2014-2-12

How far south can you go?

For many years I was under the impression that the image in the first picture represented a place which is known as the most southerly point of Africa. I had seen pictures of friends and acquaintances displaying their motorcycles next to or in from of the sign. Only recently, while studying the map of Africa and doing research prior to this trip I was made aware that this is not the case. As the sign states, it is the most southerly south west cape of Africa. A few days ago after leaving Oudtshoorn we headed south for the town of Struis Baai which is a stone throw away from the actual southern tip of South Africa, Cape L'Agulhas . The last 20 km to Cape L’Agulhas I realized that this section of road would have created sad feelings amongst many world travelers. Many riders/drivers would have set out from Europe or possibly the northern tip of Norway to travel to the far south of Africa and realizing that they were on the last km’s of their journey. A few hours later my thought were confirmed when I met Frank Benedikt from Munich. I saw his KTM bike parked at the hostel where we stayed and sought him out to talk to him. A 6 months journey had taken him from Munich to where we met. It was his last day and he felt indeed kind of sad that it was all over. For him the only thing left was a trip to Cape Town to crate his bike to be sent back to Germany and for him to board a flight. We talked to 1.30 Am, interesting to say the least. His main issue now was how to cope with everyday life once he was back home again.

From the Cape a magnificent coastal road hugs the cliffs all the way to the southern suburbs of Cape town. The road reminded me somewhat of the breathtaking road along the Croatian Coast near the city of Zadar. On our right majestic cliffs rising hundreds of meters in the air and on our left playfull seals and penguins frolicking in the surf along the white sandy beaches.

Cape Town is a beautiful city, it looks like an Australian city with only slightly more security precautions. It is no African feel to it if you driven down from the north. The place is very clean and uncluttered. People are pleasant and polite as elsewhere. Although there is poverty it is not as noticeable as in other places. Signage and road markings are excellent as are the roads in the district. The city is built in a semi circle around the two mountains. The famous Table mountain (Tafelberg) and Signal Hill which is a mountain by itself. The view from these places are breathtaking. The Table mountain can be reached by cable car. Cape Town (Kaapstad) was established by the Dutch in the 1600’s as a supply station to provide the ships of the United East Indie Company (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie or V.O.C.) with provisions. They established a fort which was built in the same shape as the traditional Dutch Bulwark (Vesting)Towns – Star shaped. The fort was built right on the seafront with the water lapping around its base. After major land reclamation to build a proper harbour the ford now stands well inland. At first it was built to withstand attacks from the natives and later the attacks from the English. The place is now a museum. At a later time the Dutch had to surrender it to the British. Studying all the exhibits you don’t particular leave with a proud feeling whether you have Dutch or British heritage. Apartheid was born there and slave trade flourished.