Baboons run so freely in Cape Town that the city has employed official "Baboon Watchers" to help guard and protect the citizens and their homes. Sneaky little monkeys they are...with their red fannies out for all the world to see!
For an animal lover like myself, Cape Town is truly a city of angels (wild animal angels that is). In addition to the jaw dropping beauty that the city has to offer, it seemed that at every turn in the road, another furry or feathery creature appeared. Although, I must say that there is actually nothing that angelic about a baboon.
Our tour of the Cape began at Table Mountain, a flat top mountain that offers gorgeous panoramic views of the entire city. A cable car takes you all the way up to the top – but the lines can be out of control. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at http://tablemountain.net/ – but I suggest having your hotel buy them for you right before you go in order to be sure that the cable car is operating and that the mountain is open. Unpredictable winds play a big factor in cable car capability. We also suggest hiring a driver that is not above offering a small bribe to one of the workers to sneak you up the back elevator. I bet we saved at least an hour! By the way – if you are traveling with children, they are a free ticket to the secret elevator ride. But be careful on the cable car…the floor moves like one of those revolving restaurants from the 1980’s and it unexpectedly reveals open windows at times. One father almost had a Michael Jackson moment with his baby girl.
Brett taking in the view and sipping on wine at Table Mountain Cafe
The ride to the top took less than 10 minutes, and the temperature dropped what felt like at least 10 degrees. We had been forewarned that it would be chilly up there…so I sported my own cape in honor of THE Cape. After admiring the view and taking an acceptable amount of photos, we stopped in at the Table Mountain Cafe (a surprisingly cute and trendy spot) to enjoy the scenery (free from the wind) over a glass of fine South African wine.
Typical honeymoon solo photos! On top of Cape Town's Table Mountain...in a cape!
The reality is that Brett and I are not the greatest at sticking to a schedule during vacation. So when we made it back down the mountain an hour late…our driver was a little frazzled. In his defense, our expectations were very high on the amount of things we wanted to see in one day. So…our tardiness – due to newlywed giggles caused us to miss out on the boat trip to Seal Island. While we hated to miss out, it was our driver who fell into a short-term depression over the miss. He was determined to for us to see some seals. He didn’t disappoint.
I even got to feed one! Feeders beware though - we learned that seals actually bite!
After the seal feeding and baboon sightings, we couldn’t wait to see what other animals might emerge. Again, Cape Town did not let us down. And, as we turned the corner heading to the Cape of Good Hope, a lady ostrich chilling by the sea raised her long lovely neck.
Sunbathing Ostrich by the Sea. You just don't see this everyday in Beijing...or New York...or Murray, Kentucky...or Columbus, Ohio for that matter!
Morgan and Brett Hutchinson at the Cape of Good Hope
Posing by the sea at Cape of Good Hope before climbing to the top
On Top of Good Hope
At the very top! Only 12,933 kilometers to Beijing!
Brett on top of Good Hope. I was trying to be artistic with the new camera... What do you think?
After a tasty seafood lunch (late lunch I should say…we were actually hungry when our dishes arrived) and a not too shabby whale sighting from our seats at the restaurant on top of the Cape of Good Hope, we headed back in the direction of One & Only for our grand finale stop of the day. Cape Town’s very own flock of beach penguins!
Seriously - two of the greatest things ever...Brett laughing and beach penguins.
A feathery angel in a tux. Obsessed.
Falling in love with the strange and seemingly misplaced little sunbathing birds...
I think I found a true connection with the penguins of Boulders Beach. As a Blonde in Beijing…I often feel misplaced myself!
Cape Town is an exquisite city. We had no idea how much we would fall in love with it, and we hope to be able to go back. It is a bucket list destination for sure.
Up next…Our trip to the Delaire Graff Estates and Winery in Stellenbosch. Wine, art, and diamond lovers stayed tuned!
A Blonde in Beijing 
Absolutely love it! I’ve always dreamed of going someday, now I think it’s moved way up the list to our next destination! Bisous
The pics are really incredible! What kind of camera did you end up getting? The sunbathing ostrich looks like a painting. The colors are really fantastic.
We got the Canon 7D. Love it. Also – very user friendly…which is key. xo
Hope I can go to this place as well in the future. It sounds so beautiful!
xoxo
M