Wolverines in South Africa, Day 3: A Scenic Day Leaves All Amazed
5/6/2019 5:59:00 PM | Football, Features
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The Michigan football program is on a one-week experiential learning trip for its student-athletes in South Africa, which includes stops in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Follow the Wolverines on social media (#UbuntuBlue) and with a daily travel log on MGoBlue.com.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- The University of Michigan football team had a packed day of activities on Monday, with the natural beauty of Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope National Park coupled with visiting a penguin colony and powerboat rides and sporting games.
The travel party began the day by traversing one of the new seven wonders of nature in the world, Table Mountain. They rode the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway to the top of the mountain in the early morning hours. The two cable cars have been operating since 1929 and today carried three trips of Wolverines to the top in about four minutes time. The cable cars provide 360-degree views with a round aerodynamic design for a smooth ride in high winds.
Ben Mason enjoying the views of Table Mountain
At the top, the mountain has pathways for visitors to explore all four sides with unique and spectacular views. Table Mountain consists of sandstone and cape granite that was formed by igneous and glacial action $520 million years ago, making it one of the oldest mountains in the world.
The Wolverines spent about 45 minutes on top of the mountain exploring the breathtaking views of the country below. The main feature of Table Mountain, which sits 3,500 feet above sea level, is the level plateau approximately two miles from side to side.
From left: Sean McKeon, Cesar Ruiz and Peter Bush
Following a scenic drive along the coast, the group stopped at the inlet of Boulders Beach which is the home of the African Penguins. Michigan visited the protected colony of penguins in their natural habitat from the wooden walkways.
African Penguins used to be known as jackass Penguins because of their distinctive braying, and they are the only penguins found on the coastline of Southern Africa. The party walked to and from the colony along the street where vendors were selling their South African products to all tourists.
From left: Aidan Hutchinson, Ben Bredeson and Dylan McCaffrey
The travel party made its way to the Cape of Good Hope National Park for lunch and games at Buffels Bay. After eating, the players went to ride kayaks and swim in the water, and spent time playing games like volleyball, soccer and baseball. A pack of ostriches invaded the team fun with tight end coach Sherrone Moore and his wife, Kelli, getting run at by one of the five visitors.
The group split up with about 50 staff and players visiting the Cape of Good Hope sign and the lighthouse. The location is the most southwestern point of the African continent. The reserve area features rocks and sheer cliffs towering more than 200 meters above the sea and cutting deep into the ocean.Â
From left: Taylor Upshaw, Joe Milton, Ronnie Bell and Mustapha Muhammad
A larger party of about 100 players and staff went to another area of the ocean to ride on powerboats. They went out on the high-speed powerboats, cruising past a large seal colony and riding the choppy waves while sitting in shock-absorbing harnesses. For the players, it was like off-roading but on water.
The two groups made the 90-minute rides back to the hotel before enjoying a team dinner at Baia Restaurant.
Everyone returned to their rooms and packed for tomorrow's flight to Johannesburg.
• Wolverines in South Africa: Day 2
