I showed him the bookings and what I had planned and all sorts. He was pretty satisfied I was above board and I got let into Germany quite fine.

Arrived in Munich, Passport control "have the following ready" sign

Got my mobile data up and running and then headed to and found the S-Bahn station quickly and was on my way into town, was about a 45min trip if I recall. There was wifi on and off on some of the trains as well. Germany has (and I checked now, it is still) a rule where you need to wear masks when on public transport, luckily I knew that and was prepared and donned my mask. The ticket checker/conductor was hassling others to put masks on, even though there were signs and announcements, people don't listen/read. Got into Munich Hauptbahnhof where Colin had offered to meet me. Connected with him easily at the platform and headed back to Colin & Lizelle's flat.

Heading into Hauptbahnhof, note the ppl behind me in the pic who got told off

In my planning Colin had told me that there was an €9 deal where you could use any/unlimited public transport in Germany for a calendar month for that once off €9 just not the super fast ICE type trains, but that was fine. Cool !!! It did suck that I arrived on the 31st so needed to buy one for that day and then one for the next month, however ... a trip from the airport into town cost more than that, so it wasn't a biggie, still worked out better for me. I had bought those before I left SA and had them loaded in the Deutsche Bahn app on my phone.