Any time spent in Cape Town requires one to do a tour of Cape Point and the sights along the way. Cape Point is kind of funny in that it advertises itself as the ‘most southwestern point in Africa…however the most southerly point is Cape Agulhus and there are tons of countries in Africa more westerly… so really – who knows! It is a spectacular drive and there is lots to see!
After some research we found the Baz Bus was the cheapest tour that offered the most value. We knew we wanted to do a boat tour to see the ‘Seal Island’, Cape Point and penguins – anything else would be a bonus! The pickup was also very near our apartment so everything was working our well. When we were picked up there were only a few seats left so the adults and kids did not sit together!!
Our group was very international and with time most of the gang seemed pretty friendly. We had an Eritrean girl who teaches fitness in Saudi (!), a gay Argentinian jazz singer and his French boyfriend, two girls from Hong Kong (one who worked in my building and was in my elevator), three Irish teachers from Abu Dhabi (very hungover – one almost barfed on the boat to see the seals), a lovely Dutch girl, a Chinese woman and her 2 boys (perhaps it was language but didn’t mingle) and an Argentinian couple and a Scandi couple…overall a pretty good group! Our guide was Mark and our driver was Crazy Freddy who tells us he is Trevor Noahs uncle! This was the most full we had ever seen the Baz Bus! Good times!
After pickup it was off to Hout Bay and the Cape Fur Seal Colony on Duiker Island.
When we arrived at the pier there was the usual entertainiment including a band playing our new favourite – “Welcome to Cape Town”.
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Usually after the Cape Fur Seal Colony the Baz Bus tour heads to see the penguins but instead we reversed the order and Freddy was off driving us to the Cape Point Nature Reserve. On the way we would travel on Chapmans Peak Drive and then to the Reserve. There we would go for a few km bike ride then eat lunch and after get to the Cape of Good Hope to see the Cape Point Lighthouse, Diaz Beach and the southwestern most point of Africa….
First up once we got to the Cape Point Nature Reserve was the bike ride. Some of the bikes were in need of some serious repair work so that made the trip difficult for many. Also the wind was pumping and the area was quite open so after the 2 k ride many were complaining and out of breath!
After the biking people were more than ready for lunch which was a really good picnic lunch and a chance for people to chart and hear each other’s stories…
After lunch it was off to see the Cape Point LighthouSe and the famous sign with the latitude and longitude to this great southwestern Cape of Good Hope!
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The day was ticking away and our girls were desperate to see the penguins. It worked out well for us that this was the last stop of the day Boulder Beach to see the African penguin, coincidentally known as the Jackass penguin due to the sound they make! These Jackasses did not disappoint!
After penguins and then ice cream it was the final drive back to Cape Town and our drop off. By pure bad luck we were last off. The drive was nice and we saw the infamous ‘Tablecloth Cloud’ on Table Mountain! We also chatted with the Argentine jazz singer in hopes of seeing him sing when we get to Buenos Aires!
