Cape Town: The Journey Continues…

Cape Town The Journey Continues

It’s great to be back and I do hope that you enjoyed my last feature on Cape Town, South Africa. We decided that there was so much to tell, that we just could not leave it at that and more importantly, leave you, our avid readers, hanging in suspense, because we do understand that for now, you will not be able to travel with the borders being closed. So let us take you on this journey, as if you are actually travelling in time. Make sure that your safety belts are securely fastened and enjoy the flight.

Attractions

Bo-Kaap

We left off last with a mention of the Bo-Kaap, and I feel like I had not done it justice in describing this colourful and historic part of Cape Town that is the very essence of its people.

So let’s take a step back to the 18^th century when slaves were brought from Indonesia, Malaysia and other parts of Africa. The houses in the Bo-Kaap were essentially built as rental houses (or “huurhuisjes”) for slaves and were meant to only be painted white as were the traditional Dutch and Georgian style houses.

When the slaves were eventually allowed to buy these homes, they painted it in bright and happy colours which became an expression of their freedom. Today, the oldest building in the area houses the Bo-Kaap Museum in Wale Street. Its entrance fees extremely reasonable at under $2 per adult and will give you a wonderful insight into the lives of the Cape Malay people.

kirstenbosch national botanical gardens

Situated on a 528-hectare estate, the Kirstenbosch Botanical garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered to be among the finest botanical gardens of the world. Nestled on the slopes of the majestic Table Mountain, the Garden boasts an array of both floral and herbal species. Among them a fragrance garden, walking and hiking trails, a cycad amphitheatre and so much more! Each season an expression of its own beauty, the Gardens are a favourite among wedding parties, where the closest friends and family join the newly-wed couples in capturing their special day with a photo shoot. The most popular times for these are in the summer months (Oct-Jan) especially on a Sunday afternoon. There are also a number of delectable restaurants and tea rooms, or simply pack a basket of your favourites and spend the afternoon on a picnic sipping on a glass of bubbly whilst people watching.

Cape Town In Pictures

longstreet cape town South Africa

Cape sugarbird Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Cape Town

Bo-Kaap a cape malay colony in Cape Town South Africa

View of Simon’s Town, False Bay and Kalk Bay Cape town South Africa

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town

Clifton beach Cape Town

Beaches

Simon's town

The V&A Waterfront also offers some of the best high quality shopping ranging from Jimmy Choo to Louis Vuitton but also an entire “shed” dedicated to locally produced goods from colourful trinkets to traditional garments. Just outside this shed, you can take pictures alongside icons such as Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu. Across the Quay, cruises can be booked ranging from a short “waterfront cruise”, to a Pirate cruise (wonderfully entertaining for the kids and you might just be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of some dolphins), to the popular Cruise to Robben Island – famous for housing Nelson Mandela during his 27 years of captivity. The Waterfront is a bustling hybrid of entertainment with loads of nightclubs and bars to suit every mood and occasion.

There is so much that this incredible city has to offer that I feel compelled to do another feature on it in the near future, as one article, one tribute, simply will not do it justice. In the meantime, get out your Ipad, notebook or laptop, and start planning your trip for when the borders open once again. Cape Town will be ready to welcome you with virtually sanitized and safe arms!

boulders beach

A stone’s throw from Simon’s Town is False Bay, and this is where Boulders Beach lies, secluded by giant boulders and….Penguins! Yes, you read correctly, and more precisely, African Penguins. In fact, Boulders Beach is the only place in the world where you can get this close to African Penguins. Sadly, they are on the endangered species list having felt the effects of unaccountable tourism and over fishing among others. Thankfully now, the area forms part of the protected marine area of the Table Mountain National Park. For a mere $4, you could enjoy the company of these dapper looking waddlers in the somewhat warmer waters of the Indian Ocean.

clifton beaches 1-4

No doubt Cape Town has some of the most beautiful beaches that a city could offer. The most vibrant and cosmopolitan of them all being the Clifton Beaches, unimaginatively named, Beaches 1-4, where the rich and famous bask in the glorious sun and dine at some of the trendiest bars, clubs and restaurants. Word of caution though – the waters of the Atlantic Ocean holds no mercy when it comes to its icy temperature. A few minutes in its frigid waters leaves you feeling a wave of sympathy for those victims of the Titanic all those many years ago. Clifton’s 3rd Beach is a popular hangout for the LGBT community but is open to all. 4^th Beach has a perfect holiday atmosphere and was awarded the Blue Flag status, which means that they are clean, environmentally friendly and offer the best amenities.

muizenberg

If its warmer waters you seek, head on out to Muizenberg Beach, a family-friendly welcoming beach with lots of fun activities and colourful bathing boxes. The beach stretches on for miles and the soft white sand along with Blue Flag status, makes it the ideal picnic spot for the day. It is also popular among the surfers, offering surf lessons as well as wetsuit and surf board rentals.

Blouberg

The windy beaches of Blouberg offer the most captivating, picture-perfect snapshots of Table Mountain and is ideal for wind-related sports. The beach lends itself to an international kitesurfing competition each year.

clubs & bars

the village idiot, city bowl

This quirky club is perfect for those who enjoy the old school vibes. Situated in the city, it boasts some of the most incredible fusion food and wait for it…a giant ostrich in the middle of the bar! Definitely a must visit!

Website: thefirmct.co.za

beerhouse, city bowl

Also in the centre of town, the Beerhouse is a must for all you beer fundis. This Eden boasts no less than 99 different beers from 13 countries and over 25 taps for anything from tasters to pints. They also have an impressive menu from snack pairing to more satisfying grub.

Website: beerhouse.co.za

cafe caprice, camps bay

This bustling bar situated on the Camps Strip is a hip and stylish hangout for sports fans and has a cool beach vibe owing to its prime location.

Website: cafecaprice.co.za

casablanca nightclub, waterfront

Enjoy dancing under the stars in the summer or warming up to a cosy fire underneath a Bedouin tent in the winter. This club, just outside of the V&A Waterfront will have you partying into the early hours of the morning.

Website: Social profile

City Hints & Tips

Uber is a great way of getting around if you opt not to hire a car. If you’re using a local taxi to get around, make sure that you ask the fare first to your destination before getting in.
Getting a local SIM card at the airport on arrival is a great idea. Depending on how long you’re staying, it might be a better and cheaper way to keep topping up instead of purchasing a 30 day package.
Don’t be spooked when you’re suddenly faced with “load shedding”. This is a recurring “lights out” restriction imposed by government to curb the usage of electricity. It operates on a schedule, so be sure to enquire at your hotel or place of accommodation. There is an app that can be downloaded.
Always carry a warm item of clothing, even in the summer. The windy conditions tend to cool down the hot summer nights and winters are often cold and wet.
Cape Town is renowned for its factory outlets. Head to Access Park in Kenilworth for some great deals from clothing to food at great prices . Website: Access Park in Kenilworth
Do try the local cuisines, such as Bobotie, Cape Malay savoury mince dish topped with an egg custard and served with sweet yellow rice and a medley of vegetables. Snoek is another favorite, a local fish that is a species of mackerel and is often eaten smoked.
Keep up to date and get great discounts with the local hangouts by downloading the Entertainer App from the app stores.
Most of all, keep an open mind and open your eyes and soul to new experiences and savour every moment!!

Nadira is a Travel and Tourism graduate with 23 years in the travel industry and recently turned Travel Blogger with an insatiable passion for discovering places and connecting with people. A firm believer in the greatness of humanity and that there is no failure in life, only lessons to be learnt.