Surf, sun and exercise

  Capetown, South Africa
Wednesday, February 1, 2006

Our next destination was the infamous Capetown.
We waited around for a couple of hours at a petrol station in Windhoek looking to hitch a ride with no joy. Just as Kirsty nodded off in the mid-morning sun, a littl' ol' Golf turned up driven by a student-looking-type with a beard AND South African number plates. The target was in my sights and I approached with smile wide to introduce myself. The bearded gentleman was indeed a student, and most conveniently, heading back to uni in Stallenbosch (20 minutes from Capetown) the next day. I don't think poor wee Lloyd knew what had hit him - he was just filling up with gas, and next moment he had two girls from downunder trying to convince him that he wanted extra passengers for the 13 hour trip the next day! Fortunately in the confusion, he got our number and a few hours later (once the confusion had settled) he rang to say he would be happy to give us a lift, and oh, what don't you come and stay at my parents place tonight? What a fine young man!

So, a few hours later we made a rondevoux on a busy Windhoek street corner and were whisked off to his parents MANSION in the Windhoek hills. 'Mansion' complete with swimming pool in the foyer and (apparantely) giraffes running around the section. Oh, and very charming parents - the mother of Belgium-Congo roots, and the dad Afrikaan-Zimbabwean. Africa!


Off we set early the next morning, and, very surprisingly, we made it to Stallenbosch in one piece (and with only 1 traffic fine) in record time.


The next day we hopped on a train and headed to Capetown where we were to hook up with Sam and Ryan, our two (hopefully still) bosom buddies from Lake Malawi. The poor wee dears had offered us space on their floor...hohoho!

And what GREAT hosts they were. Seriously, I have never had such entertaining and wonderful hospitality. We got their futon bed in the sunroom, complete with rascal cat, beer on arrival, braai (bbq), trips to the beach for sundowners (complete with cooks called Floyd and naked couples coupling), trips to the local swimming pool, and even mad Russian sailor men at jazz on the waterfront... what more could we have asked for?! Both Sam and Ryan are completely nuts of course. Both sports crazy - really sports crazy. Like run 100km marathons and the like. This had a great effect on us - we swam nearly everyday and walked and walked all around town and proceeded to feel quite pleased with our fits selves!


Sam also convinced us to take a walk up Table Mountain. Most people take the cable car, but not FIT us. Or so we thought. We set off early one morning, heading up the Kirstenbosch route (for those in the know). Within 30 min I was drenched in sweat from the humidity, and knocking back the water. Hours later and struggling, we reached the top of the gorge to stunning views all around the city. The view and the walk at the top to the peak made the struggle up the mountain all worth it.


Oh yeah, and on the weekend, we did the big South African wine trail. Lightweights we were though, were all completely off our wee silly heads after the first 3 winneries and so had to go home to sleep it off. Wimps we be! I THINK the wine was great....the memories certainly are :)


In summary, Capetown rocks. Seriously. It has wonderful weather, great beaches, fantastic outdoor life, and great shops (we went a little shopping-crazy) and cafes. It reminded us both more of NZ/Australia than Europe. But most of all, it has lovely friendly South Africans, foremost of which comes our hosts (and now great friends) Sam and Ryan, who put up with our ways and encroachment on their living space and lives for a full entire week! Thanks fellas for a great week! Miss you lots!!