Monday, June 8, 2009

Weekend Adventures






Here are some photos from a weekend spent in Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, Stellenbosch, and Camps Bay. While the weekend did not bless us with beautiful weather, I had a great time with friends exploring these historic sites of South Africa.


Cape Point is located at the southeastern corner of the Cape Peninsula. There is a sandstone ridge that rises from Cape Point at sea level, and then breaks into two peaks. The higher of the peaks features an old lighthouse located at the top, which we toured Friday afternoon.


The Cape of Good Hope is at the southwestern corner of the Cape Peninsula. Bartolomeu Dias was the first European to reach the cape in 1488, and he named it the "Cape of Storms" for its fierce winds and rain. This name held true on Friday, as the winds were some of the strongest I've ever felt in my life. "The Cape" was later renamed "Cape of Good Hope" by John II of Portugal as a tribute to the assurance of its presence.


Stellenbosch is the second oldest European settlement in the Western Cape province. Located about 30 miles from Cape Town, the town is also known as the City of Oaks due to the large number of oak trees planted along the streets and around the homes. Site of the University of Stellenbosch, one of the leading universities in South Africa, the town is vibrant with culture from sporting clubs to rich valleys filled with vineyards open to public tourism and wine tastings. I spent Saturday morning exploring the city, university, and vineyards with friends.


Camps Bay is a popular suburb of Cape Town. Known for its beautiful beaches and  lively nightlife, Camps Bay is a very popular spot for tourist. Sunday was a perfect day to lay out on the beach, and a few of us spent Sunday night at Blues Restaurant where we enjoyed amazing food and a unique ambiance.

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