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56
compás int •
compass int
Finally, after travelling throughthemountains that
shielded the vineyards down in the valleys, we reached
CapeTown,agorgeouscityatthefootofTableMountain.
Adorned with Victorian-style houses, and buildings
from various era’s that would, at times, merge with the
naturethatsurroundthem.Sailingthroughthattreach-
erous cape was no small feat, yet we arrived safely at
its peak, where we were greeted by penguins, the fish-
ermen and the ostriches on Boulder Beach. It was here
where I enjoyedsomeof themost exquisite seafood.
After visiting the Franschoek Valley, and its
famous vineyards all the way into valleys populated
by various monkey species, we reached the
Hermanus sea, traveling from there to Grootbos,
a fascinating ecological lodge where I observed dif-
ferent species of Fynbosm, a strange, yet completely
mesmerizing flower. We traveled then through the
waters of the Gansbaai to see the whales, the seals
and, of course, the Great White Shark from the
inside of an extremely tough metal cage.
Green prairies and yellow flowers flew by us as we
drove down the road at the side of the IndianOcean, till
we arrived at the GardenRoute, a real gift of nature that
harbors such wonderful towns as Knysna, at the edge
of an immense bay, or Plettenberg, which overlooks
mountains that are covered by finemist at the top.
South Africa envelops you with its air of el-
egance; it astounds be the staggering amount of
wildlife andflora found in its reserves, by the vitality
of its cities, the beauty of its vineyards, and by the
magnificence of its southern coast. I was completely
enthralled by the place.
Mountain, adornada con casas victorianas y edificios
de varias épocas, hundidos en la vegetación.
Recorriendo en velero el temible cabo hasta llegar a
su ventosa punta, observé los pingüinos en Boulder
Beach, los pescadores fugitivos de abalón, los avestruces
en el Cabo y contemplaba el majestuoso paisaje
degustando exquisitos pescados y mariscos.
Después de visitar el valle de Franschoek y sus
famosos vinos que se extienden en unos valles entre
montañas habitadas por monos, alcanzamos por mar
Hermanus, hasta llegar a Grootbos, un fascinante Lodge
ecológico donde observé las diferentes especies de
Fynbos, esas extrañas flores llamativas. Navegamos
en las aguas de Gansbaai para observar las ballenas,
las focas y bajar en la jaula para sentir de cerca el
enorme tiburón blanco. Es una de las aventuras más
llenas de adrenalina que he conocido y no creo repe-
tir de nuevo.
Seguimos por la carretera en medio de los
campos de flores amarillas y praderas verdes a
la orilla del océano Índico, observando sus largas
olas hasta descubrir Garden Route, un verdadero
placer de naturaleza con pueblos encantadores
como Knysna a la orilla de la inmensa bahía o
Plettenberg que observa las montañas bañadas
por la bruma matinal.
Sudáfrica acoge con elegancia, impresiona por
la vida salvaje de sus reservas, el modernismo de
sus ciudades, la belleza de sus viñedos y la mag-
nificencia de su costa sur. Me conquistó con su
refinamiento en medio de un mundo insólito con
ese esmero que sólo ellos saben divulgar.
1
2
1. Viñedo en
Stellenbosh /
Wine yard at
Stellenbosh
2. Bahía Plettenberg /
Plettenberg Bay
