Much needed update...
So the last couple of weeks have been filled with amazing adventures, which has kept me away from my computer although I'm not complaining!
Now for the update...
On Friday, February 25th I went to my first rugby match. It was fantastic. The rugby stadium is located in Newlands directly beside the Sports Science Institute so this is very convenient. The game was the first in the Super 12 Tournament, a 12 team tournament with teams representing New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. The Stormers are the Cape Town team and they played the Sharks who coincidentally are their biggest rivals. The Sharks are another SA team, but from Durban. I went to the game with Robert and Nell (see photo) and we had a great time. It was also great because the Stormers handily beat the Sharks, see the scoreboard below.
Robert, Nelleke and I at the rugby game
Newlands Rugby stadium, with Table Mountain in the background
Final Score; Stormers prevail
The next day, we set off for downtown Cape Town to see the sights and catch the Pride Parade. I also met Andrea, a fellow Canadian who is also studying at UCT. The four of us (Rob, Nell, Andrea and myself) perused the outdoor market, stopped for a leiusurly brunch (see photo) and walked in the park. While the Pride Parade really wasn't much of a parade, the day was far from over.
Nell, Andrea and Robert enjoying brunch outside
Anna beside a fountain downtown
A bizarre statue...?!?!
Saturday evening, with our bags packed full of snacks for dinner, the four of us hiked up Lion's Head to watch the sun go down and the moon go up. It is common for many people to do this when there is a full moon. Also, it is very popular in Cape Town to go for a "sundowner" which simply means to go somewhere and eat while the sun is going down. This was a stunning walk, as you circle around Lion's Head and therefore get a 360 degree view of the city, mountain, and shoreline. We took the "more difficult" route and climbed up a bit of a steeper face with the assistance of two chains that were firmly attached to the mountain. Once on top, we enjoyed our dinner and rose wine from knock-off Finding Nemo plastic cups. Also, my mom happened to call and so from the top of Lion's Head I was able to converse with my Mom all the way back in BC. Fellow sundown partakers snickered when I told my mom about my "first rugby game" experience and then asked where I was travelling from. Once the moon was fully out, we began the adventurous and somewhat trecherous journey down the hill with only the moonlight to guide us.
Anna overlooking Camps Bay on the way up Lion's Head
Nelleke tackling one of the chains...
Nell, Robert, Anna and Andrea enjoying the view
Cape Town at dusk
The next morning I left for my camping/trekking adventure. As previously mentioned, this was a pristine camping holiday, as well trekked down a river and did not come into contact with anyone. The land is privately owned by UCT and thus you need a permit, and will never see others while on the trip. It was hard after spending Sunday-Thursday on a beautiful river to face the reality of seeing the highway and the side of the trail littered with garbage when the trip ended. On the trip with me were Mike and Gail who know my land lady and live close by in Newlands, Jamie who also studys at Sports Science and his father Roger and friend Graham. Below are some more spectacular photos, and some amusing ones as well.
The before photo:
Enjoying coffee and a rusk before the great adventure...(6:30am, I've been up since 4am)
The view after we'd hiked up 1000m...looking back towards the ocean
Jamie with one of the notorious "Let's Party" cups; useful for tea, coffee, vodka and red wine
Graham and I doing yoga...
Sleeping outside on the ground...
Drying out the playing cards that got wet during one of the swims...
The after photo:
After returning to Sports Science briefly on Friday, I spent this past weekend at Smits Bay with the Spidy's and the couple that live in the main part of my house now. This isolated bay is just before the Cape Point Nature Reserve and is one of if not the only beach side in the Cape where cars aren't allowed. After a 10 minute hike down hill, you arrive at the beach where there are approximatly 12 little cottages. We spent the weekend on the beach, taking naps, reading books and eating. Wow did we eat. I had 2 first time experiences: eating crayfish (very nice) and dive snorkelling, fully outfitted in a wet suit and with a weight belt. Unfortunately, my camera is current out of commission and so there are no photos from the weekend, but I fully intend of visiting Smits again so do not worry.
My upcoming plans include:
> a 15km running race this weekend in Constantia
> competing in the Cape Argus Cycle Tour (it's 109km) this Sunday, the largest cycle race in the world with 35,000+ participants (1/2 from out of the country)
> travelling to Plettenberg Bay on the 18th of the month
> participating in the Hyponaetremia Conference at Sport Science
> Two Oceans 1/2 Marathon on March 26th
Happy March to everyone, keep in touch. I'll keep you posted about my 109km bike ride, should be very interesting...
Anna*
Now for the update...
On Friday, February 25th I went to my first rugby match. It was fantastic. The rugby stadium is located in Newlands directly beside the Sports Science Institute so this is very convenient. The game was the first in the Super 12 Tournament, a 12 team tournament with teams representing New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. The Stormers are the Cape Town team and they played the Sharks who coincidentally are their biggest rivals. The Sharks are another SA team, but from Durban. I went to the game with Robert and Nell (see photo) and we had a great time. It was also great because the Stormers handily beat the Sharks, see the scoreboard below.
Robert, Nelleke and I at the rugby game
Newlands Rugby stadium, with Table Mountain in the background
Final Score; Stormers prevail
The next day, we set off for downtown Cape Town to see the sights and catch the Pride Parade. I also met Andrea, a fellow Canadian who is also studying at UCT. The four of us (Rob, Nell, Andrea and myself) perused the outdoor market, stopped for a leiusurly brunch (see photo) and walked in the park. While the Pride Parade really wasn't much of a parade, the day was far from over.
Nell, Andrea and Robert enjoying brunch outside
Anna beside a fountain downtown
A bizarre statue...?!?!
Saturday evening, with our bags packed full of snacks for dinner, the four of us hiked up Lion's Head to watch the sun go down and the moon go up. It is common for many people to do this when there is a full moon. Also, it is very popular in Cape Town to go for a "sundowner" which simply means to go somewhere and eat while the sun is going down. This was a stunning walk, as you circle around Lion's Head and therefore get a 360 degree view of the city, mountain, and shoreline. We took the "more difficult" route and climbed up a bit of a steeper face with the assistance of two chains that were firmly attached to the mountain. Once on top, we enjoyed our dinner and rose wine from knock-off Finding Nemo plastic cups. Also, my mom happened to call and so from the top of Lion's Head I was able to converse with my Mom all the way back in BC. Fellow sundown partakers snickered when I told my mom about my "first rugby game" experience and then asked where I was travelling from. Once the moon was fully out, we began the adventurous and somewhat trecherous journey down the hill with only the moonlight to guide us.
Anna overlooking Camps Bay on the way up Lion's Head
Nelleke tackling one of the chains...
Nell, Robert, Anna and Andrea enjoying the view
Cape Town at dusk
The next morning I left for my camping/trekking adventure. As previously mentioned, this was a pristine camping holiday, as well trekked down a river and did not come into contact with anyone. The land is privately owned by UCT and thus you need a permit, and will never see others while on the trip. It was hard after spending Sunday-Thursday on a beautiful river to face the reality of seeing the highway and the side of the trail littered with garbage when the trip ended. On the trip with me were Mike and Gail who know my land lady and live close by in Newlands, Jamie who also studys at Sports Science and his father Roger and friend Graham. Below are some more spectacular photos, and some amusing ones as well.
The before photo:
Enjoying coffee and a rusk before the great adventure...(6:30am, I've been up since 4am)
The view after we'd hiked up 1000m...looking back towards the ocean
Jamie with one of the notorious "Let's Party" cups; useful for tea, coffee, vodka and red wine
Graham and I doing yoga...
Sleeping outside on the ground...
Drying out the playing cards that got wet during one of the swims...
The after photo:
After returning to Sports Science briefly on Friday, I spent this past weekend at Smits Bay with the Spidy's and the couple that live in the main part of my house now. This isolated bay is just before the Cape Point Nature Reserve and is one of if not the only beach side in the Cape where cars aren't allowed. After a 10 minute hike down hill, you arrive at the beach where there are approximatly 12 little cottages. We spent the weekend on the beach, taking naps, reading books and eating. Wow did we eat. I had 2 first time experiences: eating crayfish (very nice) and dive snorkelling, fully outfitted in a wet suit and with a weight belt. Unfortunately, my camera is current out of commission and so there are no photos from the weekend, but I fully intend of visiting Smits again so do not worry.
My upcoming plans include:
> a 15km running race this weekend in Constantia
> competing in the Cape Argus Cycle Tour (it's 109km) this Sunday, the largest cycle race in the world with 35,000+ participants (1/2 from out of the country)
> travelling to Plettenberg Bay on the 18th of the month
> participating in the Hyponaetremia Conference at Sport Science
> Two Oceans 1/2 Marathon on March 26th
Happy March to everyone, keep in touch. I'll keep you posted about my 109km bike ride, should be very interesting...
Anna*
posted by Anna* @ 11:05 PM
1 Comments:
At March 7, 2005 at 12:41 AM,
Hopeful said…
Bring your water bottle for the hyponaetremia conference.
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