The following day dawned even worse than the day before, the clouds hanging over the mountain were blacker and more threatening but we only had half a day today to explore as all aboard time was 2pm even tho we weren't due to sail until 5pm. I think this was once again due to immigration. As it was Friday, they only worked for half a day but had conceded to work until 2.30pm, very good of them. We had to take passports onshore and had filled out departure cards but as it was, they did go home early so that was a waste of time. So much for immigration.
This was also the last port for this sector of the world cruise so over 1100 people got off and the same amount got on. At breakfast it seemed we knew everyone as they were all stopping by to say goodbye, didn't realise we had meet so many people and it was sad saying goodbye to some of them. Others it was a pleasure! We think the fruit fly got off as we haven't seen her again. Not sure if I have spoken about the fruit fly but she was a single woman around the 60 mark but there were no surprises that she was on her own. Jon named her as we saw her one morning dancing to some music and moving around like a fruit fly. He hated her for some reason but I think he misses her as he hasn't found anyone else to replace her therefore no one to be scornful about. Well actually, there are plenty but not to such a degree.
The demographics have certainly changed on this leg. I think as there are only 4 stops in 18 days all the elderly and in-firmed have joined the ship. There are so many more sticks, walkers and those damned 4 wheelers that take up the entire aisles and lifts and generally get in the way than there was before and the average age must have increased by at least 10 years.
Back to our last day in Cape Town, we had thought we would go straight up to Table Mountain but once again it was closed so we sat on the buses for the last two lines. One took us through district 6 which is where vast numbers of people, around 60,000 where relocated during the apartheid times. It was then bulldozed down, they were going to rebuild but there was so much controversy most of it was left so there are now large grassy and weedy patches around this area, littered with rubbish and makeshift tents for the homeless, very depressing and not the nicest part of the city.
The other part we went was actually up to Table mountain to where the cable cars started from. Lucky it had cleared up a bit and if I thought that Signal hill was narrow and windy it was nothing to this road. The bus chugged and gasped its way up the switchback road and as it got higher we were afforded the most amazing views of the city and harbour. It wasn't until we got to the top that the mist came down to obscure the cables as they disappeared higher up into the slopes.
We had lunch down by the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront which has lots of lovely restaurants and shops and really nicely developed. I had wanted to try one of the national animals so we had a springbok burger with beer as we sat outside under the umbrellas with heaters blazing, huddled under blankets supplied by the restaurant. By now it had really got bitter cold and by the time we got back to the ship it was blowing a gale and icy rain was sweeping across the wharf.
There were all the newbies trying to board with their suitcases and we were standing in line but they closed the gangplanks as the wind was so strong it was blowing them around. We were all huddled together as the rain was blowing down feeling miserable until they bought in a forklift and wedged it by the gangplank and we all scuttled up as fast as we were allowed. Once onboard we went up for coffee after drying off and looked out at the storm blowing across the city and the water coming off the buildings in sheets. The port was then closed so the ship was over 2 hours late in sailing and when we did eventually sail we were warned it would be very rocky with over 8 metre swells expected.
Ironically that evenings entertainment was a juggler, couldn't have timed it worse. We pulled out of port and just when we hit the first swells his act started. It was a bit of a challenge for him, needless to say his act was cut short and his 2nd performance was canceled, a bit disappointing for him.
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