Day 3 in Cape Town

Typical Victorian building (Mexican bistro!) next to 70's building

The newest member of the team, Monika from Switzerland, arrived this morning. We spent the earlier part of the day walking around the center of Cape Town. It is a mixture of architectural styles and neighborhoods; we visited the Malaysian "Bo-Kapp" neighborhood, which is Muslim; many folks walking to the call to prayer. We also spent time in the center of town "City Bowl," admiring the mix of architecture and experiencing the clash of cultures. One of my favorite places we visited was a bookstore, where the proprieter recommended fiction worksus, and I also bought a used book on South African trees (which I'll donate to the last place we go).

We also walked down to St. George's Cathedral, which abuts the section of town where the colonial buildings are (Parliament, courts). There is a long, lovely garden called the "Company's Gardens," which includes a pear tree in cultivation since 1652! This huge garden started by the Dutch East India Company, features South African trees/shrubs/flowers, but also has quite a few North American trees, notably Cypresses and Magnolias. I particularly enjoyed seeing the native South African flowers I recognized from our own gardens in the USA - pentas, geraniums, small everlastings.

View of Cape Town from Gondola

After a lunch of "butternut quiche" (mostly butternut squash and feta, very little egg; gotta make this one when I get home!), we drove up to the gondola station for Table Mountain. Table Mountain looms 3000 ft. over Cape Town, and is so named for its relatively flat top...looks like a table from below. You can either hike up or take the Gondola - we took the Gondola - great fun, as it rotates as it lifts you to the top (only takes about 5 minutes, but it is a thrill!) Once up on the top, you can walk around - there are many trails, but it is quite rocky.  The views are breathtaking, no matter where you look.

Watsonia (pic would not rotate) - so lovely!

I particularly enjoyed the incredible flora up there, in particular the Watsonia (a type of bulb), and the King Proteus (out of bloom, but still very cool - I believe the national flower of South Africa). We spent 3 hours up on Table Mountain, hiking the rocky trails; although the sun was beating down on us, there were cool breezes.

Monika and Karyn enjoying the view

We came down and went back to the hostel, where we feasted on our leftovers (yes, we are all budget minded!) Tomorrow we are planning to visit a huge Saturday open-air market midday, and then hike up Lion's Head, another rocky formation which rises above Cape Town.

I'm also going to try to be braver about taking pictures of some of the South Africans, so I can share them tomorrow.

Hope everyone in Connecticut is enjoying the snow!