Saturday, August 30, 2014

The Cape of Good Hope



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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