For some reason, I completely forgot to continue the story about the trip to South Africa during my travels and business.
I am correcting myself.
So. Climbing in the most roundabout way, swimming with, meeting New Year in the crowd of thousands on the embankment, early in the morning of January 1, we found the strength to load into cars and set off towards our hopes.
Rather, one hope. But very kind.
Namely, to the cape Good Hope.
Why were these heroic efforts and why did you have to go early in the morning?
Yes, because during the day there are so many people rushing there that all hopes can be squandered while standing in an endless traffic jam.
The Cape of Good Hope is located on the Cape Peninsula, just south of Cape Town.
And this is where confusion often arises. For there is a geographical point - directly the Cape of Good Hope.
Where there is nothing but hope.
And there is - Cape Point, where there is a lighthouse called "Cape of Good Hope". There are also all sorts of souvenir shops, cafes and life in general. So many are limited to coming to this very place.
We, as real travelers, decided to land at the Cape of Good Hope. And then go to the lighthouse.
What was the original idea to go to both places by car. But I looked at the map categorically stated that we must go on foot.
Who would doubt that.
The cape on the morning of the first of January was surprisingly deserted. And the ocean delighted the eye with a crazy color.
By the way, forgive my geographic criticism, I never remembered what kind of ocean it was.
However, coastline the continent here for the first time turns to the east, opening a passage from the Atlantic Ocean towards the Indian.
So let's consider it a mix of two oceans.
The Cape of Good Hope is not the southernmost point in Africa. But in order to give this place some kind of status, and a meaning for the stay of tourists, it was appointed the most southwestern point of the continent.
What a commemorative plaque was erected.
Everything. There is nothing else on the cape.
Therefore, without stopping for a long time, we went along the path along the coast past the bizarre rocks to Cape Point.
Wow, he can be seen in the distance.
Wind, rocks, waves beating against rocks - this place would be much more suitable for its original name - Cape Storms.
For when a storm rages here, there is not much to hope for.
But history, as you know, is made by optimists. Therefore, the cape received such a name.
You can walk from the Cape of Good Hope to the lighthouse in about forty minutes. But we were not chasing records.
They walked, turning their heads around, constantly stopping to take pictures or capture another impressive view.
So the walk took about two hours.
Approximately in the middle of the way there is a completely charming beach, where you should definitely go down.
Of course we went down there, wandered around.
And Pasha, despite the icy water and huge waves, it seems even took a dip.
Well, Pasha is generally crazy.
At the top of the Lvinaya Head mountain, having literally bought into the "weak" took and stood in the plank for five minutes.
Five minutes! Before that, he didn’t even know what a plank was.
However, I digress. We're on the beach.
On a very romantic beach. Look, someone even laid out a heart out of algae.
By the way, it was a discovery for me personally that one of the most terrible and romantic legends is connected with the Cape of Good Hope.
Do you know what?
I didn't know - the legend of the Flying Dutchman. Somewhere here he plows the waves of the ocean.
However, when you walk along the picturesque paths on a sunny day, the last thing you think about is all sorts of creepy stories.
From the parking lot to the lighthouse you can climb in a small trailer.
But then you can get past the baboons.
It's not that I love baboons that much. Rather the opposite. Of all the representatives of the ape family, they are the least sympathetic to me.
But, as you know, the commandment of a tourist, if there is a baboon, you need to see it.
Or not necessary, I thought, seeing what the father of the family is doing while mom is babysitting the children.
However, when he saw that I was photographing him, he somehow quickly became embarrassed, dropped his business and covered himself with his paws.
But the impression of communication with the beautiful animal world was somehow already spoiled.
I had to go straight to the lighthouse in order to neutralize the moral damage with natural beauties.
Lighthouse, like a lighthouse. Nothing special.
Next to it is a traditional counter for tourist places with distances to different settlements.
They put such things, apparently, to impress the tourist - the eka has climbed far. But for some reason it does not touch a single string of my tender soul at all.
It is much more interesting to go around some old buildings to the very ends of the earth.
At least there you can take a photo from the "End of the World" series.
I already had this photo geographic point here it is right under this name Cape End of the World.
It is located on the island of Shikotan in the Kuriles. In my opinion there is much more picturesque, but it's a matter of taste.
After a long walk, it's time to refresh.
So while waiting for everyone to gather, I passed the pizza, which very harmful birds tried to brazenly take away from me.
Here they behaved very arrogantly.
I also sent a postcard.
The postcard never arrived. Looks like I got lost :(
When I redid all the cases and almost got bored, everyone else finally found me and happily informed me that plans had changed.
Our cunning plan, which was that Misha would come by car to the lighthouse, take a second driver with him, they would quickly drive to the cape for the second car, and we would all go home, failed miserably. As is usually the case with brilliant plans.
It turned out that there was such a traffic jam at the lighthouse, to stand for two hours. So Misha didn't follow us.
Vika and Arseniy left in a car that was not ours.
Well, we went back on foot to a good hope. Just like the Flying Dutchman, wandering the seas without rest.
Apparently, this hope would like to let us go just like that.
But now, with a sense of accomplishment, we could definitely say that we were going far and wide across the Cape of Good Hope.
Well, what else do real tramps need?
The Cape of Good Hope was first stumbled upon by a Portuguese sea traveler Bartolomeu Dias. This significant event took place in 1488. He named it Cape Storms. But the Portuguese king Juan II did not like this name, and he ordered it to be renamed the Cape of Good Hope, hoping that the name would somehow appease the depths of the sea and the path to India would be opened, which later happened.
The Cape of Good Hope is a symbol of South Africa. The cape is located on the Cape Peninsula. From Cape Town it takes 4 hours to get here. Time will fly by unnoticed: beautiful savannas, walking ostriches, baboons, antelopes - all this looks extremely beautiful and organic.
Further, the path lies through the reserve with the same name. The surface of the earth here is covered with dense low vegetation, so it is almost impossible to move on foot, only by car. Plants growing in the reserve cannot be seen anywhere else on the planet.
The fauna is also unique. Here are monkeys, and cheetahs, and rhinos, and lions, and other predators. And most importantly, along with these representatives of hot Africa, penguins roam here. You definitely won't see this anywhere.
At the Cape of Good Hope, you can sunbathe and swim on the beaches. The swimming season is from September to May.
The main attraction of Good Hope is, of course, the 240-meter-high lighthouse built in 1860. Today, the lighthouse does not work, because it is often shrouded in a veil of clouds and it is still not visible to ships. But it has an observation deck. A cable car leads to it, and you can walk. There is also a restaurant and souvenir shop here. Climbing onto the site, there is a feeling of flying over two oceans. Here is the meeting point indian ocean with the Atlantic, in honor of which even a special aquarium was arranged in Cape Town. On the one hand, the cape is washed by one, on the other by the other. If you look closely, you can see that the oceans are somewhat different in color.
From the Cape of Good Hope you can go by boat to the island of fur seals. On the same small island, just four sq. km, was once a prison, and now a museum that tells about the historical events of the country.
The city of Cape Town is located in the Republic of South Africa, on the Cape Peninsula, near the Cape of Good Hope. The city center is occupied by mansions and buildings of old Dutch architecture, built in the Victorian style. But they are relatively few. On the one hand, they are sandwiched by Table Bay, and on the other, by Table Mountain.
Cape Town is often the last stop on a South African tour itinerary, which includes:
Photo hunting in the national park,
This South African city has a lot of entertainment and attractions, but the main ones are the Cape of Good Hope and Table Mountain, from which many travelers who have been there are breathtaking.
Cape of Good Hope
In the 15th century, the Cape of Good Hope served as the embodiment of the dream of Portuguese navigators who were looking for a way to India. Initially it was called the Cape of Storms, but under King Juan II, this point on the Cape Peninsula was renamed. Now the Cape of Good Hope is known for its landscapes, which attract millions of tourists. The cape is the most extreme southwestern point of Africa, which is also confirmed by scientists. On the site in front of this place there is an indication with the exact coordinates.
Ocean coast near Cape Town.
Reserve on the Cape
The road to the Cape of Good Hope passes through the reserve of the same name. It is distinguished by dense thickets of various plants that interfere with walking. Their highest density is observed on the Cape Peninsula, so you cannot do without a car here.
The reserve covers an area of more than 7,000 hectares. In it, along with the rarest representatives of the flora, there are also representatives of the fauna unique to Africa, such as penguins. It is especially unusual to see them next to antelopes and cheetahs, since they are associated only with the coldest points on the planet. However, this is not a mirage. Penguins made their way to Africa from Antarctica. Previously, penguins walked around the entire reserve, but then a separate area was allocated for them, called Boulders Beach.
Penguins at the Cape of Good Hope.
Lighthouse
The lighthouse was built in 1860, and now it is one of the main attractions of the cape. It rises 240 meters above sea level and is considered the highest in South Africa. The lighthouse has an observation deck. It is equipped at an altitude of 200 meters, and you can climb it either by funicular or on foot. Nearby there is a souvenir shop and a restaurant with a terrace with amazing views.
From here, tourists can see two oceans at once: one side of the cape is washed by the waters of the Atlantic, and on the other, the Indian. Looking closely, you can see that they differ from each other in color.
Beaches
On the Cape of Good Hope there is an opportunity to relax on the beach. The swimming season usually begins in September: at this time, sunny weather sets in, and a good tan is guaranteed. The season ends in May.
One of the beaches in Cape Town.
At the same time, there are some climatic features near the coast. For example, the western side is characterized by a mild climate, sandy shores, peace and quiet. Here are the beaches. It is warmer in the east, but the wind blowing there gives inconvenience strong winds, which interfere with swimming, so tourists in this part of the coast prefer only to settle on the shore and admire the ocean.
Excursions
An excursion to the Cape of Good Hope most often includes a visit to the reserve and the coast of penguins. But besides them, there are other sights worth seeing. For example, on the coast of the so-called "Fake Bay" a road was laid to the town of Simonstown, where in the past the base of the British Royal Navy was located.
Of interest to tourists is the island of fur seals, with an area of 4 square kilometers, which has a rather turbulent history. Since the 17th century, there has been a prison, a hospital and military base. It was on this island that Nelson Mandella, the future president of South Africa, was imprisoned.
In 1999, UNESCO listed the island as a World Heritage Site. A museum dedicated to the history of the state was opened there. For tourists, they conduct tours of the cells and the prison courtyard.
table mountain
This is the main attraction of Cape Town itself, without which it is impossible to imagine this South African city. Table Mountain, or Mount Table, is recognized as a symbol of the city and is included in the UNESCO heritage list. It rises to 1087 meters.
View of Table Mountain from the harbor of Cape Town.
The first European to climb this peak was the Portuguese sailor António de Saldanha. At that time, Table Mountain was covered with centuries-old hardwood trees. They were used in the construction of a wooden fort for a new settlement. Usually mountains end in pointed tops, but Table Mountain has a flat top, like a tabletop, which is why the mountain got its name.
Most of the time, Table Mountain is covered with clouds, so not all tourists manage to get on it. Due to weather conditions, the city authorities may prohibit climbing to the top in order to avoid any accidents with travelers. And the weather in Cape Town is unstable, and the reason for this is the warm and cold currents of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans that meet at this location. When thick cloud masses cover the mountain, the townspeople say that it is covered with a tablecloth.
Many legends are associated with this phenomenon. According to one of them, one of local residents, whose name was Fan Hanks, smoked tobacco with such a vile smell that the townspeople escorted him to the mountain slopes. There he met the devil, who offered him to arrange a competition: who will smoke whom. Hanks accepted the offer. They lit a cigarette, and their smoke covered the entire mountain. Since then, the inhabitants of Cape Town have referred to this legend when they see Mount Table covered with a white "tablecloth".
When the weather is good, clear, you can climb to its top with the help of cable car. This mountain is considered the best viewing platform, it is included in the list of the ten most visited places by tourists around the world. There are viewing telescopes, a souvenir shop and a restaurant. From here you can see the entire Cape Town. But travelers are especially delighted by the view from the top of the mountain during sunset, when the horizon merges with the ocean.
While walking along Table Mountain, tourists will meet many representatives of the local fauna and flora. There are approximately 1,470 plant species here, including the protea, recognized as a real symbol of South Africa.
Several peaks adjoin Table Mountain, which are part of national park peninsulas. These are Devil's Peak, Lion's Head and the mountain of the Twelve Apostles.
In addition to visiting the Cape of Good Hope and Table Mountain, in Cape Town you should definitely try the wines from the Cape region, which are famous far beyond Africa and highly appreciated by many gourmets and wine connoisseurs around the world. And also take a couple of surfing lessons on the most famous surfer beach in South Africa.
Probably, there is not a single person in the world who would not know the name of the most famous cape of the planet Earth, the Cape of Good Hope. When you hear this name, a bright picture appears before your eyes - a raging ocean, a ship with brave seafarers and the cabin boy's cry: "Earth, earth!". And, of course, we could not ignore this in any way. iconic place. It was decided to dedicate one day to a trip to the Cape of Good Hope, and at the same time, also visit.
We are heading towards the Cape of Good Hope.
The name comes from the captain's assistant from an English ship that arrived here in 1607 to reconnoiter the area. Entering the bay, the captain sent John Chapman up the mountain to inspect the surroundings. He left and disappeared. After waiting for several hours, the captain decided that his messenger might well have crashed in the mountains, and for some reason gave the order to set sail. Already at the exit from the bay, the sailors noticed the signals of Chapman, who was rushing down to the ocean. The ship sent a boat to pick up the man, and the place was named Chapman's Luck. After the First World War on sheer cliffs paved the way. Open since 1922, it has become one of the attractions of Cape Town
You can appreciate the views that open from this road by going to.
The reserve of the Cape of Good Hope, where we are going, occupies the entire extreme part of the peninsula. Antelopes, zebras, ostriches, and monkeys roam freely on over 7,700 hectares; more than 1100 species of plants grow. All nature is protected, so you can’t take anything with you, don’t pick flowers, don’t feed monkeys.
Entrance to the reserve is paid. You can spend the whole day on the territory of the reserve, which the locals do with pleasure, they come here for the weekend and walk in nature, sunbathe and swim, and fish. The area is quite safe.
This is probably the most visited place in South Africa by tourists. The legendary Cape of Good Hope has long been considered the most southwestern point of Africa, until scientists determined that this point is 1.5 km from it in a straight line and this point is Cape Point. Here is such a pun, point - Cape Points.))
Tourists usually visit both places at once - the Cape of Good Hope, and the most southwestern part of Africa, Cape Point.
Among the tourists there are very colorful.
You can drive up to the Cape of Good Hope by car along the road along the ocean, or you can walk along the wooden walkways that are laid by the most beautiful beach, which bears the name "beach of God".
230 steep stairs lead to this beach. But it's worth it. White sand, like on the Bounty and two well-known capes along the edges of the beach. Incredibly beautiful place.
Representatives of the local fauna, funny lizards crawl out onto the wooden walkways to bask.
You can climb the cape along a rocky path and admire the views that open from there.
Interestingly, far fewer tourists go to the Cape of Good Hope than to Cape Point. They probably do not want to bother with a two-kilometer walk through the mountains.
In vain. It is very beautiful in here.
But not everyone is afraid of difficulties.
Cape Point and the lighthouse can be reached by funicular or by a well-maintained staircase, admiring the Cape of Good Hope along the way and beautiful views on the national park. I, as always, chose to climb on foot. The husband decided that one cape from him was enough and he would rather spend this time on the beach.)
The road to Cape Point goes up to the old lighthouse - the highest sea lighthouse in South Africa. When they were building, they thought: the higher, the better, the farther it will be visible. It turned out not quite so. Up to 900 hours a year, the lighthouse is covered by dense low clouds, while at sea level visibility can remain excellent. Near the shore, under the very surface of the water, a rock is hidden, on which ships have repeatedly crashed on cloudy nights. The lighthouse continued to shine in the fog, but was invisible. After the collapse of the Portuguese cargo ship "Lusitania" (the ancient name of Portugal), a new lighthouse was built sixty meters above the water. The old one was turned into observation deck where is going Railway. From above, trails depart for those wishing to walk along the rocks to the edge of the cape, from where you can see the new lighthouse and the remains of radar installations from the Second World War.
It goes without saying that I went up to the lighthouse.
Even despite the off-season, there were a huge number of tourists next to it. And that was the first time in South Africa that I heard Russian spoken. A group of Russian tourists came for the tour.
Well, I completed the minimum program, a photo of the lighthouse and its surroundings.
And, of course, she went further, where no lazy tourist had gone, to the edge of the cliff, under which a second, small lighthouse was built.
The heat has already thoroughly got me, but the Russians do not give up to put an end to their tourist map I wanted to, because you can’t consider such a large lighthouse if there is another 1.5 kilometers along the rocks to the real Cape Point.
And now, hurrah! I am standing at Cape Point and in front of me is the ocean and Antarctica.
Although the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans is located at Cape Agulhas, it is generally accepted that the two currents merge precisely in the area of the Cape of Good Hope. The warm current Agulhas, running from East to West, reaches the Cape Peninsula, where it dries up. The Benguela Current moves from South to North. The current itself is not cold, but its effect on water temperature is associated with the process of displacement of the upper layers of water. Due to this, on one side of the peninsula, the water temperature is always a couple of degrees different from the water temperature on the other. From the lighthouse it even seems that you can see the difference in the color of the water. There are no borders as such - water and water. It's like looking for the place where whiskey and soda meet in a glass. Standing on top of the peninsula and looking into open ocean in the South, you feel the end of the world. Further - only Antarctica, although it is more than 4500 km away. And under your feet - on the one hand, the cold waters of the Atlantic, on the other - a bay called False Bay. The water is warmer there, due to the current from the Indian Ocean, and along it are the most popular beaches of the city. The name of the bay appeared even under the Portuguese. It is so wide that in foggy weather the opposite shore is not visible, and the impression of an open ocean is created.
I go down from the lighthouse, where we meet with my husband. And we go to the local souvenir shop. Quite a decent range.
I was surprised that there was no cafe nearby. There are a huge number of tourists, probably many, after climbing up the mountain, would be happy to sit at a table overlooking the ocean and the Cape of Good Hope. But there was no cafe or any grocery store nearby.
While we were walking along the bridges to the cute birds, we met with a close relative of... an elephant. She sat on the railing and even posed for us a little.
Full of impressions, we returned home. But before the Cape we could not stop. It was also the last time we could look at the panorama of the city.
And at home, in a small garden, other representatives of the animal world of Africa were waiting for us.
Evening came, and then the sky cleared and the night showed us constellations that people who live on the other hemisphere never see.
That's all, it's time to say goodbye to the Cape Peninsula.
We're leaving tomorrow. We are waiting for the most south point Africa.
Excursion to the ends of the earth! Is this not a dream!
For a long time it was believed that the Cape of Good Hope is the southern point of Africa. It was discovered in 1488 by the Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias de Novais. In search of a sea route to India, Bartolomeu and his team went around Africa. Having fallen into a severe storm, the ships wandered in the ocean for several days, and then stumbled upon a cape. In memory of the storm, the navigator named it Cape Storms.
Soon, thanks to King Joao II of Portugal, the cape received a different name - the Cape of Good Hope.
Cape of Good Hope - extreme point southwestern part of Africa. Its exact coordinates are indicated on a sign placed in front of the cape. Tourists gather around it all the time.
A little further away from it is Cape Point - a favorite place for visitors due to the powerful lighthouse, 240 m above sea level. A lighthouse named "Cape of Good Hope" was built at Cape Point back in 1857. Currently, it is not operational, but tourists can take the funicular or on foot to the observation deck, located at an altitude of 200 m, from where a beautiful panoramic view opens.
If you look closely, you can see from a height how the waters of the Indian and Atlantic oceans join at the cape. Different shades of water merge together. Equipped on the coast sandy beaches where you can relax big company or retire.
Not far from the Cape of Good Hope is the famous among lovers active rest Diaz Beach. Surfers are attracted high waves, divers - numerous wrecks, and adventurers hope to catch a glimpse of the legendary "Flying Dutchman".
On the way to the Cape of Good Hope from Cape Town, on the territory of more than 7 thousand hectares, there is a reserve of the same name with the cape. More than 1,000 plant species, including endemics, are found here. In the impenetrable thickets of the reserve, the artichoke protea grows, the flower of which is the symbol of South Africa.
More than 250 species of birds and many animals live here: elands, zebras, bear baboons, cheetahs, lynxes, mongooses, crocodile-like lizards. And next to them live penguins and fur seals. In winter and spring, southern right whales swim near the Cape of Good Hope.
How to get to the Cape of Good Hope:
- from Moscow to Cape Town with a transfer in Munich, London or Dubai, from where it takes 4 hours to get to the cape by car. The road by car runs through an area filled with wonderful landscapes, so time flies by unnoticed.
For your convenience, Excellence organizes individual tours to the Cape of Good Hope with a departure from Moscow.
