Wandering

For a good portion of our trip in South Africa, we were roaming around in the car. It was much more scenic then we expected. 

Sometimes it felt like California, then Eastern Washington, with a bit or Hawaii thrown in for good measure now and again. 

We spent some time on the Whale Route, where we could spot them out in the ocean.  We even saw a few breaches!

Shaynie mistook this dirty ocean tide pool scum for sand, and went for an unexpected dip!

We stopped along the way in little towns to enjoy pizza, pasta, salads, and even some fresh produce now and again!

For a few days we had rain. However we were in an area that did not get much rain, so we also enjoyed some flooding! The kids thought it was great. Mom was more worried about what dirt, debris or dead animals were upstream!

We even ran into a guy that appreciated the YOLO life style! Rebekah thinks she saw him selling drugs right before this picture. I think it was springbok jerky.

The rain also provided us with waterfalls and drifting mists and fog.

Of course, the kids and Rebekah had to stop every dog we saw. I think we spent a cumulative 10 hours talking to dog and their owners!

But the kids were happy. And so was Rebekah.

With shark infested, freezing waters... we did not do much swimming.

but we thought about it.

One night we went to dinner at the home of a local family. They made us some traditional food (Dutch oven style) and then we enjoyed their singing and music (Magical Moments was the band name, as well as the self titles CD they gave us. A bit odd, which made it that much better)

Even Weston got involved when  local gas station employees practiced their home made song for an upcoming nation wide competition (Finest gas in the Klein Karoo!)

We even found time for road side souvenir shopping.  However, we decided to wait until we got to the big city before we made any purchases!

It really is quite an interesting country!

Table for four

One clear afternoon, we made our way to Table Mountain. With such a commanding presence and role in that city, you feel compelled to. 

Plus the views from the top are hard to beat! We decided to use the cable car (instead of the 3 hour hike). 

Because the top is so flat, it is possible to see in every direction. We looked out over Lions Head. Our hotel was just on the other side of that.

We had commanding views of Cape Town proper, the city bowl.

And then back  down the cape itself. It is a wild and scenic place.

The vegetation is also unique, part of the Fynbos plant kingdom. The smallest of the world's six floral kingdoms, but the richest per unit of area, similar to that of a tropical rainforest. The flowers include Erica's, Proteas, babiana, freesia, gladiolus, morea, watsonia and sporaxis to name a few. 

We tried to get some family shots, but that proved to be very difficult. 

The kids had other plans.

 They spent most of the time on their own, running and scampering around. They were pretending to be the little Dassies (hyrax) that were over the place.  Given our record with falling and tripping, it may not have been the best idea.

Don't mind the knee high Castle Park school socks. We felt it was a victory to get her to wear any socks and shoes at all!

And the most amazing thing - no falls or accidents!

It was short trip (just enough time to catch the sunset), but one we will not soon forget.  I suppose that is why is was just named to the new list of 7 natural wonders of the world. 

As I was in town a few more days on my own, I took some time to climb the Lions Head.  Views were similar. That is Robben island out in the distance. 

Cape town again

And views back along the coast.