by Debbie Ross
founder of the Womens Travel Network.ca

Today we explored the gorgeous scenery around the Cape. We started off with a scenic drive along the Atlantic coast to the fishing village of Hout Bay then continued to Chapman’s Peak along a spectacular coastal route that hugs the Atlantic coastline for a breathtaking nine kilometres.
We visited the famous Cape of Good Hope in Table Mountain National Park. The park boasts a rich biodiversity of life  with over a thousand species of fynbos, 250 species of birds, as well as antelope, baboons and zebra.  We  took  a ride on the ‘Flying Dutchman’ funicular to the old lighthouse overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This point gave us spectacular ocean views. At Boulder’s Beach we’ saw hordes of Jackass penguins waddling freely among us as we strolled the white beaches.
We enjoyed a delicious lunch at Two Oceans Restaurant, Cape Point

This ws a very full day. Our first stop was Table Mountain. Finally we have a clear day and are able to take the cable car up to the top for the world renowned view of Capetown and the Atlantic ocean. Once at the top we all said how greatful we were that the clouds fially cleared, The spectacular view was worth the wait. On top of the mountain we took a 1 kil. hike to take in the view from all vantage points,  the wildlife of birds and hirx tht cling to the end of the rock cliffs, and magnificent flowering shrubs andan arry of delicate wild flowers.

Our next stop was the scenic fishing village of Haute Bay. We boarded a boat and headed out to seal island. What an amazing sight, thousands of seals playing in the water and basking in the sun.

We continued our drive along the winding roads of Haute Bay towards the scenic Atlantic coast. The whie sand beach stretched for miles, what a sight to behold. We stopped to view a family of baboons foragngn for food. A little further  down the road we spotted a wild ostrich and some Bonte Bok.  We entered Table Mountain National Park , the landscape is rugged and the flowering shrubs and wild flowers are abundat, it’s so colourful. lunh today was at the Two Oceans Restaurant over looking the bay. The view is magnifcent and the lunch delicious. After lunch we took the funicular up to the peak to take in the view. Word’s cannot describe the incredible view. From up top you can see beaches, mountains and we een spotted a whale swimming along the coastline.  Some of the group decided to take the tril down to the beach, the others took the funicular and bus back down.

The funicular took us to the top where we admired the view of white sand beaches and rolling surf. We even spotted a whale.  On our hike we watched surfers catch the waves, took in the beauty of the wild flowes and enjoyed the view from the peak of the Cape of Good Hope, It felt like we were at the top of the world and the view was magnificent.

 

 

Our last stop of this full, busy day was boulder beach to see the jack ass penguins. The name is given due to the fact they wound like donkeys or jacke asses when they call their mates.  The are so little, cute and very affectionate towards their mate. A great day was had by all.