We were stopping over in Cape Town for a day or two and I was going to meet the crew at the Waterfront, (during the afternoon). Since I was going to be walking on my own, I left all my valuables, wallet, phone etc. in the hotel safe, dressed down in casual old clothes and took only a few notes of money in my pocket.

On my walk I passed a square where there was a small cabin for a policeman to shelter in. As I passed the box, there were FOUR policemen huddled in there ! I thought, thanks guys, you're supposed to be on the streets, keeping us safe, and here you are, skiving. I was fine, by the way.

Many years' before that, my wife and I walked to have a meal in a hotel in Nairobi in the late afternoon. After the meal and the sun having set, we made to walk back to our hotel. Sir, I will call you a taxi. No no, it's all right, we'll walk, thanks. No sir, you must take a taxi. No, really, we can see our hotel from here, we'll walk. He looked at me intently: "Sir..........you must take a taxi..." The penny dropped, and we waited for a taxi. As we drove the 200 yards to our hotel, we noticed lots of guys just hanging around in the trees either side of the road. Phew, that would not have been a pleasant walk.

The steam engine, I understand, only goes a few km, to the point where Rovos' own rails join the main electrified network. Even that may be done by diesel traction. Thereafter traction is electric, by Transnet.

Sounds like I should allow a couple of extra days in Cape Town - thanks for all the suggestions.

Uplinker
Known as Nairobbery and it’s a far less of an issue than Lagos or Kinshasa. However walking after dark in any truly 3rd world country is problematic for anyone not with prerequisite tan and local knowledge as a number of US citizens going back to Africa to discover roots may attend to.
I have a very interesting tale of the Head of Compliance for Credit Suisse arriving in Lagos on his first visit. He was left with his clothes just after a mechanical issue with the car. Afterwards he arrived with normal Mercedes but armed 4x4 either side.
Cheers
Mr Mac

If in Cape Town with a car, Cape of Good Hope of course, but if you really want to be on the tip of the African Continent, then you have to go to Cape Agulhas. not too far away, and is 34 miles south of Good Hope. Pretty desolate place in their winter!!.

Well, Cape Agulhas is 34 miles further south - but it is a 3 hour drive from central Cape Town. Yes it is rugged but I suggest not unless you have plenty of time for a whole day trip.

30 years ago I drove to the Cape Point carpark in the afternoon to admire the view. Then the baboons arrived, the big alpha
had first choice of the garbage bins then he jumped on my car with me in it. He gave me a good look at his fangs and then
rubbed his big red bum on the windscreen. Then I turned on the wipers with water spray. He wasn't too impressed and
went straight for my partially open window which I only just managed to roll up in time.

You won't see that at the seaside in many other countries :)

There are good warnings given about the baboons. Just keep your distance and don't hold anything that looks like food or water!

Wise words. Absolutely keep a distance from them. If you are in a car, make sure your windows are closed and lock the doors. The buggers are adept at climbing into vehicles.

Only at some football matches!

TWT
When Mrs Mac joined me on a trip down there we used Red Bus and you can get to the Cape that way, though it’s a coach rather than Double Decker.
With regards eating there, top floor of the visitors centre you stand, but downstairs restaurant and balcony. If weather bad don’t discount the external terrace as if you get up close to the windows you are out of the wind and rain. Obviously Mrs Mac brought Yorkshire weather with her but the Sea Food Platter and wine were excellent outside.

Cheers
Mr Mac

At Cape Point, saw a guy put his camera down on the table. Massive baboon now an accomplished photographer, because the owner never saw it again.

Monkeys anywhere - especially in Bali - are to be treat with a great deal of caution.

It has been proved that at some of the temples in Bali the monkeys steal things and then offer them back in exchange for goodies (eg mango, bananas etc). Youngsters steal anything and will offer to ransom your camera for the same "price" as your "NY Yankees" hat. Their elders and betters target cameras (especially), phones & designer sun glasses and know the value - you don't get your camera back without a serious investment in fruit products. "Hi Cousin!"

Capitalism at its best!

And lions ( Helol is the subject matter expert here I believe, I've only been to the Kruger once :))

Why use a tin opener when there is a ring pull?

I am not sure if this is KNP..? This would have made really big news on the KNP forums etc, but I have never heard about it ( doesn't mean to say it didn't happen!). Thinking back though, I know they will occasionally take an interest in a door handle, but not aware they have actually opened it, as this one did iin the video.

Take a look at this young pride in Kruger. Around 1.37 onwards.
The pride in central KNP, had taken to biting the tyres of vehicles! Hyena do this, especially the young, but this particular pride of lions, one of them was doing the same.

Here are two very young hyena who came sniffing around my (rental) car...


I had one young lion take an interest in my tyres on my last trip. When this happens, (usually more so with the hyena), I just start my engine, and it scares them off the tyre! On this occasion, it was very early morning, low light, and the pride were moving at pace, fat and happy following a kill the previous night. (these were 'record' shots, i.e. they didn't work out, but I kept them just to demonstrate what the lions can do)

The theory is, animals may take an interest in tyres because of what they can pick up from them - the smell of elephant/buffalo dung etc is carried on the tyres.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....6ddba810e3.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....86949beb29.jpg

and this is the same pride, all in good spirits!
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....e6b0cb2538.jpg

Sorry Helol, I didn't mean to imply it was in KNP. I don't know where it was shot :) Thanks for the extra info and videos !
My visit to KNP was to Skukuza, staying in a rondavel and socialising with the staff there (35 years ago) , fantastic experience.

No worries at all. I know Skukuza very well, it's the administrative centre of KNP. My favourite is Satara, in Central KNP I spend almost half of my stay at that particular camp.

We shouid be grateful for small mercies, at least it's not the Honey Badger trying to open car doors! They are the most fearless creature ever to set foot on this earth!