Jeffreys Bay

We arrived at our hostel after a 12 hour drive in the Baz Bus only to receive an extremely frosty welcome from the owner at our backpackers. So unwelcome in fact that I was sure a camera man would jump out at any moment yelling "Candid Camera!" It was too late to find somewhere else to say, so we made the best of the very small, spartan room we were given. 

Later that night, we heard from another backpacker (one of very few staying there) that the owner had been behaving very suspiciously before we arrived, including ushering a big gangster type fellow from the street and into her room.  He later left with wads of stuff under his shirt. We had fun surmising what might have been going on; the conclusion being that it was some kind of drug deal. 

We organised another place to stay early next day and as we left, the police pulled up at the front of the backpackers. What an interesting start to our backpacking adventures!

The backpackers where we moved to, called The Island Vibe, couldn't have been more welcoming and friendly, much to our relief.  It was situated in a prime position right on the edge of the beach and it's atmosphere lived up to its name.  

Highlights of our time here ...

• A long walk along the beach and a nice swim.
• Colourful graffiti everywhere including awesome one of Africa wildlife.
• Lazing on deck chairs, catching up some of the 80 unfinished books on my Kindle!
• A scrumptious veggie juice at a local restaurant, another wonderful, healthy thing that Chrisèl has got me into.
• Lovely home cooked meals at the backpackers including chicken and babootie.  We had to eat the babootie extremely quickly as the Baz Bus arrived 30 minutes earlier than we expected.  

The Island Vibe backpackers, right on the beach.

Graffiti 

Cape Point

What would a visit to Cape Town be without visiting the iconic landmark of Cape Point where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean?

Highlights ...

• The steepish climb up to the lighthouse and a larger than life fellow South African lady doing a triumphant dance when she reached the top (so much better than and healthier than the bus!). 
• The beautiful panoramic views from the top of rugged cliffs and nestled beach coves.
• A lady asking Chrisèl to take a photo of her and then giving her "constructive" criticism on her photographic attempt and asking for another. Then more criticism and another requested attempt, and another ...  until Chrisèl politely but firmly returned the camera. 
• A lovely walk along the cliffs of the narrow peninsula to a view of the little lighthouse right at the tip. 
• The way the clouds lifted and the blue sky added to the colour of our photos.
• The melodic calls of the red winged starlings that seem to love Cape Point as much as the tourists.
• A deep discussion about life on the way home where, after a refreshing red cappuccino and sublime roast vegetable wrap at The Red Bean, we proceeded to pack for our Baz Bus trip leaving the next day.

Tasting wine in Hermanus

Highlights of a wonderful day in Hermanus and surrounds included ...

• A walk along the ocean front admiring the old harbour and stunning, rocky coast line.
• A delicious meal of grilled calamari and seared tuna.
• Revisiting the little stretch of coast where I scattered dad's ashes - a very emotional moment for me.
• Exploring the Hermanus wine route.  It's fantastic!  Lovely wine, very scenic and much less commercialised than the better know wine hot spots like Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. 
• The drive from Hermanus to Caledon (which I'd never done before and reaching) and discovering the lovely Spookfontein; a  beautiful farm in a sublime setting with delicious wine and port and a very friendly wine host who served us despite us arriving after closing time. 

Hermanus Wine route

The lovely Spookfontein

Climb up Table Mountain

Wow, Skeleton Gorge was tougher than I remember.  As Chrisèl said, "It's not a walk but a climb!"  Or maybe a slog is a better word. Unfortunately the  dam was empty, unlike when Russell and I came up a year ago and had a gorgeous swim. We were compensated for our efforts by beautiful views on the way back via Nursery Ravine.

St James, Kalk Bay and Boulders Beach

It was a gorgous day so Chrisèl, Jo and I decided to do the walk from Muizenberg to St James, taking lots of photos along the way.  St James looked as colourful as ever; it really is a photographers dream.

Then we met up with Antony and Matt and had a nice lunch at The Brass Bell, a restaurant in Kalk Bay right on the ocean's edge. After lunch, we explored Kalk Bay Harbour with its vibrant fishing boats and fishy smells.

Chrisèl and I then went on to Boulders Beach for snaps of penguins and I had a lovely swim.

Walking to St James

Jo and I in action!

Lunch at The Brass Bell and a stroll round Kalk Bay Harbour

Boulders Beach

Beach Crawl

After climbing Lions Head with Antony and Matt, Chrisèl and I did a tour of some of Cape Town's most beautiful beaches before joining the family on Llandudno Beach for Sam's 14th birthday party.

Highlights of our beach crawl included ...

• A stunning warm day, perfect for walks along the beach and a dip in the ocean.
• Walking down to Clifton's 3rd beach for a sit down.
• Moving onto Camps Bay for an invigorating swim and delicious ice cream (once we eventually managed to find parking!)  The water was brisk to say the least!
• Heading onto Hout Bay for a walk along the beach in the lovely late afternoon light.  
• Bumping into Heather, Russell's mum, on the beach and having a bit of a catch up.
• Watching the frolicking dogs on the beach, all having a ball.
• Going to Woolies where we bought some delicious salads to take on with us to Llandudno.
• Meeting the family on Llandudno just in time for a spectacular sunset. They're always so beautiful here. Of course, we took lots of silhouette shots, which came out great.
• Meeting Sam's 3 friends (she'd decided to opt for an intimate party this year).
• Sam and friends stripping down to their costumes despite the cool temperature and having a splash and paddle in the freezing ocean with much shrieking and laughing.
• A lovely picnic of salad and pizza on the beach by candle light.

Clifton

Camps Bay

Hout Bay

So lovely to bump into Heather!

Llandudno

Chrisèl and I having a leap.

Sam's party friends