Our trip is ending on a very rainy, grey but high point
note. We drove down to the Cape Point
Light today. When the early explorer Bartholomew Diaz, 1488, reached this place on his journey to seek a sea route to India he
named it the Cape of Storms. It was
living up to this name today. But this
discouraging nomenclature was abandoned to the title of Good Hope to encourage
sailors to risk their lives in these repeated explorations. In 1498, Vasco de Gama also mentions Cape Town, specifically table Mountain which he called Table of the Cape.
We climbed the 120 uneven steps up to the light house but
were not able to enter the light itself.
Since it sits on such an elevated point it happens to be a very short
and squat round light. De Gama Light and
Diaz Light were not positioned in such a way as to help sailors navigate the
treacherous point. But the three together
pinpoint perfectly a set of large rocks that have claimed many a ship.
The Cape of Good Hope is indeed not the southernmost spot of
the African Continent but is the southerly end of the western tip of
Africa. 160 K to the East lies the very
edge of this world but it is in an area inaccessible by car.
We drove around to the marker showing latitude and longitude
and braved the gusty winds and driving rain to each have our picture made
here. We are all good sports.
The drive down the coast had provided us with some beautiful
Atlantic views and we stopped to take pictures at Chapman's Point. Now we
continued our outing with a stop at Boulder’s Beach. The sun came out while we were there which
made our watching the penguins even more fun.
How can you not love the dear little showmen as the wander about as
though on a real mission. Their tuxedoed look was a great contrast to the aptly
named area. Many of the young ones were
molting and were busy plucking their fuzzy grey feathers out in order to show
off their new finery.
After a quick five minute drive we arrived at the Black
Marlin for a delicious lunch of bacon wrapped fish skewers. The outdoor seating
was wet from the earlier rain so we sat in the large, glass enclosed,
patio. While we ate we could watch the
whales spouting off their opinions.
Back in the van we headed ‘home.’ I wanted to see the colorful beach cottages
but Ian said the road was under construction so we could only stop near one of
the shark spatters shelters and take pictures from above. Not a great view but at least we did see some
neatly lined up waiting for bathers or surfers to come and change.
No chance, once again, to go to the top of the
mountain. Instead we drive to Signal
Hill. From there we have an overview of
the historic area where we have been staying.
We can identify the steeple of the Methodist church next to our
hotel. We can see the colorful Pack of
Cards and the Good Hope Fort. From this
perspective we see the yellow buildings inside of it and not just the stone
walls. The mountain is not looking like
it will be an option as rain and a cold front are in the weather forecast.
Back in the heart of the city we stopped at a DeBeers
Diamond Exchange. Believe it or not they
were having a sale – 25% off because they were undergoing renovations. Bonnie instantly fell in love with a dinner
ring which fit her perfectly when she put on. A short while later she was
wearing it out the door. Fred bought Linda a new wedding ring as a 41st
anniversary present. She will wear it together with her original. It needed to be
sized so she will pick it up tomorrow. Her face sparkled as much as the
reflection of the diamonds did in her eyes!
Back at the hotel we agreed to meet at 6:30 to go for an
Italian dinner around the corner. It was
really very good. I just don’t think you can go wrong with Italian! We sat and talked for a long time.
Our group laughs and jokes and kids each other with the
familiarity of lifelong friends – and I think some of us will be from now on.
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