Cape Town day 3: Cape Point

Yesterday was amazing!!! Every day brings more unbelievable sights than the last. I can't believe this scenery is real. I don't have much to talk about for yesterday, but I do have loads of pictures. 

We spent the whole day touring the cape, from Three Anchor Bay up north near Cape Town all the way to the cape of good hope (the southernmost point on the continent). It was a really clear day and we could see so far out that at the end of our line of vision, the ocean blended in with the sky in a blue haze. Everything is brighter here... All of these pics are no-filter :)

Our first stop was a boat ride to seal island, where loads of seals go to sunbathe all day. What a life. Also, it is completely different to see wild seals than it is to see them at the zoo. They are fascinating and I wish I could post the videos I took of them showing off!

On the way back from seal island, I admired the scenery and then I felt a moment where everything seemed kind of different. Brighter, maybe. I feel like I can say this is the moment where my life changed. It sounds pretty strange, but it's true. I felt like all my recent fears were blowing away into the abyss behind me. The world is so big, and we are so small. We are minuscule. We're not even a blip on the radar. We tend to lose perspective at home and forget about what life is truly about. 

So we toured Cape Point after being warned not to stray off the paths (because of snakes), and to watch out for baboons (who are aggressive), and not to go in the water. Cape point is the most treacherous route for sailors to navigate!

We drove up narrow mountain roads for miles. When the path ended, we walked the rest of the way up. We hiked through clouds up to the light house at the top of cape point (1/4 mile above sea level!) the wind was easily 70 mph up there. Terrifying and exhilarating. 

We had an hour to explore, so one of my classmates and I hiked over to the cliffs.  I sat right on the edge of a cliff overlooking the beach. We watched the baboons on the sand 200 meters below us and looked at the beauty of all the amazing things mother nature has produced. These pictures don't really show perspective. The cliffs across from us were probably a half mile away and several hundred meters above sea level, for reference. 

The lighthouse at the top from our cliff. 

Seriously, it was so windy!!

Baboons on the beach below 

More baboons. Can you see them?

We headed back to the group with sand in our teeth and salt water on our faces. It was worth it. That was definitely the most adventurous and exhilarating thing I've ever done.

After that, we stopped at the cape of good hope, where it was even more windy than before - we could barely stand upright! A beautiful sight though. 

Our last stop was at Simons town, which has a penguin beach. We got ice cream cones and walked along the village streets. 

We had dinner on Long Street. Reminds me of Austin, Texas, but with people trying to scam and pickpocket you on every corner. We had a lovely evening, though.

I took lots of videos of penguins and seals and scenery. Unfortunately, I can't seem to post them, but they're great! Can't wait to show you all :)

P.S., I heard it snowed in Chicago. Sorry guys :P

P.P.S. I have lots more pictures, but I'll upload them later because I'm going to be out touring the winelands today so I have to get going!!