Cape Town, Durban and Beyond!

Alas, the ‘zeys and Sihs have parted, and the Sih daughters will have to continue to post lest this blog go to waste.

We left the Hamzeys at the airport in Cape Town and headed toward our new family friends, Nick and Danielle who live in a cute town named Scarborough (a conservation village!). We took the metro for the first time and headed about an hour down the Peninsula where they picked us up in Fish Hoek. We hiked around the village and got our feet wet at the beach, enjoying a stunning sunset.

The next day we took a drive south to Table Mountain National Park and hiked around the cliffs for several hours. Next was Cape Point which was full of tourists and South Americans greeting each other.

Then, we woke up early on Friday to head to Simon’s Town and scuba dive with Pisces Divers. We were originally scheduled for one dive because the other was full, but on the insistence of the dive masters and the good fortune that one girl got seasick, we were able to stay for the second dive! On the first off Boat Rock near Miller’s Beach, we saw many seafans, nudibranchs, and star fish of all kinds. My first indication that this was going to be a cold dive was when I was handed not one, but two thick wetsuits. On the second dive, we went into this kelp area and swam with these seven-gilled cow sharks, who weren’t afraid of us at all, and as a result, got quite close.

Saturday, we departed Scarborough and headed to Cape Town, stopping by the Old Biscuit Mill Saturday market. We sipped on sparkling wine and oysters while people watching and figuring out where to stay. After dropping our things off at the hostel in Pinelands (located in the middle of an eco-village!) we headed to the V&A Waterfront for some beers and sausages, celebrating with the German fans and watching Spain vs Paraguay in a tent next to the Fan Fest. Tiffany connected with some of her friends from USC at Rafiki’s, and then we headed home. Whew!

The Brauhaus we ate in, full of ze Germanz!

V&A Waterfront. Note the crowds on the left hand side! We walked in as the game was letting out.

Today we are in Durban, having survived a 24 hour bus ride (which was delayed at first, no less). We subsisted on 3 PBJs, chips, and Endearmints (South African mentos). To stretch our legs, we walked literally all over Durban. Tomorrow we plan to rent a car (quite hairy when there's a semifinal coming to town) and drive north for some diving. Til next time!