South Africa Travel Part IV: Maiden’s Cove, Hout Bay, Duiker Island(Seals), Boulders, Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope

South Africa Travel Part IV: Maiden’s Cove, Hout Bay, Duiker Island(Seals), Boulders, Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope

(continue from South Africa Travel  Part III)

Map showing Maiden' Cove, Hout Bay, Fish Hoek, Boulders, Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope

Map showing Maiden’ Cove, Hout Bay, Fish Hoek, Boulders, Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope

Day 4   Tuesday, 29 Nov 2016

Today we were going to several places on Cape Peninsula.

Maiden’s Cove

At 8 a.m. we left Southern Sun Hotel in Cape Town City for Hout Bay where we would see Cape Fur seals on a small island, Duiker Island.

On the way, after 30 minutes on the road, we stopped for awhile at a place known as Maiden’s Cove. It was a place where we could see Table Mountain and 12 peaks known as “The 12 Apostles” in the distance. Besides, we could see Clifton, a town where wealthy people lived, and Camp’s Bay Beach that was considered as the best beach in the world. The whole scenery was stunning.

Beautiful scenery of "12 Apostles", Camp's Bay and Clifton Town

Beautiful scenery of “12 Apostles”, Camp’s Bay and Clifton Town

Fellow-Malaysians at Maiden's Cove enjoying sunshine and sea-breeze

Fellow-Malaysians at Maiden’s Cove enjoying sunshine and sea-breeze

Choo Chaw and wife at Maiden's Cove on 29 Nov 2016

Choo Chaw and wife at Maiden’s Cove on 29 Nov 2016

High Unemployment Rate of the Black

Then we continued our journey to Hout Bay. Not long, we saw some young Black people along a busy road. The tour guide told us that they were waiting for motorists to stop by and offer them odd jobs, like plumbing, painting, gardening, plastering, welding, etc.

Unemployment rate among young Black people in South Africa is high, e.g. 53.6 % in 2013. One factor is due to their lower level of education.

Young people waiting for jobs

Young people waiting for jobs

Hout Bay, Duiker Island

Soon we reached Hout Bay Town. While walking to Hout Bay Wharf, we saw a row of stalls selling souvenirs with local themes.

Souvenir stalls at Hout Bay Wharf

Souvenir stalls at Hout Bay Wharf

Arts and crafts for sale

Arts and crafts for sale

Souvenirs with local themes for sale

Souvenirs with local themes for sale

Sculptures of animals for sale

Sculptures of animals for sale

Hout Bay, a Picturesque Place

As we were waiting for a boat at Hout Wharf to take us to a small island, Duiker Island, to see seals, we looked around us. We saw the bay, harbour, marina, the landscape around the bay and tourist boats that went and returned from the seal island. It was a quaint and picturesque place.

Hout Bay Harbour

Hout Bay Harbour

Hout Bay Marina

Hout Bay Marina

Sentinel at the entrance of Hout Bay

Sentinel at the entrance of Hout Bay

Calypso

At 9.30 a.m.we boarded a boat that could carry 100 passengers, Calypso, at the wharf and sailed to a small island nearby, Duiker Island in Atlantic Ocean, where a few hundred seals live. As the boat was sailing to the island, we saw the beautiful scenery of Hout Bay and its surroundings, slowly, moving away from us.

Calypso, a boat that would bring passengers to Duiker Island to see seals

Calypso, a boat that would bring passengers to Duiker Island to see seals

Fellow-Malaysians waiting for a boat. Calypso, to take them to Duiker Island to see seals

Fellow-Malaysians waiting for a boat. Calypso, to take them to Duiker Island to see seals

Pituresque Hout Bay as seen from boat, Calypso

Pituresque Hout Bay as seen from boat, Calypso

“Titanic”

On the boat my wife who stood in front, surprisingly, re-enacted the iconic action of an actress, Kate Winslet, on a ship in a well-known movie, “Titanic” produced in 1997.

My wife, seemingly, on a ship, "Titanic", emulating the action of Kate Winslet

My wife, seemingly, on a ship, “Titanic”, re-enacted the iconic action of Kate Winslet in a 1997 movie, “Titanic”.

Duiker Island of Seals

Twenty minutes later after leaving the wharf, we came to the dirty-looking island, Duiker Island. A few hundreds of Cape Fur seals were seen basking in the sun.

Duiker Island, a dirty-looking island full of African Fur Seals

Duiker Island, a dirty-looking island full of Cape Fur Seals

African Fur Seals basking in the sun

Cape Fur Seals basking in the sun

Choppy Atlantic Ocean

As our boat could not go near the island we saw the mammals about 100 metres away. There were a few boats with tourists  near the island, too. But all the boats tried to stay between the island and the mainland as the Atlantic Ocean on the other side of the island was choppy.

Tourists watching seals on Duiker Island

Tourists watching seals on Duiker Island

Nauticat, a boat carrying tourists to Duiker Island

Nauticat, a boat carrying tourists to Duiker Island

Having watched the seals for about 20 minutes, we returned to Hout Bay and went to another destination known as Boulders to see African Penguins

Fish Hoek

On the way to Boulders, we stopped at a spot on a high ground, Chapman’ View Point, to have a last look of Hout Bay, a picturesque place. Then we moved on to Fish Hoek to have sea-food for lunch.

Spectacular view of Hout Bay as seen from a distance on a high ground of Chapman's Peak

Spectacular view of Hout Bay as seen from a distance on a high ground of Chapman’s Peak

The Galley Restaurant

At 12.30 p.m. we arrived at a restaurant, The Galley Restaurant, at Fish Hoek Beach. We had a delicious sea-food of fried crayfish and prawns for lunch and tasty ice-cream at the end of the meal. The staff was friendly and helpful. In fact, the owner of the restaurant went round greeting us and was willing to take a photo with my wife and I.

The Galley Restaurant at Fish Hoek Beach

The Galley Restaurant at Fish Hoek Beach

The Galley Restaurant served many kinds of dishes, e.g. fried crayfish and prawn as shown in photo

The Galley Restaurant served many kinds of dishes, e.g. fried crayfish and prawn as shown in photo

Ice-Cream at the end of lunch

Ice-Cream at the end of lunch

Choo Chaw and wife having lunch together with Seng and wife at The Galley Restaurant

Choo Chaw and wife having lunch together with Seng and wife at The Galley Restaurant

The friendly owner of The Galley Restaurant, Fish Hoek, South Africa

The friendly owner of The Galley Restaurant, Fish Hoek, South Africa

Board of Foreign Currencies

After lunch, as we went out of the restaurant, we were attracted by a board on a wall near the exit door. It was full of foreign currencies put up by its former customers. Out of curiosity, I looked for the currency of my country, Malaysia, and was surprised to see two Malaysian banknotes of denominations, RM 1 and RM 10, pinned onto the board. It was a testimony that other Malaysians did visit Fish Hoek Beach in South Africa.

Foreign currencies pinned on a board by foreign customers of The Galley Restaurant

Foreign currencies pinned on a board by foreign customers of The Galley Restaurant

Seagulls

Outside the restaurant,  we spent a few minutes at the white, sandy beach, Fish Hoek Beach, enjoying the sunshine and sea-breeze, and the scenery, too. At the same time some of our fellow-Malaysians were playing with the active seagulls without fear of receiving a “gift” from them.

Sunshine and sea-breeze at Fish Hoek Beach

Sunshine and sea-breeze at Fish Hoek Beach

Fellow-Malaysians playing with seagulls

Fellow-Malaysians playing with seagulls

Sandy Fish Hoek Beach and turquoise Fish Hoek Bay

Sandy Fish Hoek Beach and turquoise Fish Hoek Bay

Simon’s Town

Boulders was our next destination. We travelled south of Fish Hoek, passed through Simon’s Town and arrived at Boulders.

Simon’s Town had been an important harbour and naval base for more than 200 years.

A signboard welcoming visitors to Boulders to see Africa Penguins

A signboard welcoming visitors to Boulders to see Africa Penguins

Map showing the location of Foxy Beach and Boulders Beach at Boulders

Map showing the location of Foxy Beach and Boulders Beach at Boulders

Haven for African Penguins

Boulders is located along the coast between Simon’s Town and Cape Point. As there are many granite boulders there hence the place is called Boulders. These boulders in water and at beaches provide good shelter to penguins from rough sea and their enemies, like sharks, seals and whales. So Boulders is a haven for African Penguins.

Boulders Visitor Centre, entrance to African Penguins' home

Boulders Visitor Centre, entrance to African Penguins’ home

Fellow-Malaysians visiting Boulders to see African Penguins

Fellow-Malaysians visiting Boulders to see African Penguins

Foxy Beach and Boulders Beach

To see African Penguins at the beaches of Boulders, we had to enter Boulders Visitor Centre with tickets. Then we walked along boardwalks from the centre to two beaches, Foxy Beach and Boulders Beach, where penguins lived.

A boardwalk to Foxy Beach where penguins live

A boardwalk to Foxy Beach where penguins live

Boardwalk to Boulders Beach which is home to many penguins

Boardwalk to Boulders Beach which is home to many penguins

Tourists looking at penguins that were moulting

Tourists looking at penguins that were moulting

Moulting Penguins and Chicks

As we were walking to Boulders Beach we saw among the boulders and bushes at the sandy beach some penguins that were moulting and some chicks waiting for their parents to come back from the sea with food.

Foxy Beach is the best place to watch penguins as it is very close to the the boardwalks

Foxy Beach is the best place to watch penguins as it is very close to the the boardwalks

Boulders Beach with lots of African Penguins basking in the sun

Boulders Beach with lots of African Penguins basking in the sun

Young penguin chick waiting for its parents to come back from sea with food

Young penguin chick waiting for its parents to come back from sea with food

Penguin Life Cycle

Below is a diagram of the life cycle of an African Penguin:

Life Cycle of African Penguin

Life Cycle of African Penguin

South of Cape Peninsula

We spent half an hour at Boulders to see the African Penguins. At 2.30 p.m. we left the place and went further south to the end of Cape Peninsula which splits into two promontories. The southeastern promontory is called Cape Point whereas the southwestern one is known as Cape of Good Hope which is the most southwestern point of the continent of Africa.

Map showing Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope

Map showing Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope

Map showing Cape Peninsula splits into two promontories in the south, Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope

Map showing Cape Peninsula splits into two promontories in the south, Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope

Funicular at Cape Point

At 3.30 p.m. we reached Cape Point first. We stopped at a coach-park and entered the Lower Funicular Station(127 m high). Then we took the Funicular, a train, to the Upper Funicular Station(214 m high). On arrival at the station, we walked up a few flights of steps to an old lighthouse on top of Cape Point Peak.

Funicular lower station to Cape Point Peak

Funicular lower station to Cape Point Peak

Funicular Track

The Funicular track is 585 metres long and the train that is pulled by a strong cable takes 3 minutes to reach the upper station. It replaced the buses in 1995.

Cape Point Funicular replaced the "Flying Dutchman" bus services in 1919.

Cape Point Funicular replaced the “Flying Dutchman” bus services in 1995.

Funicular track is 585 metres long and the train takes about to minutes to make the journey.

Funicular track is 585 metres long and the train takes about three minutes to make the journey.

Tourists climbing up the steps to the olf lighthouse

Tourists climbing up the steps to the olf lighthouse

Old Lighthouse of Cape Point

The old lighthouse was built in 1860 but decommissioned in 1919 when the most powerful one in South Africa was built nearby. The old one was then used for observation and communication.

Old lighthouse was decommissioned in 1919 and is now used for observation and communication.

Old lighthouse was built in 1860 and  decommissioned in 1919. It is now used for observation and communication.

Choo Chaw and wife visited the old lighthouse which was replaced by a more powerful one nearby in 1919.

Choo Chaw and wife visited the old lighthouse which was replaced by a more powerful one nearby in 1919.

Spectacular, Panoramic View

From the lighthouse we could see a spectacular panoramic view of Cape Peninsula, Atlantic Ocean, Cape of Good Hope, Indian Ocean and False Bay. Besides, there was a post at its base that showed distances of foreign cities from it.

A spectacular panoramic view of the Cape Peninsula landscapes from the old lighthouse

A spectacular panoramic view of the Cape Peninsula landscapes from the old lighthouse

A post at the old lighthouse showing the distances of foreign cities from the lighthouse

A post at the old lighthouse showing the distances of foreign cities from the lighthouse

The same post showing the distances of other foreign cities from the lighthouse

The same post showing the distances of other foreign cities from the lighthouse

Wonderful Feeling at Cape Point Old Lighthouse

All my fellow-Malaysians, my wife and I were having a wonderful feeling at the Cape Point old lighthouse. We were 9600 km away from our home and enjoying the sights and sounds of the two oceans which were next to each other, and the spectacular view of Cape Peninsula.

Fellow-Malaysians at old lighthouse on 29 Nov 2016

Fellow-Malaysians at old lighthouse on 29 Nov 2016

Choo Chaw's wife feeling exhilarated at the Cape Point old lighthouse that is 9600 km from home(Malaysia)

Choo Chaw’s wife feeling exhilarated at the Cape Point old lighthouse that is 9600 km from home(Malaysia)

Two fellow-Malaysians feeling happy to be at the Cape Point old lighthouse

Two fellow-Malaysians feeling happy to be at the Cape Point old lighthouse

Meeting of Two Currents

Right in front of Cape Point in the south, two currents meet each other. They are the cold Benguela Current from Atlantic Ocean that flows eastwards and the warm Agulhas Current from Indian Ocean that flows westwards. It seems that the actual place where they meet is between Cape Point and Cape Agulhas.

Map showing the meeting of two currents, cold Benguela Current and warm Agulhas Current

Map showing the meeting of two currents, cold Benguela Current and warm Agulhas Current

Two oceans, Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean next to each other in front of Cape Point Headland

Two oceans, Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean next to each other in front of Cape Point Headland

Fellow-Malaysians watching the meeting of two currents, Benguela and Agulhas

Fellow-Malaysians watching the meeting of two currents, Benguela and Agulhas

Cape of Good Hope

After spending a short time at Cape Point we went to Cape of Good Hope which was a few kilometres away. It is located at the most south-western point of the continent of Africa and faces Atlantic Ocean.

Cape Agulhas which is 150 km south-east of Cape of Good Hope is considered to be the most southern point of the African continent.

Cape of Good Hope as seen from Cape Point Peak

Cape of Good Hope as seen from Cape Point Peak

The Most South-Western Point of African Continent

When we reached Cape of Good Hope we saw a low, rocky headland with little grass on the coast of Atlantic Ocean. Owing to weathering and erosion, layers of sandstone were exposed. We made a beeline to a large, long and red signboard that declared that Cape of Good Hope was the most south-western point of the continent of Africa.

There were other tourists visiting the well-known place. Nobody left the place without taking a photo with the prominent signboard.

Tourists making a beeline to the most south-western point of the continent of Africa, Cape of Good Hope

Tourists making a beeline to the most south-western point of the continent of Africa, Cape of Good Hope

Choo Chaw and wife at the most south-western point of the continent of Africa

Choo Chaw and wife at the most south-western point of the continent of Africa

Fellow-Malaysians at Cape of Good Hope

Fellow-Malaysians at Cape of Good Hope

Mr. & Mrs. Lee at Cape of Good Hope

Mr. & Mrs. Lee at Cape of Good Hope

At 6 p.m. we left Cape of Good Hope leaving behind our foot-prints. We travelled back to Cape Town City where we had dinner at a Chinese restaurant known as Royo Kloof Asian Restaurant. Everyone was happy to have a dish of large abalone for dinner.

A dish of large abalone garnished with broccoli at Royo Kloof Asian Restaurant, Cape Town

A dish of large abalone garnished with broccoli at Royo Kloof Asian Restaurant, Cape Town

Then we returned to our hotel, Southern Sun Hotel, to stay for the last night in the city. On the following day, we would fly north-east o Johannesburg from Cape Town, a distance of 1262 km between them, to visit more places of interest in the north of South Africa.

(continue in South Africa Travel  Part V) 

Written by Choo Chaw

Previous / Home / Next

Home

South Africa Travel Part I:       Air Flight from KLIA to Cape Town, Cape Town Shantytowns

South Africa Travel Part II:      Table Mountain, Malay Quarter, Castle of Good Hope. A & V Waterfront

South Africa Travel Part III:     Hermanus, Cheetah Outreach, Stellenbosch, Jewel Africa

South Africa Travel Part IV: Maiden’s Cove, Hout Bay, Duiker Island(Seals), Boulders, Cape Point, Cape                                                       of Good Hope

South Africa Travel Part V:       Cape Town to Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park(Game Drive)

South Africa Travel Part VI:      Sun City, Union Buildings, Vootrekker Monument

South Africa Travel  Part VII     Kruger Museum, Church Square, Melrose Museum, Carnivore Restaurant

South Africa Travel  Final Part  Gold Reef City:  Gold Mine Museum

 

South Africa Travel Part III: Hermanus, Cheetah Outreach, Stellenbosch, Jewel Africa

January 24, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: South Africa Travel 

South Africa Travel Part III:   Hermanus, Cheetah Outreach, Stellenbosch, Jewel Africa

(continue from South Africa  Part II)

Day 3   Monday, 28 November 2016

Journey from Cape Town to Hermanus(115 km)

Map showing the location of Hermanus, and Cheetah Outreach Sanctuary

Map showing the location of Hermanus, and Cheetah Outreach Sanctuary

Scenic False Bay

In the morning, we left Cape Town City for Hermanus that is 115 km south-east of the city. After travelling half-way, we stopped for a short while at a spot off the coastal road where we could see the scenic False Bay, headlands and the rocky coasts. The view was stunning and we took some photos of the scenery and ourselves, too.

 

Stunning scenery of False Bay and coast

Stunning scenery of False Bay and coast

Choo Chaw and wife together with others at a lookout point to see scenic False Bay and coasts

Choo Chaw and wife together with others at a lookout point to see scenic False Bay and coasts

Fellow=Malaysians at False Bay lookout point

Fellow=Malaysians at False Bay lookout point

Fellow-Malaysians at lookout point for False Bay and coasts

Fellow-Malaysians at lookout point for False Bay and coasts

Three close Malaysian friends doing "wefie" at lookout point fpr False Bay and coasts

Three close Malaysian friends doing “wefie” at lookout point fpr False Bay and coasts

Hermanus

Then we continued our journey to Hermanus. At 10.30 a.m. we arrived at the town of Hermanus. It was a fishing town in the olden days and its old harbour was declared as a national monument in 1970.

Hermanus Town was a fishing town. Now it is the best land-based whale watching destination in the world.

Hermanus Town was a fishing town. Now it is the best land-based whale watching destination in the world.

Choo Chaw & wife together with fellow-Malaysians visiting Hermanus to watch whales in Walker Bay

Choo Chaw & wife together with fellow-Malaysians visiting Hermanus to watch whales in Walker Bay

Hermanus was a fishing town in the olden days and was declared as a national monument in 1970.

Hermanus was a fishing town in the olden days and was declared as a national monument in 1970.

Walker Bay

Located in the distance is a mountainous range known as Klienrivier Mountain Range with peaks of height less than 1000 m. Walker Bay is Southern Right whales’ favourite place to meet each other from July to November. In the water they spend their time playing, mating, giving birth and nursing their calves.

Klienrivier Mountain Range with peaks of height less than 1000 m in Hermanus

Klienrivier Mountain Range with peaks of height less than 1000 m in Hermanus

Looking out for whales in Walker Bay, Hermanus

Looking out for whales in Walker Bay, Hermanus

Gearing's Point is the best place for watching whales in Walker Bay.

Gearing’s Point is the best place for watching whales in Walker Bay.

Several vantage points for whale-watching in Hermanus

Several vantage points for whale-watching in Hermanus

Southern Right Whale

An adult Southern Right whale weighs about 40 tons and consume 1500 kg of food a day. Their food consists mostly of plankton where they forage in Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean. They can live up to 50 years and grow to a length of 17 m. These mammals are protected from commercial whaling by the South African government since 1935.

Southern Right whales can be sighted in Walker Bay in Hermanus from July till November every year.

Southern Right whales can be sighted in Walker Bay in Hermanus from July till November every year.

Names of parts of Southern Right whales

Names of parts of Southern Right whales

Gearing’s Point

On arrival at Hermanus town, we walked to a place on a cliff, Gearing’s Point, to look out for Southern Right whales in a bay called Walker Bay.

Disappointment

After spending several minutes looking out for the whales, we realized that no whales would go to the bay at that moment due to low tide. Out trip there to watch whales was wasted. We felt quite disappointed with our tour-guide because she did not find out the condition of the bay earlier.

Flora and Fauna

Anyway, we spent the rest of our time walking along a path on the cliffs studying the flora and fauna. The area is covered with fynbos vegetation consisting of  diverse, small plants that produce colourful flowers, like erica and protea plants. Below are some of the plants found along the cliff-path.

A fynbos plant along Cliff Path in Hermanus

A fynbos plant along Cliff Path in Hermanus

A fynbos plant along Cliff Path in Hermanus

A fynbos plant along Cliff Path in Hermanus

A fynbos plant along Cliff Path in Hermanus

A fynbos plant along Cliff Path in Hermanus

Rock Hydraxes

Along the path we saw a few guinea-like mammals known as rock hydraxes basking on rocks. Some visitors felt excited and took photos of the animals. They were resting on the rocks oblivious of the presence of human beings.

Choo Chaw's wife taking photo of a rock hydrax

Choo Chaw’s wife taking photo of a rock hydrax

Rock Hydrax looks like a guinea pig basking in the sun.

Rock Hydrax looks like a guinea pig basking in the sun.

Cormorants

We heard some birds chirping among the plants and saw several cormorants basking on a rock in Walker Bay several hundred metres away from the shore.

Cormorants resting on a large rock in Walker Bay, Hermanus

Cormorants resting on a large rock in Walker Bay, Hermanus

“Sculptures on the Cliffs”

Sculptures created by South African artists could be seen at a place known as “Sculpture on the Cliffs” at Gearing’s Point. Here are some sculptures I photographed at the place:

Sculpture of a head at Gearing's Point

Sculpture of a head at Gearing’s Point

Sculpture of birds at Gearing's Point in Hermanus

Sculpture of birds at Gearing’s Point in Hermanus

Sculpture of a tall steel man at Gearing's Point in Hermanus

Sculpture of a tall steel man at Gearing’s Point in Hermanus

War Memorial Monument

Before we left Hermanus we came across a war memorial monument erected on a cliff in memory of those local soldiers who were killed in World War I(1914-1918) and World War II(1939-1945).

A monument erected in Hermanus Town in memory of the fallen soldiers in WWI(1914-1918) and WWII(1939-1945)

A monument erected in Hermanus Town in memory of the fallen soldiers in WWI(1914-1918) and WWII(1939-1945)

Having spent an hour exploring Hermanus Town and feeling disappointed for not being able to watch any whales swimming in Walker Bay, we left for another place known as Cheetah Outreach.

Cheetah Outreach

Located about 70 km north-west of Hermanus, Cheetah Outreach provides “an education and community-based programme created to raise awareness of the plight of the cheetah and to campaign for its survival”. It is in a region known as Somerset West.

Red Alert

The world population of cheetahs was 100,000 in 1900 and then plummeted to 10,000 in 1990. It dropped further to 7,500 in 2013. Soon these animals will disappear from earth if no drastic conservation efforts are taken.

World population of cheetahs plummeted from 100,000 in 1900 to 10,000 in 1990.

World population of cheetahs plummeted from 100,000 in 1900 to 10,000 in 1990.

In South Africa, the number of cheetahs was 700 in 2007. But in 2016, it increased to 1,500 due to serious conservation efforts.

Annie Beckhelling

Cheetah Outreach was founded by Annie Beckhelling in 1997 with the purpose of “promoting the survival of the free ranging South African cheetah through environmental education and delivering conservation activities”.

Cheetah Outreach was founded by Annie Beckhelling in 1997.

Cheetah Outreach was founded by Annie Beckhelling in 1997.

Statue of a Cheetah at the entrance of Cheetah Outreach welcoming visitors

Statue of a Cheetah at the entrance of Cheetah Outreach welcoming visitors

A cheetah skeleton shows that the animal has four long limbs that help it to run faster than other kinds of animals

A cheetah skeleton shows that the animal has four long limbs that help it to run faster than other kinds of animals

Harry, Cheetah Outreach Volunteer

On arrival at Cheetah Outreach, we were greeted by a volunteer Harry. He ushered us into a room and shown us a short audio-video clip about cheetahs, their plight, conservation programs to save and increase their population, etc.

A short show about cheetahs at Cheetah Outreach

A short show about cheetahs at Cheetah Outreach

Lethal predator control used by livestock farmers against cheetahs

Lethal predator control used by livestock farmers against cheetahs

Cheetah Outreach Activities

Cheetah Outreach offers many activities, such as guided tour of the place, getting close to cheetahs, meerkat and bat-eared fox, and watching cheetahs run in a large enclosed, open field, to name a few.

Cheetah Outreach's activities for visitors

Cheetah Outreach’s activities for visitors

Private group meeting with cheetah

Private group meeting with cheetah

Getting close to small predators, e.g. bat-eared fox, meerkat and caracal

Getting close to small predators, e.g. bat-eared fox, meerkat and caracal

Animal Kingdom Ambassadors

After the show, Harry brought us round outside to see some animals, such as dogs, bat-eared fox and cheetahs. He told us that those animals were “ambassadors” for animal kingdom “appealing” to visitors and the whole world to save their kinds and other animals from extinction.

Lethal Predator Control

Livestock farmers in Southern Africa used lethal predator control against cheetahs to protect their livestock(cattle and goats). Examples of the control were using traps and poison. This lethal control had diminished the number of cheetahs, greatly. Besides, many victims of this control, like bat-eared foxes, caracals, meerkats, and other wild animals were killed.

South African farmers' used lethal predator control to protest their livestock.

South African farmers’ used lethal predator control to protest their livestock.

Livestock Guarding Dog Program

In 2005 Cheetah Outreach carried out a program called “Livestock Guarding Dog Program”. They bred Anatolian Shepherd dogs and gave them away to the farmers to guard their livestock against the predators. As the dogs are good protectors of livestock, farmers continue to use them. Consequently, more wild cheetahs and other animals were saved.

Farmers are encouraged to use dogs to guard their livestock against predators

Farmers are encouraged to use dogs to guard their livestock against predators

Cheetah Run

The last place Harry brought us to was a large enclosure, a large fenced-up field, where cheetahs would run for visitors on a high platform to watch. As it was animals’ feeding time while we were there, all animals’ activities were stopped.

Visitors can watch cheetahs running in this large fenced-up field from a high platform.

Visitors can watch cheetahs running in this large fenced-up field from a high platform.

A hungry cheetah walking about and waiting for its food in an enclosed area.

A hungry cheetah walking about and waiting for its food in an enclosed area.

Children visiting Cheetah Outreach `to learn about the endangered species

Children visiting Cheetah Outreach `to learn about the endangered species

Choo Chaw and Harry on a high platform where visitors can watch cheetahs running in a large enclosed field

Choo Chaw and Harry on a high platform where visitors can watch cheetahs running in a large enclosed field

Thanking Harry

Finally, we thanked Harry for the Cheetah Outreach tour. It has made us realize that the existence of wild animals is under constant threat by poaching, deforestation, lethal predator control and other unfavourable factors. Thanks to Cheetah Outreach for making the public aware of the plight of wild animals.

Neethlingshof Wine Estate

Our next destination was a grape-growing area known as Neethlingshof Wine Estate. It is in a large grape-growing region, Stellenbosch, which is about 15 km north of Cheetah Outreach and 42 km east of Cape Town.

Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch is a well-known grape-growing region in South Africa as its climatic and soil conditions are suitable for grape-growing. Grapes have been grown in the region since 1690. Now more than 200 grape-growers and wine-makers are found there. They produce one trillion litres of wine, annually.

Neethlingshof Wine Estate has 110 ha of vineyard in Stellenbosch, South Africa

Neethlingshof Wine Estate has 110 ha of vineyard in Stellenbosch, South Africa

Choo Chaw and wife together with fellow-Malaysians visiting Neethlingshof Wine Estate

Choo Chaw and wife together with fellow-Malaysians visiting Neethlingshof Wine Estate

Winery

When we arrived at Neethlingshof Wine Estate we headed straight to its winery. It has been producing wine since 1788. At the winery, a young, pretty lady, Tami, greeted us and conducted a tour of the winery for us.

Winery of Neethlingshof Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Winery of Neethlingshof Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Tami greeted the Malaysian tour group and would talk about wine-making inside the factory or winery.

Tami greeted the Malaysian tour group and would talk about wine-making inside the factory or winery.

Tami, the Winery Guide

We went into a building where wine-making machines were kept. Tami told us the  processes of wine-making, namely harvesting, crushing, pressing, fermentation, clarification(filtration), aging and bottling.

Grapes are crushed in this machine

Grapes are crushed in this machine

Juice with skins, seeds and solids are pressed in these machines

Juice with skins, seeds and solids are pressed in these machines

Grape juice and yeast are mixed in these machines

Grape juice and yeast are mixed in these machines

Grape juice with yeast fermenting in these stainless steel drums

Grape juice with yeast fermenting in these stainless steel drums

Wine-Aging

In the cellar there were large and small oak-drums for wine-aging. The purpose of aging is to create flavours and textures of the wines. Each large drum has a volume of about 5,000 litres and small one 30 litres.

Large oak drums for wine aging so that the wine has flavours and textures.

Large oak drums for wine aging so that the wine has flavours and textures.

Malaysian tour group visiting the winery

Malaysian tour group visiting the winery and the small oak barrels for wine aging

Young Grapes

As the grapes in the vineyards were young and growing the wine-making was stopped. Those grapes would ripen three months later.

Grapes were young when Malaysian tour group visited Neethlingshof Wine Estate

Grapes were young when Malaysian tour group visited Neethlingshof Wine Estate

Wine-Tasting

After the tour Tami offered us five kinds of wine to taste and we enjoyed drinking them.

Tami offering different kinds of wine for tasting

Tami offering different kinds of wine for tasting

Choo Chaw(right) and fellow-Malaysians tasting wine

Choo Chaw(right) and fellow-Malaysians tasting wine

Choo Chaw's wife and others tasting wine

Choo Chaw’s wife and others tasting wine

Fellow-Malaysians tasting wine

Fellow-Malaysians tasting wine

Fellow-Malaysians tasting wine

Fellow-Malaysians tasting wine

A few fellow-Malaysians bought some bottles of wine before we left Neethlingshof Wine Estate.

Wine

Different kinds of wine produced by Neethlingshof Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa

Jewel Africa, Diamond Shop

The next place we went to was a diamond and tanzanite shop, Jewel Africa, in the city of Cape Town. South Africa is the largest producer of diamond in the world. The largest diamond weighing 605 grams in the world was found in South Africa. It was found in a mine near Pretoria in 1905. They called it “The Cullinan”, named after the Chairman of the mine, Thomas Cullinan.

The largest diamond, The Cullinan, weighed 605 grams and used in British crowns and spectre, and royal members' jewellery.

The largest diamond, The Cullinan, weighed 605 grams and used in British crowns and spectre, and royal members’ jewellery.

Cullinan I-IX

It was then cut into 9 pieces calling them Cullinan I to IX. The heaviest one is Cullinan I that weighed 106 grams and the lightest, Cullinan IX is 0.9 gram. They were used for the British crowns and spectre, and royal members’ brooches, ring and chain, too.

Statue of Diamond miner

Statue of Diamond miner

Diamond cutting tools in Jewel Africa workshop

Diamond cutting tools in Jewel Africa workshop

Malaysian tour group visiting Jewel Africa, a famous diamond jewellery shop in Cape Town

Malaysian tour group visiting Jewel Africa, a famous diamond jewellery shop in Cape Town

Expensive Jewellery

Jewel Africa had quite a variety of jewellery studded with diamond and tanzanite. As they were quite expensive, nobody bought any. So we left the place to the disappointment of the staff and went to a hotel for dinner, Rockwell Hotel.

South African food dinner at Rockwell Hotel in Cape Town City

South African food dinner at Rockwell Hotel in Cape Town City

Yellow Man

On arrival at the hotel, we were greeted by a tall, yellow man at the entrance. Some of us were fascinated by him and took photo with him.

Choo Chaw taking photo with a tall, yellow man

Choo Chaw taking photo with a tall, yellow man

Some fellow-Malaysians taking photo with the tall, yellow man

Some fellow-Malaysians taking photo with the tall, yellow man

Exotic South African Food

Then we were ushered into a small theatre-hall where we had exotic South African food for dinner. It consisted of many kinds of dishes that we could not finish.

A waitress talking about South African food before it was served

A waitress talking about South African food before it was served

Malaysians waiting, patiently, for dinner to be served

Malaysians waiting, patiently, for dinner to be served

South African Dance

In the midst of the meal, we were entertained by musicians and dancers. Three of our friends let their hair down as they danced with them, happily.

Musicians and dancers entertaining the Malaysian diners

Musicians and dancers entertaining the Malaysian diners

Malaysian dancing, happily

Malaysian dancing, happily

Here are some of the South African dishes we had for the dinner.

South African food for dinner

South African food for dinner

More South African food for dinner

More South African food for dinner

South African dessert after dinner

South African dessert after dinner

Photo Session

After dinner, some of us took photos with the waiters and waitresses for remembrance.

Waiter and waitresses

Waiter and waitresses

Fellow-Malaysians taking photo with two waitresses

Fellow-Malaysians taking photo with two waitresses

Fellow-Malaysians taking photo with a waitress for remembrance

Fellow-Malaysians taking photo with a waitress for remembrance

Back to Hotel

Finally, we went back to our hotel, Southern Sun Hotel, which was nearby.

It was another busy but unforgettable day as we had visited a few interesting places, namely Hermanus, Cheetah Outreach, Neethlingshof Wine Estate and Jewel Africa.

The following day would be another busy one visiting a few significant spots on the Cape Peninsula that is south of Cape Town City.

(continue in South Africa  Part IV)

Written by Choo Chaw

Previous / Home / Next

Home

South Africa Travel Part I:       Air Flight from KLIA to Cape Town, Cape Town Shantytowns

South Africa Travel Part II:      Table Mountain, Malay Quarter, Castle of Good Hope. A & V Waterfront

South Africa Travel Part III:     Hermanus, Cheetah Outreach, Stellenbosch, Jewel Africa

South Africa Travel Part IV:     Duiker Island of Seals, Cape Point, Boulders

South Africa Travel Part V:       Cape Town to Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park(Game Drives)

South Africa Travel Part VI:      Sun City, Union Buildings, Vootrekker Monument

South Africa Travel  Part VII    Kruger Museum, Church Square, Melrose Museum, Carnivore Restaurant

South Africa Travel  Final Part  Gold Reef City: Gold Mine Museum

 

 

South Africa Travel Part II: Table Mountain, Malay Quarter, Castle of Good Hope, A & V Waterfront

January 24, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: A & V Waterfront 

South Africa Travel Part II:  Table Mountain, Malay Quarter, Castle of Good Hope, A & V Waterfront

(continue from South Africa Travel  Part I)

Day 2   Sunday, 27 November 2016

Table Mountain, Cape Town

Table Mountain is one of the seven Nature Wonders of the world. Its top is flat with a height above 1000 metres above sea-level. It is made up of many layers of sandstone.

Table Mountain is one of the seven nature wonders of the world

Table Mountain is one of the seven nature wonders of the world

Choo Chaw & wife at the lower cable station of Table Mountain, Cape Town

Choo Chaw & wife at the lower cable station of Table Mountain, Cape Town

Formation of Table Mountain

About 460 million years ago, rivers flowing from the north of South Africa deposited many layers of sediments in the south, continuously, forming a high land. Those sediments under constant high temperature and pressure fused together to form sandstone. Owing to constant weathering and erosion, the high land is reduced to a flat-topped mountain which is now known as Table Mountain.

Formation of Table Mountain, Cape Town

Formation of Table Mountain, Cape Town

Cableway

To go to the top of Table Mountain, visitors have to use Cableway of 1200 metres in length. At the Lower Cable Station(363 metres high), we boarded a cable-car that could carry 65 passengers and rotate 360 degreex for spectacular views of Table Mountain, Cape Town City and the surroundings.

Lower Cable Station(363 m) is connected to the Upper Cable Station(1069 m) by a 1200 m long-cableway

Lower Cable Station(363 m) is connected to the Upper Cable Station(1069 m) by a 1200 m long-cableway

 

Cable-car that brings tourists to the top of Table Mountain, Cape Town

Cable-car that brings tourists to the top of Table Mountain, Cape Town

Table Mountain Upper Cable Station that is 1 069 m above sea-level is seen from the ascending cable-car

Table Mountain Upper Cable Station that is 1 069 m above sea-level is seen from the ascending cable-car

Long, thick cables used for pulling and releasing cable-car

Long, thick cables used for pulling and releasing cable-car

The spectacular view of the city of Cape Town as seen from the moving, rotating cable-car

The spectacular view of the city of Cape Town as seen from the moving, rotating cable-car

Rock Climbers

On the way up to the Upper Cable-Station, we saw some adventurous people climbing up the rocks to the top of the mountain.

Two adventurous climbers climbing up Table Mountain as seen from the moving cable-car

Two adventurous climbers climbing up Table Mountain as seen from the moving cable-car

Another mountain-climber was sighted by the Malaysian tour group in a moving cable-car

Another mountain-climber was sighted by the Malaysian tour group in a moving cable-car

Spectacular Sights of Cape Town Landscapes

The cable-car took five minutes to reach the upper station(1069 metres high). When we reached the top we got off the cable-car and were awe-stricken by the spectacular sights of the Cape Town landscapes.

Choo Chaw & wife on top of Table Mountain enjoying the spectacular views of Cape Town

Choo Chaw & wife on top of Table Mountain enjoying the spectacular views of Cape Town

Souvenir Shop

The top of  Table Mountain had sparse vegetation growing among weathered and eroded sandstone rocks. A souvenir shop built of sandstone was sited in the middle of the top.

Sparse vegetation growing among the sandstone rocks

Sparse vegetation growing among the sandstone rocks

Weathered and eroded rocks on top of Table Mountain

Weathered and eroded rocks on top of Table Mountain

A souvenir shop on top of Table Mountain is built from sandstone rocks.

A souvenir shop on top of Table Mountain is built from sandstone rocks.

Tourists

On top of the mountain, many tourists were seen enjoying the sunshine, fresh air and breathtaking views of Cape Town City.

Many tourists enjoying themselves on Table Mountain

Many tourists enjoying themselves on Table Mountain

Malaysian tour group leader, Pek Yee(R), and Cape Town tour guide, Cindy(L), enjoying sunshine and fresh air on Table Mountain

Malaysian tour group leader, Pek Yee(R), and Cape Town tour guide, Cindy(L), enjoying sunshine and fresh air on Table Mountain

On top of the mountain, we, too, enjoyed the awesome sights of  the city, Table Bay, Atlantic Ocean, Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and Devil’s Peak.

A breathtaking sight of Cape Town City

A breathtaking sight of Cape Town City

A spectacular view of Lion's Head and Signal Hill, and their surroundings

A spectacular view of Lion’s Head and Signal Hill, and their surroundings

Robben Island

There is a significant but small island in Table Bay located about 7 km off the coast of Cape Town City. Known as Robben Island, it served as a prison for about 460 years before it was closed down as a political prison in 1991 and criminal prison in 1996.

Nelson Mandela(1918-2013)

The former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela(1918-2013), was imprisoned in Robben Island as a political prisoner for 18 years(1964-1982).

In 1999 it was declared as a UNESCO Heritage site. Since then it is a popular tourist attraction.

 

Robben Island where political and criminal prisoners stayed in the olden days

Robben Island where political and criminal prisoners stayed in the olden days

South African Bank Notes

In 2012 South African Reserve Bank printed the fifth issue of five new bank notes in denominations of 10. 20, 50, 100 and 200 rand. On the obverse of each note there is a picture of Nelson Mandela in memory of him as the former President of South Africa who abolished the infamous apartheid law in 1994. It had segregated the White from the non-White for more than a 100 years.

On the reverse of each note there is a picture of an animal, e.g. a picture of rhino in 10 rand note, elephant in  20 rand, lion in 50, water-buffalo in 100 and leopard in  200. These five animals are in “Big 5” that are associated with the animals in the South African National Parks.

All the 5th. issue of the South African bank notes have a picture of Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa

All the 5th. issue of the South African bank notes have a picture of Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa

All 5th. issue of bank notes have pictures of animals in "Big 5"

All 5th. issue of bank notes have pictures of animals in “Big 5”, e.g. leopard  on a 200 rand note.

Clifton

Looking down one side of Table Mountain, I saw a small beach-town known as Clifton. It has one of the best beaches in the world. Most of the people who live there are wealthy White people.

Clifton has one of the best beaches in the world. Many wealthy white people stay there.

Clifton has one of the best beaches in the world. Many wealthy white people stay there.

Signal Hill

At 4 p.m.(South Africa time), we left Table Mountain by Cableway and went to a nearby hill of height 363 m known as Signal Hill. It is another ideal place to see the whole of Cape Town City, Lion’s Head, Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak and Table Bay.

Choo Chaw and wife on Signal Hill

Choo Chaw and wife on Signal Hill

Signal Hill(350 m high) is another good place to see the city of Cape Town and landscapes.

Signal Hill(350 m high) is another good place to see the city of Cape Town and landscapes.

Signal Hill as seen from the top of Table Mountain

Signal Hill as seen from the top of Table Mountain

Cape Town Stadium

Besides, we saw a large stadium, Cape Town Stadium, which is near the city waterfront. It was built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and has hosted South Africa Sevens Rugby Tournament since 2015. Local people want it to be demolished as they consider it to be a “white elephant”.

Near the stadium is the A & V(Alfred & Victoria) Waterfront that is a tourist popular place. It has more than 450 outlets for shopping drinking and dinning.

Cape Town Stadium, A & V(Alfred & Victoria) Waterfront and Table Bay Harbour can be seen from Signal Hill

Cape Town Stadium, A & V(Alfred & Victoria) Waterfront and Table Bay Harbour can be seen from Signal Hill

Cape Malay Quarter(Bo-Kaap)

After spending 20 minutes on Signal Hill, we went down to a place known as Cape Malay Quarter or Bo-Kaap. The streets in this place are cobble-stoned and houses are brightly-coloured. They are inhabited mostly by Muslims who are descendants of the Muslim slaves brought in by Dutch East India from Malaysia, Indonesia, Ceylon and India during the Dutch colonial rule in the East. The present dwellers do not speak the languages their ancestors used. They speak Afrikaans and English, too. But they still follow their ancestors’ Malay culture.

Houses are brightly coloured, streets are cobble-stoned and inhabitants are mostly Malays and believe in Islam in this area, Cape Malay Quarter.

Houses are brightly coloured, streets are cobble-stoned and inhabitants are mostly Malays who believe in Islam in this area, Cape Malay Quarter.

A mosque in Cape Malay Quarter

A mosque in Cape Malay Quarter

Some roads in Cape Malay Quarter are covered with asphalt

Some roads in Cape Malay Quarter are now covered with asphalt

Castle of Good Hope

Then we went to see a fortress, Castle of Good Hope, in the city. It was built by Dutch East India Company between 1666 and 1678 when there was tension between Netherlands and England. Originally, it was built on a Cape Town coast. As the land was reclaimed later, it was relocated inland where it can be seen now.

Castle of Good Hope, a fortress built by Dutch East India Company between 1666 and 1678 to prevent attack from England

Castle of Good Hope, a fortress built by Dutch East India Company between 1666 and 1678 to prevent attack from England

Choo Chaw and wife outside Castle of Good Hope, Cape town

Choo Chaw and wife outside Castle of Good Hope, Cape town

Stunning Table Mountain

When we arrived at the fortress, a concert was to be held soon inside the fortress. So we spent a few minutes outside the fortress looking at it, instead. From the fortress we could see the stunning Table Mountain in the distance.

A stunning view of Table Mountain in the distance as seen from Castle of Good Hope

A stunning view of Table Mountain in the distance as seen from Castle of Good Hope

A & V Waterfront

Then we went to the waterfront of Cape Town where tens of millions of tourists flock there to shop, eat and drink, every year. This place is known as A & V(Alfred & Victoria) Waterfront that has over 460 outlets.

A pictorial map of A & V Waterfront, Cape Town, showing the location of Victoria Shopping Centre

A pictorial map of A & V Waterfront, Cape Town, showing the location of Victoria Shopping Centre

Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, a popular shopping place in Cape Town

Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, a popular shopping place in Cape Town

Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre

On arrival at the place we visited a large shopping mall, Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, and spent an hour browsing the outlets.

Main entrance hall of Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, Cape Town

Main entrance hall of Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, Cape Town

Jade Court Restaurant

Later, we went to a Chinese restaurant, Jade Court Restaurant, to have dinner. It was our first meal in South Africa since we arrived there. The restaurant was several kilometres away from the Cape Town City. It was in a large building known as Imperial Terraces sited by a small lake, Tyger Waterfront Lake.

Imperial Terraces housed a Chinese restaurant, Jade Court Restaurant

Imperial Terraces housed a Chinese restaurant, Jade Court Restaurant, that Malaysian tour group had dinner, their first meal in South Africa

Jade Court Restaurant was by the Tyger Waterfront Lake, Cape Town.

Jade Court Restaurant was by the Tyger Waterfront Lake, Cape Town.

Southern Sun Hotel, Cape Town

After the delicious dinner, we went back to the city and checked in at a hotel, Southern Sun Hotel. We stayed at the hotel for three nights as we had many places to visit in other nearby places.

Malaysian tour group stayed at Southern Sun Hotel, Cape Town, from 27-29 Nov 2016

Malaysian tour group stayed at Southern Sun Hotel, Cape Town, from 27-29 Nov 2016

(continue reading in South Africa Travel III)

Written by Choo Chaw

Previous / Home / Next

Home

South Africa Travel Part I:       Air Flight from KLIA to Cape Town, Cape Town Shantytowns

South Africa Travel Part II:      Table Mountain, Malay Quarter, Castle of Good Hope. A & V Waterfront

South Africa Travel Part III:     Hermanus, Cheetah Outreach, Stellenbosch, Jewel Africa

South Africa Travel Part IV:     Duiker Island of Seals, Cape Point, Boulders

South Africa Travel Part V:       Cape Town to Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park(Game Drives)

South Africa Travel Part VI:      Sun City, Union Buildings, Vootrekker Monument

South Africa Travel  Part VII     Kruger Museum, Church Square, Melrose Museum, Carnivore Restaurant

South Africa Travel  Final Part   Gold Reef City: Gold Mine Museum

South Africa Travel Part I: KLIA to Cape Town Airport

January 24, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: South Africa Travel 

South Africa Travel Part I:  KLIA to Cape Town Airport

About South Africa

Map showing the location of South Africa

Map showing the location of South Africa

South Africa is in the southern part of the continent of Africa. She is a nation of 55 million people comprising 80.2% Black, 8.8% Coloured, 8.4% White and 2.5% Asians(2014) according to Wikipedia. The people are of diverse origins, races, cultures, languages and religions.

South Africa ­­­­­­is now a well-known tourist country that attracts tens of millions of visitors from all over the world every year, as it has many interesting places.

Day 1   Saturday, 26 Nov 2016

Air Flight from Malaysia to Mauritius

Malaysian Tour Group

On Saturday, 26 Nov 2016 my wife and I joined a Malaysian tour group of 26 to go to South Africa for a tour of some of the places there. The trip was known as “8D6N South Africa Tour”.

Malaysian tourists going for an 8D6N South Africa Tour

Malaysian tourists going for an 8D6N South Africa Tour

Golden Destinations Tour Leader, Pek Yee

The group was headed by a Malaysian tour leader of Golden Destinations Company in Kuala Lumpur, Pek Yee.

At 1.35 p.m.(Malaysian time) we boarded an Air Mauritius plane at Kuala Lumpur International Airport(KLIA) in Sepang and flew off to Mauritius in Indian Ocean via Singapore.

Pek Yee, the leader of the Malaysian Tour Group

Pek Yee, the leader of the Malaysian Tour Group

Mauritius International Airport

After travelling a long distance of 5 800 km in 9 hours including the stopover time in Singapore, we arrived at the Mauritius international airport which is known as Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam(SSR) International Airport. [SSR(1900-1985) was the first Chief Minister and Prime Minister of Mauritius.]

Air Mauritius bringing Malaysian tour group from KLIA to South Africa

Air Mauritius bringing Malaysian tour group from KLIA to South Africa

SSR International Airport, Mauritius

SSR International Airport, Mauritius

This Air Mauritius plane flew the tour group from KLIA to Mauritius via Singapore

This Air Mauritius plane flew the tour group from KLIA to Mauritius via Singapore

Holiday Inn, Mauritius

We stayed at Holiday Inn which is near the airport for a night before we would fly off again to Cape Town the following morning. The hotel staff were helpful and friendly.

Malaysian Tour Group stayed here for a night in Mauritius before continuing their to South Africa in the morning

Malaysian Tour Group stayed here for a night in Mauritius before continuing their to South Africa in the morning

Friendly and helpful staff of Holiday Inn, Mauritius

Friendly and helpful staff of Holiday Inn, Mauritius

Day 2   Sunday, 27 Nov 2016

Air Flight from Mauritius to Cape Town

The following early morning we left the hotel for the airport. At 8.45 a.m.(Mauritius time) we flew off again to continue our journey to South Africa.

Our plane, Air Mauritius, took 6 hours to fly from Mauritius to Cape Town International Airport in South Africa. The distance between them is 4 100 km.

This Air Mauritius plane flew the tour group from Mauritius to South Africa

This Air Mauritius plane flew the tour group from Mauritius to South Africa

Cape Town International Airport

On arrival at the Cape Town International Airport, everybody was feeling tired but was ready for the exciting tour in South Africa.

Tour group feeling tired after a long journey but ready for the South Africa tour

Tour group feeling tired after a long journey but ready for the South Africa tour

Pictures of Nelson Mandela

As we were waiting for our Cape Town tour guide, Cindy, in the arrival hall, we noticed a row of several large pictures of the first President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela(1918-2013), on a long wall. They were displayed there in memory of him as a great statesman, anti-apartheid activist, political prisoner for 27 years and the first President of South Africa(1994-1999).

Pictures of Nelson Mandela in airport arrival hall

Pictures of Nelson Mandela in airport arrival hall

A picture of Nelson Mandela congratulating the S. Africa rugby team captain for winning the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final

A picture of Nelson Mandela congratulating the S. Africa rugby team captain for winning the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final

Cape Town Tour Guide, Cindy

Soon the tour guide, Cindy, came and brought all of us to Cape Town’s well-known iconic landmark, Table Mountain.

The tour guide of Cape Town is called Cindy.

The tour guide of Cape Town is called Cindy.

Shantytowns

As we were travelling by coach from the airport to the city we saw some shantytowns.  These places are inhabited by Black who are poverty-stricken and mostly unemployed. Some are involved in gang activities. As they are very poor, their houses are small and made of “tin”, wood and cardboard.

Shantytown where poor people who are mostly black stay

Shantytown where poor people who are mostly black stay

Apartheid Rule(1948-1994)

During the South Africa apartheid rule from 1948 till 1994, non-White living in White areas in the cities were forced to move out to the outskirts where they settled in shantytowns.

Houses for the Black

In 1994 when the first black President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela(1918-2013) was elected the apartheid law was abolished. The new government started to build new houses for the Black. Millions of Black people have benefited from the housing program. But those who are poor and unemployed have to continue living in these areas that have no basic amenities.

Poverty-stricken and unemployed non-whites live in shantytowns in South Africa

Poverty-stricken and unemployed non-whites live in shantytowns in South Africa

Soon we reached Table Mountain which forms the backdrop of the city of Cape Town. Besides, it is an iconic landmark of the city that beckons millions of tourist from all over the world to visit it, annually.

(continue reading in South Africa Part II) 

Written by Choo Chaw

Home / Next

Home

South Africa Travel Part I:       Air Flight from KLIA to Cape Town, Cape Town Shantytowns

South Africa Travel Part II:      Table Mountain, Malay Quarter, Castle of Good Hope. A & V Waterfront

South Africa Travel Part III:     Hermanus, Cheetah Outreach, Stellenbosch, Jewel Africa

South Africa Travel Part IV:     Duiker Island of Seals, Cape Point, Boulders

South Africa Travel Part V:       Cape Town to Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park(Game Drives)

South Africa Travel Part VI:      Sun City, Union Buildings, Vootrekker Monument

South Africa Travel Part VII:    Kruger Museum, Church Square, Melrose Museum, Carnivore Restaurant

South Africa Travel  Final Part:  Gold Reef City: Gold Mine Museum