Penguins

November 17, 2025

Today was the 2nd last ride of the tour as we approach Cape Town or Kaap Stadt in German and Afrikaans. It was another absolutely beautiful ride along the coast on one side and the mountains on the other. The spring wild flowers are all in bloom and sadly my photos don’t do it justice. It was a short ride because we had a 90min van transfer to avoid the highways and get to the coast from Stellenbosch. It also included an hour stop at an African penguin colony at Betty’s Bay. Because it is spring there were baby penguins moulting their fluffy feathers and you cormorants being fed by mom. Also you see baboon warnings everywhere you go because they are a real pest. We are now in a lovely hotel right across from the ocean in Gordon’s Bay. We were lucky again today with a SE push wind which is not the norm. It has already switched to the prevailing SW wind that might be helpful tomorrow.

The Stellenbosch hotel where I stayed last night. We were split into 2 hotels last night.

The courtyard with my room on the 2nd floor where the door is open.

Great socks that were to hard to pass up. They are not all for me.

More penguins with some moulting youngsters.

A Rock hyrax also known as Dassie and an oyster catcher. The Dassie is distantly related to the elephant.

We have seen baboons several times but here they are up to no good.

When we arrived yesterday the proprietor was putting up this US flag.

The Germans and Swiss complained so he took it down and put up the German flag and they all cheered. It is the only time the Swiss cheer for Germany. It is not just Canada that is having issues with the US these days.

Our accommodation for tonight. I have a lovely room with a sea view and a king size bed to myself

Where we went for dinner. I had grilled Kingclip and chips but the service was brutally slow.

All the beer on tap. I love the Windhoek.

Making biltong or jerky as we would call it.

Today's ride: 54 km (34 miles)
Total: 108 km (67 miles)

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