January 20, Johannesburg, near airport

Up early for a 7.15 departure from the hotel for a 2 hour plane trip back to Johannesburg. We met the bus and then a tour of Soweto (South Western Townships) by bike. Old ones and bit rough going to start but still interesting Funny as the locals were giving us a very wide berth.

We stopped at Peterson memorial, the 15 year school boy that was the first shot during the 1976 Student protest over the introduction of Afrikaans as a language in school. A short ride to the place where he was shot.

Then to Mandela's house, and then another that he spent more time when out of prison. Just as we arrived it started to rain, and then it really poured. Timing was good as we did not get too wet. His house is a typical 5 room house. I would guess about 6 or 700 square feet. 2 bedrooms, small kitchen and living room and a bathroom. Very interesting.

Dinner at casino complex and then to a private lodge. The lodge is great! Sitting on balcony we can see ostrich, deer, gazelle, and guinea fowl. Very peaceful and quiet broken by the occasional plane taking off. We are not that far from Johannesburg!


January 19 Cape Town, South Africa

Lazy start today. We needed to get some things for the trip.....something to camp in and some local mosquito repellent.

We then took a taxi to Kirstenbosch Gardens. Beautiful gardens.
We went for lunch in the Garden restaurant. One of the starters was mopane worms, deep fried with a spicy sauce. Had to try even after the waiter asked if we were sure! He said that many order but get 'scared' when they arrive. Not battered or coated with anything, just the worm! They are quite large. No they don't taste like chicken and they were not juicy! They were a bit of a chew. OK not great. It will be a 'done that' moment!

Dinner was at the home of Hazel and her family. Dinner was chicken, potatoes and vegetables in a very nice curry. Dessert a donuts type thing with sugar, cardamon and ginger. Very good. A niece is a teacher of Grade 4 and she has 57 students, with 2 special needs. She must teach 6 courses in both English and Afrikaans. I don't know how she does it!


January 18 Cape Town, South Africa

We hired a taxi to take us to the Cape Peninsula. It is about a 2 hour drive. Beautiful drive along the coast via the Christopher's Peak scenic road. Something like 140 curves in a 10 to 15 km stretch.

First stop was Cape Point. This is a small peninsula on the big peninsula, with Cape of Good Hope near by. On Cape Point there is a light house. We took the funicular up to the top. Great views, and fascinating that the next piece of land to the south is the South Pole! Took a short walk out on the rock and saw many lizards. Good thing not windy as we would have been blown off and it is a long way down!

I walked the trail to the Cape of Good Hope, only about 30 minutes and most along a boardwalk. There was an great looking beach between the 2 points. A bit of a climb to the peak, around and then down to the car park.

We had lunch in a great seafood place in Boulder and then a short walk to see the African penguins. Hundreds of them! Also lots of people. Great as the penguins are very close, we are on a boardwalk and the penguins seem very used to people. Never did figure out who was watching who! It was also a lesson on the life cycle of penguins! We saw all phases from the mating, eggs, chicks of various ages and the maturing chicks! Too funny as one girl took a selfie and I swear 2 penguins were mating in the background!

A drive back to the city to get ready for a meeting with the tour group. Dinner at the restaurant attached to the hotel.

The hotel is apparently 'the' place to be and be seen in Cape Town! Lots of young people and the place has a very positive energy. Great place to meet and talk to people from all over. We were told that this is the place for the international models stay.