The Clairemont Times • February 2014 • 11
www.clairemonttimes.com
Cape Town, South Africa! by Kevin Casillo
I thought, with the passing of “Nelson Mandela” it would be an appropriate tribute to highlight some of the many marvels of this incredibly beautiful country. Rich in history, culture of very proud people, both Blacks and Whites, riddled with inequality of Apartheid and a class based system, South Africa is one of the most beautiful we have had the pleasure of visiting. From vast oceans with its waves caressing shorelines that join the dry arid deserts this is a place everyone should visit. We started this 16 hour journey in San Diego on American Airlines, changing in Dallas, then to Miami flying South African Airlines landing in Cape Town. Fully exhausted but filled with excitement we were memorized by the sites that lay before us. Staying in an area of Cape Town called Seapoint we had previously booked an ocean front timeshare, complete with full kitchen and large balcony with a dead on view of the sparkling sea boasting amazing sunsets. Behind was the world famous Table Mountain and everything Cape Town had to offer. Five star restaurants with the best possible, eats and all for 1/3rd of what it might cost here in the states. As I say, it’s always best to get out and walk, but when we wished to drive further into town we would flag down unmarked vans, they would slide over and you’d just hop in and for a nominal fee and a cigarette you’d be safely taken to your destination. We later learned this is how tourists were kidnapped and held for ransom, but I guess they could tell by looking at us, we were not your average American Millionaire. (Must be the hole in my sneakers.)
There are many sites in Cape Town, one must, the top of Table Mountain. At just 3,300 feet above sea level January 10th, 2014 welcomed the 23rd millionth visitor to Lions Head the top! And once you arrive you soon realize why. The 360 degree view is the entire town below with the Indian Ocean on one side while the other is the Atlantic, both mighty seas meeting to forge one. There are walking trails well marked guiding you to spectacular viewpoints for optimum views.Along side are what I called large rats nibbling on wild flora and grasses as well as the “Chacma baboon”. These guys allow you to get incredibly close, but be careful they are wild and protect their territory. Being an animal lover of all types, I had to resist from offering food as this just creates a bigger problem. If you’ve been reading my column right along, you know we tend to shy away from group tours as we prefer to take a left when everyone else is turning right, or worse, just going straight ahead without even looking left or right. That is a very frightening thought for me.We hired a helicopter that turned out to be one of the best ideas we’ve ever had. The pilot handed us the headsets so we could com-
municate, Bob is 6’7” had to squeeze in the back of the helicopter while I enjoyed a front row unobstructed view. The engine hums as the blades begin to rotate ever so gently lifting above the heliport and you‘ll be soon high above marveling at the coast line, the landscape, and just when you think it can’t get any better, it happens, whales playing in the surf below as you seem to fly at lightening speed alongside a sandy beach as you and head toward the mountains. Once over land you start to see the shanty towns, the ones the then Government thought would be a great idea for the blacks, it wasn’t. Such poverty paired with such natural beauty was just surreal. It just made no sense.We later toured the cell that held Nelson Mandela, who was still president at the time of this trip. (1998) and then drove through Soweto. It became painfully obvious why there was so much unrest here, only one word sums it up, inequality. We also travelled to Namibia, small country by chartering a small twin engine Cessna with what can only be described as a 15 year old pilot flying
over absolutely nothing but desert dunes and the skeleton coast.With camera in hand flying over whales one day, and the driest of deserts on another watching Giraffes in the wild reach high on Eucalyptus,White Rhinos and wart hogs frolic in mud holes. One of the many highlights of this journey was spending time with members of the Himba Tribe in Namibia. The Himba are the most gracious, hospitable people, living off the extremely hot very dry and to us seemingly worthless land by raising cattle and goats. Untouched by modern culture they live in mud and dung huts that serve them well. I remember how they responded to my video camera, or when they saw and heard themselves on film when I played it back for them. Laughter is the language of the world. My only wish is we could all live with as little as they do and yet have as much as they seem to have. South Africa is a must see. If you would like to see more photos, please visit my website at www.hotshots360.smugmug.com
LiveWell San Diego Cordially Invites You to Attend our Annual “Valentine Day Celebration” When: Friday, February 14th, 2014 Time: 11:30 – 1 pm Cost: $6.50 per person
Himba
RSVP Today: 858.483.5100 Ext: 304 Or in person at: 4425 Bannock Avenue San Diego, CA 92117
Live Music! 50/50 Raffle! Great Food and Friendship!