Some animals of the Cape..

Assel in der Brandungszone
Sea-shore isopod

















Hagedasch
Bostrychia hadedasch
Hadada Ibis

















Jersey-Rind
Bos taurus
Jersey Cow
















Klippschliefer
Procavia capensis
Cape Hyrax / Dassie

















Nilgans
Alopochen aegyptiacus
Egyptian Goose
















Afrikanischer Brillenpinguin (ausgewachsen)
Spheniscus demersus
African Penguin (adult)
















Afrikanischer Brillenpinguin (Jungtier)
Spheniscus demersus
African Penguin (juvenile)
















Rotschwingenstar
Onychognatus morio
Redwinged Starling
















Kap-Frankolin
Francolinus capensis
Cape francolin
















Waffenkiebitz
Vanellus armatus
Blacksmith Lapwing

The first time I saw RV "Polarstern"

Moin!
Today, again, was a really really wonderful day! But I start getting tired of those ass-kissers that always show a faked smile and give crooked compliments and slag you in your back.
We did a wine tour today. We had a german speaking driver and guide. She was born in Namibia and speaks perfect English, Afrikaans and German without any accent. We visited three wine farms and tried dozens of white, rosé and red wines as well as port wines. We saw wine cellars and the very old farms and farmlands around the old colony Stellenbosch.
When we drove back to Cape Town on the highway we had a nice view on the Waterfront and the harbor and I saw Polarstern the first time in my life. Maybe it sounds overstated but as I really look forward to the day after tomorrow and the coming three months, I was quite impressed, seeing this ship, the old lady, for the first time.
Lutz, a guy we met before, had contact to Polarstern and told us, that they are not allowed to land as it was plnned. A crane is broken in the harbor and it will take several hours, until this is fixed.. Poor crew, poor scientists on board!

2007/11/26: RV Polarstern waiting for landing permission; Tablebay

Simon's Bay and The Cape of Good Hope

Today we rented a car and drove to Simon's Bay and to the Cape of Good Hope. Driving on the left hand side was done by Saskia. She has had experience with that before and she did it very well. Roads in this area are very good and traffic is not stressful.
In Simon's Bay we visited the Pinguins Colony. Those birds are really good photo-models and cute, too.

At the cape we saw some big animals like ostrychs, baboons and kudus. In the morning we had about 28°C and no wind, but in the afternoon, clouds came and it got very stormy. At the cape we also met some scientists from the Netherlands, which will be on Polarstern, too.

The Burger Experience

This post is to all people that appreciate good food, especially those, that are non-vegetarian. This post is dedicated to Tim and Harry. I have often had Barbie or Burger together with you, mates, and I always liked it and appreciated it very much! During this dinner Tim and Harry were with me in a spiritual way:

Today I had the biggest and the best burger ever in my life!!!!!! On the menu there was written: "Only for the hungry!" That was a provocation. This burger was made of a burger roll, 250 gram minced beef burger, tomatoe, 200 gram minced ostrych burger, bacon, fried egg, onion and salat! This came along with fried western potatoes, trimmings and with fried onion, cream spinach and with ginger pumpkin. It was unbelievable! And it was a challange. I barely made it through, but I did! And afterwards I was really happ y. This burger I will never forget.
And I feel sorry for all people, like Tim and Harry, that do not have a chance right now, to share this experience with me.. I am with you, guys!
Now I'm really done.. Torben

Welcome to Cape Town

Hi All!
We have arrived in Cape Town and it is great! I am on vacation in South Afrca's most beautiful city together with Saskia, Laura and Lydia. But I have to start from the beginning: Yesterday we departed from Hamburg and the flight to Frankfurt was ok. We originally should have had to wait for something like 1.5 hours but our flight was resceduled to 00:55am next day. Two more hours to wait. Shit! The Lufthansa-People told us, that the plane had been hit by a lightning during the last flight and they - of course - had to check it. That did not bring more confidence
into our minds - so to say.
But the plane was checked and it was ok and we started. It may be due to my last experiences with Singapore Airlines, but for me Lufthansa is crap! Service is not good, food is bad, no screens in front of every passanger no choice of tv-chanels, little space and little comfort at all. And by the way: Lufthansa is quite expensive in relation to better Airlines.
But finally we arrived. At the Airport we passed through immigration and customs quickly to meet with our transfer-guy. At first we could not find him until we saw him - identified by a sign in his hand with Saskias name on it - discussing with somebody who had arrived with our flight too and his name was Dr. Blix. That is very funny, as Saskia's surname is Brix and she is a Dr., too. And this man argued, that he was the only Dr. Blix in the world, therefore this "r" must be a mistake and he needs a transfer now and wanted to take our driver.. But we intervened early enough.
Our Hotel in Camps Bay is amazing. This suburb of Cape Town is were the rich people live and i tmakes me feel uncomfortable staying between those snobbish people. But at least we can walk on the streets here feeling safe. It is very comfortable and much like nothing I've ever stayed at. And today it was 25°C, though strong wind and we can see the South Atlantic, Table Mountain, the Twelfe Apostels as well as Lion's Head from our Room!!!!
We already planned and booked a lot of things for the next days. Tomorrow we will rent a car and drive to the "Cape of Good Hope" and to Simon's Town where the pinguins dwell. On Monday we will do the wine-tour and on Tuesday we want to climb Table Mountain and have a look at Cape Town's Waterfront. O Wednesday we will finally go aboard "Polarstern".
Today we walked down to the beach of Camps Bay and looked for ATMs, Restaurants and SuperMarkets. On our way we saw Sea Lions and Dassies. Dassies are not the cutest mammals. They more look like awkward, fat rats without a tail and clumbsy feet (Picture). They are the closest related species to elephants alive, though quite small!!
We found a very very nice SeaFood Restaurant close to the beach and Saskia and I shared a big SeaFood plate. This plate I will never forget! It was unbelievable delicious. We had a bottle of white wine from the cape (very low-priced) and really enjoyed being in South Africa.
Afterwards we took a cap and drove to Alfred&Victoria Waterfront. There we walked through the streets and had another beer.
That is the news for today. All the best to you.. Torben

Time runs short now!

Hi mates!
Tomorrow I will leave! And so far I did not pack my bag at all.. so many other things remain to be done.. but I'm starting to get nervous.
In Cape Town I will stay in Camps Bay (Accomodation: http://www.bateleurshouse.co.za/rontree/index.php)and will hopefully meet with Caro. She also studies in Hamburg and will arrive there on November, 26th for a Cetacean Conference. So far..
Cheers.. Torben