South Africa, standard. : Harbor Towns and Highlights

I haven't updated this blog in over a week, maybe I should spend a little less time feverishly watching Game of Thrones and a little more time telling my friends and family (who am I kidding... my mom and dad are the only ones who read this thing) about my recent adventures...

One of my favorite things in Cape Town (and all of South Africa) thus far has been this stretch of highway from Hout Bay to Sea Point, and some how I've been lucky enough to experience this drive twice. The first time I encountered this route along the M5 was a sunny Saturday a few weeks ago when Colleen, Brennan and I jumped on a 'hop on hop off' tour bus in the spur of the moment manner that we've taken to lately. Initially, especially as New Yorkers, I think we were a bit ashamed to be on one of the dreaded double decker red buses, however the last minute decision more than paid off. We drove through town seeing lots of sights and ended up in Hout Bay.
Hout bay is this lovely little fishing village on the edge of the mountains that is filled with fishermen, locals and tourists taking in the picturesque sites. We meandered around town, walking on the docks, seeing nearly a dozen sea lions and ending up at a small restaurant where a live band of local dads with mutton chops were playing covers as we munched on calamari and fish. Afterwards we hopped back on the bus, not knowing we would be taking one of the most scenic drives in the world back to Cape Town. I would compare it to driving down the 101 along the coast of California, but honestly that doesn't even come close to doing this drive justice. The best part about this unexpected adventure was that we just so happened to have caught the last bus of the day, meaning we were heading home as the sun was starting to set. As we drove along the cliffs watching the sun dip into the ocean, we turned a corner and were facing Lion's Head with droves of lights breaking up the darkness of the ocean and mountain. Everything in this moment was perfect; sitting with two of the loveliest friends I've ever known, wind whipped and laughing at the sheer beauty of the landscape, looking at each other with expressions we often make, ones that convey the thoughts of 'well, just the most beautiful thing I've ever experienced, South Africa, standard.'.