South Africa "A World in One Country"

Today we woke up after being stuck at a crossroad last night in trying to decide if we should rent a car and drive the garden route, or to do a hop on hop off bus tour of the garden route.  We listed the pros and cons of each, we figured out approximately how much time we would need for what we want to do and decided to come to a decision after we had something to eat.

We took the local bus to Camps Bay, which is a "sophisticated" beachfront town where we had breakfast and finally just decided to rent a car and drive the route.    For our "victory decision" we hopped on another local bus about 30 minutes away to the last stop in a fishing town called Hout Bay.  It's a gorgeous spot, with the beach on one side and the mountains on the other.  We walked around a bit then grabbed some drinks overlooked the breathtaking landscape.  

We headed back to our place, had a bit of a chill night because we have to get up early to pick up our rental car.  We want to be alert and on point.  We are a bit nervous about the crazy driving here and the fact that they drive on the opposite sides of the street. 

Wine Country

Finally for dinner we went to the Eastern Food Bizarre a popular food hall we had heard so much about and ate an amazing large portion of food.  After, we went out on Long Street, where there are a bunch of bars, restaurants and clubs.  We ended up finding a local spot, which we of course loved and stayed there a little longer and a little later then planned, since we had to be up at 7am for our trip to the wine region Stellenbosh.

The next morning we took the local train about an hour outside of Cape Town to Stellenbosh and booked a hop on hop off tour.  We went to 4 different wine estates(Alto, Stellenrush, Speir and Neethlingshof)) having different wine tastings at each.  The landscape was beautiful and the different estates were gorgeous.  Our favorite wine by far was the Pinotage, a mix of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (Cinsaut was known as "Hermitage" in South Africa during the time it was bred).

After a tipsy train ride back to Cape Town we grabbed some food, then headed to the local Carnival that was happening right in Greenpoint where we were staying.  There was lots of food and a parade with creative colorful floats, native music and dancing.  It was quite the experience.

Now it's time to plan the next few days!

Carnival

Volunteering in the Settlements

Last night we just chilled and chatted with some people to get an idea of our plan of action for the next few days.  What is a must see, what wineries to go to, what tours we should or should not do and as usual I've been trying to get in touch with an orphanage or a volunteer program that we could do short term.

settlement

After planning a few things out, I got in touch with a organization asking for donations and volunteers for a settlement about an hour outside of Cape Town.  They are trying to build a new school for typical and special needs children.  If you "buy a brick" for the new school you got to tour and volunteer with the children for the day.  You also got a tour of the settlements, the current school and the school that is being built with the bricks.  We signed up to do this the next morning.

After a long commute out to Table View, we were picked up and chauffeured around the settlements by one of the staff members helping to build these schools.  It's heartbreaking to see how these children live and yet they all have smiles on their faces.  There was one young boy with special needs, who has two large tumors on his face that they are trying to raise money for his surgery because his family cannot afford to.

After spending time with the children ages 2-9, we drove around to see the school being built and another settlement.  When I say settlements, these are also known as "the slums." There is no electricity.  There are up to 8 people living in a small broken down house, there is one pump of running water for over 160 houses, there is high crime and drugs in these areas.

The stories our guide shared with us about the children and their families and what we saw first hand was horrifying.  It just puts things into perspective of just how lucky we are and how grateful we should be.

Exploring Cape Town

Today we woke up and took a bus into the colorful little neighborhood of Bo-Kaap.  We then walked around the downtown area went to Greenmarket Square, the PanAfrican Market and had an amazing African meal of papas with beef at the African Women's Market.   

Then we went walking around Kloof Street where there are cute little bars and restaurants before heading to Table Mountain.


Table Mountain is one of the 7 Natural Wonders  of the World. We took a cable car 3,563 ft above sea level and saw beautiful views overlooking Lions Head (which we hiked yesterday) and 360 degree views of the city and ocean.  At the top there are many different trails that you can take to explore the wild animals, plants and flowers.

view of Lion's Head

Africa We Have Arrived!!!!

Tuesday afternoon we had arrived in South Africa!!! After almost 23 hours of traveling we had arrived in a continent neither of us had ever been to, we couldn't help sing Toto, "Africa" upon landing.  We headed to Greenpoint in Capetown where we were staying, took a nice long walk by the ocean, then grabbed some food and explored the tiny, cute beach town.

Wednesday we woke up to take the Robben Island tour where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.  We took a 30 minute ferry out to the island and I couldn't believe my eyes after maybe 10 minutes into the ride I was scanning the ocean and saw a fully breaching whale!! I called everyone to attention and we all started watching for more movement and it did a half breach, I couldn't believe it.  The whole time in the Galapagos Islands I wanted to see a whale and hadn't, so I was super excited.  As we got closer were saw that there were actually two whales swimming by, it was pretty amazing.  

Robben Island 

When we arrived we took about a two hour tour around Robben island, famous for Nelson Mandela being imprisoned there, which was a fantastic tour.  I must admit I'm not one to enjoy group tours, but this one was well worth it.  The last 45 minutes we were shown around by a political prisoner who was imprisoned on the island for 6 years.  His stories were unbelievable and we were able to see the cell that Nelson Mandela was imprisoned during 18 of his 27 prison years.  He was confined to a small 4X6 cell, the floor his bed, a bucket his toilet and he was forced to do hard labor in a quarry.  

Nelson Mandela's Prison Cell

When we got back to the mainland we decided to hike Lions Head, thinking it would be an easy hike to the top of the city to watch the sunset. 
 After over an hour of strenuous, rock climbing and steep footing we got to the top and were able to see a breathtaking sunset and views.  The way back down was even more challenging especially in the dark!! 

sunset Lion's head

Lion's Head Hike

Rock Climbing Up Lion's Head

Galapagos Islands - Island San Cristobal

       

Kicker Rock

can i stay here forever?

       Today we took a two hour boat ride to the island of San Cristobal for the kicker rock - leon dormido tour.  It is this beautiful rock in the middle of the ocean, with great snorkeling spots.  We swam with sea turtles, and got to play with the sea lions in the water a few inches from us.  We also saw about 7 sharks a few feet away swimming by right under us.  Unfortunately, we don't have our scuba license the people who went scuba diving on our boat saw manta rays, and huge hammerhead sharks, about 20 of them swimming in a circle above them!

enjoying life

kisses

            At night we walked around the town running into people we have seen along our trip, and walking to sea lion beach, where there were hundreds of sea lions, everywhere, choosing their bed for the night.  It was pretty crazy.

lava beach

            The next day we went to three different beaches that were supposed to be really good for snorkeling.  The first one we swam with a baby sea lion.  It would swim up to us a few inches from our face, looking you in the eye then dip down under you playing.  It was so cute!

sea lion

             The next beach there was a few sea lions swimming right in the shore break so we went snorkeling with them and the last beach was just beautiful.  Lava rocks right on the beach, so many beautiful fish, lots of turtles and we saw a few sting rays.

sea lion beach at night

snorkel spot

sea lions