Oh my I have no idea where to start! Today Elize picked me up and we headed back to Boulder Beach to see penguins. Along the way we stopped at the Old Biscuit Mill. As the name says...old mill turned into a market of handcrafted goods and a couple cafes. Got a cappuccino to start the day!
Then we stopped by this huge beautiful memorial to British administrator Cecil Rhodes. He had quite an influence over the region and was the namesake of Rhodesia now Zimbabwe. There is a huge botanical garden and many other parts of the city that he owned. Since he had no children he donated it to the city.
Next, Simon's Town which has a naval base and a statue of a dog that the navy adopted as a mascot. His name was Nuisance and I have promised Elize that I will google him for the whole story before I go to sleep.😁
Wound our way around to a good place to stroll to penguins at Boulders Beach!! Saw a few along the path resting in the shade and one was on an egg...so 4.5 penguins!
Then a very windy, narrow, no guardrail road to a place called Smitswinkel. Elize was braver than I and stepped to the edge of the cliff to get a Pic of 3 houses all the way down on the beach. Electric comes from solar, water from who knows where, and there is an area off the road by the sign for their cars. I would hate grocery day!
Had a stop at Kalky's at Kalk Bay for fresh off the boat snoek fish. It is a mild white fish with long bones. It was grilled and I enjoyed it with a Chilli dip.
Next, a stroll through the lovely Company Park (told you about the origins earlier) near the Observatory. Huge fig trees, squirrels that will eat peanuts out of your hand, Egyptian geese-beautiful, cafe, and good old Cecil Rhodes!!
Last stop was completely unplanned but came up in our conversation a couple of times...so off we went to get my favorite souvenir of Cape Town 😁 Guesses?
Now I'm exhausted and I have assigned research project.
And BONUS I have made 2 new friends!! Thanks again to Natasha and Elize for such a wonderful time around the city and region!
On the way with Elize to the Old Biscuit Mill. Another old company turned into arts market, cafe, restaurant. It is the grey building ahead and the yellow building with an external elevator on the right.
Old Biscuit Mill
Start the day right with a pretty latte!
Memorial to Cecil Rhodes - former Prime Minister to the Cape Colony, mining magnate, Creator of the Rhode's scholarship. He had no children so donated all of this land and wealth to the Cape Colony. He is buried in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) which was his favorite place. All of this history and generosity aside there are, of course MANY controversies - too numerous to mention!
View from Rhodes Memorial
I changed my number
The paper mache house called Yokohama in Muizenberg was built in 1906 from paper imported from Japan.
This is the little market that has the statue of Nuisance the dog.
And, of course, I had to have my picture taken with him...thanks to Elize. 😁
At Boulders Beach walking one of the paths to look for penguins!
Not yet...but sure is a pretty view
Off in the distance...
There they are.
And along the path...
This area is perfect for nesting. It is Spring here, after all!
Damn finger! Oh well, you can still see the little guy, sorta
Is that an egg?
It is!
And a dassie close up from Elize
The sign for Smitswinkel in the parking area for the secluded little village down on the beach. No electricity, running water, etc. There is a path from the road or they can access via the ocean. I was too chicken to even get out of the vehicle!
But Elize is very brave and got a pic for me! 😂
On the Kalk's Bay to visit the famous Kalky's. It is right on the dock and they get their fish FRESH! Go up to the window to order what fish, how you want it cooked, sauce, bread. Cash only. Then to a communal table and wait for your name to be called. I was doing just that while Elize went out and took pics.
Grilled Snoek with chilli sauce. It was tasty!
Back to Cape Town proper and a walk through the Company Park. Egyptian geese.
And cool trees
It is a place for an after work stroll, lunch time picnic, playing with the kids, resting on a bench. Very peaceful even though in the middle of huge city.
And, of course, a statue of Cecil Rhodes. Yes, he is very controversial. But this is South Africa. It wasn't that long ago that apartheid was the law of the land....only 30 years. The scars of those decades are deep and still evident. Is life better? Maybe some.
An unplanned sightseeing at Canal Walk Mall. It is HUGE. The biggest mall in South Africa. Oh yeah and they have a Cinnabon!
This place looks interesting...
My forever souvenir in progress...
Done!
Back to the hotel and sleep!
