We woke up early to begin our day, a very special day… Penguin Day! This was a day I was looking forward to for months. I could not WAIT for this day to come. Since the pandemic, I’ve become a bit of a birder, and I was just so excited about the opportunity to see wild penguins up close.
We began our day by driving to Muizenberg Beach, which is famous for its small houses that were used in the early 1900s as changing houses. They would float the houses out into the ocean so that women could change and swim - in the house. Today, these huts are available for rent, and they provide a cozy and comfortable place to relax and enjoy the beach.
Then, we made our way to the charming coastal town of Simon's Town, located about 45 minutes from Cape Town. Upon arrival, we saw the stunning sight of granite boulders surrounding a picturesque bay filled with crystal-clear turquoise water. As we made our way down to the beach, we immediately saw some African Penguins, which are an endangered species. There was a boardwalk that provides easy access to the penguin viewing areas, where we were able to see penguins in their little nests. We had the opportunity to observe them as they waddle along the beach, swim in the water, and interact with one another. My favorite was watching them waddle into the water.
Our exciting day continued to Cape Point National Park, which boasts diverse flora, zebra, ostriches, baboons, and more. I spotted some new Ibis birds and antelope animals (I don't really know what itThe Cape of Good Hope is situated at the junction of the warmer Agulhas current and the colder Benguela current. It's technically the most south-westerly point in Africa.
We left the national park and headed to Hout Bay for lunch via the infamous Chapman's Peak Drive. The road meanders along as it hugs the rock faces of the back end of Table Mountain just meters above the iconic bay. Flanked by both the towering mountainside and sheer drops into the Atlantic Ocean below, Chapman’s Peak Drive is a nail-biting route that was completely jaw-dropping.
We arrived at a much loved and famous fish and chips in Hout Bay at Fish on the Rocks. I tried the recommended hake and chips. This was my first fish and chips, and it did not disappoint! We drove back to Cape Town and, on our way, stopped at a viewpoint to enjoy some lovingly made gin and tonics.
The high of penguin day got my through my work week. I worked on several large grant applications and had many meetings in the evening. It was nice to connect with clients and be able to share about our fun day.
On Wednesday, we went to the Oranjezicht City Farm and market. The market is as much about community building and celebrating the culture of Cape Town as it is about fresh produce. You walk into a vibey, hay-floored market space with booths of local artisans, restaurants, and produce farmers. I got some Indian food, mushroom skewers, and wine. Lots of folks were there, and our group of five grew to 10, then became overwhelming. So, Alex and I headed home to begin packing and prepping for our four-day Garden Route tour, which I've detailed in a separate post.
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