Oct 4: Table Mountain and the surrounding area

Julie onTop of Table Mountain

We were up early to catch the express bus to the foot of Table Mountain.  It looked like is going to be a clear day, but apparently one can never count on that when going up Table Mountain.  There is a cable car that ascends the 1050 meter mountain that site directly to the east of Cape Town, but close enough to be an integral part of the city.  Table Mountain get it name because once on top of the mountain it is flat – an area of about 17 acres.  We were able to link up with a local guide who walked 6 of us around the mountain pointing out various sites in Cape Town and the surrounding areas below and flowers and wildlife that inhabits the top.  We descended the mountain the same way we arrived, cable car, and got back on the tour bus to see the rest of the area outside of Cape Town.  There are a number of smaller villages around Cape Town like Camp Bay and Clifton- very pricey real estate on lovely beaches.  Both Julie and I were beginning to think about jumping ship and staying here for the next 20 years.  Reality clawed its way back in to our consciousness as we remembered that the diplomatic briefing had told us about the 28% unemployment, one of the highest crime rates in the world and very pricey real estate in the area where we would like to live.  We tried to take a tour to Robins Island, but the only tour boat was out of service for repairs and we decided to call it a day and pack for our safari that starts tomorrow morning.



Cape Town View from Table Mountain



 

Lion's Head and Cape Town from Table Mountain