West Coast

Saturday we spent the day traveling up the West Coast. We started in Blaauwberg and traveled a few hours up to a archeological site and the West Coast Fossil Museum. The guide there explained how the fossils were deposited 5 million years ago and we saw the excavation of an extinct form of animal the “short necked long horned giraffe.” It was hard for the students to comprehend the scope of five million years ago. After the fossil adventure we traveled deep into West Coast National Park and had a picnic on a secluded beach with white sand and a Mediterranean blue colored ocean. The kids, Tom and Dave played water soccer and we all enjoyed playing in the sand. Next we went to an ostrich farm and learned about the birds of the area and each of us had a turn sitting on an ostrich. Two parents had a ride on ostriches and we have funny video footage to show when we get home. On our way to dinner we stopped at SANCCOB a bird rescue refuge where Nickie’s partner Carolé works. Carolé came into the refuge to give us a tour of what happens when a bird is injured or covered in oil. She walked us through each stage of triage and showed us how the animals are treated. We saw many birds including penguins, cormorants and gulls. One penguin followed us up to the treatment center and we all got to pet him – the kids were mesmerized by the whole experience – some said perhaps when they are older they will volunteer in such a place. We ended up having dinner at a place in Big Bay by the lighthouse – the students now have their new favorite soft drinks – a bright green cream soda and appletizers.