Phyllis Journal #6

Friday, February 18, 2011
Today we got to get off the ship and see some of Cape Town. It is really a beautiful place. We did some shopping and looked around a bit. Then we met Dave for a glass of wine at an outdoor café and watched people. It was really fun sitting and watching. It was very crowded as Bono & U2 were performing at the soccer stadium which is close to downtown area. The weather here has been beautiful –very summer like. I hear MN has cold and snow. I hope it is gone when I get home. Thanks to those of you who commented on my blog. I don’t know if my kids read it or not. I don’t hear.

*Saturday, February 19, 2011
Today a group of us took two taxis and went on a tour of Cape Town area. We saw many interesting sights. Stopped at a place called Simeon Town. I bought a table cloth with elephants on it in the colors of blue and white. I hope it looks nice on my dining room table. Stopped at a nice restaurant named Two Oceans Restaurant at Cape of Good Hope in Table Mountain National Park. This is the most southwesterly point of Africa. Had a margarita which was very good and also a good hamburger and french fries. It was a beautiful view. We could see both the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Then we stopped at a diamond mine. From there to more craft shops. On the way to the National Park we saw monkeys two different times. You have to lock doors and keep windows rolled up as they know how to open doors. We also saw ostriches and penguins. On the way back we saw beautiful white sand beaches and lots of good sightseeing. It was a fun day.

Sunday, February 20, 2011
Today we are on a trip to Aguila Game Reserve. It is a day trip and we will be back to the ship around 5:00 PM. We had breakfast when we arrived. Then we went on covered 4X 4’s on dirt roads into the reserve to see some animals. These are the animals we saw: ostrich, spring bok, elephants (wide ears shape of Africa), zebras, cape buffalo, wild swan, rhinos (life span 45 years), giraffe (biggest heart of any animal and has 7 vertebrae in its neck and can’t eat from the ground because the blood pressure would go too low). A dairy cow has the 2nd largest heart. We also saw wildebeest, antelope, horses, lions, and a hippo which is the most dangerous animal in Africa.

On the way we also saw wine bushes, geranium plants and many flowers. We also saw warthogs,, cheetas and crocodiles. We got back to hotel and had lunch about 1:15 PM and then did a little shopping. At 2:30 we got back on the bus to go back to the ship. Then after dinner Carol and I went to one of the shopping centers and I bought postcards and she bought some things for her grandkids. Got back about 9:00 PM – interesting day. Had wine in the field half way on trip to reserve.

Monday, February 21, 2011
Today we did a little shopping. Had lunch on the ship and then went on Red Line Bus Tour. It cost 120 rands or $16.50 and it takes you on a tour of the whole city. You can stop at places of interest or stay on the tour. It takes about 2 1/2 hours. They have ear phones and they tell you about the places you are seeing. It was very interesting and many people got on and off at different stops. It is a double decker bus and many people ride on it. At the top you get a beautiful view of the whole city area. We really enjoyed – worth the money

Tuesday, February 22, 2011 (Terry Englund Birthday)
This is the last day in Cape Town. It is a beautiful city and I really enjoyed seeing it. Today I went shopping and bought a new grey sweater and denim shirt. Also some snacks. We had tacos on the ship tonight for dinner. We all had to turn in our passports today. And we sailed out at 8:00 PM. We are now on the Indian Ocean. It is a little bumpy on the ship today. We stood outside tonight watching as the ship left Cape Town. Furthest away I have been from MN.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Today we are at sea. Went to Global Studies this morning. It is always an interesting class. The Indian Ocean is pretty choppy today. I have to hang on railings. This afternoon at 4:30 PM we had our regular meeting with lifelong learners. Then tonight meeting with my group to discuss what we thought of South Africa and Cape Town. There is a lot of classes of people plus a lot of poverty that you do not see in the places that we saw. Classes – white, African, Black and Negros

Thursday, February 24, 2011
Today I went on the bike for 30 minutes. I feel like my knee is healed completely. Read my book this morning. Then after lunch Laura, Linda, Carol and I played hand and foot. It seems like everyone on the ship is playing this game now. Went up to the usual meeting at 4:30 PM. Then we went to Joe and Chris’s room for a drink. After that we had dinner. I came back and took a shower and am going to bed early tonight as we lost another hour last night. We will be on land again Sunday. I sent out postcards to everyone. Don’t know when you will get them.