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Published: November 24th 2013
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Today will be our last day in South Africa and we have an ambitious itinerary. We head out early for the Cape of Good Hope. This is not the southernmost point of the continent but is the place named by Portuguese explores trying to find a sea passage to the far east. It is a lovely day and we drive along the coast admiring some of the priciest homes, vacation homes, rentals and hotels in the county. The road is narrow and the structures climb up and down the cliffs on either side. It is a traffic nightmare in the summer. Now it is a pleasant drive and we stop along the way to enjoy the scenery. The place names have a familiar ring; Clifton (Ireland), Scarborough (England) and Bantry Bay (Australia). Our first stop is seal island. We board an overcrowded boat and fight the swells until we reach small offshore islands. They are crowded with seals, lounging in the sun, feeding in the kelp, safe for the moment from the great whites that patrol the area.
Next we stop at the Cape of Good Hope and I enjoy the terns and gulls roosting by the shore
brake. Those inclined walked up to the old lighthouse for great views. Others took our turns with the "Cape of Good Hope" sign. It was here that I took a bad fall while trying for a picture of a miniature plant.
Our next stop was Cape Point at Table Mountain National Park. While the group and Joe went up the cable car to see the baboons behaving badly, I went to first aid to have my scrapes attended to. A couple of folks ignored the instructions to leave food behind and had their backpacks grabbed by the apes and they would not let go or be intimidated. Finally, having gotten what they wanted and facing a brave (if foolish) hero, the baboons abandoned the articles strewn about the ground. This was our lunch stop and along with other tours, service was slow but the meal was ok. Donavan has been trying to keep ahead of the pack, thus the 8:00 am start. Around lunch it is impossible to avoid the crowds. After lunch we headed to the penguin colony where African penguins nest. These are the same family as the Megellanic, or jackass penguins of Chile. Their
territory includes the infamous Robbin Island Prison. Our final stop of the day is Table Mountain. As we arrived at the base of the cable car stop the views of Cape Town were breathtaking but we could see the mist rolling in at the top. When we got to the clouds were blocking the way but I found a spot where I could get a partial shot of the city. I actually thought it really provided a nice photo.
This is our last night and we had a farewell cocktail party at the hotel. Music was provided and the singer was quite good. This has been an amazing trip, so much seen and experienced. We were fortunate in our guide, Donavan who shepherded around, kept us amused and informed and chose unscheduled stops like the Cheetah Project. Our group was great, warm and friendly and it will be a treat to travel with them again.
Tomorrow we begin our marathon journey home; Cape Town to Johannesburg, Joburg
To Dakar (8 hours), refueling, and then Dakar to JFK another 8 hours. I was lucky to get some solid sleep in both segments and as
the day was dawning, we landed home safe and sound.
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