#884 Cape of Good Hope, South Africa

The southernmost point of Africa, south of Cape Town, is Cape Agulhas, but many people believe it to be at the end of Cape Peninsula - the Cape of Good Hope along with Cape Point. It is a windswept, wild place, colder and windier than you could ever imagine, even at the height of summer. Despite rumors, the two seas don't meet with different colors, although the currents join further east, but there are many sea birds and a sharp rock of a peninsula. The peninsula is also home to penguins, the odd seal and several farms.

Driving through Table Mountain National Park from Cape Town, past the pesky baboons, along steep cliffs and past gorgeous beaches helps to give a sense of how far away and how wild it is, and how it might have gotten a dubious reputation. Along with Cape Horn (#889), it has long held a special significance for sailors as a way point, and remains legendary.

#889 Cape Horn, Chile

Did you know that Cape of Horn is on an island, not actually on the continent of South America? The islands of the steep mist-covered cliffs that mark the southern-most land of the area are part of the Cape Horn National Park (Parque Nacional Cabo de Hornos) at 56 degrees south, and are about as remote, even within Chile, as you can get anywhere in the world and still be a short sail away from civilization. Actually, I just discovered that the Diego Ramirez Islands are further south, but are already in the Drake Passage so not as famous! Infamous because of the rough waters, icebergs, strong winds and currents of the nearby Drake Passage, it is something ships dreaded for centuries. It was only with the opening of the Panama Canal (#920) that the passage around South America was no longer necessary, although many ships used the straights of Magellan rather than go around the tip of Tierra del Fuego anyway, because it was so difficult.

It was named after Hoorn in the Netherlands and translates to the Cape of Ovens. The Chilean navy maintains a station on island including a lighthouse.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Horn

#933 Essaouira, Morocco

Made famous by Jimi Hendrix, with his legendary castles in the sand disappearing along the beach from the main town. A 1970s hippy center where you can still experience exotic markets, quaint homestay hotels, surfing, and spicy Moroccan delicacies, it is along Morocco's southern coast, with an offshore island, miles of sand, and strong cultural heritage. Perhaps one of the historical 'barbary states' where the pirates searched the wild ocean for stranded sailors, it retains a strong Berber and Arab culture. It's old walled city has winding medina streets and stalls of leather, lamps, spices, nuts and souvenirs. The beach is superb, and the ocean breezes idyllic in a hot Moroccan summer. Watch the fishermen bring in their catch, climb over the old castle, ride a camel into the sunset!