Cape Town Day 3. Penguins gone wild!

Sunday. The weather still only marginally agreeable, we were determined to go and visit with the penguins. Sarah volunteered to be our guide down the peninsula, so after a yummy breakfast at a bistro called YUM!, we set off. Through a mountain pass over to Camp’s Bay, southward through Table Mountain National Park, on a highway reminiscent of Hwy 1 in California, we trekked (Jossie, Sarah, me) and snoozed (Veronica, Violet). About halfway down the peninsula we cut west for Simon’s Town, home of the world’s most urbane penguin colony. The girls woke up to journey into the park, where boardwalks kept the spectators from upsetting the abundant tuxedo-wearers. These penguins are called African penguins, or jackass penguins due to their braying call. Here, pictures speak louder than words…

After the lovely penguin interlude, we headed back north toward CT, via Fish Hoek (a Hoek is a corner, in the broad sense) and Kalk’s Bay, where we paused to refresh at the LPG and Sarah recommended Olympia. After some sweeties and caffeinated drinks, we went to see the fishing boats and docks. Violet was particularly pleased to discover seals frolicking in the water by the docks, waiting for chum from the fish-cleaning tables.

Back to CT and dinner with Zinaid, an adventure which turned into a small tour of CT as we performed an impromptu survey of restaurants closed on Sunday. We ended up back in Z and S’s neighbourhood, Vredehoek, to dine at Carlyle’s. For the third night in a row, the girls passed out at the dinner table, although this time they could hardly be blamed as a pizza oven malfunction led to a much prolonged session of pre-dinner banter. The good restaurateur didn’t charge us for the pizzas, which was very kind of him, although Violet did wake up next morning with the word “Pizza!” on her lips. We bid adieu to Z and S, who had to work on Monday, and sincere wishes that we will see them again very soon.