Coming in for a landing in Cape Town, South Africa!
The Cape Wheel offered a great overview of the city.
Robben Island, formerly a political prison and a leper colony, is just offshore. Lion's Head and Signal Hill are very prominent.
Divers preparing to go into the tank.
We took a boat out to see the colony of Cape Fur Seals.
And ostriches too!
Mother and baby.
and eye-catching bouquets.
We boarded a ferry that took us over the waters to Robben Island, note Table Mountain, Lion's Head and Signal Hill looming over Cape Town.
While others were placed in individual cells. This one was Mandela's.
We spent a couple of days at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, home to some of the richest flora on earth.
Weather prevented us from going on our boat excursion to see the Southern Right whales but gave me an opportunity to explore the Reserve. They grow much of the food they serve.
We are winging our way to the eastern side of South Africa.
On safari we saw elephants and their young...
Saw several animal interactions. Here is a lion watching over her partially-eaten prey which is nearby.
Interesting architecture.
We were there when they celebrated Heritage Weekend.
This was the drive along the back-side of Table Mountain. The rock formations are called "The Apostles" although there are more than 12 of them.
Rockhopper penguins have cool headdresses!
Here is a seal hanging out near the harbor.
At the end of the road, no matter the language this was the Cape of Good Hope.
A South African weasel scuttling between the bushes and the penguins.
There is even a canopy walk which takes you above the ground and into the treetops.
After a tour of the island we ended up behind the wire where prisoners were housed.
From Robben Island the mainland looks so near and yet is so far if you are a prisoner.
Grootbos was chilly but we enjoyed a tour of the Reserve.
And they sell plants to the public.
Looking for the animals in two safari jeeps like this. One person is the guide and driver. The person sitting in front is a tracker who aids in pointing out where animals may have gone.
a rhino and her baby...
A pack of hyenas want what is left of the lion's prey but keep a wary eye on the lion.
Flat-roofed pastel homes are a part of the Malay Quarter.
Cape Town is dominated by Table Mountain.
Since evryone on the trip was an Aquarium staff or volunteer, we, of course, visited the Cape Town Aquarium!
Some of the animals are hand fed but the diver needs to be careful to keep his fingers out of harm's way!
Continuing south on the Cape Peninsula there were many scenic places.
An uphill climb led to the Cape Point Lighthouse.
Some were making themselves heard (they are nicknamed the jackass penguins so you can imagine how they sound) and some were just waddling along.
Lots of space for informal gatherings.
Some worked in the yards...
One afternoon we went on an outing to the wine country, Stellenbosch, and tasted wines and toured the town.
These are the types of wild plants that exist on the Reserve.
Their educational programs are outstanding.
Here is Al, our guide, and Sonny Boy, our tracker. They are in touch via radio with someone who coordinates the various guides advising everyone of animal sightings and helping to ensure that everyone has an opportunity at seeing the animals.
several leopards, some walking along and others in a tree with their prey...
This elephant has ambled close to the pack of hyenas and the watchful lion. Unconcerned with the lion, she charges the hyenas from time-to-time.
We stayed near the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront where there are many shops, restaurants and entertainment.
You can hike up or take a revolving gondola to the top.
We had a backstage tour and saw staff and volunteers at work. This person is preparing a meal for some of the marine inhabitants.
The turtle in the tank tries for a few tidbits.
They put great effort in creating Chapman's Peak Drive including propping up the rock wall for a road.
This is the tip of the Cape Peninsula.
Kirstenbosch is a beautiful garden.
Spring was blooming everywhere!
or in a quarry but always controlled by the guards.
And we had a beautiful, delicious, multi-coursed dinner at Lanzerac Wine Estate.
Our two-room accommodations were luxurious and the view glorious from our balcony.
These students sang a song for us. Musical groups abounded everywhere we went.
This was our large room at King's Camp. The mosquito netting was pulled around the beds at night to keep the pests out but there did not seem to be many around.
and warthogs who move around on bended knees when foraging.
A pack of young wild dogs.
Some of the entertainment attracted huge crowds.
Cape Town is spread out below! We stayed near the water a little to the left of the center of the photo.
This turtle being held behind-the-scenes was trained to come to a target for feeding and grooming.
Heading south towards Cape Peninsula we drive through a number of seaside communities.
Bit blurry but saw several baboons near the southern tip.
We stopped at Boulders Beach where wooden walkways are built above the sand so visitors can see the penguins without interferring with them.
It is filled with beautiful plantings...
There is even a sculture garden in bloom.
Some of the convicts were housed in large rooms with bedding on the floor for the night time.
Leaving Cape Town, heading east we stopped to see a mother and baby Southern Right Whale at play in the bay.
The sunsets were breathtaking.
One outing was to a sea cave once inhabited by middle and late stone age people.
By day we saw several beasties who came onto the property such as these kudus. At night a staff person was required to be with us to move around the property.
A herd of Cape Buffalo.
The mound was created by termites who abandoned it. The hyenas have taken over to keep their young cool in the hot sun. An adult is napping on the left. Youngsters are emerging from the mound as the day cools off.
