I dont even know where to begin since we arrived here in Capetown but because I am writing you realize that we survived the rental car adventure. We picked up the car in the morning and we given the cutest little white whip that the 3 of us piled into and set off for Cape Point, the most south western point where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic. With me driving and Margs giving directions we were well on our way but didnt really know what we were in for. The drive is exactly along the coast and we found out later its known as one of the most beautiful drives in the world, and seriously, its the best one I've ever been on. With the ocean on one side and the table mountain range on the other it was the best hour drive. We stopped along the way at Boulders Beach and hung out with hundreds of penguins, they literally follow you around - so cute! We made it to the point but didnt realize we were in for a hike to the top but made it to the lighthouse and looked down at the blue waters below, it was incredible!
The next morning we made it up early and the sun was shining and it was a clear day which meant make it up table mountain as fast as you can. Its said that if you can see the top of the mountain go up because it doesn't actually happen too often. So we jumped back in our little whip to the cable car - and took the 4 min ride up literally vertical on the cable car to 1600 m high in the sky to the top of table mountain - another incredible view of Cape Town. In the afternoon we decided to do something we were warned against but in the end felt very safe. A lot of people have heard about the violence in the townships before we arrived here and the xenophobic attacks. Now we were told by our volunteer company that while working for them we were not allowed into the townships. Well we finished our work on Saturday so decided to go in. We went with a man recommended by the hostel who lives in the townships and is well respected. It was a very interested afternoon after visiting 3 townships outside of Cape Town called district 6, Langa and the last one I cant even attempt to spell. The houses we went into, well if you can call them houses were shacks and could have literally multiple families living inside. All the kids would come running up to you asking for sweets and none spoke english - it was natural for them to run over to the white girls, as clearly we really stood out. After leaving the townships we were talking to the guy that took us and he was talking about the violence and how it was very exaggerated but it did spread from Joburg down to Cape Town but not into his township but he agreed that too many foreigners were living in South Africa illegally and using the aid given to people in the townships by the government but they arent accounted for in the money so shouldn't be receiving it, or even more so, working their jobs.
Today (after a rough night of Kings - with some new fun British twists) we went down to the waterfront to see if we could find our way to Robben Island. This is one thing I've been waiting for, for awhile now but it didnt happen. We didnt realize that the main ferry broke down so there are only 3 rides out per day and are booked up already until July 7th!! So unfortunately we had to see Mandela's cell through the eyes of the museum and read the stories, so maybe when I'm back again I'll make it out to Robben Island. We strolled along the waterfront in another day of incredible sunshine and found this delicious pancake restaurant which was exactly what we wanted at 1pm after a night out. We then found this company that offered sailboat rides into the harbour during sunset for the equivalent of $10 for 1.5 hours so we hopped on for a fun boat ride. Little did we know it was a gorgeous sailboat with 3 hilarious crew members who took photoshoots of us on the boat and there was unlimited sparkling wine! And if it couldnt get any better, we saw dolphins swimming around the boat the whole time and jellyfish. It turned out to be the perfect afternoon and last one at that in Cape Town. We just got back from dinner at this place called Mama Africa. Traditional south african food and salads with live music - incredible food and atmosphere and Sabine went all out with ostrich and crocodile.
I am so sad I am leaving tomorrow afternoon but I have the entire day tomorrow with the girls before my 12 hour flight to start my next journey in London. How I am going to find my way at 7am to Ashley's house in London will be another story but I will hopefully continue this on once I arrive in London!!
-Lou xoxox
