15Dec Thursday Hermanus

Another slow day. We drove 7 km to Hermanus, another exciting little town of approxi 5000, which has just about everything a tourist could ask for. The was very busy for a small town so we inquired about the reason and found out it was their Independance day holiday on Friday so everyone was shopping. I believe the Blacks call it " the anniversary for Nelson Mendela getting released from prison" after 27 years. It was also the start of the summer holidays that coincides with christmas so everyone heads for the Beaches and goes camping. Anyhow, we joined the rush and did some window shopping and some people watching and we also watch the ocean go in an out.
The parking is somewhat different from home. Here they have " parking marshalls " who patrol a certain block or parking lot. You pull into a lot and tell them you will pay when you return because you are not sure how long you will be. They punch your licence number into their hand held computer, it registers the time and when you return to your vehicle they print out a receipt and that is what you owe. Can you imagine how many marshals you would need for Toronto. But it works for the small towns.
Carroll was looking for some Tansanite ear rings ( incidentally I said it came ZA but it actually come from Tanzania where the suppy will be mined out in 20 years and they do not expect to find anymore ), so she entered a jewlery store but they did not have any Tansanite so the clerk walked Carroll down the street to another store, walked in the store but the owner and clerk where busy, so she went behind the counter, opened the case and took out a " tree stand" of ear rings and then said the clerk will be with you as soon as she finishes with her customer and left Carroll alone with all those Gem stone. Talk about trustworthy? Yes, Carroll got Tansanite ear rings for Christmas!!!!
After lunch we did some more window shopping and went into a book store as I needed a book . I have been looking for a good history book on ZA, as I now have the urge to increase my knowledge of the country. The owner just happen to a " bit " of a historian so he found me book but not too dry, so to speak. He and talked a little politic and I ask him about the "black government" and all there scandals. He said there was just as many scandals when the "whites " where in power, so the Blacks had good teachers.

Then we drove around checking out the beaches, the Kite water skiers, Sail Boats and some real upscale homes.
By now the afternoon was " shot " so we return to camp and enjoyed the Sun while we read our books. Then we decide to hitbthe local Pub for a huger and listen to the music or whatever. When we walked, there was not a customer anywhere to e seen, just a Bartender and a Waitress so we left, and made our our supper.