Rocky Beach and Table Mountain

Rocky Beach and Table Mountain
Originally uploaded by Alhazred

A couple of ciders followed today's long walk down the beach.

I have a legal South African driver's license again. Sweet.

Sea Critters and UCT

The sea threw up a bunch of critters that one does not usually see on the beach. This morning Kirsten and I took a walk thereon, and I snapped a few photos.

The most common critters were of orange sea cucumber looking chaps. Perhaps someone could let me know what they really are?



This is just kelp. It isn't uncommon, obviously, I just liked the way the photo turned out.



Yesterday Adam and I went to UCT, and it brought back many memories. Not least of which how I used to have to climb all those bloody steps every day. The campus didn't seem to have changed much.

Choppy Waves

Choppy Waves
Originally uploaded by Alhazred

It was rainy and windy with gale force winds yesterday. Adam and I took a walk along the beach for the hell of it, and I got a few photos and video of the choppy waves. The Cape of Storms it was indeed yesterday.

On the way back I slipped and twisted my ankle, which is rather a bummer.

Catching up

One of the advantages of a blog post every day is that, although it may not have popular appeal, it serves as a diary, a reference. Of course one must remember to back up one's work. After all, blogger may go tits up one day, and you don't want all your data disappearing into the void.

It's a bloody awful winter's day here in Cape Town. Very rainy, with gale force winds. Not good for exploration, but good for sitting in ye olde Karma Cafe and catching up on one's blog. So this is a catch up entry, with the intention (ha!) that I will be updating more frequently in future.

Most frequent activity: walking along the beach.
We were lucky enough to get a holiday flat (called Sea Spray, for anyone interesting in renting it in the future) which is about 50 metres or so from the sea. So much time has been spent walking along the beach. I don't think of I could ever get tired of the iconic view of Table Mountain from Blaauwberg beach.
When I feel up to it I walk for about an hour up to the Blue Peter, usually with Adam, and have a cup of tea or coffee before the trip back.

Cape Town drivers:
Are the bloody rudest in the world. If Portland drivers are courteous to a fault, then Cape Town drivers are on the opposite extreme. The walk signal means nothing to these guys. Too afraid of carjackings to stop for pedestrians that have the right of way? I dunno, but it's really too bad.

Driver's License blues:
I have an older South African driver's license, one in my green ID book. The powers that be said that to convert it to the new version, I had to have a letter from my employer proving that I was working abroad in the year 2003. Good God. Such unnecessary bureaucracy.

Taxis:
Much more frequent than the busses, and they don't drive nearly as badly as people say.

Harold Porter:
Amazing botanical garden.

And... I just got sick of writing this post. So, more later. Honest.

Birdie

Birdie 3
Originally uploaded by Alhazred

Birdie 2

Birdie 2
Originally uploaded by Alhazred

June 10 2009

Rather a lazy day today. A long walk down the beach was my main exercise. Bloody glorious weather.
Hey, a brief post is better than nothing...

SA vacation 2009 - first post

First post of my South Africa vacation 2009 travelogue. A summary of the last few days in brief.

Sunday 05/31 - We left home remarkably early, getting it all together by around 11 AM. A hearty breakfast at the Horsebrass followed, and then good ole I5 North. A hard slog of a drive, and we made it to Port Townsend by mid afternoon.

Monday 06/01 - A wonderful visit with Kirsten's family, including Friday the puppy. A nice relaxing time. Too full of my usual travel worry to sleep too well.

Tuesday 06/02 - Up at the crack of bloody dawn. Or even before - 04:45. Our destination is the Mt. Vernon Amtrak station, where we will catch the train to Vancouver.
The first part of the trip is a ferry to Whidbey Island, which I love. I find ferries such fun. Made the rest of the trip smoothly, and the train ride to Vancouver was just fine.
After being grilled by Canadian customs for quite a while (I know you were just doing your job, chief, but you were a bit of a wanker), we were met by my old friend Paul. He is remarkably looking the same as he was in High School - aged well. We checked into our hotel near the airport and then had a great day, mostly eating, drinking and chatting.

Wednesday 06/03 - Relaxed at he hotel room, not really having time to go into the city before checkout time. Security (ugh) and now relaxing with a couple of beers (for me - other drinks for Kirsten and Adam). Flight in about three hours. Cheers.

A few shots of me at YVR: