Touching Down in Cape Town

We started our epic journey in Cape Town on Thursday night after around a day's worth of travel. We saved up credit card miles and found an amazing deal for a one-way business class deal so we could arrive in style. IT WAS AMAZING!!! Lie flat beds, excellent service, great amenities. It was so good that even 15 hours felt too short.

The beauty of traveling business class is that we probably got more sleep on the plane than we do on a regular night at home! We arrived in Cape Town in time for dinner near our hotel and a soak in the hotel's hot tub before it was lights out for the day. 

We spent our first full day in Africa driving from Cape Town to the Cape of Good Hope (in a manual car on the opposite side of the road! Glad we learned to drive in England!). We stopped in Muizenberg on the way for the picturesque views of the tidal pool and colorful beach huts. I couldn't believe how many sea stars, sea urchins and bright coral were in these waters. 

Tidal pool in Muizenberg

Beach huts

Our next stop was at Boulder Beach, famous for its penguin colony. I was not prepared for just how many penguins there would be--and how badly they smelled! I enjoyed learning how to spot penguins of different ages: grey fluffy = newborn; slick grey = teenager; black and white = adult. Watching them burrow in their nests, play on the beach, and dive in the water was really special.

Boulder Beach

Next we were at the Cape of Good Hope, which is often wrongly cited as the southernmost part of Africa. It's actually the south-westernmost point of Africa, but it still has some incredible views. It's a hike, but I definitely recommend walking up to the top of the lighthouse if you're able. The color of the ocean water is dreamy!

Cape of Good Hope

Have I mentioned the wildlife yet? I know we talked about penguins, but did you know ostriches live here too? I also had no idea how many baboons there are in South Africa. I loved them! All the little babies, the mamas, and the big daddies. The only time it was less than ideal was when Dan was chased by a big dude in the Cape of Good Hope parking lot. I thought it was funny, but yeah, it was a little scary.

Stay tuned for more to come!