The Big Trip-Paris, Africa, London: The Cape of Good Hope, etc, etc, etc!

Thursday was my day to go to the Cape of Good Hope. I have taught about it all these years and I have finally seen it and stood on it. (Even though it is not the most southern spot in Africa and it is not the place where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet.) It was another glorious day in Cape Town. It this is winter, I want some. The days get into the 70's and the nights cool to 50- Perfect in my book.

There were 4 of us on the tour and we were all from the NEA Conference. We began the morning with a stop at Camp Beach. The coast is a lot like Southern California with big waves, surfers and beautiful homes along the hill side. We continued down the coast driving through beautiful and very upscale beach towns. Our next stop was Haut Bay. Here we boarded a small boat for a 45 minute ride around the harbor.

The first thing we saw was seals along the wharf. There was a local there putting fish in his mouth and having a seal jump up and take the fish. heading out just a short way we were treated to a show of dolphins jumping and swimming along the side of the boat. It was interesting that they only did it in the way out and not on the way back. Just a short distance from shore was a group of rocks that were covered with seals. They were sitting on the rocks sunning themselves. We circled a couple of times and back in we went. Great show!

As we went along the coast we saw a white foam on the ocean. I thought is was a foam from the crashing of the whales but our guide, whose name I never did get, said that it was salt. The coast road was a dramatic, winding road with spectacular scenery that had been cut out of the side of a mountain. What a drive! Up Chapman's Peak and then to Chapman's bay. Breathtaking!

Once in the Cape Point National Park, we went right to the Cape of Good Hope. After all I have said about it over the years, I never thought I would ever stand on it. This was just a thrill. Here were treated to wild ostriches on the beach. It was fun to watch them and even more fun to watch the Chinese tourist trying to touch them. Incidentally, a kick from an ostrich can kill you.

We, then, went to Cape Point. Here, there is a lighthouse and a funicular to get you most of the way up there. The views were unbelievable and it was not too crowded. We had lunch here over looking the harbor.
After lunch, we went right to the African Penguin Colony at the Boulders near Simon Town. No one really knows how they got there but they appeared and they stayed. There chicks were hatching and there were quite a few little ones looking for food.
To round off the day, not that it needed rounding, we stopped at the Botanical Gardens. Unfortunately, it was 5:00 pm and we only had 45 minutes plus it was getting dark. Next trip!

This is the end of touring for a couple of days the conference begins tomorrow. I went to Long Street for dinner. A very interesting place. Lots of inexpensive restaurants and lots of people to watch.
Catch you tomorrow with the EI Report.