This was our ‘main’ holiday of 2012, and took the decision to go to Cape Town, much to friends disgust as they thought we would get robbed, raped and then bludgeoned to death. However, we asked a couple of friends that have been several times, both in Apartheid and Freedom times of South Africa. They assured us we would find less trouble there than we would experience walking around our local troubled estates at home. ‘You wouldn’t walk there at night, so why would you expect to walk anywhere at night?’
We left Birmingham (BHX) on 25th October on EK40 at 14.15 bound for Dubai. 7 hours later in DXB for an 11 hour wait for EK770. Landed Cape Town at 16.25 with the most stunning view from the aircraft window of table mountain. Luckily, we sat on the side that got the view, all I can say is WOW! Cleared passport and customs much quicker than ever at Heathrow. Met our Chauffeur who took us to The Westin for our 20 day stay.
Had a freshen up and unpacked and then promptly found a bar in the hotel, had a couple and decided to venture out looking for food. Got to the other side of Long Street, famed for it’s local and traditional cuisine, only to get stopped by a security guard who asked us if we were lost. He explained that between us and the restaurants there are Nigerians that will ‘Rob You and Beat You Up!’ We eat at the hotel that night.
V&A (Victoria and Alfred Not Victoria & Albert) waterfront is a brilliant place to find restaurants, bars and shops. The Westin provided a half hourly free shuttle service between V&A and the hotel. This started at 0630am until 23.45 and proved to be a life saver. Out of the 20 days we were in Cape Town, we eat at V&A about 15 times, always in a different restaurant. Speciality meats are delicious, Impala, Springbok, Warthog, Ostrich, Kudu, Wildebeest and Zebra. If you are vegetarian they do occasionally have quiche available.
The open top tourist bus is a must and very good value for money. It’s hop on hop off, so you can spend time at places without having to worry about public transport or taking a rent-a-car. Kirstenbosch is the garden of Southern Africa, established by Jan Van Riebeek of Van Riebeeks hedge fame, the garden preserves southern Africa’s native flora. It’s situated at the foot of table mountain where there is a wonderful little bar with great views. Other stops on the tour are Constantia wine region and the Imizamo Yethu Township where residents will take a guided tour for 100 Randish payable to them so the bus company get nothing ?
Camps Bay is the playground of the rich and beautiful people of Cape Town, YEAH RIGHT! It wants to be, but there are very few people that fit into that category. It has a stunning beach in the shadows of the 12 apostles with the Indian Ocean rather cold. Plenty to eat and drink here, but not nice if the wind is up as it’s like being in a sandstorm.
We rented a car for the middle week and went touring, but still returning to Cape Town each evening. We went along the coast to Cape Of Good hope and Cape Point, not much there at COGH except a sign to say so and a couple of wild ostrich’s roaming around. Cape Point has a funicular railway to the top, and then a steep climb to get to the lighthouse where the views are out of this world.
On the way back, we stopped off in Simonstown, an old British Naval Base still used by South Africa Navy, some nice restaurants and marina there with colonial buildings.
Robben Island is just 30 minutes away by boat, this is a must for all visitors to South Africa. The guided tour is not optional, start on a bus, then finish on foot, but don’t be late for the boat, there are strict passenger numbers for each crossing with most of them full. The tour of the prison blocks is conducted by a former inmate, ours described himself as a state terrorist, but has now calmed down since equality came to his country. There are heaps of Cormorants that follow the bus expecting food. The Island stay is about 2 hours with an obligatory gift shop before boarding the boat. Oh, and make sure you use the toilet on the boat, I don’t think they have been cleaned since Mr Mandela vacated the Island!
Table Mountain took a lot of nerve to get me up in the cable car, but once there, the scenery is stunning. There are little animals there who’s closest living relative is the elephant! On the way back we stopped at The Mount Nelson Hotel for afternoon tea, well worth it, very colonial and civilised.
Stellenbosch wine tour, you have a choice of a minibus that goes to various hotels to pick up that’s about 1000 Rand or for 3500 Rand we got a limo to take us to the vineyards we wanted to go to, had lunch where we wanted and finished the tour when we wanted. Do not drive yourself, the wines are delicious. Some great scenery too as you are driving around.
In summary: Buy your tickets now and get there, fantastic!
No comments:
Post a Comment