New Experiences

Hello 


It is hard to believe where the time has gone!!! I have now been here 10 days and the day of the wedding is fast approaching!!

One day last week I did the topless bus tour!! (sounds funny) The part of the tour I found most interesting was District 6! This is an area in the city which used to be occupied by coloured Muslims, black Xhosa residents and a smaller number of Afrikaans, whites and Indians. But during the apartheid era in 1970's people were forced into leaving the area and removed from their homes, it was declared a white's only area and housing was flattened. Today, much of this space remains undeveloped.


Ali's apartment is right beside Lion's head, a beautiful mountain which you will see in many of my pic's on Facebook. One afternoon we climbed it and enjoyed spectacular views from the top!!!! You will read later on what else I did on this mountain!!


I spent the weekend with Naomi Jones who I know from home. We had good fun at the Constantia market where I enjoyed some Sushi and beautiful wine tasting!!! I also got to meet some of her lovely friends and was at her church on the Sunday. We all watched the rugby final (NZ v. France) after the service and then Naomi took me for a lovely drive around the coast and a walk on the beach.


On the Monday then Ali picked me up, and we spent the most wonderful day together!!! We went to the Cape of Good Hope!!! It is the most southern point of south Africa! Here we found the most beautiful beach either of us had ever been to and yet it is probably the most dangerous beach due to the Rip Currents!! We did go swimming but we got some fantastic photos on the rocks and I managed to get soaked as the waves crashed into the rocks and up over me!!! I was very impressed with myself this day cos I spotted a WHALE!!!! It is end of season for whale spotting but this one was near the surface and every now and then would throw his tail up so I could get a picture of him!!! We also saw Zebra and baboon that day. Then, the most beautiful Atlantic coastal drive home EVER!!!! Ali had cycled this one time and I was in awe as it was quite a steep incline!


After getting my hair done the following morning, I went up to Lion's head and Jumped off!!!! 
It was quite and experience! Don't worry I had a parachute and was attached to an instructor!!
I got some pretty amazing photos and some video footage of that! So that is another activity crossed off my bucket list.


The next day Ali and I went rock climbing in a quarry on table mountain! I was so impressed with Ali's skill! We both did a couple of climbs and then Ali did the last and most difficult one!!! She made it look so easy. I was really proud of my cousin!!!!


At night time there is a guy called Dollar who comes to the apartment block and sits outside! His job is to look after the cars! This guy is from the Congo and doesn't have a place to call home here in Cape Town. He is such a lovely man. I have been giving him supper in the evenings. He just loves his hot cup of coffee!!! It can be so cold here at night and African's feel the cold more than we do. I have enjoyed our chats and practising my French with him!!! 


Cape Town is hard to describe to those who haven't been here. It is a really beautiful place and there is so much history behind it. I find it strange to think that I am in Africa at this point as Cape Town is not typical of the rest of Africa. It is one of the most multicultural cities in the world! It is almost like a little piece of the Caribbean in Africa, only not as warm!!! 


While I am here people from the UK can phone me for 2p per minute! It would be lovely to hear from you. The number is 08447997777. Then follow the instructions and her landline number is 0027214347965


Look forward to hearing from you. Just remember the time difference. You are two hours behind us!!!


A Bientot!