Penguins, Lighthouses, Aquariums and Family!

You won't believe how much we squeezed into today!
The morning dawned clear and with the sound of some penguins who are nesting in a bush in the campsite! By the time we packed up the tent, the weather had soured up and started drizzling. We opted to go to the Boulders and explore the penguin reservation.



When Brenda and Theo had been there with George nine years ago, it was one reserve and one could walk among the penguins quite freely. Now the reserve is divided up into two parts: One has walkways and one can't get near the penguies while the other allows you in to walk among the little critters. Fortunately our Wildcard (a loyalty card system for National Parks) allowed us cheap (as in free) access to both reserves and so we walked around. Because of the bad weather we did not see many in the water (although they say that on a good day you can swim with them). But we enjoyed our time there and the walkways even allowed us to find a mom and baby to Brenda's delight! (See the bums in the air as they looked at the babies!) (We also found a geocache!)

The weather just got worse and so we shelved our plans to get to Cape Point and headed for Kommetjie where we did a tour of the tallest steel lighthouse in the world. The lighthouse is fully functioning and the tour was fascinating.

We also found a cache or two along the way and at the lighthouse.

Then we headed for the aquarium as this was close to Aunty Nienke where we would be visiting in the evening. After a long battle to find parking for the camper, we went to the aquarium which was incredible.

The care and attention to detail at all the displays was stunning. They have a donut shaped tank full of little Nemo fish and people crawl under to the center of the donut to have their fotos taken - it looks just like you're among the fish.
I don't think any of us will ever forget the giant crabs!!! They have a massive kelp tank system and an enormous tank full of the big sharks and other fish with a tunnel that spirals around and through! It was a breath-taking tour.

Then we went off to Aunty Nienke (Theo's Godmother) to meet Cousin Johan's new daughter Anna. We spent a lovely evening with Nienke, Kerst, Marita, Johan, Roz, Anne and baby Anna and Caleb and Jemma charmed everyone. Every one came to look at the camper van and see what it was like inside. We had some of Nienke's delicious soup followed by yummy pizza. Caleb conked out, but Jemma stayed awake right to the end! All too soon the evening had come to an end, but it was great to see everyone again!

Afterward we drove back to Melkbos strand caravan park where Marinus and Theo did a quick night setup of the tent and we crawled into bed.