Cathy's Travels: September 2017

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Table Mountain overlooking Cape Town

A picture perfect day on Table Mountain

The V&A (Victoria and Alfred) Waterfront is to the right. Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, is farther out in the water to the left.

Really enjoyed the cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain and down. The cable car could hold up to 60+ passengers and rotated 360° so everyone had a good view.

A different view from the top, including Lion's Head on the left. I didn't quite see the head of a lion, but I think it's more obvious from the other side.

Friday, September 29, 2017

African Penguins at Boulders Beach (first visit)

Walked a short distance to the beach and saw lots of penguins!

Mother and baby on the path

Arrived in Cape Town, South Africa

Flew into Cape Town and rented a car at the airport. Driving on the left, even with GPS, required great concentration. Plus, I was driving during rush hour traffic on unfamiliar roads and looking into the sun (which made it hard to read signs). GPS directions were given in kilometers and meters. Somehow made the hour's drive to Simon's Town with a few minutes of daylight to spare.

The Airbnb apartment in Simon's Town where I'll spend the next 9 nights is totally charming. It's a short walk to Boulders Beach, where the African Penguins live year-round.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

In the footsteps of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, is the setting for the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books, by Alexander McCall Smith. I stayed at the President Hotel, where the main character, Mma Ramotswe, often has Saturday tea (bush tea, also known as Rooibos) on the veranda. I ate breakfast at the corner table set aside for her.

Later I had a tour of some of the places in Gaborone mentioned in the books. I looked for her tiny white van, but did not see it.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

The San Tribesmen of the Kalahari

The San Tribe (sometimes referred to as Bushmen) once had the Kalahari Desert to themselves. Several of the San Tribe members are employed at the safari camp as trackers and other workers.

Replica of San Tribe hut

Our San tracker demonstrated how he can start a fire by rubbing two sticks together

These three San trackers shared how their tribe's way of life has changed in the last 25 years. For example, there is no hunting of animals allowed anywhere in Botswana.

Safari camp in the Kalahari Desert

The Kalahari Desert provided a contrast to the Okavango Delta.

2 Lionesses drinking at the water hole

Oryx

Black-backed jackal

Bat-eared Fox

There were wild melons with white flesh inside growing everywhere on the desert, providing moisture and some nutrition to the animals.

A few of the many animals of the Okavango Delta

Elephant's mock charge at our boat.

Leopard in the grass

The Lilac-breasted Roller (my favorite!)

Life in a safari camp

Not exactly roughing it. This was my "tent" at the safari camp in the Okavango Delta.

We rode in vehicles or boats and ate in the dining tent.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Leaving Victoria Falls: There's a Monkey on my Balcony!

This little fellow was on my balcony this morning as I prepared to leave Victoria Falls.

This will not be the last monkey I see on this trip, but he's the closest I've seen so far.

P.S. Fortunately my windows were closed!

Note: This corrects an earlier version that incorrectly identified my little friend as a baboon. He is, in fact, a vervet monkey. Thank you Annelise for the correction!