Cape Point

The professors (and Andi) took a drive to Cape Point this morning. Along the way, we followed the coastline, at times driving along cliffside switchbacks with insane drops off the side. Part of the way, we were in a half tunnel (with the drop-side open) so that we were protected from rockslides. The views were amazing, when we could manage to look over the side of the speeding vehicle!

The weather today has been foggy and a bit rainy, with dramatic mist swirling up from the sea and hiding the tops of the mountains. In the city, it's been a little wet, but not so bad because little cafes and shops are everywhere and it's easy to duck inside. We were worried that the gray day would obscure the gorgeous views, but it turns out that the views we did have were pretty great, so it all worked out.

We walked around at Cape Point, the South-Westernmost point of Africa (and almost the most Southern, but not quite). Sad to say, there has been a lot of misinformation about Cape Point, including, as I had believed up until today, that this was the place at which the Indian and Atlantic Oceans met. But not so. Several large currents meet here, including one that passes India and is much warmer than the Atlantic water, but it isn't the edge of the ocean. Darn.

Still, it was gorgeous. The South African National Park system is really well maintained, and the three parks we have seen have all been wonderously beautiful. Cape Point was no exception, with huge crashing waves and giant cliffs and a dramatic hulking peninsula with a victorian-era light house at the top. We had the choice of walking up to the highest point, or taking a funicular car. The view was amazing for miles around us, although the fog did obscure the mountains on the other side of False Bay. Still, it was pretty great.

We then went to visit some penguins, or rather, we went and tromped around in their nesting grounds while exclaiming loudly in wonderment. The male penguins were hanging out, not afraid of us, going about their penguin business. We could see babies in some of the nests, some of the babies seemingly being squashed by dad's rear-end sitting on them. The females were out fishing, and if only we had shown up a little later, we might have seen them return with their catch.

On our way home, we were waylaid by a group of baboons hanging out in the middle of the road. They walked alongside us, and we were careful not to have any open windows as they can be quite aggressive about food. We did see a little baby baboon run out into the road, and mom immediately leaped out and tackled the little one (literally) and then in one swift move, latched the baby onto her belly while continuing to run across the road. We couldn't help but think how similar humans might be, racing out to rescue our babies from the road.

During our free time today, a number of groups of students have done all kinds of interesting things. There was some serious bargaining going on at the local crafts market (and I've seen a number of quite lovely gifts heading home, not to give away any secrets or anything!). Mike and Jocelyn are working on Facebook as I write, and a number of students began posting their photos online today. Sadly, the students who planned to go to the beach (Becky, Laura, Jocelyn, Mike and Dylan) got rained out. Our shark-divers, Chris, Jameson, and Diane have survived with all of their limbs intact, and they swear it was a wonderful experience with "lots of action." (I don't want to think about it too much!). The three of them were apparently together in the cage while the sharks were baited, and the sharks were so close that they were thrashing their tales against the cage as they ate. I'm just glad our students are back safe and happy. A number of students are out right now down at the waterfront, where there is a GIANT mall with lovely seaside restaurants and curio shops and all kinds of entertainment options. I think there is a group heading out for clubs later tonight.

I think we all really like Cape Town a lot. It is such a lovely and lively city for walking, and there is such an interesting mix of cultures here. And it is SO beautiful! It's hard to believe we'll be home soon.