white knuckled driving

We finally got ourselves a rental car which helps so I don't feel too isolated out in the suburbs or have to take an extremely expensive taxi out into the city. But I did have to learn how to drive on the opposite side of the road and car, yikes. I never thought that I would grip a steering wheel so hard that it gave me cramps and white knuckles. I have been getting used to it since it helps when there are other cars to follow. The roundabouts are still a pain in the arse and takes too much concentration, I have already encountered more than my fair share of them and am grateful for the drivers around me who dealt with me without giving me the bird. However, the worst part of driving in Cape Town is not the erratic drivers or extremely narrow roads where it looks like you're driving head on but it's the people dodgers and bicyclists! On the freeway, there are people who constantly dodge across traffic or ride their bicycle especially when they do this at night, you can't see them. They are my least favorite about driving here.

Botanical Garden - Kirstenbosch

truly a photographers/gardener/hiking/nature enthusiast wonderland...

• looking up towards table mountain •

• looking down into cape town •

• lushness •

• regal: king protea - south africa's national flower •

• up close and personal: pin cushion protea •

Spending time in Cape Town

We're staying in Tyger Falls (aka Bellville in the northern suburb of Cape Town) and it is actually quite nice but the main attraction of this area are the two large shopping malls that are right next to each other. I am still a little flabbergasted that these are considered highlights/attractions. We do have an incredible Cuban restaurant, Buena Vista Social Club, that is downstairs from us. They have amazing mojitos (up to par with La Bodeguita in Palo Alto), delicious food and Cuban cigars for about twenty bucks. We are waiting for a weekend evening where we can have tons of mojitos with Cuban cigars and then just stumble home. We also have a gorgeous view from our balcony of the lake and a waterfall that they turn on for the weekdays and off for the weekends. It's a little odd waking up in the morning to see our waterfall turned off!

• hey, where did our waterfall go? •

We ventured off to Boulders Beach on Saturday so we can see penguins. Instead of paying the entrance fee to enter Boulders Beach (and be surrounded by tourists) you can easily take the side pathway that takes you towards the beach rather than pay the entrance fee to the park. There are lots of penguins on the walk to the beach with not too many tourists which we of course, found out after we had left the main park.

• that one penguin looks depressed •

Cape Point was also incredible with great hiking trails. One of my favorite highlights is people watching where some tourists actually hiked up the trail in high heels and complain the whole way - silly tourists! The lighthouse was a little too populated for our liking so we ventured over to Diaz Point which is a nice trail that goes beyond the lighthouse. It’s less populated and offers more incredible views of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.

• the point •

And of course, what’s a trip without spending time in a local's joint? The husband’s colleague had been gracious enough to take us through some hidden gems. They took us into Noordhoek for a stroll on a quiet beach and then off to the Red Herring for sunset, drinks, dinner (delicious pizzas) and live music from a retired guy who plays covers songs. We would have never known about this little local place if it wasn’t for our guide and I think that we are actually going to have to venture back there again since it was an excellent place.

• sunset from red herring in noordhoek •

Cape Town, South Africa Journey

I'm sitting at Heathrow Airport waiting for a long distance flight to Cape Town, South Africa. If anyone was to track my carbon emission for the past three weeks, it would be quite high since my travels have included flights from LA to London, Amsterdam, back to London, South Africa, London and then finally back to the States. This doesn't include any relocation flights needed to either South Africa or London. I don't think that I'm looking forward to the SA flight since it's about a thirteen hour flight from London... a sleeping pill will actually be needed for this flight. Although I'm a seasoned traveler, I still can't help but get nervous every time I get on an airplane. The anxiety seems to grow as I get older and I'm not sure where it stems from, silly anxiety. Anyway, I am really looking forward to Cape Town and I have a long list of things that need to be done while there: wine tasting, climbing Table Mountain, visiting the penguins, maybe some scuba diving and definitely, lots of walking and traveling. I am really looking forward to being outdoors for the next three weeks adventuring it (especially since the husband is going to be working, I'll need to keep busy). I'm also looking forward to being active again. I broke my toe a few months ago and since I am a neglectful person, the healing has been quite stubborn. It's now finally getting back to normal where I can walk long distances with only minor discomfort so I'm hoping that I can now start running and being active again...apparently lots of booze and no diet restrictions with limited activity due to the foot has yielded an unhealthy kime.