Cape of Good Hope

It's like 8th-grade social studies came to life this week when we rounded the southern tip of the African continent.  Just like explorers centuries ago.  Admitedly, we didn't brave the legendary stormy seas off the coast of the Cape Peninsula, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, but it was pretty awesome all the same.

From big to small:

We took a tour all the way around the peninsula starting on the eastern (Indian Ocean) side, around Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope, and then up the Atlantic side.

Here we are getting started!  Lots of amazing views!

Much of the hoopla concerning the Cape started in the 15th and 16th-centuries with the expeditions of Portuguese explorers Vasco de Gama, Bartolomeu Dias and Magellan who were looking to establish direct trade with the Far East or (simply) circumnavigate the globe.

The Portuguese were followed by Dutch, via the Dutch East India Company (VOC), who established colonial control over the country, with a monopoly on the spice trade and the introduction of slave trade from the Far East to Africa.  The Dutch were followed by the British (after much fighting) who ruled until 1910.

It was an education for me to learn that South Africa gained independence from Britain in 1910, but remained a part of the United Kingdom as the South African Union until 1961, when it withdrew from the Commonwealth rather than be kicked out for the white minority government's apartheid policy of racial segregation.

It's such a ceremony for most people who make it this far, and such a gesture of respect to the historic importance of the Cape Peninsula, that our guide toasted us with champagne.

De Gama and Dias ain't got nothin' on these little explorers:

At the Cape Point lighthouse.

Unbelievably, we're closer to Antartica and Rio de Janero than Amsterdam.

Lunch at the Two Oceans Restaurant at Cape Point.  Yep, we're talking the Atlantic and Indian Ocean meeting up.

Hamilton Russell chardonnay--yummy wine, internationally well-known South African winery.  We had opportunity to visit the winery while we were staying in Hermanus, about 2 hours northeast of Cape Town.

Chapman's Peak drive, on the Atlantic side.  Sunset time.

Top of the World

Oh boy, Table Mountain wows!

It’s only 3,500 feet above sea level, but it’s dramatic views of Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean below are impressive and dizzying.  A five-minute ride up the eastern slope of the mountain on a crazy, but modern, sleek funicular brings people to the top.  The funicular launches just on the city outskirts and can transport up to 800 people an hour.

Table Mountain, so called because it is completely flat at the summit like a table, is part of a range that stretches from Cape Town all the way down the Cape Peninsula.  2,200 species of local flora can be found on the mountain, and as we have already experienced, Table Mountain National Park south of Cape Town is home to plenty of wildlife. . . . with the exception of our two personal baboons of course.

And when the clouds roll in and cover the top, it’s as if someone shook out a tablecloth over the table.

Robben Island can be seen in distance on Table Bay.  Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners were imprisoned here.

View of Table Mountain from boat ride on Table Bay.

You can see Table Mountain at the top of this map, adjacent to the city of Cape Town.  Further south, the Table Mountain range stretches into the Cape Peninsula--the Atlantic Ocean on one side, the Indian Ocean on the other.

Wild Kingdom

We made it to South Africa on Saturday!  There's lots to share, but internet and cell service is spotty so I'll probably be a little slow to post. Our first stop was Cape Town, Cape Point Pennisuls, and surrounding wine region on Easter Sunday. Already we are amazed at the beauty of this country. Can't wait to sort through photos and share!

 

For now, check out this wildlife. We won't see Africa's "Famous Big Five" until we're on safari next week, but while sightseeing we've already encountered plenty of wild animals on the paths and roadways, some practically right in the city!

Baboons!

Definitely not going to feed these strange looking baboons:

Ostrich!

African Penguins!  Hard to believe we're closer to Antarctica than Amsterdam right now.  These little guys are wild and for some reason like warm weather; they're unique to Africa.

Twins Day

It was "une journée "jumeaux" (twins day) at school last week.  Too cute!

Wednesdays

Wednesdays are crazy, hectic, race-from-dawn-till-dusk kind of days.  School's only 1/2 day, which means I only have a 2-3 hours of free time.  It's just enough for a grocery run and shower (if I'm efficient with my time).

Once I pick up the kids, we bike straight to ballet.  A & R have back-to-back ballet classes, which extends our day, but I love getting time alone with each of them while the other is in class.  The day is that much sweeter because they both love ballet so much.

At the playground near the Magic Flute Ballet School:

Reese is usually starved after his class, so we often find a nearby cafe.  We play cards or take turns with a game on my phone.  Reese is all about the selfie:

GIVE ME AN "R"!!!!

I really respect Reese for always following his own tune.  He's completely unaware of the gender roles society wants to place on him, and I don't know if he'd even care if he were aware.  He loves ballet, loves soccer, loves the color blue and loves to paint all his nails pink.  He takes gentle care of his cherished stuffed animals, but can be wild and naughty and fierce.