Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Today marked the long-awaited beginning of Argo’s spring semester, complete with a full complement of students and staff. We started our day with a pancake breakfast and a program meeting. Throughout the day, staff members shared tips with students about living in their new homes, and the crew began building the bonds that would see us through the voyage. After lunch, there was some free time for students to explore the V and A Waterfront area where Argo is docked. Some enjoyed ice cream while others relaxed onboard, taking in their new home. Later, after the hot southern summer sun dropped a little in the sky, we headed up to a local peak called Lion’s Head, which was summited after a 1-hour hike each way, culminating with a short-chain climb actually to reach the summit. Lion’s Head boasts some extraordinary views, and we could not have picked a better day to hike. After returning to the base, taxis shuttled us the short distance to the famous Table Mountain Cable Car, where we reached another peak in a very different way: by riding the cable car to the top. Once at the peak, the plan was to watch the sunset and have dinner, but alas, the fickle cape weather piped up, and the wind began to blow, clouds covered the mountain, and the siren sounded so off we went to ride the car down before it stopped running due to heavy wind. Luckily, there were pizzas waiting when the hungry group reached Argo. Now it’s time for showers and sleep, as tomorrow will be an even earlier morning; the safari starts at 0600.