Just Being Tourists - Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope

(10-04-08)
Instead of another 7 hour hike up Table Mountain, Girl’s professor succumbed to peer pressure and agreed to take a three hour “stroll” along the coast line from the Cape of Good Hope to Cape Point.



Cape Point in background

The majority of tourist traffic at the Cape of Good Hope stayed near the main bay area which left the whole trail free for us. It was odd that instead of exploring the scenic peninsula on foot, they waited in line for their turns to take photos in front of the Cape of Good Hope sign. Girl was not an exception.


Girl playing tourist

View from the trail

Despite the empty trail, we soon discovered that we were not alone. It turned out that the hills have eyes - elephant type eyes. No, not real elephants, but for those readers who followed our Hermanus entry, we are referring to the hyrax. These little fur balls roam around the hills of the Cape of Good Hope, sun bathing on the rocks and munching on the vegetation. One was even kind enough to pose with Katherine for a photo.



The hyrax is also referred to as...

a dassie....


and a rock rabbit


This dassie was too busy eating to pay attention to Katherine

We had to watch our steps because these little elephant relatives would often emerge from a bush and race across the rocky path. The path was hilly and had many board-walk sections. One particular path led us down to a sandy beach. Girl and I attempted to “ski” down a steep sand embankment, but Girl was not very successful. Neither was Constance who hiked the remainder of the path with grains of sand embedded into her face when she fell on her way down.

Constance left quit an impression





Going back up the steep embankment was a lot harder than going down...just ask Girl

After making it back up from the sandy beach, we continued our journey to Cape Point. The goal was to make it to the light house at the top of hill. At the base of the hill up to the light house, we were joined by other tourists (who took a bus to the top). We thought our effort deserved some rewards: ice cream, a coke, and an orange. Bad mistake, instead of re-energizing us, the rest allowed our fatigue to set in. The trip up to the light house was hard on the calves and thighs; it left the muscles burning at times. But the effort was worth the view from up top.



Girl strolling along one of the board-walk sections

Guy getting in on playing tourist


The lighthouse above Cape Point


Girl above Cape Point


As Bugs Bunny would say, "should have made a left toin at Albukoykee."

View of the trail along the coast looking from Cape Point

Cape of Good Hope

The hike back to the car was quick, but a bit disappointing. Girl had high hopes of seeing a Chacma baboon during the hike. Unfortunately, none of them made an appearance. However, we did see Elands, a bontebok, a caterpillar, a seal, a lizard, various birds, and a few wild ostriches.

One of the Eland we saw near the Cape of Good Hope


Colorful caterpillar


The black dot in the ocean is a seal. We used a pair of binoculars to varify.


Hey Duckey0712, can you spot the critter?



One big bird

It was a good day.