Cape Town,
South Africa - Part 3 
An Aerial Perspective
Before leaving the US, Yannis had
already been inquiring about flying in South Africa. Within days of our
arrival, Yannis had gotten briefed on local procedures and terminology
("Transmit TIBA" is still one of his favorites) and lined up an airplane (+
flight instructor to accompany him) for a scenic flight around the area.
(Some trivia for anyone considering flying here: elevations are in feet, runway
lengths are in meters.)
Taking off from Cape Town
International airport (the main airport) the flight went northwest to checkout
Robben Island, then headed south around the city and down to the Cape of Good
Hope, around False Bay, through some mountain passes inland, over the
Stellenbosch wine region and back to Cape Town International.
Robben Island - the notorious
prison in Table Bay that held apartheid South Africa's most famous opponents,
including Nelson Mandela. This island has served as a prison since the
17th century (first for lepers and later for political prisoners). In the
distance is Cape Town - you can sort of make out the lion formed by Lion's Head
and Signal Hill. Table Mountain is the flat-topped mountain just behind
it.
Signal Hill and Lion's Head form the
shape of a reclining lion. Table Mountain is just behind on the
right.
A relatively recent shipwreck
near Hout Bay.
Landscape on the other side of False Bay.
The Cape of Good Hope Peninsula.
The Cape of Good Hope is the right "finger," and Cape Point is the jagged bit
behind it.
Cape Point - at the top is the
original lighthouse and visitor center. Further below (at the right edge)
is the new lighthouse which was built to improve visibility and safety.
I'm not sure I'd like to be the one that has to go service the new one - the
views are probably spectacular, but the commute seems like it would be a bit of
a challenge.
After seeing it from the air, it was
only natural to go check it out from the ground....
Next Page
- Cape Town 4 - The Cape of Good Hope
Previous Page - Cape Town 2 - Penguins and Table
Mountain
Creative Technology Applications 
