We
continued to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve.
You can either walk or take the funicular to the Point where
panoramic views of the dramatic southwestern edge of Africa
are at their best. I took the funicular railway to the
Cape of Good Hope and the lighthouse peak. I stood
looking at the end of the African continent, with awesome views
down to the beautiful sandy beaches and ocean below.
We
see baboons up close. Don't let them see you are eating, we
are told. On the way back to Cape Town, we go in and out of
native markets and gift stands along the roads, seeing incredible
sculptural art and jewelry of carved wood, jade and stone. We
cross over the Cape and come back again onto a windy road next
to the milky surf of the Atlantic coastline. In the surf are
beautiful rocks that whistled softly in the breeze and perfect
white beaches, without a footprint on them. The weather is unbelievable
and we see a zebra on the horizon. Wow, I get it! I really am
in Africa!
Next,
we go to lunch in a restaurant that could be in the Napa Valley
of California or Provence, France. At a wonderful indoor-outdoor
restaurant, we eat on the patio in the shade.
Everything
modern in that laid back way called the River Café
in the town of Constantia. We are served a lovely salad with
fresh local ingredients, California style, and it reminds me
of Mustards Restaurant in Napa. They are serving African game
as well as traditional fusion cuisine, mixing French and Mediterranean
influences with African produce and meats. The food is beautifully
presented, and of course, the 10 of us tried everything on the
menu. The owners are very helpful and the wines were at once
engaging, great South African wines.
After
lunch, we explored Cape Town's Waterfront and
took advantage of the abun-dance of magnificent shopping opportunities
including an-tiques, textiles, carvings and other traditional
arts and crafts.