So, was the weather better on the other side of the mountain?   Not the first day – we arrived in the rain having packed up in the rain…..  one of the downsides to camping.  We did get lucky thereafter though as the weather just got better and better. It made exploring much more fun.

Kommatjie is about 30+kms from Cape Town but only a short drive from Cape Point, Simons Town and Chapmans Peak.  It is surrounded by beautiful beaches, vineyards and great scenery and makes a great place to camp out if you want to explore. 

After the rain stopped we took a short walk to watch the sun go down over Long Beach.  It was interesting to note that all the locals were surfing up a storm but that every last one of them wore a wet suit.  Yup – the Atlantic ocean is not for sissies !!!!!!!  

Those of you who know us well, will not be surprised to hear that we spent many a day at Cape Point – we walked, we climbed, we drove, we did some birding (not easy with all the fynbos and proteas), we dipped our feet in the water and we had breakfast and lunch at the Two Oceans Restaurant.   What a surprise this was as 15 years ago (when we last visited) it was a bit like school dinners.  Not so any more – with a great menu, good food and a wonderful setting it was treat. Just before we convinced we were in Europe the waiter quickly reminded us that we were still firmly in Africa.  Having ordered a beer, the waiter came back and asked if we wanted a draught or bottle.  ‘Oh a draught’ said Andrew, quite excited as we assumed they only had bottles. ‘Ah, sorry’ said the waiter, ‘we only have bottles, can I bring you something else?’……..    He seemed genuinely surprised that it was the Peroni and not the draught that was key……..  haha T.I.A. (this is Africa – at it’s best)……..

Of course no self respecting blog would be complete without a picture of Cape Point.  It can be quite a climb but well worth it.  They even have a cable car for those not able to walk up but happy to get to the old lighthouse.

We were feeling particularly energetic the second day we visited and after Cape Point we walked to the Cape of Good Hope and down to Diaz Beach. OMG – what a climb back up……….. Sand dunes and 260+ steep stairs up the mountain…….. Not for the faint hearted, so here is a picture from the bottom in case you don’t fancy the climb. However, it has to be said that being there is better than any photo. 

As well as beautiful scenery the park has a wide range of wildlife.  Birds, Lizards, Zebras, Bontebok, Eland, Hartebeest, Baboons and many many Dassies.  All loved and well photographed.

Our biggest surprise was an Ostrich jogging along the beach !!!!!  We thought out eyes were playing tricks…..