Meeting Nelson Mandela

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An amazing day of adventures! Our car for the next 4 days, Cara Corsa, arrived this morning. After a rude awakening, we eventually got up and went on a merry adventure...it was a case of two girls and a map!?

Our adventure began when we drove out of Kommetjie and over Chapmans Peak...a fantastic cliffside road up a mountain! We were told that the views were amazing, but neither of us were prepared for quite how amazing they were!! With cameras blazing, we drove through the rain cloud until we could see the Atlantic Ocean! It was so bizarre to watch the clouds chasing us...you could predict when the next bout of rain would...and inevitably did...hit us! Fantastic!!! As we rounded into Hout Bay the waves were crashing and the houses on the side of the mountain were so colourful and unique.

As we ventured on we had a slight detour into Wales, with a short visit to Llandudno...typically it was raining but there was not a sheep to be seen. Driving towards Camps Bay we were disappointed not to have seen the 12 Apostles in the Ocean...it was only when we got to the other side and looked back that we realised that the 12 Apostles was actually the mountain peaks that we'd just driven under!!! Oops!!!

Having a well deseverved pit stop in Camps Bay we found a great coffee shop called Number 16 and settled in for a marathon dessert lunch. Lizzie's waffle was the best she had ever tasted and Hannah's pavlova rivalled any ever made...ever!!!

Clifton Bay came next with a stunning beach, then through Sea Point and towards Mouille Point - with the most disappointing of lighthouses...it was like a torch in a red and white stripped jar. Feeble!!!

In contrast, at our next stop we found a slice of Heaven. The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront area was sublime. As we adventured through the shopping mall, the only casualties were "a few" postcards. Then we discovered the most incredible public toilets ever...in the World...EVER!!! It was so nice to be in a clean and mould free bathroom...we thought we might move in! We then walked through the Craft and Well-being Market which was fab! There was so much art everywhere, it was hard to know where to look! From beadwork to woodwork, from photographs to giraffe puppets...it really was superb!

From there we went to the Two Oceans Aquarium, which was a bit of a surprise! Whilst it was great to see all the fish native to this part of Africa, we were both a little taken aback by the size of the tanks! We've come to the conclusion that we've been spoilt! It was here that we got our first glimpse of real-life Rock-Hopper Penguins!!! (Yes, Bob...Mummy and Auntie Hannah saw your African rellies!!).

On our return to the car we came across four very important people in Nobel Square. Desmond Tutu, two other random Nobel Peace Prize winners and the one and only, our leading man...MR NELSON MANDELA!!! As you can see from the photos he was very pleased to see us (quite rightly so...)!

After all that excitement we decided that a long, quiet drive was in order. So back in Cara and off we trundled down the M3 towards Winchester...no sorry we mean Muizenberg. Through Kalk Bay, Fishhoek and back to Kommetjie, we arrived home slightly hungry and extremely tired.

We are now ready for bed so we wish you all good night, sweet dreams and much stargazing at the beautiful African stars. xxx

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Photos

What a view...
Hout Bay from Chapman's Peak.

Paradise
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront...Sigh!

Bob's Rellies
Rock-Hoppers...Say hi to the guys!!!

Good Afternoon. It's very nice to meet you.
The man himself and little old me.

Good Afternoon, it's very nice to meet you also.
The man himself. Look everyone it's Mr Mandela.

Comments

[jeannie]

We've had an earthquake in the English Channel
Hi girls Thought I would keep you up with the news over here. Yep... a 4.3 on the scale shaking houses in Dover and Kent! Also an news report actually on radio 4's one o'clock news talking about political unrest in Ecuador. I knew Kat would start stiring things up out there!!! Now what do you mean you have a car??? They actually let you have one lizzie??? I'll leave that response to your mum..... Lovely photos and I am very jealous. Love from Additional safety net, fussing 'mum'. (You see you'll have two of us checking on you Lizzie)

[Sue Owen]

Nelson Mandela
I've told you about speaking to strangers mind you from the photos he doesn't look much of a threat. Hannah you must come home - I am eating and spending far too much and I need you to take me in hand. I always thought it was you that was a bad influence on me!! It sounds as though you are both having a wonderful time and long may it continue. Saints and Yeovil won today but I expect Kieran has already told you that. Take care both of you. Lots of love from mummy Owen xxxx

[Nannan]

Hello Liz
So lovely to hear you and to know all is well. Hope your adventure is all you had wished for, beats painting my flat! Love from Senior adventurer and mice (Tit Willow) PS. Enjoyed my birthday books with thanks!

[Dad]

Wow
Well my lovely have just read your latest jounal entry and wow those pictures what fantastic scenery, ain't you the lucky ones to be there amidst such a splendid coastline and mountains. Sounds like your both having a great time and I'm so pleased that you've had the chance to see so much of the local area so soon, and so very proud that you guys are doing it on your own. As much as I am missing you and in total awe of your adventures, I'm afraid that I am now going to mention the fact that I am going fishing in the Channel Islands tomorrow - for four days - yes four days Naa - Well that feels better! Love you loads Dad xxxxxx

[Mum B]

You lucky girls!
Hi Girls, What a great trip... how many miles did you cover? It's very hard to get our bearings as the map is a little disjointed. Good to know you've met up with some of Bob's rellies, you will be able to take photos to show him on your return. Lottie is still away at Hannah's but due back tonight. Dad is soooo excited! I'm not so sure about those early mornings!Enjoy the rest of the weekend, will you take the car back tomorrow?