Table Mountain is the best known landmark (and most popular tourist destination) in Cape Town. It’s a flat mountain overlooking the city and it’s on all the postcards, the city flag, all the signs and logos for most companies. Last week, we got the opportunity to hike it.
Before we headed up the mountain we stopped at a local coffee/tea shop in Cape Town called Origens. Our coffee-junkie friend Austin, who has been working with Sarah and Casey for the last 9 months, recommended it. And this place was serious about its drinks– it had a whole room dedicated to tea! Just listen to this description from the menu:
Leaves, Pot, Water. The Trinity of Tea
When tea is mixed with the correct energy, the correct temperature, the appropriate infusion time and the right state of mind, all of its wonders and glories are unlocked. The art of tea is in its making… please allow the tea to do the talking and learn the wisdom that comes from surrendering to tea and silence….
I got a vanilla strawberry tea. It was served in a glass pot lit by a tea candle and even had an hourglass timer to tell you how long to steep the loose leaves.
After we drank our coffee and tea we headed to Table Mountain to start our climb. Most people take the gondola up to the top– and we soon learned why. I’ve hiked a lot in my life, but this was intense! We literally climbed straight up for a solid two hours. One of the girls had to turn back because she couldn’t make it.
Just the beginning
Katie Kelly, Katie Smith and Nick on the climb. Seriously, straight up.
Seriously. Straight up.
View on the hike up. Once we reached the shade it began to get colder
Wow, we finally made it! Just reaching the top
We’re here! You can see for miles…
The whole group reunited at the top– Nick, me, Austin, Katie Kelly, Amanda, Katie
Ocean side of the mountain– in the very far distance you can see Kommetjie!
Cape Town side of the mountain– you can see the whole city
These things were everywhere at the top of the mountain. We later learned they’re called dassles. Their closest relative is the African elephant.
Another group shot, on the Cape Town side
Funny shot
Pretty shot
Austin made me take this shot.
We took the gondola on the way down– flashback to Switzerland! We weren’t coming back the way that we came…
-Mary
No comments:
Post a Comment