The Tramping Man

Yes! You read it right. Table Mountain has been voted as one of the new 7 Wonders of Nature. And rightfully so! The mountain overlooks Cape Town and boasts huge diversity. There are about 2,200 species of plants  up there and many of them can not be found anywhere else in the World.

There are also many animals and Dassie is one of them (photo of one will be in the next post). The nearest animal relative is… the elephant! Although they look more like beavers or rats to me!

I decided to do the whole trip on my feet and walked all the way from downtown Cape Town (approx 1h constantly uphill, so beware if you want to do the same), took a cable car up the mountain, walked around the table (circa 2h) and walked down on a 2h eastern trail. The mountain put up a show for me! Breathtaking, amazing, astonishing and stunning. Whatever you call it – it all applies to Table Mountain!

If you happen to be in Cape Town – this one you cannot miss. And if you do have a chance to go – do it straight away and do not hesitate! The cable car is often closed down due to bad weather conditions and I have heard stories of people crying river of tears for not being able to go up the mountain. And if you are lucky to go – take 1 extra layer of clothing. It’s usually windy and way colder than what you can experience at the bottom.

And if you do not plan to venture down there anytime soon, just relax and enjoy! 🙂

You can see the Table Mountain Upper Cable station sticking out in the background. So tiny!

Lion’s Head to the right. We will do this little guy on another day.

This put a smile on my face as I walked by 🙂

Almost there!

I tramped all the way from the downtown. The weather was perfect!

My cable car is sliding down 🙂

Believe or not, but this staff girl in the middle took me by my hand and carried to the fron of the queue! Why? Because she found out I was a single rider! 😀

Afraid of heights? …

A beautiful view of the Camps Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Lion’s head to the right.

One would think that Cape Town equals abnormal heat and you can jump into the water and stay there forever. I can assure you would like to jump out in a blink of an eye if you dared to take a dive! South Africa is on a crossroad of 2 currents – Warm from Indian Ocean and terribly cold from Antarctica. Unfortunately Cape Town is under the influence of the later and the water hoovers around 10-14*C in the summer. Still wanna get in?

This short fence was the only one along the 2h long walk.

Redwing Starling – not endangered. The population is growing 🙂

This was easier than it looks 🙂

Unknown plant. Although the dying one was a bit creppy…!

That’s not natural!

One of the countles bays in the background. A solid view!

Mountain reservoirs.

I don’t really know what this was, but it wasn’t snow 🙂

It was a joy to see such a variety of plants.

The other side of the mountain. Flat, sunny and beautiful!

I could have a house with such a view! 🙂

Teddy Bears hibernating through Winter!

A gardener paradise!

Magic show!

Proper magic show 🙂 The flower is called King Protea and is one of the SA national flowers.

A random path. And it’s not a river! @{!&£^”! ¬ !

I followed the path. Otherwise one could get lost!

I do not actually believe they climbed up all the way from the bottom!!

Top of the World!

On the edge? What if the wind blows a bit stronger? 🙂

Ever wanted to reach the clouds? Well. You can on top of Table Mountain!

Absolutely outstanding!

Unfortunately this cannot be avoided. Clouds do not always bring water down and the area is very susceptible to diseasters – like fires.

A walk on the edge!

Lion’s head close up.

A good view of Cape Town.

A closer look at the downtown. You can get an idea of what is where.

I saw this little guy on the other side of the Mountain!

Oh and a selfie 🙂

One mistake and you can sing “I believe I can fly” for the last time.

I really do not believe gazed out. That picture scares me….

Clouds really put up a show!

It feel a bit like Avatar for some reeason. Magical!

Met these two brothers on the way and we decided to walk down the mountain together. They were locals so I felt a bit more confident. Cool people!

What a setting!

We didn’t reaally see where we were going and just tried to stick to the path!

Camps Bay maybe? I think so.

Walking down the mountain required some flexibility. But this is nothing compared to Lion’s Head the day after!

The sunset is close I think looking at the colour of the rocks in the background.

One step further and…

And a bit scary but yet so rewarding!

It got really dark at some point…

I see the sunset!

Do you also see a face here?

Almost there…A tiny moon showed up! Robben Island in the background.

Lions Head from the other side. You can see the distance we have made – I took a picture of Lions Head from the other side!

Only a few moments earlier I was in those clouds…

It got completely dark by the time we reached the Oncean level.