Daily Archives: June 26, 2010

South Africa / Travel — Comments Off on Cape Town Day 5: USA out in Stage 2
26
Jun 10

Cape Town Day 5: USA out in Stage 2

Saturday, June 26

Cape Town, RSA

When we got back from the Cape of Good Hope, we made our way back downtown.  We had good seats in The Dubliner like the previous USA win, but it didn’t have the same “vibe” so we decided to try our luck at finding a new locale and more American comrades.  We walked up and down Long Street, gathering a greater nucleus of American fans each trip until we were in a group of about 25 or so.  As a group we decided to head to the Purple Turtle (which we had previously heard was a bit shady).  We paid a small cover.  Inside we watched a great game with lots of Americans.  By the end of the night, the USA had lost a game and we were down a South African cell phone.   Come to find out a pickpocket had worked the whole crowd and scored a few wallets and phones that evening.

We were pretty dejected as we had to walk the length of Long Street to get to our car through super happy and singing South Africans (they were cheering for any African team at this point).  One favorite though came from a European fan (can’t recall which country though) who yelled at us: “What do you say now, USA?”  I just replied, “Next World Cup”, with a wry smile.  This immediately made them smile and say, “Yeah, us too.”

In conclusion, The Dubliner > Purple Turtle.

South Africa / Travel — 1 Comment
26
Jun 10

Cape Town Day 5: Cape of Good Hope

Saturday, June 26

Cape Town, RSA

After seeing the penguins, we headed the rest of the way down False Bay to the Cape of Good Hope.  There were all sorts of signs for baboons and Josh finally got to see some on the way into the National Park (Jeannette was taking a cat nap).  The old lighthouse was beautiful and we had a good time exploring around Cape Point.  It was SUPER windy (as will be evidenced in the photos below).  All in all, this day out on the Cape of Good Hope was a very successful trip for Josh’s inner child to finally see where Prince Henry the Navigator dabbled in exploration, as it had fully captured his imagination when he was a boy.  When we left the park, we decided to go home the “quick” way so that we could catch some of the Round 2 Uruguay-Korea game.  We were able to do just that and watch the second half at home before heading back downtown to watch the USA play in the second round.

Our drive from Kalk Bay, to Simon’s Town, to Boulders Beach, to Cape Point:


Inside the Cape of Good Hope National Park:

The old lighthouse:

Hold on to your cap, Josh!

Needless to say, we needed a comb after we left!

You’re looking at the southernmost tip of… Cape Point! (They have determined that Cape Agulhas is farther south on the African continent, though most Cape Towners still talk about the Cape of Good Hope as the southernmost tip.  When you remind them it isn’t, they say “Well, it’s the symbolic southernmost tip of Africa. They have no need for L’Agulhas. Haha!)

This is the modern beacon for the Cape Point.  The old lighthouse is no longer functioning.

A story of the bad hair day to come:

Looking North:

South Africa / Travel — 2 Comments
26
Jun 10

Cape Town Day 5: Simon’s Town & Boulders Beach

Saturday, June 26

Cape Town, RSA

From Kalk Bay, we drove to Simon’s Town.  Jeannette was feeling pretty poorly by this point so we stopped in at The Meeting Place for cappuccinos and tea.  This little pick-me-up did the trick and after a quick walk around Simon’s Town, and a pet of their beloved hero dog, we drove down a bit farther to Boulders Beach to see South Africa’s penguins (according to the postcards we bought, these are called Jackass penguins).  We had a great time walking through their habitat on the special elevated boardwalks that allowed us to get so close!  They had hundreds of numbered, little plastic homes for them, though some had clearly made nests in the brush and roots of trees.  As we walked back to the car, there was one penguin that had gone on an adventure and was exploring a drainage pipe out in urbanity.

Simon’s Town:

A hero dog:

Penguins at Boulders Beach:

Other birds at Boulders Beach:

Swimming:

Coming in from a swim:

Hanging out on the beach.  You can see here some of the babes aren’t so much babes anymore – they are losing their baby fluff in stages, some adult feathers and some downy ones in patches.  Ah the awkward preteen years.

Looking right at us!

Hanging out at home:

We watched him come out of the pipe, look around, and then start to head back in!


South Africa / Travel — 1 Comment
26
Jun 10

Cape Town Day 5: Kalk Bay

Saturday, June 26

Cape Town, RSA

This morning we followed Claire and Ali to Kalk Bay.  We saw fun wildlife signs:  “Caution Porcupines!” and just simply “Baboons!” Sadly, we didn’t see any porcupines or baboons.  We had an amazing breakfast at Olympia Cafe – Jeannette even grabbed a pastry for the road.  We walked around the pier at Kalk Bay before driving further down False Bay with Claire.