Grand Africa, voyage day, 45, Cape Town, South Africa

Screenshot courtesy of Marine Traffic, the orange vessels depicted here are fishing boats

23 November 2022, Cape Town, South Africa

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! We are thankful for God’s blessings.
Instead of docking at 8am, this morning ms Zaandam started making noises well before 6am. The TV bow camera showed that we were approaching Cape Town, South Africa.
I crawled back into bed. No sail in photos today.

We were already docked when I got up. Took photos of the harbor and city from the Lido’s back deck. The temperatures in the 60’s have shocked Florida and Arizona people. The legendary Table Mountain is covered with clouds.
I tried a chocolate waffle for breakfast with sausage, pineapple, watermelon, orange juice, and coffee.

At 7:50 Jeremy announced that we had been cleared by the port, and passengers could go ashore from deck 1, midship.
It was close to 9am, when I left the ship. The welcome music was so nice. Inside the Cruise Terminal was Tourist Information. Not only did they have the Hop-On Hop-Off bus information, but they pointed out the HO-HO bus waiting outside to take people to their office by the Aquarium at the V & A Waterfront. I had planned to hike there. What a nice surprise! Traded my online papers there for a proper ticket and boarded the blue line bus. The Cape Town Mini Peninsula tour had 14 stops around the peninsula (2 1/2 hours) stopping at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and connecting to the purple line wine tour.
I sat upstairs in the wind for the best views. No plan to hop on and off, just ride around and look. We drove through the city center (could have done the included downtown walk). I stayed on until the Constantia Nek connection, where I got off.

I boarded the purple route bus (30 min). The Constantia Valley Wine Bus stops at three of Constantia Valley’s finest wine estates. I sat in an outside seat again for the best views of the beautiful valley full of vineyards. Most of the passengers got off at the historic Groot Constantia winery, but I played it safe and stayed on. I wore my red Asia Pacific windbreaker today because it was familiar Port Angeles weather. The wind had increased, and one gust took my black visor off my head. Gone for good. I hope that its new owner enjoys it as much as I did.

Got off at the Constantia Nek connection to change buses, and the strong wind made it hard to walk and to stand. Reboarded the long blue bus route. Sat inside this time. The blue route stopped at the World of Birds, Houts Bay, Camps Bay on the Atlantic, and followed the luxury coastline to the V & A Waterfront where I had started.

It was about 1pm, and I got onto the red city route to Table Mountain (90 min). Returned to the downtown office (sitting inside again) and then the bus climbed up to the foot of Table Mountain. This is where people could ride the aerial cableway to the top of cloud-covered Table Mountain. (Heard that the winds today canceled this and the ferry boat to Robben Island) I enjoyed the great views of the city. Then the red route descended to join up and repeat the blue route along the Atlantic coast back to the V & A Waterfront.

I enjoyed three shopping spots but found the best buys in the HO-HO bus souvenirs.
About 3pm I started looking for the return HO-HO shuttle to the Port Terminal. Went through security there, boarded ms Zaandam, and was back in my room about 4pm.

We have a new dining steward to replace Yoga. His name is Wahoo from an Indonesian island between Java and Bali.
My dinner was the Beetroot Cured Salmon & Prawn Salad, Roasted Baby Pork Ribs, Lemon Meringue Cheesecake, finished wine bottle #5, and decaf coffee.
So pleased that Charlotte & Bill’s five day Safari in Kruger National Park was such a huge success.
Some people left the ship today and 75 new passengers boarded.

Our special entertainment tonight was the South Africa Youth Choir. They started with tribal music and worked up to Jazz and Rock. The young man’s closing Broadway solo got a standing ovation, as did the whole show.

Two dark chocolates, etc. tonight.
I am feeling very content that family is gathering for Thanksgiving.
May God bless you all.