South Africa The Final Chapter – V&A Waterfront

After an exciting few days at Aquilla Game reserve, we’re back in Cape Town.  This time checking in to the Waterfront Village on the V&A Waterfront and our luck was in again as we were upgraded to a beautiful two bedroom villa.

Our first day was spent driving down the coast to Simons town to see the beautiful African Penguins at Boulders Beach. It’s wonderful to think this thriving colony has grown to over 3000 from just two breeding pairs back in 1982.

The next day we headed off to Gaansbai to go  White Shark Cage Diving in. After a 3 hours drive there we were told the weather was too bad and our dive was cancelled. This was one of the main things WE wanted to do in Cape Town so we didn’t want to give up so easily. We were advised the weather was looking better the next day and even though it was a long drive we agreed to return the following day.

The sun was shining and we were all very excited boarding the boat. So far, so good. Then we waited, waited and waited! At one point we saw a fin in the distance but that was as close as any sharks came to us. To say we were disappointed is an understatement. I had thought that going during this season we would be pretty much guaranteed to see them and it appears this is normally the case. Except as I mentioned in my previous blog South Africa was experiencing an uncharacteristically cold winter and the cold front was keeping the sharks away. I wish White Shark Cage diving had told us this before we wasted two days of our holiday!

On a plus note, we did see whales basking on our way home so that cheered us up a bit.

We decided to make the most of our last two days, starting with a helicopter ride over the city

Wow, what an experience! I think you will agree a picture says a thousand words.

The last day of our trip was a very humbling experience as we visited Robben Island. This is where people were imprisoned during apartheid. Nelson Mandela was here for 18 years and our Guide Ntado also sent here for 7 years. It’s hard to believe Apartheid only ended in the 90’s and it’s incredible how far the country has progressed since that dark time.

So that’s the end of my  South African adventure and what an adventure it was! Every time I visit South Africa I come back with the most amazing of memories and already I can’t wait to return!