Tag Archives: harbours

Emptying the Robinson drydock

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Emptying the Robinson drydock
If you'e ever wondered at the purpose of the little tunnel to the bottom right of this photo, wonder no more! That's where the huge pumps that empty the Robinson drydock expel their load to.

I watched the water rushing from that tunnel for quite some time, and when I checked the drydock again, it seemed that the water level was exactly where I'd last observed it. :O

Train-spotting

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Trains, boats, and harbours
The train crawling out of Kalk Bay station in the background departs from Cape Town station, passes though Cape Town's southern suburbs, and then takes a sharp right turn at the cost to wind it's way along the beaches of False Bay towards Simon's Town. Even though the train's interior isn't in a great condition, and it's not a "first-class" ride, the views and experience certainly are first-class. And yes, it's pretty safe - as long as you keep to daylight hours.

Tourists and locals alike can buy cheap day-traveler hop-on-hop-off tickets at Cape Town station. Besides for sticking to daylight hours, the only advice I'd give is to head out early and to try and pick a sunny, windless day.

Doesn't that sound like fun?

Longline fishing boat

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Longline fishing boat
The vessel in this photo, known by name Sulaiman, is a longline fishing boat. Longline fishing is a fishing technique, often used to catch tuna and swordfish, that relies on a single long fishing line that has hundreds (even thousands) of smaller lengths of baited hook lines attached. Not a very nice thought, now is it?

A morning at Kalk Bay harbour

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A morning at Kalk Bay harbour
Kalk Bay (pronounced "Cork Bay") started its existence as lime-producing town. In case you're wondering if there's a link between the word "kalk" and lime - there is! The Dutch (and Afrikaans) word "kalk" means "chalk" - which is a form of limestone. So the literal translation of Kalk Bay would be Chalk Bay. :)

Yachts of the yacht basin

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Yachts of the yacht basin
Even though I'd have to take motion sickness medication, still, I'd love to spend a day or two one of these beauties - as long as the weather was good. :)

For reference, this yacht basin is the one that the Cape Grace and One and Only hotels at the V&A Waterfront back on to.