Waiting to set off home ....
 |
Hotel lobby |
 |
On my third glass of Merlot with Cemair internal flight to Johannesburg and I was offered a fourth - which I declined! |
Inside the Jo'burg terminal building
Minor celebrity sitting near us - Nigel Planer en route to Barton-upon-Humber on the East Coast main line to present "An Evening with Nigel Planer"
Last full day of our time in South Africa.
There were optional excursions today to a township and to Robben Island but we decided to spend some more time at the V and A waterfront.
The hotel provided a free shuttle as it was not considered advisable to walk anywhere. We soon realised that we hadn't seen even half of the waterfront area and spent an enjoyable day shopping, eating, drinking and making the most of the views of the marina and magnificent Table Mountain.
The highlight of the day was coming across the Ithemba Youth Choir who were singing to the shoppers and diners and who were truly amazing, joyous and uplifting.
After coffee and cake we returned to the hotel to pack and to get ready to go home.
 |
There's a seal there somewhere! |
 |
Ithemba Youth Choir |
 |
Hollywood Bowl on the Waterfront |
 |
The line which used to run from Southampton to South Africa |
Another lie-in today as we didn't have to be on the coach until 7.45, but again it was important to set off in good time as we were heading to the Cape of Good Hope and Mike and Sylvia knew it was likely to be busy.
We drove past beautiful and expensive estates and along the breathtaking coast. Our first stop was at Maiden's Cove which was absolutely stunning. We then continued along the Atlantic Seaboard. We passed through Scarborough but, unlike the one we know and love, this one apparently had a baboon problem.
We arrived at the Cape just ahead of another coach and Sylvia and Mike got us well organised to get our photographs with the sign. Next we moved on to Cape Point where we decided we would rather have a hot chocolate than go up to the point itself which looked to be very breezy!
Next stop was Boulders Beach to see the penguins of which there were many although Mike told us that their numbers were in decline because of overfishing of their food source (anchovies and sardines) and it was thought that sadly the colony will disappear in a few years' time.
We returned to the hotel mid-afternoon as some of our group
were taking a helicopter ride over Table Mountain. It was then time for
shopping so we caught the hotel shuttle to the V and A waterfront (Victoria and
Alfred - her son - not Albert) and enjoyed a couple of hours eating and
shopping.
