Penguins penguins penguins

Trip Start Apr 27, 2006
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Trip End May 09, 2006


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Flag of South Africa  ,
Sunday, May 7, 2006

Simon's Town (not Simonstown) is the home of the South African Navy - the drunks in Pretty Uniforms staggering out of bars at 7am on Sunday is enough evidence of that - and was invaded by Jackass Penguins about 20 years ago. They're now exhibit #1 in the tourist zoo, but are damn cute and definitely worth your 20 Rand.

Unlike the Philip Island (Melbourne) Penguins, these ones aren't shy. They spend most of their life on the beach, and dont seem to care when the humans are ripping photos 2 feet away. You can (if you're really ,really keen) swim with them, although be warned that the water is cold and the penguins very smelly. So would you if you lived in rotting seaweed and ate raw fish all day.

The penguins are called Jackass Penguins due to their habit of braying like donkeys pretty well continuously. The first 30 or so times it's adorable - if I lived in the expensive houses 20 metres away, I may be tempted to go out at night and play penguin soccer.
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