Penguins!

We took an amazingly stunning drive the day before yesterday out to Cape Point.  

Along the way, we ran into more than a few penguins!

Being quiet possibly the classiest animals in the wild, we had to make a stop to hang out for a little bit.    

It was well worth the stop.  They do, however, really make a guy feel underdressed.

The scene in Boulders is quite lively, with the little guys sunning themselves and playing in the water. 

Don't touch them though! 

(R500 Fine might have been worth it to smuggle one of these dudes home though!)

And don't forget this before you leave:

Apparently, there is also some dispute over whether L'Agulhas is the place where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet.  We couldn't risk getting our Indian/Atlantic experience disqualified on a technicality, so we ventured out to the most Southwestern tip of Africa to make sure.

The Cape of Good Hope.  Check!  

(It was ridiculously windy and the water going every which way)

The adventure continued yesterday with a bang for Jared's last day in Africa.  We closed out his two weeks Wine Tasting in Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Somerset West.  It was awesome!

Stay tuned for a full report.

Also: I've posted some alternate shots on the Tumblr site, if you're looking for some more shots from the adventure. (Some may be the same.  I can't keep track.  Apologies).

The Route of Gardens (no gardens though)

We concluded the superb Garden Route the day before yesterday.

At times the drive hugs the coast, other times it ventures inland through fields and rolling hills; over mountain passes and maybe even a dirt road or two.

Actually, The road (N2) from PE to CPT, is abit reminiscent at times of driving around Ireland, with its scrambled rock and lush green fields. (But, with the exceptions of it not raining, no Donlans, and no Last of the Mohicans soundtrack.)

And when you hop off the road for a more scenic drive you are more that rewarded for taking it.

For instance -- after concluding our swim with the fishies, we had been advised not to take the R44 through Overberg towards Cape Town because of the wind. Being gentlemen of the road, we tried our luck anyway and were rewarded with the most breathtaking part of the drive yet. The road hugs the mountain on one side and then just drops into the sea on the other.

A look out towards Cape Point

Miller wasn't really impressed though...

(just kidding, he was only doing that for a little while)

As we pulled of the R44, having made it out with our little car and our lives, we were then welcomed by the sight of the mighty Table Mountain for the last 30 clicks or so.

It took 1000+ Kilometers, and it could/should be taken a bit slower than we did if you have more time, but we’ve made it to the last stop on our South African Tour: Cape Town.

The View of Table Mountain from the deck of the Apartment we are in... Legend attributes the orographic clouds that make the "table cloth" to a smoking contest between the Devil and a local pirate called Van Hunks. When the table cloth is seen, it symbolizes the contest.

We can also see Lion's Head on the other side!

We’ll be here for about a week to hit the wine country, do some hiking, and relax.

I’ve always heard how amazing this city is and it has been on my Top 10 for a while. Needless to say, I’m excited to get into it.

And, well, I guess that means goodbye to you…

Jaws!

Gaansbai, South Africa - The largest population of White Sharks in the world stalk these waters.  

Stop now if you're afraid!

Sunrise in Gaansbai.  Gotta get up early to go shark hunting!

Pre-Tank Enthusiam

We saw 4 sharks in total!

In-tank satisfaction!

Post Tank Aliveness....

Editing the video now.  Definitely was a much cooler experience than any of us anticipated.  Highly recommend it!

Shark Bait!

We made it back in one piece!

Video and more pics later.

Lekker View

We have made it as far south on this blue marble as I've ever been, and as far south as humanly possible at the moment on continental Africa. 

After waking up in Mossel Bay and going for a dip in the tidal pools there, we made our way to Cape L’Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, and the meeting points of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. 

A lekker view, indeed.

We’re in Gansbaai now, where the mountains meet the bay, today for some swimming with the Sharks.   

Fingers crossed for a few Great Whites and that we keep our limbs! (kidding, Mom!)

The Big Five!

We spent 3 days in Kruger Park and got to see the Big Five!  The Big Five consists of Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Leopard and Water Buffalo.  It was really cool to be back amongst Ellies again, and I was happy that I didn't leave Africa without seeing the Rhino and Leopard!

The Leopard was a bit too quick for us to take pictures, so I’ve included a shot of Evan sleeping.  Which, in itself, is usually something unheard of in the wild. 

We were also lucky to see 6 of the Magnificent 7 (includes Big 5, plus Wild Dogs and Cheetah), narrowly missing this pack of the dogs go on a killing spree.   

They are also sometimes called "the Painted Wolves".  They look so friendly.  Who knew 15 mins later they would be slaughtering Impalas.

And here's a Hyena staring at a herd of Baboons coming his way!

In all we saw:

Hyena

Elephant

Giraffe

Water Buffalo

Wild Dogs

Bushbuck

Waterbuck

Impala (they’re the squirrels of Africa)

Duiker

Clippenspringer

Lion

White Rhino

Kudu

Warthog

Giant Snail

Monitor Lizard

Crocodile
Mongoose (White Tailed, Dwarf, Germaine)
Bataleur
Turtles
Baboons (and several Baboons having sex)

A bunch of different birds (Favorite is the Lilac Breasted Roller)

I know the guys we're really amazed at seeing these animals in their natural habitats vs. the zoos they had seen some of them in before.   All agreed it has been a successful trip so far.

We’ll be heading down the coast over the next couple days to Cape Town, leaving the land for the sea. 

Next up, Whales, Sharks, Penguins, and Seals.  Really looking forward to it.