Cape Town Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

Cape Town is a wonderful city from my limited experience. Its population is about 4.8 million. The scenery the peninsula is surrounded by beautiful blue water in the harbors and bays with the Table Mountain Range in the center. The mountain range is composed of sandstone and is covered with short bushy-like plants called fynbos. There are over 2,000 species of these plants on the peninsula. 80% grow nowhere else in the world.The plants have shallow roots and small leaves. The small leaves regulate the minimal water loss due to evaporation. One of the families of these plants is portea. One species (I think) is called pin cushion. (More pictures of that in another blog)

Table Mountain with a "Tablecloth" of clouds as seen from Waterfront District

Pin cushion Protea in bloom

The Africa Mercy is currently docked in the prime, central port space on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. The Waterfront is the most visited place in Cape Town. It is around a working harbor. It contains a huge mall, over 80 restaurants, aquarium, craft markets, ferris wheel, and live entertainment. The waterfront was named after a Queen and her second son. In last 30 years (I think) some developers bought the land. Taking advantage of looking at the development of San Francisco and other waterfronts, they developed this area combining vacation with work in one place.

 This stop in Cape Town has been a wonderful public relations stay for Mercy Ships. They had a article in newspaper, announcements on radio for ship tours (over 4,200 people came over the weekend), video on a jumbotron in the waterfront, and a vehicle and table in a central location in the mall.

All the flag were out. The ship was dressed her best for the guests

Many different cultures come to CapeTown for vacation. I thought it was great to have these three girls playing with the world simultaneously

Vehicle and information table set up in the mall

One of the tourist sailboats that goes around the harbor

harbor at sunset

Ferris Wheel ride at night. They were generous and gave a discount for volunteers on Mercy Ships. It was neat to see the area light up at night

The round building in the center is the 2010 World Cup Stadium

One of the entertainment/music groups

One of musicians/performers

Clock Tower to go with Signal Hill where the shoot of a cannon at noon daily. Originally it was used by ships to set the exact time for navigation purposes