Our hotel is a short distance from the waterfront. Our after breakfast orientation was smooth and fast…each couple received their cell phones and the Maui folks took care of the rental papers quire efficiently. Then it time for most of us to head out to the shopping center that is superbly located facing the Atlantic Ocean. It was easy to begin spending some of the Rand that we all acquired at the airport ATM last night.

I spent the day browsing and admiring the distinctly African flavor of the merchandise. The hikers among us were able to walk the mile to the waterfront and some took advantage of the hotel’s free shuttle for the return trip.

He spoke to us of conditions that were so horrible that it brought tears to my eyes. The government did everything possible to make the inmates feel as if they were sub human from the clothing not issued…no underpants or socks…to diet…just above starvation levels. And the isolation…23 hours in cell that is smaller than a dog kennel. Afterwards he told me that he had no formal education. He became the articulate man is today by virtue of the education he received from the men who were imprisoned with him. Many were highly educated and made it their mission to secretly teach those who had no schooling.

Although the sky was pristine, the cable car to the top of Table Mountain was a no go because of weather. Didn’t really matter, our wagonmasters, Jim and Gisela took us to the base and the view from there was unbelievable. Then as a bonus the driver drove up to the top of Lion’s Head. Different mountain with a slightly different view of the sprawling city far below nestled against the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Last stop of the afternoon…the oldest winery in SA…the Groote Constantia Estate where you’ll pay boucoup bucks for a bottle. The tour and the tasting were swell!

The poor live in appalling shacks constructed from wood or corrugated metal. The windows are often without glass and there is obviously no indoor plumbing. The wealthy live in lovely homes that have lovely manicured grounds. The two neighborhoods are often a stone’s throw apart.

Lucky us, there was a wine festival at the Spier winery. It was tons of fun: music, crafts and a chance to mingle with the locals. It was a very racially mixed crowd and everyone mingled nicely. Not what I expected.

That night many of us went to a lovely restaurant, La Pineta. Great continental food. Our table was against the open ceiling to floor windows…the vineyard stretched out to the mountains, and we were thrilled to see the sun set behind them.

First stop: Betty’s Baai Penguin Colony, a different setting then the one 2 days ago. Here the penguins had much more room. We got a chance to see them maneuver up onto the rugged rocks as they came up out of the Bay. Again, we were on boardwalks, the penguins were able to use their “sand trails” underneath us. Yes, they do travel single file. Waddle, waddle!  Met my first Dassies. It’s a brown small animal that kind of looks like a ground hog, but with a really pretty face. Momma Dassie was carrying baby Dassie on her back. So adorable.

Stopped for Hermanus, South Africa delicious iced coffee in Hermanus. Charlie managed to lock himself in the bathroom.

Hermanus, South Africa

We also saw black and White cranes today as we drove along. The weather clouded up as we approached A’gulhas. Although the lighthouse was impressive we elected not to climb it. Instead we drove to the monument that defines the meeting of the Indian & Atlantic Oceans. That spot is also the Southernmost tip of the entire continent of Africa. It was so thrilling to hold hands with Steve across the two oceans.  So far, I must say this trip is EXCEEDING all my expectations!!!!

We are noticing that very little labor here is mechanized. The workers are using picks and shovels as well as hand cutters.As we drove through the National Park we saw some Bonteboks, a kind of antelope (looks like a cross between a goat and a deer) with brown bodies, long horns and long white stockings on all of their skinny legs. Also spotted 3 ostriches in the distance. This must be a very prosperous region because we are seeing huge of sheep farms dotting the gently rolling hills.

*many baby ostriches are fostered by 1 ostrich female adult She teaches them how to take care of themselves but does not provide the food.

*eggs are removed as soon as they are laid to force the female to produce more *One ostrich egg=24 chicken eggs *the eggs are kept in an incubator and turned regularly so they will hatch  *slaughtering for meat (it tastes like liver/steak…very little fat) occurs between 14-18 months except for the breeding stock or those with rare or good feather quality. *ostrich eggs are so hard you can stand on them… Steve did!  Nothing goes to waste here. The workers cut grass by hand, others rake up the cuttings and still others pile the brush onto trucks to use as livestock feed. The highways are uncrowned. Most walk and try to hitch.  They hold out Rand (the local cash) to show their willingness to pay for the ride. Fascinating.