2012 - OCEAN PRINCESS - CAPE TOWN

CAPE TOWN.....

I'VE HEARD PEOPLE CALL IT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY IN THE WORLD

MIGHT WELL BE THE CASE.

BUT WE ARE NOT QUITE THERE YET.

THIS OVER AFRICA SOMEWHERE

AND THE ONLY PHOTOGRAPH I HAVE OF JOHANNESBURG., OUTSIDE THE HOTEL.

IT IS IN GAUTENG I THINK. WHICH IS AN AMAZING COINCIDENCE BECAUSE I AM READING A BOOK RIGHT NOW WHERE THE CHARACTER IS FLYING TO GAUTENG.
IT'S A GOOD BOOK IF YOU LIKE DETECTIVE STUFF. TRANSLATED FROM AFRICAANS, ITS BY DEON MEYER. CALED SEVEN DAYS. HE HAS WRITTEN A LOT.

SO - WHAT TO DO WITH A FEW DAYS IN CAPE TOWN

HAS TO BE TABLE MOUNTAIN

I CAN SEE THE MOUNTAIN FROM MY HOTEL BUT IT LOOKS CLOUDY SO I DECIDE NOT TO GO TODAY.

OUTSIDE THE HOTEL THERE IS A TAXI RANK & I CHANGE MY MIND, NEGOTIATE A PRICE WITH THE TAXI DRIVER AND OFF WE GO.

IT MIGHT HAVE ESCAPED YOUR NOTICE, BUT TABLE MOUNTAIN IS A MOUNTAIN.
THE CAB I AM IN IS OLD. IT CONKS OUT TWICE ON THE WAY BECAUSE THE GAS CANNOT REACH THE ENGINE ON THE INCLINE. THE THIRD TIME I GET OUT - WE ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT TO THE CABLE CAR.

I START WALKING, UP HILL OF COURSE. PASSING THIS ON THE WAY.

I AM STILL A LONG WAY FROM THE CABLE CAR & SEE A SIGN SAYING IT IS CLOSED TODAY. AYE, CARAMBA?

THERE IS A TOURIST HUT AT THIS CAR PARK & THE GUIDE CONFIRMS THE CABLE CAR IS NOT GOING TODAY. I FORGET WHY. MECHANICAL? WEATHER. NOT UNUSUAL APPARENTLY.

STILL - A NICE SHOT OF CAPE TOWN SPREAD OUT BELOW. AND A WALK A LITTLE FURTHER ON..

THEN I BACK TRACK AND WALK BACK TO TOWN.

NOW WHAT TO DO?

THE BIG RED BUS SOUNDS INVITING AND AFTER WALKING UP & DOWN TABLE MOUNTAIN I WILL ENJOY A REST ON THE OPEN TOP BUS

THE BUS GOES TO HOUT BAY, PASSING SOME ROUGH AREAS....

BUT THE BAY IS DELIGHTFUL..... I HOP OFF HERE FOR A VISIT,,

KIDS PLAYING ON THR BEACH

A GIRL SURFING... WILL SHE MAKE IT ???????

WIPEOUT....

HERE SHE GOES AGAIN. WILL SHE MAKE IT THIS TIME?????

THEN IT'S BACK ON THE BUS FOR THE RIDE BACK INTO CAPE TOWN.... BEACHES, BAYS, BAYS & BEACHES

& BACK TO MY HOTEL, JUST THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROUNDABOUT.

I SPENT THE EVENING WATCHING FOOTBALL ON TV IN THE HOTEL BAR.

I STRIKE UP A CONVERSATION WITH A TRADITIONALLY BUILT YOUNG LADY. SHE SHOWS A GOLD TOOTH WHEN SHE SMILES & I ASK IF SHE MINED IT HERSELF. WE CHAT FOR A LONG TIME. WATCH THE FOOTBALL. LISTEN TO STUFF GOING ON AROUND THE BAR.
THEN SHE ASKS, QUITE POLITELY, IF I WOULD LIKE SOME COMPANY & THE PENNY DROPS..

I DECLINE.

SHE'S PERFECTLY PLEASANT. SAYS GOODBYE & LEAVES. THE RECEPTION GUY NODS TO ME.

HOT & COLD RUNNING HOOKERS IN THIS HOTEL. A NEW ONE ON ME.

THATS ENOUGH FOR ONE DAY.