Blogs from Simon's Town, Western Cape, South Africa, Africa

Today was the day I was waiting for, the day of the PENGUINS! I can't say anyone else was too excited by them, but I for one, find them adorable and charming. We drove from Cape Town to Simon's Town where Boulder Beach is located and the home of the Penguins. The Cape penguin is relatively small. They are black and white with a little patch of pink near their eyes. They waddle and they shake off the water when they come out from swimming and I could have sat watching them all day. There were two dancing the mating dance. She stood there mostly aloof while he bowed and twirled all around her. From time to time their heads came together and it looked as if they were kissing. It was beautiful. Then we saw ... read more

I may have been few time to Cape Town, I never made my way just an hour South to the little town of Simon's Town. The South African diving community is a pretty tight one, specially when it comes to dive center dealing mainly with the local keen divers. So while in Shelly Beach few months ago, I gather few infos about where to dive with teenagers around Cape Town. Well, this is the place, Cape Town, for 2 pretty special dives, the seal one as well as the Seven Gill one. The people to dive with, are Pisces...can only recommend them for everything...from friendly to efficient...will be diving again with them in the future! You first need to be ready for some cold water....this is the middle of the winter, and water is just 13 ... read more

Arrived safely in Cape Town on the Emerites air bus (380-600) along with 500 other people:A short stay in Dubai. Then finally in Cape Town and onto Simons Town skirting Table mountain but taking in Hout Bay and Chapmans peak. Our first acommodation is in a lovely apartment with the balcony overlooking the Indian ocean ....amazing views!! Pictures to follow when we have figured out how to transfer them!! .....do have some good ones though! Our first three days have been spent 'chilling' and taking in some sites....swimming on a safe beach a few hundred yards away and watching others swim (Fish Heok) where its not so safe when they remove the shark nets!! Not for us no thank you!!! Simons town is an old colonial naval base and has some beautiful buildings and pretty harbour ... read more

Well hello there! I have been so busy. Oh my goodness, there is barely a moment where I'm standing still, so pardon my large gap between entries! But I suppose the busier I am, the more I'm having fun, which has proven itself to be very true. To start off, I'm pretty settled into my life here in South Africa. I've officially gotten the lay of the land, I can navigate the train systems, and I feel at home in my host house. First I'll cover the work portion of my life currently. I'm doing well in my internship (or at least I hope I am) and I get along well with my "colleagues". I'll be perfectly honest...I do not want to work in an office environment when I have a career. I simply cannot keep ... read more

After a few days in Knysna Harbor I was really starting the like the logistics of our marina spot. With 20 restaurants, a Yacht Club with Bar, and Hot Showers only meters from the boat, this was clearly paradise as far as conveniences when sailing. While sitting around the boat making some repairs we met a young local couple that invited us to come to a party down the road about 20 miles in a town called Plett Bay. We showed up for drinks at a casual bar on the ocean as they told us they had bought us tickets to a huge foam party at some bar called Vegas in Plett. This night was clearly getting more interesting by the second and I had high expectations for a remake of my Cancun experiences 10 years ... read more