Today we had a little bit of down time, and took the chance to explore more of the beautiful Cape region!
After waking up to a beautiful view of the harbor, we ate breakfast and headed out to explore Boulders Bay and Cape Point.
Boulders Bay is home to a colony of 3,000 African penguins! It's so fun! After a near fatal incident with a rock hyrax (just kidding, they are just as nice as they look!) we headed down a boardwalk through the protected area where the penguins can breed.
I found myself peering into the bushy areas, trying to spot penguins. I got excited at each one I saw - lots of young ones too - and thought that I'd done pretty well for myself at penguin spotting. Little did I know, there was more to come! Along the path, the boardwalk opens up to a beach where there are literally dozens and dozens of penguins lounging, sunbathing, waddling around, and jumping into the sea! It was so fun to watch them!
Then we headed even further south, towards the most south western point of Africa - Cape of Good Hope. The trip south is filled with spectacular views - there is beauty literally every direction you look! After arriving at the national park there, we started with a walk up to a lighthouse.
Strangely enough, after its construction it was realized that the lighthouse was actually too high, and could never be used! What a disappointment! But - it's a fun walk with amazing views of the ocean in every direction.
Then we took the hour and a half hike to the Cape of Good Hope - the furthest southwest point in Africa. On the way, we stopped at the breathtakingly beautiful Dias beach and even got to see some surfers out on the waves.
Then, up and down and up again until we reached the Cape of Good Hope. There were lots of tour buses there (the hike was definitely the less popular option for reaching the Cape!) but we managed to sneak in a picture and enjoy the view a bit!
The Cape coastline in this region is home to surfers, shipwrecks, and even whales in the midst of their migration. Although its popularly believed to be the spot where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet,this is actually a misperception (that spot is located at Cape Agulhas). It is however a fabulous place to see - I'm so thankful that it became part of my experience of diving in to South Africa in the midst of this adventure!
After coming across a baboon roadblock, we snacked on a picnic lunch at Buffels Bay. I think we were both a little petrified of the baboons coming to find us (there are signs everywhere extolling their dangerous nature!), so we ate fast and made a quick escape. More hyraxes there too, but they are most cute than intimidating! :-)
Another truly incredible day - just immersing myself in the wonder and beauty of this amazing place!
Tonight we'll have an early night in preparation of hiking Table Mountain tomorrow. I'm super excited to reach the top of this iconic Cape Town mountain! Let's hope we make it! :-)
~emily~
After waking up to a beautiful view of the harbor, we ate breakfast and headed out to explore Boulders Bay and Cape Point.
Boulders Bay is home to a colony of 3,000 African penguins! It's so fun! After a near fatal incident with a rock hyrax (just kidding, they are just as nice as they look!) we headed down a boardwalk through the protected area where the penguins can breed.
Then we headed even further south, towards the most south western point of Africa - Cape of Good Hope. The trip south is filled with spectacular views - there is beauty literally every direction you look! After arriving at the national park there, we started with a walk up to a lighthouse.
Strangely enough, after its construction it was realized that the lighthouse was actually too high, and could never be used! What a disappointment! But - it's a fun walk with amazing views of the ocean in every direction.
The Cape coastline in this region is home to surfers, shipwrecks, and even whales in the midst of their migration. Although its popularly believed to be the spot where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet,this is actually a misperception (that spot is located at Cape Agulhas). It is however a fabulous place to see - I'm so thankful that it became part of my experience of diving in to South Africa in the midst of this adventure!
After coming across a baboon roadblock, we snacked on a picnic lunch at Buffels Bay. I think we were both a little petrified of the baboons coming to find us (there are signs everywhere extolling their dangerous nature!), so we ate fast and made a quick escape. More hyraxes there too, but they are most cute than intimidating! :-)
Another truly incredible day - just immersing myself in the wonder and beauty of this amazing place!
Tonight we'll have an early night in preparation of hiking Table Mountain tomorrow. I'm super excited to reach the top of this iconic Cape Town mountain! Let's hope we make it! :-)
~emily~
No comments:
Post a Comment