Monday - February 24th - Travel / Capetown, South Africa
My girls took me to the Tampa airport at about 2:00 p.m. for my flight to Newark on United Airways. I was eventually allowed to check both bags through to the final destination. The first flight was fine, and at Newark, I had to change to the International Terminal for my evening direct flight to Capetown, South Africa. After fourteen long hours, our plane landed from our overnight flight at about 5:45 p.m. local time. Our bodies were on breakfast time, but it was actually evening locally. Customs was easy as no Visa was required, just a U.S. Passport. I found the Gate1 transport and learned there were 23 on my flight on the same tour. We were soon on our way to our Hotel for four nights, the Southern Sun Waterfront Cape Town. We then met our primary Gate1 representative, Magi, who had everything organized. We had a brief gathering where our room keys were distributed and passport requirements were fulfilled. I then retired to my nice room on the fourth floor. I then went down to the well-staffed Hotel Bar and enjoyed two very nice Striped Horse lager beers on draft. I visited with Magi and other guests and passed on dinner as I retired for much-needed sleep.
Tuesday - February 25th - Capetown, South Africa
I woke early on a bright and breezy day, then went to the very nice breakfast buffet in the hotel dining room at about 7:00 a.m. It was a wide selection of typical breakfast items, including an Omelette Station and my favorite type of Bacon. We had a group meeting at about 7:45 a.m. with Maggi, our Tour Host, before starting our half-day tour of Cape Town at 8:15. We were to do the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, but it was not operating due to high winds. We were taken to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, a botanical garden featuring indigenous plants and flora nestled at the eastern foot of Table Mountain. They have an Arboretum, a Conservatory, a Herbarium, and numerous walkways and outdoor trails. I didn’t walk much but found a bench with a fantastic view (photo). It was very enjoyable to feel the breeze and hear the sounds of the birds in the large trees planted 180 years ago for Queen Victoria. Kirstenbosch has won 29 gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show in 33 appearances. On the return drive, we passed the Rhodes Monument and the University of Capetown. We then did a panoramic tour in the older Capetown, passing the Castle of Good Hope built by the Dutch in the 17th century, the Iziko Slave Lodge built by the Dutch adjacent to the original Gardens and now a museum, and The Old Dutch Reformed Church. Also, The City Hall and Statue, where Nelson Mandela addressed a mass crowd upon his release from prison, and the monumental St. George Anglican Cathedral. We then went to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a busy retail, dining, and entertainment district with gift and design stores, diverse museums, and a restaurant scene. Here, we visited a Diamond Museum and could stay the rest of the afternoon or return to the hotel. I returned but will later explore as our hotel has a shuttle service.
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