Cape Town, South Africa…a travel report
Cape Town, South Africa…a travel report
In May I was invited by a beautiful women to spend a week in the base of Africa.
To my surprise, she showed up. When I said goodbye to Loriana for the second
time at the end of an eventful week in South Africa, we had a plan for the
future, meeting again come October in Virginia.
Cape Town lies near the Cape of Good Hope, which was discovered by the
Portuguese in the late 1400’s. It was settled by the Dutch in the 1600’s, loaned
to the English in 1800 to avoid Napoleon’s wrath, returned to the Dutch, taken
back by the British and later earned independence. It is an international port
as can be had, as all sea traffic between Europe to Asia passed there before the
advent of the Suez Canal. Near vertical granite and sandstone peaks rising from
the sea give coastal driving a feel of the California Coast. The 250-year-old
vineyards established by French Huguenots give it some culture and Robbin
Island, some history.
Since Cape Town lies at the bottom of the continent, it is devoid of some of the
scourges that haunted me in other African nations, namely malaria, heat &
corruption. I arrived the day South Africans call Spring Day, and the Atlantic
waters made for a cool refreshing start to the season. I was able to enjoy this
ambiance the morning I awaited the arrival of Loriana. As much as I enjoy
drinking coffee and reading the newspaper, it’s especially nice to do so at a
beachside café with a fresh ocean breeze, quite the improvement from the dust
and pollution I endure daily in Kabul.
Our days together were spent enjoying one another’s company as well as a glass
of wine each evening there was a sunset to be seen. Our accommodations provided
a view of a rocky beach complete with twilight surfers and a kayak race at
week’s end. The first major trek we took was the 6mi boat ride out to Robbin
Island and the oceanside residence of Nelsen Mandela for the greater portion of
his 27 year tenure as a ward of the state. To the man’s credit, I doubt few
people could spend so many of their prime years in confinement and then run for
and win an open election for president. His accommodations were sparse and in
the African tradition of a wool mat for a bed and light clothes in an
environment that requires more than cotton shorts in Winter. Only a small part
of the island was a prison and it did enjoy stunning views of Cape Town,
including the classic view seen across water.
Another day we drove to the Cape of Good Hope and hiked a couple of miles and
upward to Cape Point, the Southwestern-most point of Africa. I was surprised
that the actual southernmost point was 200 miles away at Cape Agulhas. One can
easily see zebras, ostrichs, penguins and baboons wandering along the trails and
beaches, and the view from the bottom of the continent at Cape Point, 1000 ft
about the rocky shores, goes as far as the eye can see.
On Safari Day, we went into the mountains for an up close & personal visit with
zebras, elephants, springboks, giraffes, rhinos, lions, wildebeests & water
buffalos with fine food served overlooking a meadow of yellow wildflowers in
springtime bloom.
My personal favorite day was a trip into the wine country, which was settled by
French Protestants in the late 1700’s & located prime areas to plant vineyards.
We found a stable that offered a tour of the mountain village of Franshhoek via
horseback with stops along the way for wine tasting. There were some safety
concerns regarding our experience, however, Loriana is an accomplished rider and
though my experience is less than hers, I simply dropped a few names from
previous experience in the service of A.F. Preston and I was given the best
horse in the paddock. Unfortunately, the Germans on the ride with us had never
been on a horse and incurred slight difficulty. I assure you: Given the
opportunity to ride a well-trained horse through vineyards, I highly recommend
the event. To our benefit, the best wine was served after the ride was complete.
I think that was best…
In 14 days, I depart Afghanistan and enter a life involving a return to taxes &
rent, along with paying for gasoline, insurance & bicycle parts. The best part
of my return will be having someone special waiting for me at 3:31pm on an
October afternoon at the Norfolk, VA airport.
JLH
What's up here?
Loriana on the plains
Indiana Luken and the last crusade
Luken, Loriana and a giraffe?
Here kitty, kitty!!
