Hike Around Table Mountain

Wooden extinguisher

Trail roots

Camps Bay

Four of the Apostles

We took a hike to enjoy the beautiful weather. We drove up to the parking lot by the Table Mountain tram and parked. We asked the woman at the national park station where we should go. We wanted something relatively easy (no ropes and clamp-ons please) that would last about 2 or 3 hours. She directed us to a trail around the mountain. We started along the trail. It was a warm day, and many people were out enjoying the spring. We’ve had a long, wet winter here in Cape Town. We passed many people, kids and adults, on their own, in large groups, with their dogs, just out having a wonderful day.

As we walked, we went to the side of Table Mountain. To our right was the view of Camps Bay, ahead of us were the 12 Apostles (a group of close peaks), and behind us were Lion’s Head and Cape Town. We took in the whole lovely sight.

We thought of Smokey the Bear as we walked, and his slogan, “only you can prevent forest fires”. Good to remember, but I don’t think the fire extinguisher carved out of wood would be much help in an actual fire. Good thing there was not fire to been seen. Just blue skies, gorgeous views, and friendly people.

We had a great day, and we’ll definitely be hiking that trail again.

A Windy Hike at Silvermine

A view of Fish Hoek

Wild animal

On the descent

Our hike in Silvermine started on a chilly and windy Sunday morning. We weren’t sure if it would actually happen, but when we got to the trailhead, there was our hiking group. We had joined a hiking club so that we could meet new people, go on the many new hikes, and learn more the terrain here. This one was lead by a hiking expert named Gunther, from Germany. Most of the others on the hike were also German, or South African of German descent, so the conversation occasionally strayed into German. We were also serenaded by Marta and Laura in a rousing version of the club song.

That was the jolly part – however for much of the hike, we could not sing. We could barely stand up. The cold antarctic wind was blowing strong, and it tried it’s best to blow us over. A few members of our group were actually blown over by the strong gusts. We enjoyed the hike heartily though. Our Alaskan experience got us through the cold with with no problems. We were all warmed by the great company, and the beauty that surrounded us with every step. We definitely recommend this hike (but maybe on a warmer day next time).

A memorable day around Muizenberg

This was written on the evening of the 10th:

We had a a glorious day outside today. We drove to Muizenberg, on the Indian Ocean side of the Cape, in the early afternoon. We didn’t really have a plan for these few hours, we were just looking around. It was a warm and sunny day. We did find something though – a flea market by the ocean. We walked through the crowded passages, smelling the good food and the salty ocean. Then we walked along a boardwalk by the ocean. As we walked, we watched the surfers ride the rows of breaks stacked in the ocean in front of us.

After that leisurely stroll, we met up for the planned action of the day, our hike up Bishop’s Kloof to a cave near the top of the mountain. We met up with our friends in the parking lot of a grocery store, and started up the mountain. It started with a series of steps. The steps were all made of large stones. Clearly someone has been taking care of this trail, and we surely appreciated it. As we climbed up the steep sides of the mountain, we occasionly stopped to look over our should at the ocean spread out behind us.

As we climbed, the plants changed dramatically. Cape Town is a unique floral zone, and we hadn’t seen anything like it before. Once we reached the top of the ridge, we walked across the top for a while, and then we could really concentrate on the plants. It was like Alice in Wonderland. You’d look out at the beautiful colors of the fields in front of you, but not concentrate on exactly what the plants looked like. Then you’d fixate on a plant, and it was surreal. Almost like you woke up on another planet.

Our group was jolly and fun. We made it to the cave, and every crawled through a small passage (except Lisa, who walked around – a little too much claustrophobia). Then we strolled down the side of the mountain, back to the ocean, as the sun set. It was an absolutely lovely afternoon.