We set off on our Cape Point tour on Saturday morning. We drove southeast toward Kalk Bay. Coffee was needed, so we stopped for a light breakfast and coffee at a small bakery looking out at the ocean. Feeling rejuvenated we continued along the eastern coastline of the cape to Fish Hoek. We stopped here to check out the recommended beach path known as the Jager Walk. The path looped around the bay which looks reminiscent of a fish hook. The picture above is from that walk. We certainly lucked out with superb weather for the day. After our walk we drove further south to Simon's Town. Here we explored the ocean side shops, took a walk up higher to check out the view, and checked out this quaint navy town. Up next was Boulders Beach just down the road.
Boulders Beach is habitat to a massive Jackass penguin colony. This time of year is the mating/moulting season. Many of the penguins were in hollowed out sand holes in the surrounding vegetation preparing to lay eggs or mate. We were able to find quite a few down on the boulders and get within a foot of these adorable creatures. The picture above was certainly my best photo sitting next to this friendly penguin. We ate at a restaurant at the boulders. Molly and I both enjoyed the fresh fish and chips. Bridget, Molly's friend from Tacoma who went to the aquarium earlier in our trip joined us for the rest of the day. After visiting the penguins we drove all the way to Cape Point. This national park has quite a few baboons living there. We saw big males, females, and babies. They were cute,lazy baboons, but also bared their enormous fangs whenever they yawned. I certainly wouldn't want to make one of them angry! Below is a picture of the southern tip of Cape Point.
The next two pictures above feature the lighthouse at the top of Cape Point. We walked up there to take in the panoramic view. The beaches below were pure white sand untouched by mankind. It was awesome. I enjoyed exploring the paths at the point. We continued up the western side of the cape until we reached Noerdhoek. From there we went on a windy, skinny road along the cliffs of the coastline. Amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean stretched forever until we reached Chapman's Peak. We all stopped there to watch the sunset with Hout Bay in the background. It was one of the best sunsets I have ever seen. This road was actually shut down for about two years to conduct repair and install rock fall prevention nets. We were lucky to be able to drive it! We stopped in Camp's Bay on the way back to Cape Town to have a quick dinner. We got home early so that the boys could get to bed. They went shark diving on Sunday and got picked up very early. Molly and I had Sunday to ourselves. Molly and I drove down toward Noerdhoek early Saturday morning. We stopped at McDonald's to test out the South African McDonald's breakfast menu. I am pretty sure there was legitimately authentic cheddar cheese on my breakfast mcmuffin! It was definitely better then the super greasy version at home. We wanted to do the Chapman's Peak and Hout Bay drive again during the day and it was just as spectacular. We eventually got to Camp's Bay where we had planned to spend our afternoon as beach bums and avid readers. We spent a good three hours baking in the sun. There were some professional volleyball players at the beach setting up nets. I walked over to the girls and asked if I could join in one game if one of them needed a break. I teamed up with a girl and played one match with them. It was great fun to play a little beach volleyball. One difficulty about this trip has been exercising. It is unsafe to run just about anywhere where we live, thus my exercise regimen has consisted of a few crunches and push-ups, walking down the hospital halls briskly, and throwing in a few lunges. Not much! I have realized how much I appreciate so many of the small things we take as normal back home.
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