Elize, the guest house proprietor, arranged a guided tour to Cape Point for us. It had poured most of the previous night, and the forecast was rain throughout the day, so we were the only guests in the van. With limited time we needed to make the most of our stay in Cape Town and that day worked best for us to take the three-hour drive to the point.
As promised, it rained most of day; sometimes a light mist swirled around us, causing more curls to appear on my head, other times it poured and I pulled my hood tight around my face. Our guide, Cabella (hope I’m spelling it correctly), drove us along the coast past Camp’s Bay and Hout’s Bay, talked into a microphone, making it easy to hear about the history of his country.
We stopped at Boulder’s Beach, home to the African Penguin. Dropping us off, Cabella suggested we take the boardwalk to the end before we took any pictures. I understood why he told us that as we walked along the boardwalk. Penguins were everywhere. We watched clusters of them waddle along in the tall grass.
The grassy area gave way to a sandy beach where hordes of penguins congregated. Some floated in the water, bobbing up and down with the waves until the ocean got tired of carrying them and spit them onto shore. The penguins, about 60 centimeters tall, would stagger on to the beach and shake themselves dry, vibrating from head to tail.
After our allotted time with the tuxedoed birds we met Cabella, made a quick stop for lattes at a cafe on the way back to the van, and continued our trip to Cape Point. As we passed through the entrance of the national park and drove toward the point we saw zebras and ostrich. I was on the lookout for baboons but they must have been staying out of the rain.
At the Cape of Good Hope Bill and I waited in line for our turn for a photo. We climbed over the rocky terrain and posed for Cabella. We walked further out toward the water’s edge. Dark clouds hung low over the ocean, creating a menacing and dramatic vibe. Bill was happy we were there during inclement weather, imagined the first settlers landing there in the same type of weather. The wind blew and waves crashed on the rocks.
Our next stop was Cape Point. It was pouring but we wanted to walk up to the lighthouse, Cabella gave us raincoats to keep us dry. We followed the path to the original lighthouse, careful not to trip on the long poncho. More dramatic views from our perch at the top.
Back on flat land we were ready for a late lunch; so was everyone else who was there. We huddled under the only restaurant’s awning, waiting for a table. To our surprise and delight, Mark and Linda, a couple we met on the safari, were waiting outside the restaurant, too. Cabella arranged for the four of us to eat lunch together. What a treat to see a familiar face in an unfamiliar place. We compared notes, caught each other up on what we’d been doing since last seeing the other, three days before. Lunch over, email addresses exchanged, goodbyes said we started the journey back to the house via a few more drive-by detours. Back home, my stomach slightly upset, I took a nap, intending to go out for dinner later. When I woke up it was still raining and I was quite comfortable nestled under a quilt; needless to say, we never went back out.
Love it! Just like “Happy Feet” only LIVE!
We took video, too, Sue! They were fun to watch. 🙂
More great pictures! So is the lighthouse built into the rock? Or just on top of the rock? Like a faux lighthouse?
I would have stayed in bed, too!
Thanks, Autumn. This was the first lighthouse built on top of the rocks. They realized it was too high to be seen by the boats in the fog and built a 2nd one at a lower elevation. Despite the rain we got a mini cardio workout hiking up to the top.
Hope your ailment was temporary. I always hate getting sick on vacation.
I think that was the only night my stomach felt a little off, thank goodness. I did eat a lot of chips (French fries) in Cape Town, they were served with everything! My stomach’s not used to that. Several people got sick on the safari but I was maniacal about avoiding anything that might have been washed in the water.
French fries…hmmmm….I couldn’t pass that up either.
I never did!
Good girl!
Wow! The lighthouse is magnificent, Geralyn! I love your cute little face underneath the NY sign. I’ve always loved penguins, they make me smile. Great photos!
Thanks, Jill. We were a long way from NY! 🙂 We took video of the penguins and I smile every time I watch it.
Those photos of penguins set against a backdrop of such vivid greenery is quite the eye-opener.
Great travel-log, Geralyn.
Thanks, Laura.
Reblogged this on Concierge Librarian.
Thank you!
Vacation sickness is hard! I hope you felt better soon.
I totally did not expect to see penguins! Wonderful photos all around!
Thanks, L. Marie. Thank goodness my upset stomach only lasted the night. Good as new the next day! Penguins – Yes!!
What an amazing experience! You look so cute as well!
Thanks, Lynn! Tried to stay dry under that enormous poncho and hood!
ha ha you look cute and I am sure your curls were curly as you said!!!.
Very curly! 🙂
my daughter’s have full and curly hair I love it!
Do your daughters like their curly hair? I wish mine was straight! Isn’t that always the way?
NOOOOO I have 4 girls and each one has different very different hair, mine is limp and fine!!!
I would love to see those cute penguins. What a lot you saw on your trip, Geralyn. Love that lighthouse perched atop the rocks, and the NY sign. 🙂
Thanks, Sylvia. I thought you might have been. 🙂
No I didn’t go to see the Penguins or the lighthouse. 😳
Great pictures! Had no idea had penguins there. What a treat to see the different landscapes. Great adventure, great memories. Thank you! Xo Mom
Oh, you’ll be seeing penguins and more on your visit! 🙂
Penguins are fascinating to watch. They always hold our attention at the zoo. You got to see them in a much better setting though. Must have been a treat.
They’re fun to watch and I learned a thing or two. I never knew penguins stayed on land and didn’t eat for weeks while they molted. They fill up on food beforehand. We saw molting (if that’s the right term) penguins and babies, they’re both furry in different ways. And they’re all cute!
Not eating for weeks? Oh my, I’m glad I’m not a penguin…
You and me both!
Ohhhh, you got some amazing photos. I think that the rain gave you the opportunity to see some amazing sky and sea. And you not going back out in the rain, and staying cozy in your hotel sounds absolutely ideal to me. I’m sure it was wonderful.
My Aspie son is really into penguins right now. I’m going to have to show him your post so that he can see African penguins. He’ll love it.
Have a great weekend Geralyn. As for me, I’m traveling yet again tomorrow and will only return Monday evening. Long weekend here in Brazil.
🙂
Thanks, Staci. The rain, wind and clouds added a nice touch to our excursion. Hope your son enjoys the photos! We took video and the penguins are so silly to watch. Have a great long weekend!
Thanks Geralyn. 🙂
Seems like a good use of a wet day. 🙂 I love watching waves crash, but I do prefer to be dry if possible.
Thanks, Jo. I wanted to stay dry so I wouldn’t be eating lunch and driving home in wet clothes! The poncho covered me from head to toe…literally. 🙂
Amazing to see so much and such variety in a short time span. Penguins, ostrich, zebras. We can see penguins but then it’s sheep, cow, sheep….;)
Here we see deer, cow, horse and the occasional wild fox. I was really hoping to spot a baboon, I think that would have been a treat to see in the wild.
Maybe next time will be baboon time. 🙂 What about wild turkey? Do you see them sometimes?
We’ve got 2 families of wild turkeys (over 20 of them) hanging around the house. It’s so weird to see them in the trees roosting, they’re big!
Oh that would be weird. Hope they don’t nibble too much of your garden.
Amazing adventure! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and all the wonderful pictures. I find myself a bit jealous. How fun!
Thanks, Nicole. We tried to see as much as we could in the six days we were in Cape Town. I think we managed to see quite a bit!
Those penguins look cute! Must have been fun to watch them scramble around rite?
I so want to watch Penguins in the wild too.
They were fun to watch bobbing in the waves and waddling around the shore. Cute! Thanks for commenting.
I have never seen penguins live. I had gorgeous photos and I am glad that You presented them. Thank You.
Thank you, they were fun to watch!