This morning I was greeted again by Phillip — this guy is everywhere. He helped me piece together some of the foggy memories from yesterday’s wine tour. You see, when someone says they’re going on a “wine tour,” it’s really just their classy way of saying, “I’m planning to get totally drunk during the day.” I’ve been keeping very detailed notes during this RTW Adventure. For the most part, they’ve been very clear. Until yesterday crossed my path. All you have to do is look at my notes about the wine tour to see that. They get progressively more difficult impossible to read.
Anyway, today’s trip was far tamer. We struck out to explore the areas that lead to — and from — the storied Cape of Good Hope. This is the reason I wanted to come here. Explorers as far back as the Phoenicians have rounded this difficult place. Once it’s behind them, they become hopeful for what’s to come. I wanted to see it! And eat an ostrich burger on the balcony that overlooks it.
On the way, there were more stunning views of coastline than I can count.
We stopped for a quick boat ride to Seal Island. I forgot to ask how it got the name.
After taking a ride over Chapman’s Peak Road (which has 144 curves, is 14 km, and was built by prisoners between 1915 – 1922), we were on our way to the Cape of Good Hope.

Phillip really seems to enjoy taking the obligatory tourist shots. Oh, well. I don’t mind posing for a camera.

Here’s the Cape from the lighthouse above. When they built the lighthouse, they forgot about the nearly constant fog that obscures it. They had to build another below.
Sadly, I had my own shipwreck at the Cape of Good Hope. I dropped my phone, cracking the screen. It still works, but now every time I check my email, I’ll be reminded of my time there.
There’s a nature preserve around the Cape of Good Hope. There are a lot of wild animals around. We were fortunate to see several including some kind of a rare antelope. I got a picture, but technology works differently in the Southern Hemisphere and I can’t upload it.
We got to see the famous African Penguins that live just outside Cape Town, too.
Here’s the thing about South Africa: They seem to love their signs. There are signs for everything. But their signs are not like our signs at home. They simply have other things to worry about.
We finished the day by going to Kirstenbosch Gardens. I don’t care for Gardens, but I was along for the ride. Here’s a glance…

There were some really nice sculptures by a South African artist called Dylan Lewis.
After we were all done, I returned to my hotel. I had dinner on the top floor here. It was unbelievable. I had a four-course meal with a chicken and mushroom salad, crab cakes [the best I’ve ever had in my life], a vanilla sorbet, and guinea fowl. It cost about US $30, which was the same price I paid for that sub-par ham and cheese in Copenhagen. Oh, and also included was this view…
Hi Jeb,
I love reading about your adventures! Olivia loves looking at the pictures of all the animals you are seeing… and pictures of you sporting a beard 😉
Take care!
Andrea
Thanks, Andrea! Tell Olivia, “Hello!” for me.
Not sure why that is blank so I will put words in it today. Glad you recovered from the wine trip so fast,but could the residual effect be the reason for the phone accident? Just a thought. Your descriptions are wonderful, Bill Bryson, watch out! You should write a book, another one.
Avid follower aka Dianna