Cape Town 31/12/25

Sadly it’s our last day in Cape Town, a place with extraordinary natural beauty, a chequered past, an indecisive future and a sense of kindness we will never forget.

Unfortunately there was a persistent mist in the air today which didn’t help with the photos but I can assure you this coastal drive was as good as anything in the world.

The similarities to back home were evident. I think if you took our very best such as Cottesloe, Bondi, Wilson’s Prom, Esperance, Glenelg, Noosa, Mallacoota, Tassie’s East Coast etc and combined all those unique elements together, the coast of South Africa is just that but on a grander scale. It was simply awesome.

The trip took us from Cape Town down the Atlantic side of the country to the Cape Of Good Hope, then to Cape Point Nature Reserve then back to Cape Town via the Indian Ocean side.

As mentioned, the mist prevented seeing plenty of stunning scenery but it didn’t matter. We’ve been blessed this past five days.

I was hoping to get a better look at the Cape Of Good Hope which has claimed up to three thousand ships. We did manage a Griswald Family photo though. There was a huge queue to get your personal photo done and you can see how clearly happy I was to participate.

There are baboons in many places along the way. They are seriously smart and will steal anything if you’re not careful. There’s also a big colony of penguins at a gorgeous little place called Simon’s Town. Too many tourists for us especially when Lynda had taught on Phillip Island for twenty years. Still found a solo one and took a long distance shot of the crowds.

Our guide Alan was another lunatic Afrikaner whose belief is that the best days in South Africa were pre-Mandela’s release from gaol in 1994. He’s entitled to his opinion and that’s one thing we now know about Afrikaner men. They are as subtle as a brick in the back of the head. For Alan and others in middle age it comes down to the crime that’s so prevalent which is totally understandable.

Regardless of his political bent Alan was a dynamo. He had run ultra-marathons up to 100km as well as plenty of regular 42kms.

He loves his country just as Amber who we had yesterday does. Amber tended to go with flow when it came to the crime but Alan was much more ebullient.

Amber has used pepper spray whilst going for a run one evening and on another occasion was chased until the chaser gave up. She takes it all in her stride but it’s hard for us to comprehend being that worried every time we leave our house.

Alan would just prefer to shoot them. Case closed.

Here’s one for any Australian who needs reminding about how lucky we are. The basic hourly wage in Australia is AUD$25 right? For a South African is AUD$2.80.

Anyone in hospitality or the service industry rely heavily on tips so if you decide to visit please bring plenty of lower denomination cash.

There is no superannuation here, no Medicare and no pensions of any kind. The dole is AUD $37 a month. In Australia its approx. AUD $1600 a month.

The South African government is the problem and everyone we have spoken to has no answer. The corruption is rife and the non-decisions to leave the constituents so insecure here is alarming.

I’ve found it interesting that the beautiful black people who wait tables and clean everything for the tourists all must speak English.

There are eleven tribal languages spoken but in order for even the shittiest jobs, these boys and girls need English as a pre-requisite.

Now I’m no sociologist but if these kids can manage two languages (many have three or more) then surely that says these guys are intelligent and have potential.

Unfortunately unless you are rich you won’t go to university here so millions just fall through the cracks and either become career waiters or adopt crime for a living.

Amber said you can receive company scholarships from big corporations but again they are mostly given to whites.

It’s a confusing country and yet the warmth we have felt has got us yearning for another trip here.

We were joined in the van today by a delightful Irish family who are well travelled. The enjoyment of travel is not just scenery but more-so determined by the people you meet.

To our American, Swedish, Irish, lunatic Afrikan and black South African friends we love you and thanks for everything.

Off to Singapore for a few days before getting back to reality.