Another hot sunny day

It's been another hot, sunny day here in Cape Town. When we left the hotel this morning it was already 34C. Over on Boulders beach it was a bit cooler (25C) but the sea is much warmer so that makes up for it, oh, and they have penguins :D

After setting up camp, we explored the boulders and got up close with our new friends the penguins. We didn't get too close as the penguins have really sharp beaks, although there was one scary moment when me and Vaughan somehow managed to find ourselves surrounded by them. Oops! Vaughan took some really funny video as one almost went for him.

Swimming and watching the penguins is something I won't forget in a hurry. Truly a magical experience. And what was nice is that we never felt crowded. Perhaps that's because it's relatively hidden. The few other people that ventured through the cave and over the rocks to reach the beach seemed just as awestruck as us and all did their best to respect the penguins home. Amazing.

This afternoon we had a rather hurried journey to V&A (traffic!) to catch the ferry over to Robben Island where we got a great tour of the island and prison. Our tour guide was a former member of the ANC and spent 7 years incarcerated for simply belonging to a political party. He was really insightful and it was amazing to see just how far SA has come since the Apartheid days. Next weeks is 12 years since the last prisoners left the island.

Off out now for dinner... at the V&A again!

Penguins

Penguins, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Where we're eating our picnic right now :)

Penguins

Baking hot again today. On our way to the beach to go swimming with the penguins. This afternoon we're off to Robben Island.

The need... for speed!

Whilst walking around V&A this afternoon looking for a boat trip out to Robben Island, we spotted this speed boat coming back from somewhere.

"Oh, that would be so cool!" we all said, almost in unison. A few minutes later we found the jetty where it sailed from and asked when the next trip was. "Right now, you wanna come?" was the response and the next thing we know, we're signing indemnity agreements and strapping on life vests.

And then for the next hour we enjoyed the most amazing white knuckle ride around the bay at speeds of 55 knots (I could see the speedo!), with spray around us and hair totally windswept. Fantastic.

At one point we headed far offshore and got up close to a giant container ship - the MSC Stella (google it) - that was anchored waiting port. We were so close I could almost touch it. It was immense. At the back of the ship (the stern?) we actually went underneath the overhanging end.

I wish I could have taken my camera, but I'm glad I didn't as I got soaked.

But I'm sure you could google Waterfront Boat Company if you want to see pictures.

So a fun packed day. Earlier, we had lunch of fish and chips at Haut Bay and then walked along the beach. Tomorrow we're going back to Boulders to swim with the penguins and also visit Robben Island assuming the wind dies down a bit.

Oh, and today's highest temperature? 34C

Dinner at V&A Waterfront

Just eaten this ostrich starter. Yummy. Main course still to come - Twelve Apostles (lots of meat!) with roostebrood. Oh, and wine :)

(And there's free wifi tooo)

Me at V&A

Table Mountain!

Seal Island

Seal Island, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Just had fish and chips at Mariner's Wharf in Haut Bay. Earlier we took a boat ride around the bay on The Nauticat and visited seal island.

Tribal Movements

Tribal Movements, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Tonight we went out for dinner at The Africa Cafe in Cape Town. The food is a set menu of different dishes from Africa and various tribes. My favourite was the curried springbok. Early in the evening I took up an offer to get my face painted. Afterwards, after seeing mine, everyone else in the restaurant seemed much more eager to get theirs done ;) Back at the hotel and time for some more Amarula (sundowners is a South African tradition I'm told...) And speaking of Amarula, on the plane over here, Vaughan (slightly merry on sparkling wine) somehow coined the nickname Natalie Amaruglia - and it seems to have sticked :)

Cape Point

See, we really are here!

Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Didn't really get many photos of the penguins and beach on my iPhone (which is what I'm using to get photos onto the blog) but this shot gives a good idea of the beach, the boulders, the mountains and the penguins (bottom right).

Balanced rocks at the Cape of Good Hope

Balanced rocks at the Cape of Good Hope, originally uploaded by nataliej.

When we arrived at the Cape of Good Hope there were hundreds of little piles of balanced rocks on the rocky outcrop, so we made our own piles. This was mine.

Me and a penguin

Me and a penguin, originally uploaded by nataliej.

This is me, sat on a boulder at boulders beach with a penguin behind me. There are a few beaches at Boulders National Park with penguins. The main one, Foxy, has restricted access and you view the penguins from a series of platforms and walkways. This is the breeding area. The other beaches though, including Boulders, aren't restricted and you can swim and walk amongst the penguins. It's absolutely *amazing*. The penguins seemed quite used to human company and although we tried to keep a sensible distance, we still ended up with the little fellas swimming passed our feet and waddling around us. It was awesome, and I haven't even mentioned the scenery yet. Huge rounded boulders, clear turquoise water, sand, vegetation and then in the distance false bay and mountains. Stunning. We've already decide we have to go back for more, so we're planning a beach day there later in the week.

Penguins

Penguins, originally uploaded by nataliej.

At Boulders Beach (well, Foxy Beach more precisely)

Lunch

Just had lunch in Simonstown, sat not more than 10 feet from the sea.
Off now to go and see Boulders Beach and Cape Point.

Sundowners

Had dinner tonight at the V&A Waterfront with an amazing view of Table Mountain.

Back at the hotel we enjoyed a sundowner of Amarula at the bar terrace. Vaughan misread the ingredients though and was convinced it contained elephants (a mix up between favoured and flavoured). Now off to bed to get some sleeps.