Penguins.

Simon's Town is one of Cape Town's many tourist attractions. Boulder's Bay is home to numerous African Penguins . The Penguins live along the rocky shore of this beach. Onlookers can see Penguins for free from certain locations.

Chrystal Pools.

View to Gordon's Bay

VAC Interns Hiking!

Friday Excursion #1: Hiking Steenbras Valley to Chrystal Pools

Hike steep and rocky paths

Swim in natural pools

Jump off rock cliffs

Amazing views and experience 

Chrystal Pools

Chrystal Pools

Atlantic.

Spending the day at Camps Bay beach. On the Atlantic side on Cape Town.

Water Temperature: 12 Degrees Celsius

                              53.6 Degrees Fahrenheit

Cafe.

Africa Cafe

A few VAC members and myself decided to enjoy a dinner in Cape Town at The Africa Cafe. It was quite an experience to acclimate us to our new home. The dining experience is family style and the menu includes a range of dishes from all over Africa, such as...

Kenyan Coconut Chicken

Zambian Bean Pies

Ethiopian Chic-pea Bites

Senegalese Stuffed Papaya

Moroccan Lamb Stew

Congolese Spinach

Egyptian Om Ali Dessert

The restaurant also provided African face painting and a live performance along with your meal! 

Mandela.

Robben Island is where Nelson Mandela and hundreds of African slaves were held as prisoners during the apartheid era. The tour includes...

45 Minute boat ride to and from the island

A bus tour around the entire island to point out several landmarks

          - Grave yard where prisoners were burried

          - Limestone quarry where prisoners worked

          - The shortest point between Robben Island and Cape Town

Walking tour given by an ex-prisoner 

Viewing of old jail cells including Nelson Mandela's

Image of Slaves and Officers in uniform

Nelson Mandela's prison cell 

City Bus.

                                The Castle of Good Hope

As part of the VAC orientation process all interns are given the opportunity to take a City Bus siteseeing tour. The tour helps acquaint people to the city of Cape Town and points out important land marks. 

Bus Stops:

The Clock Tower

St. George's Cathedral

South African Museum

SA Jewish Museum

District Six

The Castle of Good Hope

Table Mountian Cableway

Camps Bay

Presidential Hotel

Sea Point

                                Camps Bay

                                             "Non wind zone" in Sea Point

Contrast.

Since I have been in Cape Town there have been many differences noticed from things in the United States. They are random things I have picked up on and thought I would share.


- The drivers seat of a car is on the right, so the driving directions are opposite of the U.S.
- Aluminum cans are made with more metal, which makes them slightly heavier.
- Everything is made with natural sugars. There is no High Fructose Corn syrup in South Africa.
-The three main languages are British English, Afrikaans, and Xhosa.

Image of Downtown Cape Town from Gabriela Farias' (VAC employee) flat

Armchair.

     Obviouzly Armchair Backpackers Inn

I arrived in Cape Town, SA January 16th around 2pm. Waiting at the airport to pick me up was my internship coordinator Jon Wilson. He drove rather quickly to the town where I am now living called Observatory (Obs) in Cape Town. 

Jon announced that I would be staying in a Backpackers Inn for the weekend. This is a cheaper option for an overnight stay, similar to a hostile. The employees were all very friendly and helpful.

It wasn't long before fellow Volunteer Adventure Corps (VAC) Interns started showing up at Backpackers to welcome me to Cape Town! 

Begin.

What:  Adventure to Cape Town, South Africa

When: January 15th - April 15th 2010

Why:   Participate in an Architecture Internship

          Travel through a new part of the world

          Learn about and experience a different culture

How:  Through Volunteer Adventure Corps (VAC)

          Learn more at www.vacorps.com