interesting observations

you see people hitchhiking over here like we saw in the 60's. Even saw a woman with a baby hitchhiking. Interesting thing is that most are holding up money.  they will pay for a ride.  Everything is very clean including the public bathrooms.  It is explained that people are looking for any kind of work and thus companies and government agencies will create menial jobs so those less fortunate have a way of earning some money.  They hire people here to hold up flags near the beaches with different colors with shark reports.  It there is road construction there are many people guiding traffic - all with a smile and a greeting. Completely different attitude here.

Leaving Cape Town

This morning when we were leaving the city, the wind had quieted and thus we were able to take the cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain with its spectacular views.  We could see parts of the coastal road and the many mountains as well as the waterfront of the city.

The bus then drove us out to pick up our motorhomes.  We received full instructions on the way they worked and then we were released to drive on the wrong side of the road. A death defying experience.   The adventure had really begun.  Our first stop was the mall where we spent over an hour in pic n pay after eating in Wimpys.  We also checked out the groceries in Woolworths.  We drove a total of 22 miles to the Mountain Breeze Camping Park in Stellenbosch. We spent the evening unpacking and visiting around the campfire.

Robben Island

On our second full day, we took the boat to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years.  We toured the island and then the prison itself guided by one of its former political prisoners.  It was all very moving. Some families live and work on the island.  The former political prisoner we spoke to said he leaves the island and goes home every night!!  On our return to the city we had a group lunch on the waterfront at the Quay 4.  Throughout our contact with the people of this city, I was affected by the effect of Mandela.  There is no sign visible to me of any racial strife or fear.   I felt very comfortable and everyone gives the appearance of being color blind etc

continuation of Capetpwn

From the airport we had a two hour bus tour of the city.  We visited the Bo-Kaap section of the city, originally settled by the emancipated slaves in the 1830’s. It has very colorful small homes and neighborhood businesses.

There is a lot of distinctive Victorian and Dutch architecture in the city. There were very high winds the first two days we were here so we could not take the cable car to the top of the famous table mountain but the cloud formations around it were spectacular.  We went up to signal hill which gave us a good view of the city.

On our last day in the city the winds died down and then we were able to take the cable car ride to the top for amazing views for miles.

On our first full day, we had a bus tour of the Cape of Good Hope which is part of the city.  The mountains are huge around the city and go straight down to the sea, so we rode on a very narrow road carved out of the mountains on the edge of the sea.  Wherever there was a bay or break in the mountains, there were typical resort towns.

The surf was too rough for swimming, but people were doing the other beach activities and there were places where you could go horseback riding on the beach.  We saw wild Antelope, baboons, and Ostrich.
We visited a colony of 1500 penguins and they were so cute.  Many were nesting while others were swimming and then waddling out of the sea and onto the beach.

  We visited the most southwesterly point of the African continent.  It was very windy but we got beautiful surf pictures.  We had a unique private wine tasting at Steenberg Winery.

  We finished with a funicular ride up to the Cape of Good Hope lighthouse for a great view and a great lobster dinner.

touring Cape Town, SA

From the airport we had a two hour bus tour of the city.  We visited the Bo-Kaap section of the city, originally settled by the emancipated slaves in the 1830’s. It has very colorful small homes and neighborhood businesses. There is a lot of distinctive Victorian and Dutch architecture in the city. There were very high winds the first two days we were here so we could not take the cable car to the top of the famous table mountain but the cloud formations around it were spectacular.  We went up to signal hill which gave us a good view of the city.  On our last day in the city the winds died down and then we were able to take the cable car ride to the top for amazing views for miles.

On our first full day, we had a bus tour of the Cape of Good Hope which is part of the city.  The mountains are huge around the city and go straight down to the sea, so we rode on a very narrow road carved out of the mountains on the edge of the sea.

will deal with doing pictures correctly next time.

  Wherever there was a bay or break in the mountains, there were typical resort towns. The surf was too rough for swimming, but people were doing the other beach activities and there were places where you could go horseback riding on the beach.  We saw wild Antelope, baboons, and Ostrich.

We visited a colony of 1500 penguins and they were so cute.  Many were nesting while others were swimming and then waddling out of the sea and onto the beach.  We visited the most southwesterly point of the African continent.  It was very windy but we got beautiful surf pictures.  We had a unique private wine tasting at Steenberg Winery.  We finished with a funicular ride up to the …lighthouse and a great lobster dinner. 

finally time for a quick post

I am healthy but too busy to be able to write.  I am sitting in muggs and bean in a a shopping center right now

Cape Town is beautiful and not at all what I expected.  The city is on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in a bowl surrounded by mountains. It is clean and everyone is very friendly and helpful.  Our hotel room was on the 11^th floor and we looked out over the expressways, the waterfront shopping malls and then the sea.  We could either walk or take the hotel shuttle to the waterfront shops where there were many familiar names of shops and unique boutiques.

We have driven on narrow roads  which cling to the side of the mountains along the seacoast or have climbed over the mountains  on narrow winding roads.  The scenery has been spectacular.

having trouble attaching the pics but will try again in a couple of days..

Amazed by Cape Town

I was not prepared for the beauty this city presents.

spent a day in Manhattan

Met my friend Gail at the JFK Sheraton and we spent a day chilling out and walking locally. Saturday we took the bus and subway to Manhattan for the downtown city tour.  very enjoyable.  Spent quite a while at ground zero.   very moving.  Impressed by the survivor tree.  strolled in Chinatown.  Trip back to the hotel was a 2 hr nightmare.  got kicked off 2 buses and airport services finally picked us up on the side of the road at Korean air cargo and took us to a spot where the Hilton shuttle took us back to the Sheraton.  We were late for our meeting so in trouble already.  what else is new.  Gail and I are having a lot of laughs together.  The call has come for boarding to South Africa.  More tales to come.

heading to New York tomorrow -checking to see if I can manage the blog on this computer

I am packing. I am in Atlanta with my son, Jamie's family with the motorhome parked in the back yard. The weather here is cold and i am looking forward to the summer weather in the southern hemisphere.