May 25 - Mossel Bay, South Africa

 We made it to Mossel Bay, South Africa and at first we thought we weren't going to make it to the port. You see there was quite a swell in the bay and the Captain was concerned because we were tendering and he wasn't sure it was safe. Well after sending out a 'test tender', he decided it was safe enough to tender. My excursion wasn't until 1:30, but to make sure I got there in time I headed out around noon.

I got to town and did a little browsing. I really like this town, and the views are phenomenal or maybe it was seeing sailboats, that made me smile.




Then it was off on the excursion. First we headed to the Dias Museum Complex. It was quite the eclectic group of displays.
There was the Maritime Display  

The Marine Display


A Shell Display - no pictures. Really - SHELLS???

A Memorial to the Museum's namesake, Bartolomeu Dias. He was a Portuguese mariner and explorer. In 1488, he became the first European navigator to round the southern tip of Africa. His discoveries effectively established the sea route between Europe and Asia. 

And a life size replica of his ship.


A history of the spice trade.

And what museum complex wouldn't be complete without a post office tree. You read correctly. In 1501, a Portuguese navigator, Pero de Ataide sought shelter in Mossel Bay after losing much of his fleet in a storm. He left an account of the disaster hidden in an old shoe which he suspended from a milkwood tree on the grounds which now comprise the museum complex. The report was found by the explorer to whom it was addressed, Joao da Nova, and the tree served as a kind of de facto post office for decades thereafter. AKA Post Office Tree. Seriously, I can't make these things up!


Then it was off to  Cape St. Blaize, where the sites were incredible 



and its 19th century Lighthouse.
 
Also at the cape was a cave, where archeologists have documented the origins of human behavior, like using stones as tools and weapons. And writing on the walls. 


I saw some furry friends, they are called Rock Hyrax or Rock Rabbits 

Churches 

and a clock tower, without its clock

Residences - I could live here


Early 1900s sandstone homes


And then it was time for a beer, with friends



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