Friday, April 17,
2015 From Cape Town, South Africa to Hermanus,
South Africa
After a good night sleep and breakfast under our belt, we
took off in a car with Andre, our driver.
Larry and Andre
He rolled along a six lane highway that turned into two lanes with a wide pull over lane that the Africans use to pull over to allow someone who is in a hurry behind them to pass. What a genius idea!
He rolled along a six lane highway that turned into two lanes with a wide pull over lane that the Africans use to pull over to allow someone who is in a hurry behind them to pass. What a genius idea!
Andre pointed out the slums of Cape Town that I had read about
before we took this trip. A small section provided
an upgrade of better housing, but beside these nicer houses shacks and sheds
had sprung up with places for family or friends to live.
400,000 foreign nationals were living here…fifth largest slum in the world….what an awful thing to claim fame to. Electrical lines ran off of a single pole out to numerous shanties looking like the inside structure of a circus tent…no running water…port a potties were spotted in one area. Each home looked like a shack or little shed. Families tend to pile in.
These people feel this is better living than where they came from previously, but there is little employment so they take to the streets selling apples or whatever alongside the road….doing anything to survive. The South Africans are embarrassed about this situation. If the government provides for them, more will come.
Bird of Paradise says it all about the climate...very mild.
400,000 foreign nationals were living here…fifth largest slum in the world….what an awful thing to claim fame to. Electrical lines ran off of a single pole out to numerous shanties looking like the inside structure of a circus tent…no running water…port a potties were spotted in one area. Each home looked like a shack or little shed. Families tend to pile in.
These people feel this is better living than where they came from previously, but there is little employment so they take to the streets selling apples or whatever alongside the road….doing anything to survive. The South Africans are embarrassed about this situation. If the government provides for them, more will come.
We passed through several four directional stop signs on a busy four lane
highway. Andre said that these were very
effective….more accidents occur at a traffic light than at a four directional
stop….interesting. Also, South Africa has speed cameras all about…so we knew we
had to stay within the speed limit to prevent getting a ticket.
We saw a lot of rocky scenery….reminded us of the California coastal region. We
topped a mountain and stopped to look back at the tremendous view of Cape Town.
Cape Town, South Africa
At the top of this mountain was a reserve, so the animals were protected. There are lots of baboons here, causing a problem for the visitors who stop to see the view. The wind was blowing furiously on top of the mountain today…it was very chilly here on top. Andrea told us that in South Africa you can experience all four seasons in a day. What a crazy way to describe the weather!
At the top of this mountain was a reserve, so the animals were protected. There are lots of baboons here, causing a problem for the visitors who stop to see the view. The wind was blowing furiously on top of the mountain today…it was very chilly here on top. Andrea told us that in South Africa you can experience all four seasons in a day. What a crazy way to describe the weather!
The population in South Africa consists of 10% white, 10% colored
or mixed, 5 % Indian, and 75% black. There are very segregated areas
of housing for each group. Andrea pointed them out, “This is the colored housing. This
is the black area”…etc.
After taking a few
pictures of Cape Town from the mountain top, we headed down the other side
of Overberg (meaning over the mountain)
into what is known as the ‘Bread Basket”.
Apples, grapes, and olives are prominent in the area; however, during the growing season other fresh vegetables are grown. South Africa is now in the fall season…grape arbors and trees are starting to show the autumn colors. Eucalyptus trees lined the roads. Andrea said that they had been planted years ago, but there are plans to take them down because they drain the soil of water. There is a severe water shortage in South Africa.
Apples, grapes, and olives are prominent in the area; however, during the growing season other fresh vegetables are grown. South Africa is now in the fall season…grape arbors and trees are starting to show the autumn colors. Eucalyptus trees lined the roads. Andrea said that they had been planted years ago, but there are plans to take them down because they drain the soil of water. There is a severe water shortage in South Africa.
We enjoyed our ride down the Coastal highway known as the
Whale Coast Route. Andrea did an excellent job of showing us the sights along
the way and telling us so much about the South African culture.
We arrived at our new home in Hermanus at 11:00am. Cathy,
the housekeeper, met us to let us in. Larry and I were ready for some home
cooked meals and to regroup….do laundry! HA! HA!
A little relaxation at 20 Mussen Street
No comments:
Post a Comment