November 4th & 5th

This was originally to be our last weekend in South Africa, but we all know how plans change. After we had spent the day touring the Cape peninsula with Diana and before she left for her trip to numerous European destinations, we had arranged to go to Darling to see a performance at Evita se Perron. That was arranged for the 5th. But more on that shortly.

If you remember, we had had a week of bad weather and service interruptions leading up to Saturday the 4th. And the weather was predicted to be lousy through the morning on the 4th. And it was just that when we arose. We rethought our plans for the day and decided to wait until the next weekend to go to the Elgin Open Gardens. Visiting gardens, nurseries, vineyards, and orchards after a week of rain didn't seem like a great idea. And now we had the next weekend to do this.

We had a leisurely morning at the cottage and let the rain finish. We checked in with Dorothy who had invited us to dinner if we didn't go to Elgin. So we were on for dinner with the Whitings and we could do something locally. After lunch we made a quick stop at Constantia Village, our mall of choice, and purchased a few provisions. Then we headed to Hout Bay to visit World of Birds http://www.worldofbirds.org.za/index.html. We figured a couple of hours there would be plenty and then we would head to dinner. That was a miscalculation on our part! We spent 2+ hours there and were one of the last to leave and we really needed more time. Many birds and other animals to see. Many were not African, but still fun to see. Some were birds from home, exotic to South Africans but not to us. But Marcia got to see a turkey in full display for the first time! Here are a few of the things we saw.

This one is for Katie and Kathy. There were numerous parrots and their relatives. Lots of gaudy colors. And LOTS of noise!


And this one is for Marcia. Reminds her of the African gray that was at the B&B in Arniston.


This one is also for Marcia. She loved the color of these South American scarlet ibis, especially the variation in the coral color from bird to bird and the numerous shades of color in the plumage on an individual bird.


Here is Marcia having a tete-a-tete with an inquisitive avian admirer. It had an unusual crest of upright, curling feathers. Here was a spike job you'd be proud of, Katie!!

Here is one of the many primates to be seen. A pair of these tiny moustached creatures had free reign in one of the greenhouse areas, along with a pair of Knysna louries. Couldn't get a picture of these beautiful green birds.


I really should have done a better job keeping track of what I was photographing, but I was too busy watching the animals and looking to see what was coming next.

Just a couple of interesting side notes. When we drove into the parking area at World of Birds the usual security person was there. His name was Alexander and he directed me to where I should unload Marcia and then park. "How do I know his name?" you ask.

Well, parking areas at most good locations have at least one security person present. Not sure how much these folks actually do but at least they are there and something of a presence. After I parked the car and headed to the entrance Alexander walked up and handed me a small piece of paper. It gave me his name and stated that he would be looking after my car while I enjoyed World of Birds. At the bottom in big letters it read DONATION ONLY. Of course I tipped him when we left!

A second note: when we went to pay our entrance fees we were only charged for me. There was no charge for the person in the wheelchair. That has happened at least one time before. Here it might be that the paths were something of a challenge for someone in a wheelchair. Don't really know.

Then off we went to have dinner at the Whitings. They live in a development called Marina de Gama. As you can guess it is on the water, on Zandvlei. This is a body of water that empties into False Bay, the bay on the eastern side of the Cape peninsula, the Indian Ocean side. From their back yard you look west across Zandvlei to the Muizenberg Mountains and the community of Muizenberg. Further south are St. James (where Diana lives) and Kalk Bay. Quite a pretty view! Pat and Bobby were neighbors until about a year ago.

We brought the penguin video (City Slickers) that Diana had loaned us and we watched it with Robyn. It was about the penguins at Boulders Beach in Simon's Town. Cute video. Makes me glad these cuties are not in my back, and front, yard! And for dinner we had roasted chicken, roasted potatoes (which Marcia and I fought over!), veggies, and then -- to Marcia's delight -- Malva pudding. Great dinner, great company, great evening! Thanks Dorothy and Jon!

On the way out I had to see the western leopard toads living in the excavated area around the water pipe and meter. This is a threatened species of toad that brings out the toad brigade during breeding periods. These folks help the toads cross roads to get to their breeding areas without being squished. And here were three of them living comfortably in the water box. As you can see this is a very pretty toad.


Now to Sunday. As I already mentioned we had made reservations for Diana to join us to go to Darling to see a performance at Evita se Perron. Pieter-Dirk Uys is the actual person behind all of Evita se Perron. And one of his characters, maybe his best known character, is Evita Bezuidenhout. Peter-Dirk as Evita has been performing cabaret acts for many years, with many of the topics being pertinent historically or to current events. Here is the link to Evita's Web site -- http://www.evita.co.za/index.htm. There you can find more about this amazingly talented man and the projects he supports.

Diana met us at the cottage Sunday morning and off to Darling we went. We learn about Diana's trip as we drive, and about the problems she faced upon her return. Seems there was some unauthorized time behind the wheel of one of her cars by a fellow who works for her. And he didn't actually know how to drive! Quite a bit of damage was done to her car and the garage! But that wasn't going to stop her from enjoying this afternoon.

We are in time for lunch, which is lamb with rice, potatoes, veggies, and salad. And for dessert we each get a koeksister -- one of those delicious syrup-drenched treats. That is all, except for Marcia who gets an extra one snuck to her!

And then it is time for the show. The one we see is called "Tannie Evita Praat Kaktus". Here is the description from the Web site:

Evita Bezuidenhout's legendary and hilarious state-of-the-nation address on the nature of politics and the ecology. She presents South African History as it only could have been imagined, and yet based on fact. Every performance reflects the news and views of the moment. It is 99.9% in English!

It wasn't quite 99% in English but close. She began by picking on the foreigners, and she had a good time with the two Americans. Then she filled an hour with her nonstop rendition of South African history and the present state of affairs. It was terrific. Great satire and great points made about the state of things presently. Very glad we did this.

Finished the day with a nice drive home and tentative plans made for Diana to take us on her wine country tour. That will come after her knee surgery, which takes place on Tuesday. She expects to be better than ever in short order.

It was another great outing with Diana. How lucky we have been in terms of the people we have met! Thanks Diana.

To come is our trip to Nieuwoudtville.
Edward & Marcia