Conquering Table Mountain

Hey everyone,

I'm alive and well, and have crossed a hike up Table Mountain off my bucket list.  It was an adventure and a half considering the fact that we started the hike at 1:30 and it was about 30 degrees, sunny without a cloud in the sky and there wasn't a breeze to be found.  My bag weighed a metric ton at the beginning because of all the water I was carrying up.  The only good thing about that (besides staving off heat stroke), is that it only gets lighter the longer you climb. 

braving the Platte Klip route

The route that we chose, the Platte Klip (Flat Rock in Afrikans), was basically a giant staircase.  Up and up and up, 2 km in length and 650 m in elevation.

looking back over Cape Town

It was absolutely gorgeous, especially when you got near the top and were in the shade.  I have never been so happy to see some semblance of darkness in my life.  Seriously, I think I lost about 10 lbs in water!

strong like bull

It took me about 2 hours to climb, resting when I needed to, and muttering to myself in German to try and distract myself from the firey, burning feeling in my thighs.

Pete and Ben at the top

Once we had summited the mountain, it was clearly time for an epic photo shoot.  Everyone say cheese!

mad skills

I wish I'd had enough time to wander around the whole top of Table Mountain, but we had to be back in time for dinner.  As it was, I was able to look out in several directions, marvelling at the ocean and the clouds below us.

We took the gondolas down, paying an exhorbitant price, before crashing on the bus wondering how sore we were going to be the next day.

We've been in Stellenbosch nearly a week now, and it's a beautiful part of South Africa's wine region.  I've already been wine tasting and it is just delicious. 

We're working in a township called Kayamandi during our stay here - it's a 'needs assessment' opportunity, which means the students are developing service projects to put into place to help out the community in some way.  We were privileged enough to have a tour of Kayamandi one night - a little scary, but really neat to see the atmosphere.  Plus, the tour started out with a visit to the local choir.  They were incredible, and I even got to go up front and sing and dance with them.  Well, more dance because I can't speak a work of Zulu. 

Lots of love sent your way,

Sandy

xo