Saturday morning we woke up to another beautiful African morning ready for the adventure that was to come. Today, we were going to Cape Point, where the Indian and Atlantic collide at one of Africa’s southern most points.
We eagerly got on the bus and drove about an hour south to Simon’s Town—a very beautiful, quaint boating town. But what stands out about this place: it’s home to penguins!!!!!!!!!!
We visited the adorable little creatures at the perfect time! Their babies were growing up! Most were still the fluffy little gray balls of cuteness!! Seeing these cute buggers was worth the fowl smell! Enjoy my two favorite pictures of them:
After seeing the penguins, we had a delicious lunch on the pier overlooking the bay. The mountains are so majestic! On my way out I was just browsing at a street vendors stand when a vendor begged me to buy anything for any price. I felt so bad, but I only had R5 (5 rand<$1, like 80cents) and a US quarter. She accepted and gave me salad mixers. How can such a beautiful place host such poverty?
We left Simon’s Town and were headed towards Cape Point! That is until we were stopped in traffic… the local baboons thought it would be fun to layout on the road despite heavy traffic! The baboons were definitely the most entertaining animals of the day. One even tried climbing on a car in front of our bus!
Somehow after driving through the beautiful terrain (African foliage is so unique) and driving along the beautiful coast, we made it to the Cape of Good Hope.
We immediately began adventuring. Our group went past every other group there to take a picture on the rocks. Best part: there was a HUGE Asian group there at the same time, and they began taking pictures of us then WITH us! So we started doing smiley peace signs while posing with them one by one! It was sooo funny!
Graham, AK and I decided we wanted to go even further to the place where seemed to be the end. We scaled the side of the cliff to where the waves were crashing against the rocks. What a sight! What a feeling! Looking out to where the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans collided!
I was contempt where I was, but a few guys kept going and wanted a camera so I let them borrow mine. What a beautiful sight they saw! The cliffs extended way further and they saw a bunch of caves. Here’s a pic:
Funny story: I had just taken a picture and was by the edge talking to the people a few feet from me when I heard a MASSIVE whomp and saw the people’s faces I was talking to drop. Suddenly I WAS DRENCHED from head to toe by a super massive wave!!! I had just got slammed by two oceans!!!! It was awesome!!! But I was the only person soaked on the bus for the remainder of the trip! Haha
We were summoned back to the bus. I was so sad to leave the beauty of the Cape of Good Hope, and I can only wish to return to it one day again. I have NEVER seen anything as beautiful in my life. I felt so alive smelling the sweet salty fresh air of the two oceans.
Another funny story: While I was adventuring dangerously on the cliff, several people back on the bus got the best entertainment of the day. The watched a baboon charge a car with an open window, jump on a sleeping Asian man, steal his crackers, and enjoy them from within his car!!! They said it was hilarious.
We got on the bus and headed about 10 minutes further to Cape Point. The first thing I saw when I got off the bus was a family of baboons sitting in front a baboon warning sign. Oh the irony.
We hiked up the hill to see such an amazing spectacle. The soft misty mountains in the background, the clear as day aquamarine blue water beneath, and the breathtaking cliffs around us stole my heart. I never wanted to leave. Do you blame me?
But we did have to, and on my way down I bought a soda from the cashier. She specifically warned me because it was the baboons favorite treat so I should hide it. I thought nothing of it until a baboon approached our bus and grabbed my friend Samantha’s butt while trying to steal her candy bar! She didn’t even see it coming!
We had a good laugh then headed back to Cape Town.
What a day! What a view! What a life!
This trip only keeps getting better. Africa never ceases to amaze me.
Love Always,
Melissa
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