South Africa, Part II
Posted: May 17, 2008
Category: Pastor Steve's Blog
TAGS: South Africa, vacation
More on May 16, Day 3…
Too much to tell. But, we also had a chance to see African Penguins in great quanity. Took a short boat ride out to catch the seals in Hout Bay. Way too tired to really enjoy, but we also went to the Botanical gardens at Kirstenbosch. We had hoped to see Table Mountain, Chapman’s Point and a rock formation known as the 12 Apostles, but the mist was again very heavy on this day.
May 17, Day 4
It was the first morning that we woke up to clear skies. Good news, we can now go up to Table Mountain. The Cape of Good Hope and the ride to the top of Table Mountain were our big two sites that we wanted to see! So, we grab a taxi and take it to the mountain right after breakfast. They are supposed to take the first travelers up to the top at 8:30 a.m. We arrive at 8:30 a.m. Three hundred plus people who are waiting around to either get on the cable car or to buy tickets. Buses pulling up with more and more tourists. The line we’re in isn’t moving. Finally, we hear that the cable car is broken (common occurence) and that they will refund money. A few begin to leave. Then they announce that it is going to be a long, long time. Suddenly people move in droves to reach the “refund” window.
We look at each other. We flew 11,000 miles. We don’t know if the winter weather will allow for another clear day while we are here. So, we ask where the path is to the top of the mountain. You walk down about a mile or so and then you begin to make the mile long climb that will go up to 3100 feet high. Are we game? You bet ya. Of course, many times we wondered about the sanity of this plan. Others were trying the same plan, and they were turning around and passing as they came back down the path. We met others who decided to descend from the top because of the broken cable car. We thought we’d at least reached the 1/2 way point and they indicate that we’re only 1/4 of the way there.
But, we’re having as much fun as you can on three bottles of water and a small can of trail mix. So, we press on. It took us from 10 a.m. until noon to reach the top. It was a sense of accomplishment and we had the place to ourselves. Only about 60 or 70 up top during the time we were there instead of hundreds. We prayed that the cable car would take us back. They were running it every 90 minutes(for extra time to fix it) and only for taking people down the mountain. So, we waited until 1:30 p.m. and went down the mountain tired, sweaty and satisfied.
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As an avid hiker, I say “Kudos” for climbing to the top and not waiting for the cable car!!
Isn’t it a great feeling when you arrive at the top? That’s why we enjoy hiking so much.
Lisa Warteman