Into Africa Part II: Cape Town
After a 12-hour flight from Amsterdam, we arrived in South Africa at nearly midnight. My first impression of South Africa? The air smelled different, earthy and humid. It was a rejuvenating change from the winter we’d left.
We only had a couple days to explore Cape Town, so we packed in the sights tightly. We spent our first day with a group of Jason’s coworkers and their spouses exploring the Cape of Good Hope and Simon’s Town. At the Cape of Good Hope, Africa’s most southwestern spot, we stood on the edge of the continent surrounded by craggy splendor. We hiked to Cape Point, a dramatic cliff topped by the Cape Point Lighthouse and cuffed by the ocean. While the area was crowded with tourists, the agitated water and battered slopes still gave a sense of the tempestuousness of this wild headland. The wily chacma baboons thieving items from sightseers added another layer of unpredictability to the setting.
In Simon’s Town, we visited the 2,000 African penguins that call Boulders Beach home. Yes, Africa has penguins; they are probably called African penguins for that reason. I didn’t let those waddling waiters have all the fun at Boulders. I splashed into the Indian Ocean in that sheltered cove too. Well, I thought I did. As it turns out, the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet without much fanfare at Cape Aghulas not Cape Point. Most of the Cape Town locals don’t even have that straight. Yup, I just waded unwittingly into the exotic Atlantic.
The next day, a group of the spouses sought the top of Table Mountain while our significant others put in some work hours. Table Mountain is an oddity among peaks. Its nearly-flat crest extends for two miles. It forms an unmistakable backdrop to Cape Town’s cityscape.
That morning was gloriously clear, so the view-hungry tourists swarmed the Table. We waited about 45 minutes in the queue for the tram to the top. Although I expected Table Mountain to be level, I was surprised by how far its flatness stretched. Its summit wasn’t just scenic though, it was uncomfortably warm. My feet decided this heat was their cue to expand further. Did I mention that my feet swelled up as soon as I crossed into the Southern Hemisphere? They remained bloated until they arrived back on their own side of the planet. Then, they magically deflated. Is that a regular thing? Or are my feet just melodramatic homebodies?
After Table Mountain, we had just enough time before dinner to see a bit of the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and stop in the Bo-Kaap district. The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is widely regarded as one of the best in the world, not only because Table Mountain cooperatively postures behind it but also because it features the wealth of plants unique to the Western Cape. Our pause in Bo-Kaap was brief but gave us time to snap some vibrant shots. Bo-Kaap’s colorful streets seemed a little worn between the weight of visitors and the hardships of residents.
Thus, our quick interlude in Cape Town ended. The following day, we were off to Sabi Sand Game Reserve by way of a couple flights and one propeller. I will cover that surreal experience next week.
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