Day 113 - CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

 Date: 4/27/2024     Day 113   Port Day: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Description: Called ‘the fairest cape in the whole circumference of the earth’ and regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town offers museums, lush parks and shops. Impressive mountains, magnificent beaches and outstanding wineries add to the attraction. Ride a cable-car to the top of famous flat-topped Table Mountain and gaze at the mosaic of towering mountains, verdant valleys and the confluence of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The historical highlight is Robben Island, once the prison holding such outstanding anti-apartheid leaders as Nelson Mandela.

Planned Excursion: CHEETAH AND OLIVES TASTING

4.0 Hours            ModerateActivity             # CPT-030: Free

Tour a wildlife center that cares for cheetahs as part of its conservation efforts.  Learn why free-roaming cheetahs are endangered and pet one, if the animal is willing.  Sample several Bordeaux-style wines and olive oils at a historical estate.

Today's Notes:  We arrived late into Cape Town at 8:15 AM (scheduled 7 AM).  This delay was due to weather conditions in the port delaying our pilot getting onboard to guide us in.  As a result, this delayed the early first scheduled excursions.  Our excursion started on time as it was the second departure.  The first bus or departure left late.  As both of these buses, or separate departures were visiting the same sites, our bus being the second departure was arriving at a tour site before the first bus, 1st departure, had not departed the site. This continued throughout the day making us the last bus to arrive back at the ship.  

The cheetahs were not feeling well enough to have us near them to pet them.  The wildlife center was basically a rescue center for injured or abandon animals.  Viewing the other animals in the center was a disappointment.  We were delay getting to the wine tasting venue by 45 minutes waiting for the first bus to leave.  We made an unscheduled shopping stop where some of us got off the bus to do.  Most enjoyed this wine and olive tasting tour.  

As we departed Cape Town, the captain's departure address told us we have sailed 29,780 Nautical Miles since leaving Miami on January 6th.