The day starts cloudy and breezy. Kyle picks us up at 9:00, and we head to the Deep South. There are numerous beach towns along the route, it’s starting to rain, and we decide to stop in Kalk Bay for some browsing. We’re hoping the weather will improve.

The rain stops, the wind doesn’t. Our next stop is Boulders Beach, where there is a colony of African Penguins roaming the beach. The penguins are unfazed by the wind or the crowds of people. They wander comically in the dunes, some of them even sliding downhill on their bellies. They build nests on the shore and some young penguins are still in their downy coats.

After visiting the penguins we stop for lunch in Simonstown at Saveur restaurant. It turns out to be a great spot, with delicious seafood. The dollar goes a long way here, and we leave full and happy. The weather is finally clearing, and we head to the Cape. Along the way we see several ostriches pecking through the dunes, as well as a large antelope called an eland. The eland is one of the largest antelopes and can weigh up to 2000 lbs.

There’s a hiking trail along the coast, and we set off in the driving wind. In some of the most exposed places we’re almost blown off the trail. The views are spectacular, even with the wind. We pass families with small children and I worry they’ll be blown away.

The warm waters of the Indian Ocean coming from the East mix with the cooler waters of the Atlantic just past the Cape. There are sub-surface rocks extending far offshore, making this a treacherous area for ships, and there have been many maritime disasters off the Cape.

After our hike we resume our drive up the west coast of the Cape. They call this area the Deep South, and I have visions of rebel flags and sweet tea, but the towns in this area are some of the priciest in all of South Africa. Incredible beach homes hug the hills, with sunset views over the Atlantic Ocean. we stop for photos, then head back to town. We have a couple of days on our own in Capetown and tomorrow we’re taking a cooking class.