Boy, was it windy last night! Gusts reached 40 to 50 mph. But this morning, the skies were clear and the wind had completely died down.
As we sat on our balcony watching joggers and dog walkers go by, we noticed several people stopping to look out at the ocean. Curious, we followed their gaze and spotted a small whale just about 50 feet from shore! The whale kept circling, which is apparently how indigenous Bryde’s whales feed on bait fish along the coastline. We didn’t get a close enough look to positively identify it, but it was still an exciting surprise to start the day.
After that bit of morning drama, we met our driver at 8 a.m. for a scenic drive up the coast to visit the African penguins. These penguins—also known as Cape or Jackass penguins (because of their donkey-like braying)—are the only penguin species found in South Africa. They’re endemic to the Southern African coast, breeding on islands from Namibia to South Africa. Sadly, they’re also critically endangered, facing threats from habitat loss, declining fish stocks, and pollution.The drive to Boulders Beach, home of the penguins, was absolutely stunning. We passed through Hout Bay and along Chapman’s Peak, both breathtaking stretches of coastline.
We were lucky to be among the first visitors to arrive at Boulders Beach; by the time we left, it was starting to get crowded. Douw told us that during peak times, the wait to enter the sanctuary can be up to two hours, as they limit the number of visitors allowed in at once.
We even spotted some Rock Hyraxes (also known locally as “dassies”)—medium-sized, herbivorous mammals that live in rocky areas and scrublands. Despite their rabbit-like appearance, they’re actually most closely related to elephants and manatees! Locals often call them “rock rabbits.”On the drive back, I captured some beautiful photos of Table Mountain—both from the rear and from the city side. Unlike our previous visit, the top was completely clear today, offering spectacular views!To commemorate our visit, we each picked up a t-shirt! We’re all feeling a bit tired, so tonight a couple of Douw’s friends are coming over for a relaxed evening with pizza and vino. We need to be well rested for tomorrow—it’s Rugby Day! 🇿🇦🏉
South Africa is playing Argentina in London, and if they win, they’ll be crowned champions of the Southern Hemisphere. That’s the talk of the city right now, and I’m sure the excitement is buzzing throughout the entire country!
