Shops and Sails

Today we drove into Cape Town, again. Like last time we parked near the waterfront and walked around. We planned to take another tour bus but one with a different route. Instead while walking the dock area we spied a nice-looking schooner offering an hour and a half tour. The price was the same as the bus and seemed like much more fun so we hopped aboard. We joked to each other about all the sails they had and how it was too bad they didn't use them as we could hear the big diesel motor purring below us. But to our surprise as soon as we cleared the second breakwater the sails went up: two jibs, a foresail and a mainsail. It was an extremely windy day so the big sails were raised only half way. Still the boat heeled way over and water washed through the skuppers and over the gunwales. (Sailing terms thanks to Bill's lessons last July) It was a thrilling ride way out into the bay and back. They even served us champagne - in plastic glasses. On our return we walked all around the enormous shopping area that covers much of the waterfront. We bought a few things and I had my hair cut and styled and we had a lovely lunch right on the water. We somehow managed to head home in the middle of rush hour traffic but that didn't bother us. We were too happy with our day. Photos above show Bill at lunch with Table Mountain and harbor as backdrop, one of the many troupes of street entertainers; notice the fire in the center of the limbo rod. The next time they lowered it to the tops of the coke bottles and he did it; Susan aboard the sailboat taken before haircut; the schooner; some of the shops and restaurants along the V & A waterfront; a child in a bubble - one of the many activities for children.