Arriving in Africa

---

South African airlines was comfortable and efficient. I watched some movies I hadn't seen and Wayne didn't snore too loud.
Arrived in Johannesburg around 5am. Transfer to domestic no problem. Wayne had a chat to a guy from Perth while I grabbed a coffee, momentarily taken aback at the 28 on the till until i remembered that the exchange means that was a $2.80 coffee and it was good.
Got to Cape Town about 9.
So glad I grabbed a sim card at the airport cheap and easy (MTN) and allowed me to get a blog started, make calls and use GPS. Probably won't do that in other countries but we are in SA for over a week and I need to ease in to not being as "connected" as I'm used to.
Once we finally got a car (europecar were a nightmare - hours waiting and they still messed things up) diving was easy. Everything well signposted and Google Maps accurate.
Rather than go in to the city we headed south.
Simon's Town is lovely. Interesting architecture. Friendly people. Beautiful beaches some of which just happen to have penguins hanging out.
We had lunch at the Salty Dog. Delicious fresh seafood, quick and cheap too with smiling service, cold beer and Wayne tells me they make a fine milkshake.
We checked in to the Simon's Town guest house. Gorgeous!
Taking some tips from the lovely Amanda and Camilla, and a map we headed over Chapman's Point to Hout Bay.
What an amazing drive! The locals at the smallest pub in Africa reckon the toll (47 rand) stops people from using the road. Best $5 we ever spent. The rugged mountains that the road clings to the very edge of as it meanders along the stunning coast make this like no other road I've been down. Wayne was clinging pretty hard to the seat - he isn't good with heights or with being a passenger.
Wayne explored the East Fort built in 1796 (I was less than keen as it smelt very much like a toilet). We decided to try some local beers at The Workshop (mine was good if slightly sexist) and a wander around Hout Bay, we headed back over to Noordhoek. Where we stopped at a local farmers foodie market. Happy families everywhere enjoying local wine and the freshest, yummiest food. The fact that we'd been travelling for a solid 24hrs or so seemed to kick in so we headed back to the guest house for a much needed shower and crashed.

---

Photos

Boulder Bay
The penguins just hang out right by the crowded beach, sometimes swimming amongst the kids and the rocks.

View from room
View from Mafunyane room in Simon's Town guest house.

Hout Bay
From a look out on Chapman's Peak

Parked
Another one for dad! A car park with a view.

Hold on tight
Thought I'd take a shot from the driver's seat for dad ?

Clouds, mountains, blue sky. Hout Bay
Looking up from East Fort

Black label
If you can't make it out the label reads "champion men deserve champion beer" so I may not have deserved this in the eyes of the brewer but I enjoyed it any way.

Comments

[Wayne]

Nice pics
Looks like you're having fun already.