Cape Town Day 2

Day 33: Aquila Game Reserve. Day 2.

We were up early, just as the sun rose over the mountains, with a coffee under our belt, we again climbed into our 4x4 to head out for our morning safari. It was a little chilly but we were each dressed in a warmer jacket to ward off the cool breeze we encountered in the open-air vehicle.

We travelled out along a different track in the hope to see warthogs, wilder beast and anything else we missed the day before. It wasn’t too long before someone spotted a wilder beast having a dirt bath. Not long before another one came along to join its friend.

                                                                     Wildebeest

Early morning huddle.

The rhinos had divided into two groups to sleep overnight. This is a group of females only. I am not sure what is going on here with the single sex thing. The other group were mixed. As we were out very early in the morning we could see a ranger vehicle stationed in the distance. Apparently the rhinos are guarded 24 hours a day to stop poachers from killing and removing the horns from these massive creatures.

Moving on we encountered more ostriches, springbok, zebras and giraffes. Interestingly we saw the herds (or rightly called, crass) of rhinos huddled together in two groups. What looked like one for the females exclusively and the other mixed. In the not too distant background a lone vehicle was parked. Our guide explained park rangers guard these beautiful creatures from poachers who cut off their horns to later sell on the black market. In 2014 a group of rhinos had been mutilated and killed for this very reason in Aquila.

On arriving back we were met with a buffet breakfast ready to be consumed, then a quick finish-up in our rooms before loading onto a large bus to return us back to Cape Town, passing such dramatic scenery on the way. We had a great safari to Aquila and would recommend it to all. Princess charged AUD $489.95 for a 9 hour day  trip to Aquila, we paid around AUD $385 for travel, meals, accommodation and pm and am safaris on the private tour organised by this very generous person who went to all the work and effort to arrange.  For his privacy, I will not mention his name, but thanks Mr M.

We were back by 12.30pm which allowed us plenty of time to walk over to the V & A Waterfront Marina. The walk involved going through various entrances, alleyways between new and old revamped buildings and silos and open squares to the Watershed and Marina, Cape Ferris Wheel, Victoria and Albert Shopping Centre, Fish Quay and many museums and art galleries. We were there during the day when many people were walking around but I doubt if I would advise to walk here after dark when few people are around. We have been warned on numerous occasions not to walk around by one’s self at night and take measures in protecting one’s belongings from pick pockets’ and attackers. We heard on the first night in Cape Town one of our crew had been robbed at entrance number 4 to the shopping centre. It was 9pm and all his ID and money had been stolen. We were there the next afternoon and it was a busy entrance with a foreign exchange booth just inside the mall.

We were caught unexpectedly paying for our meal and drinks by the mandatory 10/15% gratuity. There is a VAT added to the bill but then when one pays, the gratuity is expected to be added. No choice.  Prices in the shopping centre are comparable to Australian prices. No bargains to be had, except for alcohol. Then there is the issue of bringing it aboard the ship.

DH managed to walk back to the ship but needed a lot of rest stops to revive. He did well. We even managed to be caught on the swing bridge when an announcement came across that it will be closed to pedestrians to open up. Ha ha, our pace did not let up (snails’ pace) and I think we were watched very intently until we made it to the other side before they opened it up.

Today was a warm sunny day, ideal for those going up Table Mountain, or going across to Robben Island.

Unfortunately my camera needed charging so have no photos of V & A Marina.