Feeding Frenzy in False Bay

One of the truly great things to do when you are in this part of the world is to take the 30km drive from Gordon's Bay to Betty's Bay.  It's a spectacular piece of road which hugs the mountains to the left but provides incredible vistas looking back towards Table Mountain and across False Bay to the Cape of Good Hope.  It's a not to be missed part of any itinerary down here.

I well remember when here last year that we drove the road on many occasions but never so much as saw a fleeting glimpse of dolphins, seals, whales or otters.  Big brother Stuart on the other hand on his first solo journey along the road with Terri was gifted with the site of a pod of dolphins performing exclusively for them.  I did feel a tad jealous and cheated when looking at the photos they had taken but put it down to beginner's luck!

My angst at not witnessing this piece of nature was added to shortly after Ann and Paul arrived and we drove them down to Gordon's Bay to have a brief look at the stunning coastline. "Look there are some dolphins" cried Paul. Pull over"!  Unfortunately, the nearest parking place was half a mile along the road and by the time we screeched to a halt and jumped out of the car, the dolphins were no longer to be seen!  Did he really see any or was it just an apparition I asked myself?

Well everything changed a couple of days ago as we again drove part of the road, this time with Sarah along for the ride as well and one of my passengers spotted out to sea what could only be described as a maelstrom.  With the exception of one particular area, the sea was almost flat calm.  However the strange sight we could see was probably what you would class as white water caused exclusively by a huge number of dolphins engaged in a feeding frenzy.  Not only dolphins but also at least one whale who's blow was clearly visible in the outer circle of the feeding dolphins.  It was amazing to see this activity and to follow the huge pod as it chased its prey up the coastline.

Whilst I have some rather pathetic photos attached today to try and validate the experience, we learned one valuable lesson.  Don't leave your binoculars or more importantly, your very expensive camera with accompanying telelephoto lens back at the house!  With Linda's equipment, the photos would have been incredible.  Still, there's always another day but at least I can tick another one off the list of South African experiences.

Gordon's Bay, as well as being home to dolphins and whales is also one of the "must live" places which lies close to Cape Town.  The views and the sunsets are spectacular from here and that is perhaps why property commands such a premium.

I have included a photo of just one of the residences here which is built on stilts and I would particularly draw attention to the infinity pool which, despite being almost 100' in the air, does not have any fencing around it!  Not one for sufferers of vertigo! 

The weather is lovely and warm here but we are not getting the sunshine hours that we experienced in week one.  Mind you, temperatures around the mid to high 70s are a lot more bearable and certainly makes sleep more easy to come by.