Two Oceans Marathon and Jazz Festival Headaches

Cape Town is rocking, and transportation is difficult because of all the recreational activities! As Table Mountain was enshrouded in clouds, making the ride to the top fruitless, we decided to go to the Kirstenbosch National Botanic Gardens. This is the oldest garden of its kind, displaying indigenous plants in a gorgeous setting, under the other face of Table Mountain. Leaving the hotel was difficult, due to streets blocked off for the Jazz Festival. We finally found the route south to the Gardens. Unfortunately, all access to the place was blocked by a huge clump of marathon runners, forcing us to crawl past the turn-off, and head back into town. We found a bookstore to prowl through after a latte break.
We went down to the waterfront for lunch. Fully fortified, we made our way back to the Gardens, this time, with the marathon over, successful! The place was lovely, laid out on sloping land leading up to the base of the mountain. The landscaping is meticulous, with manicured lawns separating large plantings of indigenous species of trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses. Interspersed were beautiful contemporary sculptures by African artists.
We made our way back to the hotel, had dinner at the waterfront (the weather is definitely changing, and autumn has arrived to the southern hemisphere). We dined outside at a nice fish restaurant, and although we were surrounded by glass walls and "warmed" by portable gas heaters, we froze and were happy to jump into bed upon return (by shuttle) to the hotel!