Table Mountain

On our first full day in Cape Town, the morning dawned clear and cool.  Table Mountain above the city can have unpredictable weather so when its clear, you go.  It was in the 60's in the city, so it would be in the 50's on the top (3000 feet about sea level).  We took a rikki (one of the 3 types of cabs) up to the cable car station and very soon we were on the top.  WOW.  Everything people say about going to Cape Town and being 3000 feet above the city is true.  It was also very windy!  Pictures tell the story best.  We spent about 3 hours on top.  There is a long hike along the ridge which is on a - mostly - paved trail where you get various vistas including the view to the south to Cape Point and the whole peninsula.  It was very cloudy to the south but there was lots of breaks and it gradually started to clear up.  At one point, as we were looking down at the Atlantic to the west we could see a pod of whales breaching and diving near the shore.  Too far away for pictures but we could clearly see them in the binoculars.  We had a casual lunch at the surprisingly good little cafe on the summit and soaked up the sunshine.

We took the cable car back down and then set off for the Castle.  The Castle is a star fort on what was the original shoreline (now moved out about 1/2 mile by fill) that was the original headquarters of the Dutch East India Company.  Cape Town originally was a place to get food and water on voyages between Europe and the Indies.  The fort was both the principal store room and defensive point.  It was largely built between 1640 and 1690.  The museum inside contained lots of old furniture (very fine stuff) and typical displays of armaments.  The history was interesting and we took the nickel tour.

After the fort, we walk back through the city to explore the core of Cape Town.  Lots of old buildings.  This is where most of the government functions and buildings were located up until the end of apartheid.  We explored the Company Gardens and business district.

Now we needed a rest.  We headed for the hotel pool and had a refreshment.  Mom took a plunge (cool but you get used to it).  We cleaned up, had a light supper by the pool and headed out to the opera.  Robin, the manager of the hotel arrange the hotel limo to get us to the Artscape -- the 70's era performing arts center.  The crowd was gathering.  It was opening night for a new production of Verdi's La Traviata.  Singing was good (the Violetta was a bit tentative during the opening, but got stronger), the set was very interesting, and the costumes had a decidedly African flavor for the reveries of the party scenes.  Very fun and well done.  Sold out and enthusiastic crowd.

A taxi home and we collapsed a long and busy day.

 Lunch in the sun

Cape Town and Robbin Island in the bay

 the cape pennisula coast line