Cape Town

Andy and Jubie at Boulders Beach, with the penguins
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Cape Town is of the most scenic cities I've ever been to.  The backdrop of Table Mountain and the surrounding ocean encourages constant picture taking!  On our first full day here we took it easy on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, a very safe and clean touristy area.  There are tons of restaurants and shops to spend time at on the waterfront, as well as the interesting Two Oceans Aquarium.  At the Aquarium we especially liked watching the sharks swim from the shark tunnel, where they go right overhead.  We learned that more people are killed per year by toasters than by sharks!  Eating pretty much anywhere along the waterfront is fantastic for the views, though it gets very crowded because it is so popular - we found it best to eat early!

Cape Point
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On our second full day in Cape Town we did a half day tour of the Cape Peninsula.  Our guide had lots of interesting facts and history to pass along during the day.  We stopped for pictures along some of the scenic roads that hug the mountainside as well as to photograph penguins at Boulders Beach in Simon's Town.  Cape Point, at the end of the peninsula, is gorgeous and well worth the drive, though tourists must remember that this is not the southern most point of Africa (a common mistake, we are told).  There was a funicular that took us to the top of the cliff where the lighthouse is situated (we would have walked but we didn't have time as we were on a tour).  Later in the day we visited Robben Island, a 30 min boat ride from the waterfront.  The tour includes the boat ride, getting bussed around the island, and a tour of the prison by a former inmate.

Cape Town from Table Mountain
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On our third full day it was incredibly hot and clear, so we took the tram up Table Mountain (over 3000 feet tall).  We had a couple of hours to hike around the top, which provided just stunning views of the city, the beaches and bays, mountains, the entire area!  We felt like we were on top of the world, above the clouds and above so much beauty.  Next we took a taxi over to Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens, set against the backside of the mountain and full of interesting plants and trails.  We came in time for the Sunday evening concert, which barely cost a thing and was worth it for the experience alone!  We were an hour and a half early and the hillside was already covered with families lugging around picnic baskets and blankets, everyone staking out spots in the shade.  IT was a lot of fun.

The next day we finally walked around the city center, taking in the South Africa Museum, the Slave Lodge (once housed slaves, now a good museum on slavery and segregation), and the small Gold of Africa Museum.  After hearing numerous warnings from locals and our travel books, I was a little nervous to walk around the city, but then I felt really silly and relieved when I realized it was just fine and like any other city - people are busy going about their business!  Now that it is our last day in this lovely city we are finishing up seeing the waterfront complex/shopping for snack food for the next leg of our journey, and ready to stuff ourselves silly at a good waterfront restaurant!