I finally found where the botanical gardens are. They are much like Kirstenbosch in that you have a mix of indigenous and typical popular alien species (e.g. oaks). There are stone paths that lead through planted areas and large areas of lawns spotted with well-established trees. I noticed some interesting tree and found a small partially dammed river,
The plants were mostly familiar, with only a few exceptions. I expected to see more different flora considering I'm in a different province. What I did notice is that I didn't recognise most of the birdsong. I saw some familiar faces, like grey ibis and a blue heron, but I also saw some variants of shrike, robin and bull-bull that I didn't recognise.
I noticed at the top of the gardens you could see more natural vegetation which was by the roadside so I climbed up there. That was more charactertised by long yellow grasses, strelitzia and aloes. From up at the top of the garden I noticed a hidden path that seemed to lead up the mountain (well, it's more like a really big hill). Of course, this lead to an unexpected bare-foot hike right to the top. The mountain was on the edge of town so I got a view of both the city and the yellow rolling hilly mountains on the other side.
That hike was quite exhilarating and left me with quite a positive buzz. I needed that time in nature! The exercise was good for me too I'm sure.
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