December 17th- Table Mountain national park, Cape Town

View en route to top of Table Mountain...
Overlooking western Cape Town.. with miles of white sandy beaches.

These pink flowers were all over the trail called Platteklip Gorge.
Moderately steep, just non stop steps after steps.
I wish I had my hiking poles descending ...

December 16th - Cape of Good Hope

 Cape of Good Hope

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion's_Head_(Cape_Town)
The Lions Head trail is short but quite interesting, with very secured metal chains and ladders to help climb up the steep part .

On the top, you are rewarded with this magnificent panoramic view.  The range behind me is known as The Twelve Apostles.

A very windy day at Cape Town marina

December 15th, 2013 - Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, South Africa

This is one of the great botanic gardens of the world, nestled at the foot of Table Mountain in Cape Town. It is truly wonderful. I can spend all day here. It happened to be a Sunday where they have a concert so we attended and enjoy the music filled with Christmas holiday theme.

December 14th, 2013 - Chapman's Peak Drive, South Africa.

With spectacular view, the road hugs the near-vertical face of the mountain....It is truly kodak moments one bend after another.
Similar to our own Hwy 50 east to Lake Tahoe, California , but with more expensive view, and longer.

Soft white beach walk at Hout Bay

December 13th - Somerset West, to Madiba..

Sculpture by local artist Vincent Da Silva, Somerset West, South Africa ...

"Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again." - Nelson Mandela

 

Walking along Gordons Bay with Patrick

December 13th, 2013 - Why drink water when...

you can have varieties of good wine at these low prices !
Stellenbosch vineyards is one of South Africa's top wine producers.
Driving down the road, it is one vineyard after another.
We leisurely stopped at one and enjoyed a private tour all to ourselves.

our tour guide

Manificient horses, background of vineyard

December 11th, Kalk Bay, South Africa

My friend Patrick rented a car and we drove to Kalk Bay ..and then we had dinner together with Annie at the Cape to Cuba restaurant. Below was a breathtaking sunset view of Kalk Bay ..taken right outside the restaurant.

having a fun laugh with Annie

December 10th, Muizenberg, South Africa

Took the local metro train from Simons Town to Muizenberg .. It was very windy here so we saw quite a few kite surfers.
Below picture shows lots of kids enjoying the natural sea water swimming pool. There are colorful huts on the beach.

love the colors of these rocks

December 9th - Africa penguins

One of the more popular tourists attractions in Simons Town is at Boulders. It started in 1983, a pair of African penguins were spotted on Foxy Beach at Boulders and in 1985 they began to lay and stay, now known as the Boulders colony.
It is quite fun and entertaining to watch the penguins close up!

December 7th - Farewell to Gloria

Today Marc and I both bid farewell to Gloria. We chose to leave on our own because we want to spend time with our love ones. Marc will be flying back to the U.S with his girlfriend soon. I will be flying to France to visit friends; then likely to Panama to see my son and his dog, Roadie! My journey continues...I am grateful to captain Roger in giving me this rare opportunity and experience to sail with beautiful Gloria. I shall miss my comrade dearly...

Fair winds and following seas.

Background is Cape of good hope.

December 6th - Simon's Town, South Africa

We arrived yesterday noon on a very windy day . Wind up to 40+ knots. Gloria is safely secured at moorings. The yacht club provides a free water 'taxi' to the dock and back to the boat. Well..it is very nice to get taxied to the yacht club in order to have a much needed warm shower. Although..you may get a little salty spray of sea water on your newly washed, cleaned hair...and everywhere else.

Simon's Town is charming! Lots of little shops and restaurants on Main Street. There are quite a few B&B and houses with beautiful landscape. There are few navy ships, and even a submarine docked here.

Andy said below view looks just like Ireland.
We walked up well maintained stone steps and enjoyed a panoramic view.

December 5th - goodbye Mossel Bay

Last night, captain took all of us to a nice dinner at the Mossel Bay yacht club restaurant. I had local beer on tap, grilled Hake and malva pudding with custard, a typical South Africa dessert.

Chores before we take off..since we moored next to dock, the side of the boat was dirty with some greasy black markings, from those old, black tires fenders. We walked to several grocery stores and bought provisions; Andy scrubbed and then rinsed off the boat. Dishes were cleaned and put away. Sticky mats were put on all counters to prevent things from falling off etc etc.

This morning at 6am, we left lovely Mossel Bay and head towards Simonstown, close to Cape Town.

Marc, Andy and I took a nice walk along the bay.

December 3rd - Mossel Bay, South Africa

We arrived yesterday evening at Mossel Bay. This was by far the most beautiful, picturesque little touristy town we stopped by.
The Old Quarter of Mossel Bay is famous for its well-preserved historic buildings, many of which were built by stone masons from Cornwall, who settled in the town in the second half of the 19th Century.

Taking a walk on the stone walkways along the coast. Beautiful Kodak moments at every corner. Many ideal swimming pools formed naturally. The surrounding mountains made me miss those climbing days ...

We stopped by a popular local restaurant. I enjoyed delicious smoked fish ie. fish braai, lovingly prepared by these guys.

December 1st - sunrise.. sailing south to Mossel Bay, South Africa

December 1st - we awoke at 5 am and headed south towards Mossel Bay. Contrary to the weather forecast there was no wind. Instead, there was a large swell and the strong agulas current against the swell, which caused the wave to be incredibly steep and aggressive. The occasional wave on the deck resulting in very loud smashing, banging and crashing noise.

Sunrise ...like a pair of electric eyes.

There were many high end Oyster sail boats ( see the little white sail in the middle of pic) heading to the same direction as us. They are in for the Cape Town to Rio race rally starting January 6th.  It was peaceful to watch them sail next to us all through our watch.