The Cape of Good Hope would have been an excellent excursion on its own, but we continued to Simon's Town to visit the Penguin Colony at Boulders Bay.
On the bus ride, we were given the opportunity to buy tickets to the protected penguin preserve, which we did.
Walking to the fenced-off, penguins-only preserve, we passed a beach where some penguins frolic on the beach, parading around for human beachgoers.
Whether at the public beach or the protected preserve, the beautiful bay by the clear blue sea was ideal for a penguin romantic holiday (click here for Julie's short video).
Penguins are monogamous, meeting their mates annually on these romantic retreats.
In earlier centuries, African Penguins would "vacation" on the so-called Penguin Islands offshore. In 1983, two penguins nested at Boulders Beach, and apparently, they were trend-setters who didn't need social media to be influencers.
Civilization's encroachment on the Cape led to the demise of traditional natural predators, so this mainland beach became an acceptable habitat for African Penguins.
I'm not sure scientists could prove that penguins appreciate the beauty of their summer vacation home, but I like to think they can. They deserve a nice place to relax after spending most of the year at sea in the frigid waters of Antarctica.
Only this South African variety of Penguins seem to have the necessary genetic adaptation to make the warmer conditions of Boulder Bay comfortable.
Of course, South African Penguins still have to eat while on vacation away from their full-time jobs as fishers, so penguins head out on fishing trips, returning with enough to feed their babies hatched on this beach.
Keep in mind that these adorable little animals are only about two feet tall and weigh about five to seven pounds, so while animal predators on land may have declined, in the ocean penguins are always in danger of being killed.
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From a population estimated at 4 million at the beginning of the 1800s, African Penguins have declined over 95% to become a critically endangered species.
We pray they don't go the way of the Great Auk, a penguin that used to inhabit the North Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America.
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An interesting fact we found on a sign at Boulder Bay said that African Penguins have natural desalination. A salt gland near their eye allows them to filter out excess salt that comes from seawater they drink and fish they eat.
There were several helpful signs providing various facts.
Watching penguins for most of us is rarely an academic exercise.
We just find it pleasurable to watch the little guys waddle around.
On our way out, we stopped by the well-organized gift shop for chips and a soda.
Uncharacteristically, we also selected a souvenir, a small stuffed penguin for grandson Owen.
Still basking in the glow of a wonderful day, we settled in at our Marriott Bonvoy Hotel's Lounge for beverages that evening.
We ordered the Fire + Ice Platter, a huge plate of various kinds of meats plus French fries and onion rings. Priced at about $26, this sharing platter could have fed more than just Julie and me, but we managed to make it through most of the ribs, steak, skewers, samosas, etc.
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The fact that we left some French fries and onion rings, unable to finish it all, was testament to how delicious everything was. We rarely leave fries behind.
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