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10 Nights in Cape TownAug 23, 2008
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The Pinacle at the Drakensburg Mountains
View from Drakensburg Mountains
The gang - our group who travelled Durban to Cape Town
| Well, now I am in Cape Town. I arrived on Friday 8th August and stayed until Monday 18th. I stayed in a backpackers called Ashanti which was a great backpackers. Really clean and modernised showers, great big kitchen and a bar with a pool table. There was a great atmosphere in the place constantly and the staff were really friendly and helpful. During my time in Cape Town I spent some time wandering about the V & A Waterfront which is the place to be seen. There is a huge shopping mall there and great restaurants. The view of Table Mountain from here is also beautiful. I also walked up and down Long Street which is the younger more nightlife orientated area. Kloof Street was also a good place to get an internet café and a good cappuccino. On Sunday 10 August I did a bus tour of the town and went up Table Mountain. I waited in the queue for cable car to go up, as it was a scorching day, the wait was long. When I got up there and took in the phenomenal views I decided it would be a good idea to walk down. Oh my goodness, what a walk. It was so steep, although an easy to follow path or rather stairway of rocks and boulders. My legs did not recover for 3 days. However the end of the walk down took me straight across the middle of the mountain towards the lower cable car station and it made it all worthwhile. After this I caught the bus back into town and stopped to watch the sunset in Camps Bay! On Monday I met Susan from Denmark. We did the town. We walked and saw St Georges Cathedral, the markets including Greenmarket Square, Slave Lodge, SA museum, Company Gardens…… and so on. We saw the sites. On Tuesday I went Cage Diving with Sharks. This was a lovely day out. We got picked up and taken to Hermanus where we stopped for a bit of whale watching. Then off to board our boat which will take us to Shark Alley. On the way out I got to stand in the cabin with the skipper, he was a very nice man, passionate about sharks, friendly and informative. I was able to dive twice. For approx 15 mins each time, or after 7 sightings which ever came first. At one point I had my head below water looking for the shark but could not make the sighting when the head of shark appeared right in front of my face eye ball to eye ball - yes it did scare the pants off me. Everyone thought it was funny when I jumped back. Amazing. On our way back we spotted some more whales and then 3 Penguins in a island jam packed with seals. Wednesday was the first really bad day weather wise. We even had some rain. But it stops nearly as quickly as it starts. Short sharp bursts. So Susan and I just window shopped all afternoon. That night about 6 of us went out for dinner and I had one of the best steaks ever. Its not fair, I am supposed to be losing weight but the food here, as you may have gathered already is superb. On Thursday I did the Winelands Tour. Its hard I know but someone had to do it. So by 11am I had already tasted about 6 different wines. It was a tough day. Plus I also had to force myself to taste cheese and Belgium chocolates..... Friday was a relaxing day, on internet etc. That night about 8 of us headed to a Kurdish restaurant. This involved sitting on cushions on the floor and watching a belly dance. Then we ended up in an Irish bar, would you believe it. I got up very early on Saturday morning to go abseiling down Table Mountain, but it was closed due to high winds. I would love to do this so will try again before I leave South Africa. I spent the day mostly at the V&A Waterfront and also watched the Rugby match in a Scottish bar there. It was South Africa v New Zealand and the match was actually being played in Cape Town. Unfortunately for SA, New Zealand won, but the atmosphere in the bar was electric. Sunday was a preparation day, packing and getting ready for my next project. So that was my 10 nights in Cape Town. I havent done Robben Island, Boulders Beach or Cape Point as I will be doing all that next month from my base in Fish Hoek. However what I have seen and done so far definitely puts Cape Town high in my list of citys to visit. What can I say, Table Mountain alone makes it a stunning location. Until next time. All my love, Louise |
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