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The motive for this page is my bike tour to South Africa which began at the 19th September 2009

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192 days till Cape Town

Cape Agulhas, southernmost point of my journey as well as of Africa
Cape Agulhas, southernmost point of my journey as well as of Africa

After 192 day, March 28, I arrived in Cape Town. Within 128 driving days I made 16972 km, which makes an average of 132,6 km every day. Monday I’m flying back home. Next Saturday, 17 Apr there will be a welcome party at my home (Ziemetshausen, Raiffeisenstr. 17) starting at 3 pm. Everyone who is enjoying that I’m healthy back is very welcome. It might get squeezed as I don’t know how many people are coming. Some are bringing cakes, but I don’t know if there will be enough. Everybody is welcome to bring something as well, but it is not necessary. I’m looking forward to the party and the guests!

Interview at Cape Town

At the editorial office
At the editorial office

Today I have been at the editorial office of a paper of Cape Town. There I was interviewed by Antonia Heil, born in Hof (Bavaria), for the “Kapstadtmagazin”. Among other things we talked about my journey through Africa, impressions of Cape Town and my further cycle plans. I’ve been contacted because of an article in the internet. The article about me appeared under

www.kapstadtmagazin.de.

The botanic garden

In front of the Table Mountain
In front of the Table Mountain

Yesterday I made a trip in the surroundings and had a view at the wonderful Botanic Garden. As you see at the photo is the backdrop of the Botanic Garden very impressive. The manifold flora from small flowers to huge trees is especially good at this side of the Table Mountain. I bought seeds and hope that they will grow at home. Here you can see as well the only atomic power plant of South Africa.

Preparation for Bavaria

At the beer garden
At the beer garden

Fortunately you can find everything in Cape Town. Therefore I wanted to have to my shandy not a “Pretzel” but a knuckle of pork. Unfortunately it was sold out. Therefore I had schnitzel which was very good. The service woman wore a winter jumper as it was too cold (round 28°C!) for her to wear a blouse to her dirndl. Tomorrow there will be the “2 Ocean Marathon” and a few thought I would walk there. I started in Berlin and Munich nearly 10 yrs ago, therefore it would appeal me to start here as well. But it is too hard for a spontaneous run and I stayed the last seven months on the bike.

On top of the Table Mountain of Cape Town

View above Cape Town
View above Cape Town

Yesterday it was the best weather to go to the top of the Table Mountain. After 90 min I’ve been at the platform with this wonderful view above Cape Town. In the middle of the photo you find the centre of the city, left hand you see the oval of the new football stadium. The mountain offers all around views which have been enjoyed as well from many other people as it was cloudy the last few days.

Visit by Steffi at the 2inn1 in Cape Town

The 2inn1 at the bottom of the Table Mountain in Cape Town
The 2inn1 at the bottom of the Table Mountain in Cape Town

Steffi, who is the nice of Karl Hack, is the Guesthouse manager at the 2inn1 in Cape Town. The 5 star house is in the good part of the town. Here lives as well Helen Zille, who is the Prime minister of Western Cape.

 

Three years ago Klaus and Christoph, the former owners of Ess9 in Munich, renovated the classy Victorian villa. Together with Steffi they built a unity, so that Steffi says about her employment that it is the paradise of earth. Every day she starts with love and happiness in the 2inn1, where she, together with her highly motivated team, is reading every wish of her guests out of their eyes. According to guest appraisal it is the second house in Cape Town (www.tripadvisor.com). More information you can get under www.2inn1.com.

Arrival in Cape Town

Stefanie Landherr, born in Ziemetshausen, welcomed me
Stefanie Landherr, born in Ziemetshausen, welcomed me

Yesterday, 4 pm, I arrived in Cape Town. I’ve been welcomed by Stefanie Landherr who is living since two years in Cape Town. Stefanie Landherr is a daughter and nice from my neighbourhood in Ziemetshausen.

 

In the morning I’ve been still at the Cape of Good Hope, the south-west point of Africa. After 16972 km I’m now over happy to have reached the aim of my tour without having an accident and being in time. And now I’m looking around the town and its ambience. At the moment it is 25°C and cloudless.

Soon I have to say Good bye to Keetmanshoop

A small farewell party has to be
A small farewell party has to be

For a small party to say Good bye I sponsored the food and drinks. You don’t see all members of “Mother’s Voice”, but these have been always there. Altogether there are 20 people. Yesterday I renewed the silicone gap between tilling and sink. We prepared the small party altogether. We are all a bit sad, but my journey is not on the end yet. This project is not easy. The sister of Isak, unfortunately hardly to see on the photo, had to go to hospital in Windhoek. The man who we had to put into hospital last week died meanwhile. Even here in Namibia most of the people don’t want to be involved with HIV. That is good for HIV but very bad for the people who are ill. The disease could be killed off as it wouldn’t be passed on easily.  

 

Tomorrow I’m going on my way again. I’ll be packed up heavily as the next donation will be 160 km far away. Everything is as it used to be but it won’t be very far anymore.

Trip to the quiver tree wood

The quiver tree belongs to the aloe
The quiver tree belongs to the aloe

Today I cycled to the quiver tree wood (17 km). It was a very different feeling driving without baggage. The quiver tree got its name because its holed branches have been used to keep the arrows in it. They have there a hunting-leopard open-air enclosure where I’m allowed to go into.

Weaver birds built their nests in the tree
Weaver birds built their nests in the tree

Visit at the primary school across

A class with sister Maura-Philomena
A class with sister Maura-Philomena

Sister Maura-Philomena is the headmaster of the primary school. She is living just next to the rectory and asked if I would visit them. She likes coming for a chat when I’m sitting in front of the rectory. The children have been very nice and have been glad to see me. I’m going to print this photo 26 times!