Daily Archives: September 14, 2014

Meeting Monkeys!

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On Friday we drove south along the Cape Penninsula to World of Birds Sanctuary and Monkey Park at Hout Bay. The Park raises and cares for birds from all over Africa. It also is home to many different species of monkeys and other creatures. Oliver and Louisa loved this visit mostly because they were able to interact with Squirrel Monkeys. The pictures below tell the story better than my words. First a range of beautiful birds and then Oliver and Louisa’s delight as the little monkeys jumped on them, climbed on them, and ate food from their hands.

Cassowaries

Beautiful pink birds

Lovely parrots

Ducks that look painted

An amazing white bridal like peacock

Beautiful colouring

Flamingos!

One of many species of monkeys in the Park

Wise owls

Making friends with a Squirrel Monkey

The monkeys used Louisa’s hair to climb; she wasn’t afraid at all

 

Oliver and Louisa’s joy when face to face with these little creatures is so clear from these photos and an absolute highlight of the trip for us.

 

Off the Blue Train Excursion to Kimberley Diamond Mine by Oliver

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Last Monday night, The Blue Train stopped on its journey from Pretoria to Cape Town in the historic town of Kimberley. Kimberley is the capital of Northern Cape Province. You can read about Kimberley and it’s colourful and important history here. Oliver and Peter joined a tour off the train to Kimberley’s Open Mine Museum. Oliver reports:

The Open Mine Museum, Kimberley

 

“First we hopped off the train and drove in a van to the Diamond Mine. On the way there our tour guide told us about things that had happened in Kimberley.

The bridge that hangs over The Big Hole

 

When we got to the Diamond Mine we went to The Big Hole. And it was huge … gigantic … the biggest man made hole in the world! I’d hate to fall down it!

The Big Hole, Kimberley

 

Next we went into the vault and saw cut diamonds. Then we returned to the train station and climbed back on board our train.

Back on board The Blue Train

 

It was cool and fun because I liked looking at the hole and the diamonds.”

 

Some facts:

The Kimberley Mine

 

By Oliver!