Sunday morning dawned sunny but cool. I went to visit a friend in Stellenbosch that I hadn’t seen since before Covid. We had such a lovely visit.
I visited the Dutch Reformed Church in Stellenbosch for the photo.
Then I drove to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. The Gardens are so beautiful.
With the Mountain towering over everything the word that got stuck in my head was ”imposing”.
I spotted a few birds – Egyptian Geese goslings, Bronze Mannikins, Malachite Sunbird and a Cape Bulbul.
I loved this Cape Chestnut Tree.
It started raining just as I stepped off the Boomslang walkway. Both this little Southern Double-collared Sunbird and the Mountain still looked great in the rain.
I walked back to the shop, getting soaked in the process. I shopped a little and then decided I may as well go back to my friend’s house.
I woke up early on Monday and was happy to see that it wasn’t raining. I left my friend’s house at 06h00, hoping to see the sunrise on Muizenberg Beach. I had just more than an hour to get there. I missed the sunrise by about 20 minutes. I will remind myself never to complain about Johannesburg traffic again – Cape Town Traffic is MUCH worse!
Even though I missed the sunrise, I still stopped at Muizenberg and wandered along the beach for a bit.
I loved the famous colourful beach huts.
The short drive through Kalkbay and Simonstown to Boulders Beach brought back fond memories of a University Tour many years ago. I stopped at Boulders and walked down to see the African Penguins. These guys are just so adorable, and they have the cutest waddle!
I spent a bit of time with them enjoying their antics and super cuteness.
As I drove to Cape Point, I had to marvel at the stunning view across False Bay.
A little rivulet next to the road caught my attention.
A large raptor flew high above the road along the mountain side, to far to identify, but it added to the ambiance of the moment.
Cape Point Nature Reserve is breathtaking.
From the moment I entered I saw a stunning selection of birds like this Orange-breasted Sunbird and a Cape Sugarbird.
My first stop was the Cape of Good Hope View Point. Ostriches with the ocean in the back ground was a first for me!
There were many Cape Fur Seals and Greater Crested Terns sunning themselves on the rocks near the parking area.
I climbed to the top of the view point. The view was spectacular beyond words. Another one of those moments that took my breath away. Wow.
On the way back I spotted a Cape Bunting and Eland.
I also saw a few Southern Rock Agamas.
The Cape Fur Seals hadn’t moved.
Just after I left the parking lot I spotted this Jackal Buzzard on the rocks. He then jumped into the flowers, creating a lovely picture.
I bought a ticket to ride in The Flying Dutchman Funicular to the Old Lighthouse.
The little car was packed, and for a moment it was a little daunting when the other one approached from the front! But both pilots knew what they were doing and the two cars passed each other safely.
The view from the Light House is fantastic. If feels as if you should be able to see Antarctica from there!
As was the case with my visit to Springbok and West Coast National Park, time was not my friend, and I did not have time to walk to the new Lighthouse. I did walk just a shirt distance down the trail.
A new reptile for my list came in the form of a Black Girdled Lizard.
Even here the flowers could not be denied.
A couple of guys pointed out a few Hump Back Whales in the Bay.
The weather was really great compared to the preceding days, and the walk down to my car was really pleasant.
I stopped at the Diaz Cross.
There was a small troop of Baboons with a cute youngster.
Cape Point was everything I had expected and more. I just wish I had more time to visit all the little beaches and view points!
It was another perfect day.