Here I am in Africa

Well, I am now in Cape Town, South Africa. I came to Cape Town to catch Ensco 8500 on route from Singapore to the Gulf of Mexico. I hated to leave my family again for this journey, but that’s what I do. My company sent me down a few days early and I’m getting to see some of the town and the sites which are amazing. I never would have thought of venturing to Africa, but it is something to see. The people are extremely nice and welcoming.
I’m sure it has something to do with money, but it is worth mentioning. A short walk from my hotel is an open market where folks sell their handmade goods and African artifacts. I can’t stand to go anywhere like this without getting a few souvenirs, but I had to leave the African Zulu masks there because I know Jennifer wouldn’t let me hang them in the great room. Thursday night a group of us went to the world renown Cubana’ which is a Havana Lounge where you can here Cuban Club music and enjoy a nice Cuban cigar and refreshments. I don’t get to smoke a Cuban that often, so when I get the opportunity I take advantage of it. Later we walked the town and found a European car showroom where we got to dream and see cars like Lamborghini, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, and a bunch of Aston Martins. Friday we took a taxi up the mountain to a place called Table Mountain which is over 3500 feet above sea level.
We rode a cable car up the mountain and saw the best views I think I’ve ever seen. Gatlinburg or Colorado doesn’t have anything on Table Mountain. My friend Chance had read about a place in Cape Town at the Waterfront called Belthazar that was featured in British Airways Top Places To See magazine, so we set out to find it. We sat out and enjoyed the nice weather and had some drinks before dinner. BA said they had the best steak in South Africa, so I had to try one. I wanted to try some wilder beast, but I’d have to kick myself if I turned down the best steak in the country. The food was great and the baked cheesecake with cream was even better. The next morning I had to catch a helicopter out to the rig.

I hated to go, but I was ready to get this over with so I can get back to Jennifer and Sarah Katherine. I hope to bring them back to South Africa. Maybe I can talk Jennifer into a 3 or 4 day animal safari or go cage diving with the Great White Sharks. Maybe not the sharks, but it won’t be hard to find something adventurous to do in Cape Town.