Cape of Good Hope

June 18, 2013



It was extremely windy on our first stop
to Cape Point at a cove along the way.

This was another day of natural wonders.  We set off to Cape Point where it was once believed that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans met.  While this is not technically the case, this was not a sight to miss. 

The drive offered many beautiful views, and I was in awe once we got to the Cape of Good Hope. 

Mom took the funicular up and I hiked with a few of our tour mates.  Along the hike, we stopped at many beautiful spots.  Our guide, Carol, said that if we get to the
top and we are out of breath, we didn't stop enough to admire the views.  We definitely took advantage of the many amazing views.  I met mom at the top and then continued to climb up to the lighthouse for even more phenomenal views.

From there, we went to Boulders to see the African penguins.  It is estimated that there are only 21,000 breeding pairs of these penguins left.  In the 1950's, it was estimated that there were over 140,000.  That fact explained the need to protect this group, and the need to keep visitors on boardwalks.  This separation did not hinder our experience.  These penguins were a blast to watch.  Their lively entertainment included watching them play in the waves.  We also saw two babies sleeping on their mother.  Their father was on the other side of the nest watching, or more accurately, "resting his eyes".   Penguins mate for life, and Carol says that she has seen them holding fins/hands as they walk along.  We witnessed groups watching over the young while others went to play in the surf or fish for food.  As we left, we heard the baying sound that they make when they are hoping to mate.  Another interesting fact I learned is that the patch of pink above their eyes serves as a desalination device.
 
Lunch was at The Colona Castle, a boutique hotel (which I learned is a really really fancy bed and breakfast).  The rooms and views were spectacular and we had an eloquent hostess to entertain us during a lovely lunch.  Outside they had a plunge pool with a view to match its beauty.  The scent of lavender welcomed us on our way in and sent us on our way back to the hotel.

The rest of the afternoon allowed for a massage for mom and some time to read and relax for me.  Of course, we enjoyed some time at the hotel bar and decided to have dinner there as well.