Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Seal Island - Hout Bay

After Maidens Cove, Hout Bay is our next stop. Hout Bay (pronounced as Wood Bay) lies just about 20 minutes from Cape Town yet has a unique and timeless beauty that makes it so popular with locals and visitors. It formerly was a fishing village and has managed to maintain its unique combination of fishing harbor and country atmosphere, despite development. Its long, sandy beach faces a bay framed by mountains and is quite simply exceptionally beautiful. And it’s also a gateway to Seal Island.

Seal Island is a tiny island which is densely populated by few thousand seals. We took a boat trips to Seal Island. The charge is only R38 (equivalent to RM16.50) and the whole journey took about 45 minutes. Thousands of Cape Fur Seals inhabit in Seal Island. According to the tour guide, the Fur Seals are named because they have very thick pelts, unlike true seals which only have a thin covering of hair. Seals prefer breeding on rocky ground, hence we can see the abundance of seals on this island. Due to good visibility, so we are able to get a first hand view of the kelp forests and sea life. And also the powerful engines enable to bring the vessel within meters of the island, for really close up views of the Cape Fur Seals in their natural environment. And of course also easy for photo taking lor.
Hout Bay harbor market, lots of souvenirs can buy from here
Scenery view from the boat while on the way to Seal Island
This mountain has a name but i forgot what its called. :p

Seals resting on the rock
Wind blows and the 'body odor' of the seals can be smelled by us. Yeak!! Feel like want to vomit!!

Hundred of seals group together, look pretty scary

9 comments:

[SK] said...

hmmm, that is quite an interesting excursion yeah..

btw, that mountain is called Sentinel Mountain.. and Seal Island is the more common name for the actual Duiker Island.. :)

Chris said...

sk: Wah!! How come u know geh? U been to there b4 ar?

[SK] said...

u want to know how i knew?? buy me dinner and i'd tell you.. hehehe :p

Chris said...

SK: No problem. Cheap cheap one can lor, but dun too expensive lor. :p

[SK] said...

you sure bo?? what is your definition of cheap and expensive ah?? kekeke :p

Chris said...

SK: below hundred shud be ok gua.. :p

[SK] said...

oooh.. thank you thank you!!! i shall wait for the day, kekeke..

Chris said...

sk: u welcome. :)

[SK] said...

鉤手指..