DAY 1
Thursday, November 8th 2007, 9 PM local: Cape Town arrival - arrange with your accomodations' host a pickup! Very helpful at end of long trip. De Waterkant Village was closed but cabbie had phone to call for help. Night time crime in certain areas an issue. Waterkant had security team. Waterkant more of a condo rental but reasonable ~ $150. I had to stay there as a convention had booked all hotel rooms, so research your options!
DAY 2
Friday, November 9th 2007: Cape Town - Much better in the daylight. Got wireless internet at the Waterkant lodge which reception directed me to. Confusion about breakfast buffet and paying for it. Caught cab, Jerome took me to the cable way for Table mountain. No good as rain and wind closed the attraction. Did get pics from
the station. Jerome took me to the Waterfront (wild ride as he was trying to beat another cabbie for a pickup). There I got lost in one of the best shopping/food/lodging areas I've ever seen. Plenty of African souvenir shops (don't buy the first one you like). Den Anker had the best Belgian beer selection.
At the clock tower (1880 relic of Dutch rule) a plaza featured african music. Emily's (whose fare was touted on the internet as well as by locals) was there. I was the only luncher - surprise! Personal service by the waiter proved fortunate. He sat me next to a view of the Victoria Albert quay. Started with
Ostrich Terrazine(?) which I should have taken a picture of. Ended with a Cheese "traffic" which did ok with african beer, but when I asked for port - my waiter got me a well-known port selection but also a local port that was decanted the night before, it was excellent!
Left sated and took pics of the sights, a drum band, the rising scenery of Lion ridge and Table mountain, Nobel park which featured statues of the four South African peace prize winners including Mandela and Tutu. Caught a cab with a couple locals to Waterkant, grouping up on fares is the thing to do.
After a rest, walked around Waterkant and discovered it's nice, not scary. Tried to internet from Andamio's after buying some cheese and peri-peri, no luck. Walked to Long Street which is the party street of Cape Town and finally found an african eatery (looking for African Mama - this one's name?). Sat down to a fantastic meal of jalapeno stuffed Calamari and game medallions surrounded by african
vegetable selections - creamed spinach, squash, and beans, sound familiar. My waiter Charlie was very helpful and talkative while the meal was served, then disappeared. After finally paying the bill, walked back and stopped at Adamino's. After many frustrating tries I got internet with about 20% battery power left. Quickly scanned and responded to email and walked to my condo. Got asked for
directions on my first full day on the African continent - pretty cool...
DAY 3
Saturday, November 10th 2007: Safari - Up at the crack of dawn to catch my ride to the reserve. This was going to be a beautiul, sunny day. The van was 15 minutes late which had me a little anxious. We had a quiet ride to Aquila as most were napping before our 8AM arrival. The guide pointed out the local sites and commented on things like global warming ( Cape Town could be like the semi-desert at Aquila in 2020, currently it's a savannah ).
the shanty towns - human misery, the vast vineyards along N1, the terrain change from one side of the range we went through to the other side. We stopped in Worcester for a break, and then arrived at Aquila for a quick drink and then buffet breakfast. At 9 AM we corraled for our safari transportation - so Jurrasic Park like. Myself, a couple brits, a Florida mom and her son, a local couple with our guide and driver.
The young guide was talkative and knowledgeable about the animals. After we crossed through the gate, we were immediately stopping for a watering hole look at hippos. A day old baby was with the parents and soaking in the pond. Hippos are nocturnal and travel on land at night search of food. We then were confronted by water buffalo. Our guide pointed out the bull who looked as dangerous as he was. Ostrich nearby,
we were informed why we would want to be a male ostrich - they cheat and are the only gender with vocal cords.
Next we met up with eland and they led us to one of 2 giraffe at the reserve. We were informed that giraffe were not indigenous to the area so it was an experiment to see if they could survive in an arid environment vs a savannah. Global warming might force that. As well the 2 elephants we encountered. The reserve planned to add more of both species later but needed to study how they survive in a new environment.
Based upon how they were chomping on the desert plants, I'd say the elephants were getting plenty of nutrition. The rhinos were next and were sunning and not very active. Apparently the white rhinos are less agressive than the black, so we were not in any danger. We then had some sparkling wine after disembarking from the transport. It was away from the animals and we were assured the 3 poisonous snake varieties were not nearby. It was time to cross into a protective area which held 4 lions. An electric fence and gate kept the beasts from having a feast on the other animals. Again, these lions were not native but were being used as a test to see how they could survive in this environment. There were two prides, a younger one was in a separate enclosure so that they could have a chance when they were eventually released into the other area.
The goal is to have the lions and a large number of their prey all living together... It felt strange being a few yards from them with no real protection, but we were one large beast to the lazy lions who didn't want to tangle with us.
After a few springbok and wildebeest we went to a rock out crop where we were shown sand art from 2 - 7 thousand years ago. It depicted some sort of celebration, our guide thought it might be a wedding. The bushmen used ocher and eland blood to make lasting drawings in sandstone. It was the end of the safari and we returned for lunch and the ride back to Cape Town.
I returned to V & A and bought souvenirs before having a seafood Meze feast at the Greek Fisherman...
DAY 4
Sunday, November 11th 2007: Left for the USA. This was a short trip I booked after I was laid off from AOL. I have a goal of going to all the continents before I die as I've been to all the US States. Only South America and Antarctica remain on my bucket list. That I will do in one trip as the cruise to Antarctica leaves from South America. Stay tuned as I post past adventures to different lands and our United States.
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