Muizenberg—Kalk Bay—Simon’s Town

You know how the Eskimos have like 100 words for snow? Well, I need 1,000 words for beautiful to describe the Cape of South Africa. Today, Sanford, Ryan, and I went with Heloise and Pauline to Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, and Simon’s Town. These three towns curve around towards the Cape of Good Hope and we got within 45 minutes of this historical geographic point.

We headed to Muizenberg about noon. It was a gorgeous, warm day with a slight breeze. I had completely failed to notice Muizenberg in any of my reading of the area because one key word failed to grab my attention: surfing. However, our beach bum Ryan (oh, how I hate giving up that title, but it’s just so true!) had been talking about wanting to go since we were waiting on our flight in Little Rock. So off we went. It was breath taking. We went down on the beach and walked and talked for a long time. I didn’t take off my shoes this time, though, because I didn’t relish the idea of an entire day of sandy feet. Nonetheless, I was able to enjoy the surf and the warmth and the view and even a few surfers!

On the beach, there were these really brightly colored houses. It took me a minute to figure out what they were, but it was really quite simple! They were public changing houses. Very Victorian, only I didn’t expect them to be red and green and yellow. Muizenberg is home to Surfer’s Corner, which claims to be the birthplace of South African surfing. I have no idea if it’s true, but there were definitely surfers out there. It was a nice day, but not so warm I would have gotten in the water.

This is where the sad (at least to me) news comes in. As soon, and I mean the minute, we got to Muizenberg, my camera died. It gave me no warning and really disappointed me. Fortunately, Sanford had his camera and he let me take pictures with it—only it died too. So we went and got some more batteries. Two packs in fact. But they barely squeezed out three photos. When I told Sanford that I’d bought them for R6.95 (less than a dollar), he laughed at me and told me that I should have known better. I suppose it’s true. Anyway, for the next two parts of the trip I have only a hand full of pictures. I’ve been promised that we’ll at least return to Simon’s Town (you’ll understand why when I tell why we were there.)

Following Muizenberg, we went to Kalk Bay for lunch. Pauline and Heloise had been to a restaurant previously that they said was super, super good. It was full. Tease. So instead we went to a place that had fabulous ambience… and that was all. It’s name is Cape to Cuba and it was all old furniture and nick-nacks that the owners had brought from Cuba (this was a little strange to me until I realized, oh yeah, I’m in South Africa, and they can probably travel there!) It was outdoors and the floor was sand. There weren’t really tables, they were little thatch huts with benches around the edges with a small table in the center. Very beachy feel. Fun, but a) there was no staff and the bar tender was an ass, he labeled our tab “foreigners”, and we had to go collect our own food, and b)the food really was NOT as good as it was priced, although I did eat my first mussel, which was far better tasting than I anticipated and not nearly as slimy. I didn’t really mind the having to take care of ourselves, but all together, more expensive than good.

NOW!! We went to Simon’s Town. What is so special about Simon’s Town you ask?! PENGUINS!!!! Real, live, waddling penguins! I nearly wet my pants, but I only got ONE picture. I could have cried. But I still got to see them and laugh as Sanford waddled behind them. They were really cute, and didn’t smell all that bad, and they burrowed down into any hole or gap that the rocks made, so their little heads would just poke out. Once I got way too close to one, because I just didn’t see him. Lord, the noise that animal made. I’ve heard monkeys in heat at the zoo, and they had nothing on this sound.

We had a wonderful beautiful day and I appreciate our new friends so much for taking us out and showing us all of this beauty. I never would have guessed that I would go half way around the world and make such good new friends this fast! We are incredibly lucky.

Always,

Sarah