That Red Bus! (Part 1)
If you want to be a tourist in your own country, and particularly Cape Town, look no further than the ubiquitous Red Bus. This marvellous mode of touring transport is beloved the world over, and the local experience is right up there with its international cousins.
Our hiking group gave up Shanks’ Pony for the end of year celebration and lined up at the chosen boarding point, tickets clutched eagerly to present to the driver as she expertly swung the shiny double decker into the bus stop in the Kirstenbosch carpark.
Disembarking passengers had right of way before we were guided on board to rush up the curved stairway like the eager schoolchildren we once were to claim a seat by the window. Of course, this was a topless bus so every seat had a window!
With a reassuring throb of the engine, we pulled away smoothly into the traffic to negotiate the familiar roads of the Cape Peninsula – Rhodes Drive lined with towering gumtrees, cork oaks and English oaks, branches almost within reach, the tight circle at Constantia Nek and the steeply winding descent into Hout Bay. Familiar, but now we could see over the high walls and admire gardens and architecture, while the cars and verges were hidden from the field of view.
A quick detour across the single lane bridge over the Disa River took us past the verdant paddocks of the Hout Bay horsey set, well-groomed mares and muscled stallions munching quietly at the fences in the slightest of drizzles as a cold front approached the Cape. A quick stop at the World of Birds and a meander back to the left of the river, past sports fields, the riding centre and landmark buildings of Cape Dutch architecture. Back across the river (avoiding the heavily congested centre of the village) and we were at the harbour! Our first disembarkation, for a stroll along the breakwaters and an early lunch of fish and chips!
The rain held off and we did the tourist thing, watching the pleasure craft ferrying passengers out to Seal Island, a heavily populated rock at the foot of the Sentinel where the seals attract a constant stream of apparently fascinated visitors! The big drawcard at present is the huge elephant seal, Buffel, who has made the colony home.
We must have been a big disappointment to the multitude of curio traders who watched our large group approach, only to find no tourists among us with dollars to spend!
