Today in Trust member Kate Thompson’s South Africa diary, Kate explores more of the country, with the game against Algeria fast approaching
Day 7: Tuesday, 15 June 2010
The dreaded alarm went off six times from just after 1.00! Two maintenance guys changed the battery again and said if that didn’t work they would replace the alarm. I caught the shuttle bus into the centre of Cape Town, which dropped us at the Convention Centre. It was raining on and off but it wasn’t too much of a problem. I finally found my way to the Tourist Information Centre and realised that I had been in the wrong place on Friday!
I found out about Pinelands, which is a garden suburb and which I had hoped to visit, but unfortunately it is too far out. I finally sorted out the SA sim card, although I had to buy a new handset – but it was very cheap!. I also found a post office and bought some football-related stamps. I then went to look at the Convention Centre, where something called ‘Cool Britannia’ is taking place.
I continued past Cape Town’s version of the London Eye to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront; Alfred was Queen Victoria’s son and he began the construction of the basin named after him. By now time was getting on and after taking a few photos (including statues of South Africa’s four Nobel Prize winners) found somewhere for lunch, where I was able to watch most of the New Zealand v Slovakia game….
I had the catch of the day, which was something called black fish, but it didn’t look black to me! I walked back to the Convention Centre and got the 3.45 shuttle back to the hotel; it went first to the Lagoon Beach, which has lovely views but there is nothing else in the area. I think I am staying in the best place, as there are several restaurants here as well as the little supermarket. Unlike most of the others here, I am watching the games in my room, which seems a bit pathetic but suits me; I am not comfortable on my own after dark, which those of you who know me well will think most untypical! I’ve caught a cold, presumably from the soaking yesterday.
Day 8: Wednesday, 16 June 2010
It’s hard to believe that I haven’t even been here a week yet! Today was the trip to Cape Point and the Peninsula, with the penguins being the expected highlight. We were picked up at 9.15 and as four of us were the last, struggled to find a seat. I had to sit right at the back, next to a very large young man who spread over my seat as well as his own! Also, because there were 60 of us, it took forever to debus. Our first stop was Hout Bay, where I was distressed to see a man with a ‘pet’ seal, which seemed all wrong. Trips to see seals leave from here but there wasn’t a huge amount to see. We then continued down the peninsula towards the Cape of Good Hope, passing some stunning scenery.
The route over Chapman’s Peak was particularly outstanding. Apart from a few showers, the weather on the whole was much better than the previous two days. Our next stop was Cape Point, where there is a funicular to the top, but we all walked up. There are two lighthouses; the first one didn’t work properly as it was too far away, so they had to build another one nearer the sea. The views were wonderful and there are some lovely beaches, with sand that is almost white, but presumably difficult to access.
After an hour we went onto the Cape of Good Hope proper for another photo opportunity. The Cape is not the most southerly point in Africa, which is some miles further east. Then came the highlight of the trip – the jackass penguins at Boulders Beach. Apparently they are native to the area and had almost died out, but have recovered since they have been protected. You can’t walk on the beach but rather along a boardwalk. Nevertheless it was easy to see a lot of penguins, which are called jackass because the noise they make sounds like a donkey braying. They really are the funniest birds!
Jackass Penguins
We then drove into Simonstown for a very late lunch. It is a pretty place, that used to be a naval base, originally for the British. There is a statue of a dog called ‘Just Nuisance’, who was adopted by sailors. Our route then took us through some more pretty areas to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, the last stop. The guide, Henry, was excellent with a nice sense of humour. He was telling us about his 16-day trip to Britain; he found the people lovely, the food good and the weather perfect!
Part five of Kate’s diary will appear on Friday