Our last day in Cape Town proved to be one of the many highlight of the trip as we travelled out to the Stellenbosch  vineyards of South Africa. As far as the eye could see were terraced hills of lush grape vines – similar to so many pictures we have seen from Italy. The contrast from our first days in the arid Tanzania where a few drops of rain made the difference between having a corn crop or not, was astronomical. We toured 4 vineyards and had lunch in a fifth. The first ,Tokara ,also grew their own olives – we were fortunate to taste fresh olives and a variety of oils. Our second stop Rustenberg,was where our guide Elreada had worked as an events planner for many years so we got the behind the scenes tour. Our friends Marilyn and Murray had a contact with this farm through their Jersey herds. The third  called Graff was owned by a diamond jewelry designer who sells his creations to the Queen, and the fourth was Ernie Els ( the pro golfers) vineyard. A fun way to end our visit.

Inside the Rustenberg Vinyard

The Graff Vinyard

Ernie Els vinyard ( the 19th  hole)

The Pirates of the Carribean movie set

Some of the many 1000's  of homes so many live in every day

A final farewell from the Ernie Els vinyard

All great things must come to an end and we are now back in the frigid cold of Canada. Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa – all African countries with very different landscapes but similar issues – lack of rainfall, changing  economical values and the fight to maintain tribal beliefs were among the most noticeable. We toured the Massai, Himba and Bushman villages and had a look at their traditional ways of life. To us their cultures were foreign but they certainly made us realize how we overvalue material possessions in North America. Travelling with our safari guide James through Tanzania we saw what a severe lack of water can do to an economy . Again we saw how we waste water in Canada and take its presence for granted. No rain – no corn – no corn – no food. A viscous cycle of survival.

Despite the hardships education is valued and in all 5 countries the children headed off to school ( some with very few educational materials) decked out in clean uniforms. They returned home at night often to one room mud homes with thatched roofs. Our guide from Zimbabwe to South Africa, Kembo , was only 33 but had lived in a one room home with his mother and 3 siblings and as the oldest had helped to educate the 3 younger children.  A huge responsibility but not one that seemed to be resented.

Driving outside of Cape Town, a wealthy city by African standards it was sad to see the shanty towns of one room tin homes beside the stucco villas of the Southern Cape. Such contrasts and yet we never met an African native who seemed unhappy with their life. They all wanted to do well, valued education and had a strong work ethic.

   The trip has been an education onto us to see how lucky we are to live in Canada and can only hope one day  Africa will find its dreams.

This morning we woke to inmates clanging their cups against the bars for food.   Well it would have been 50 years ago. You can still see the bars and artifacts throughout our hotel that was a prison at one tiem. However this morning  we woke up to a room with a view and a breakfast waiting for us that would feed an entire prison. After a great breakfast it was the last day to climb into the truck for a trip throughout Capetown and all the way to the Cape of Good Hope ( the furthest southern  most point in Africa with the  Indian ocean on one side of us and the Alantic on the other. )You could actually have one foot in each if we could just see the dividing line.LOL 

  On the way back from the Cape we stopped off to visit the penquin colony on the Indian Ocean  side  and took lots of photos of the little guys making nests and protecting their eggs from seagulls. Once in awhile they would lose the battle and a seagull would rob the mother of her egg. So sad to see the seagull just drop the egg from 30 feet to break it and then swoop down to eat the remains. 

It was soon time to return to the truck for the final ride back to the hotel and say our fond farewells to our new found friends. I’m sure we will see some of them again when they come to visit.

    The following day was all about wandering and exploring the city with a trip to the Botanical Gardens. It would have been more spectacular  if it would have been at the height of the flower season  but it was  lovely just the same. Tomorrow  we're off to Robben Island .

     Tomorrow has arrived and because of the high winds due to the Doctor on the mountain,(this is the term the locals use  for heavy cloud  on Table Mountain which apparently causes high winds ) the ferry to Robben Island has been cancelled . I guess its one more day of exploring and shopping.

Hanging off the cliff on the way to Cape of Good  Hope

Digging their nests on an Indian Ocean beach

Protecting their eggs

A typical beach on the Indian Ocean

Not only Montreal has this problem  !!!

Just one of the many flowers at the Botanical Gardens

Just enjoying the fine wines of South Africa !!

Cape Town water front at night

The water front with Table Mountain in the distance

Flags of the world

A wine tanker we bought for the evening meal

 

Table mountain as we entered Capetown

From the top of Tablemountain

From the cable car on the way up to Tablemountain

We have arrived!! The last 450km into Cape Town gave us a tour down the Western Cape through huge fields of grapes, acres of citrus fruits, large irrigation systems and wheat fields ( newly harvested) as far as the eye could see. No time for a nap on the bus today – we might miss something!

We arrived in Cape Town by three and headed right up to Table Mountain- one of the new 7 Natural Wonders of the World. A great vie wof the Cape Town harbor, Robben Island and both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

We are staying at the Breakwater Lodge once a 19^th century prison located right on the waterfront. 4 interesting days of exploring to go!!!