Back-Blogging # 3: Final Days in Cape Town

Our final few days in Cape Town were rather full, including many busy days. We visited many of the tourist sites around the city, including the Waterfront, Cape Point and Chapman's Peak, and hiked Table Mountain. We were also able to visit Simon's Town for the Navy Festival. Each of these days warrant a blog post of their own, but, since I am still a little behind, I will just summarise each day's activity in a small paragraph or two.

Friday 9th March

Today I took Candace, along with my parents, to a provincial day/night cricket game at Sahara Park Newlands - Cape Town's major cricket stadium. It was Candace's first-ever trip to a cricket match and we all had a great time watching the Cape Town side, the Cape Cobras, beat the Highveld Lions (from Johannesburg) in an exciting, tightly-contested T-20 cricket match. It was a great way to relax ahead of the Cycle Tour weekend.

Table Mountain makes a beautiful backdrop for a game of cricket.

Monday 12th March

Candace and I headed off to explore Cape Town itself. We visited the Iziko SA Museum, one of my favourite haunts as a child, with displays ranging from fossils and dinosaurs to the various sea creatures that surround the South African coast. From there we drove down to the V & A Waterfront and relaxed by the harbour. We took a boat trip in Table Bay on a sailing yacht and that was lovely. The day was ended watching a beautiful sunset from Signal Hill.

The yacht Spirit of Victoria sails into Table Bay.

Table Mountain and the harbour behind us.

SA Agulhas, South Africa's soon-to-be-replaced polar research vessel.

Looking down at the Waterfront and the Port of Cape Town from Signal Hill.

Tuesday 13th March

Today we explored the Cape Peninsula, driving down towards the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. We passed through picturesque seaside villages and had a great seafood lunch at the Salty Seadog in Simon's Town. We then drove down to Cape Point and explored the nature reserve there, forming part of Table Mountain National Park. Here we saw tortoises, various antelope, baboons and ostriches. We had a lovely time, and then, having to be back by 5h30 pm for a Mercy Ships fundraiser, we drove home via the beautiful Chapman's Peak Drive. It was a busy, but lovely day!

At the Cape of Good Hope.

Near Cape Point.

Chapman's Peak Drive.

Thursday 15th March

One of our definite things to do was to climb Table Mountain, the world-famous landmark that rises 1,086 metres (3,563 feet) above the city bowl and surrounding suburbs. And so, with Dad and Flicka, we hiked up Skeleton Gorge (from the Kirstenbosch side) and along the Back Table to the highest point of Maclear's Beacon. We then descended down Platteklip Gorge, on the front side (overlooking the city) of the mountain. When we reached the bottom, my legs were seriously tired! But the hike was definitely worth it to be able to explore the beauty of God's creation while getting some exercise!

King Protea, South Africa's national flower.

The Disa, the provincial flower of the Western Cape.

Dad and Flicka on top of Table Mountain.

Friday 16th March

Today was the Navy Festival and, as this blog is of a nautical theme, I will dedicate the next blog entry on this interesting annual event in Cape Town.

Sunday 18th March

After doing a Mercy Ships presentation at my church in the morning, we had a final family lunch braai at home. It was lovely to relax with my family and enjoy their company, before flying back to West Africa the next Tuesday.