This morning we went off to Constantia so AJ could do an interview thingy, and while he was busy with that his mum and I went for a walk. It was a short walk and one laid out in a guide book, listed as only about ten minutes... the thing is, we forgot to account for the walk to the walk, which was just as long and not nearly as scenic... so by the time we had to head back (uphill, in the blistering midday sun) we were completely done in.
It was a sweet little path though, and passed by some stables with some very admirable creatures, and an idyllic looking flower farm.
Still, we were glad to get back, and even more glad to find that Erica knew the secretary who came out to greet us and offer us a reviving cup of tea.
Then off we went to the V&A Waterfront again to drop me off at the Two Oceans Aquarium. Aquariums are the sort of things your parents make you go to when they take you on vacation as a little kid, and one usually gets bored within a few minutes (or that's what I think from my experience) but I was determined to go to this one for two reasons: first, because my baby brothers are (or were when I left) obsessed with sharks and lost no time in telling me ALL about the sharks I would run into in the oceans around South Africa, and secondly because this is where two oceans meet and I used to be very much into marine biology, I figured it would be a disservice to myself and to nature not to check it out.
$8.50 poorer, I was soon to find this is the best aquarium I've ever seen! It's got a nice and simple design, and isn't actually very big... so basically by the time you're bored, you're done and you've seen everything! I think it's cool that they have LOTS of volunteers working there; students and such, who were active in all areas, assisting the tour people and whatnot with actually handling the sea life and the visitors and such. I even managed to come in at feeding time for some of the animals, so that was neat.
I've discovered I really like eels! Never thought about it before, but they're really quite pretty creatures. They look soft, despite their fierce faces, and move kind of elegantly for such awkward bodies.
And the exhibits are excellent. They probably wouldn't go over well in America; too tempting to touch the animals, but that's because they're RIGHT THERE. I mean, at the stingray pool the rays were sucking and flapping their way up the side of the tank and making faces at you, less than a foot away from your face. It would be quite easy to reach out and touch a fin... but then you remember that's how Steve Irwin bit it...
Cute!!
Anyway, like I say, great exhibits!
These penguins were only a few feet away, just hanging out. They could have come right up to us if they wanted...
The "underwater forest" was beautiful, very calming. I thought the big seaweed things looked like Rastafarians with massive dreadlocks.
Sharks!!!
When you're done the only way out is to exit through the giftshop (typical tourist trap)... so I got my baby brothers something shark-related for $20 and headed out to find me some ice cream. The lines were long though, so I never got any. I did, however, get distracted by this excellent band of marimba players!
Then I had to book it across the Waterfront, mostly barefoot - I was wearing my sandals and it's not good for me to walk long distances like that in them, nor was it conducive to running and dodging through crowds, so in true African style I pelted away on my own burning skin. It was kind of nice.
Had another cup of tea when we got back. It's getting hot here, and I'm feeling it because all this time the weather has been ridiculously good to us. It's now about 27 degrees, which is only around 80... and I've survive Texas summers, so I don't know why I'm complaining. But it's the kind of humid heat that sucks all the moisture out of me and makes me dehydrate quickly so I don't quite feel myself all the time. Sad.
And unexpectedly had a deep talk with - or really rather from - AJ, about reconciliation. (Specifically reconciling with my family, or even more specifically, my dad's mother, who represents a source of great pain from my past.) The part of me that wanted to toss back my tea and take a nap was faintly irritated (which incidentally is also the same part of me that has been inexplicably annoyed with him since last night) - plus nobody feels comfortable when they're having their deepest pains dug up to the light and poked at - but the rest of me appreciated the spiritual counseling, not to mention the undivided attention. (AJ if you ever get around to reading this, thank you, and you're absolutely right, and I'll get there.) ((PS - Would've been nice to end that talk with a hug though. Oh well, hindsight is 20/20.))
Which reminds me, I've been told there are at least two little sayings that I use quite often:
"Hindsight is 20/20" and "Not too shabby!" It's nice to be observed when you're busy observing. :)
Whew! These finals days are wearing me out!
1 comment:
Wow. There are great things to see at luxury South Africa holidays. Nice pictures!
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