| It's impossible to capture the beauty of Cape | | | | amazing. Stop at the Dias cross in the reserve. It |
| Town in words or photos. It can only give a | | | | is a big stone cross that commemorates his |
| glimpse of the magic. | | | | achievements. |
| Long, long ago when the likes of Dias were | | | | GREAT CONSTANTIA: THE OLDEST WINE |
| traveling the seas to discover new countries the | | | | ESTATE |
| Cape was called the "Cape of Storms". Cape | | | | The history of the farm dates back to 1685 |
| Town has very interesting weather patterns. | | | | when it was granted to the first Governor of the |
| Most of the times it is warm and sunny but when | | | | Cape, Simon van der Stel, as an experimental |
| the "Suidoos" (the local name for the very strong | | | | farm for agricultural produce. Van der Stel named |
| South Eastern wind) starts blowing you have to | | | | the farm "Constantia" and the produce of |
| hold onto everything you own. | | | | vegetables and fruit was supplied to ships that |
| Table Mountain is the best example of this | | | | called in at the Cape. You can taste and buy the |
| unpredictable weather. The one minute it's open | | | | award winning red and white wines at the cellars. |
| and beautiful and the next minute the misty | | | | There are daily wine tours, tasting and buying of |
| clouds come blowing in. Within minutes a white | | | | wines. |
| tablecloth of clouds rests on top of the mountain. | | | | CLIFTON: THE PLAYGROUND OF THE RICH |
| But it doesn't matter how bad the weather is, | | | | Clifton is not for those scared of heights and |
| there is always something to do. A big world city | | | | narrow roads. The houses seem glued to the |
| framed by the mountain on the one side and the | | | | cliffs. They park on top of their roofs or so it |
| ever changing ocean on the other side. | | | | seems. Any builder that can build a house here |
| VICTORIA AND ALFRED WATERFRONT | | | | deserves a reward. Most of the houses are more |
| (V&A): Very commersialised and expensive | | | | mansions than houses and are worth a few million. |
| but a total treat. The vibrant atmosphere and | | | | Clifton is especially famous for its beaches but the |
| energy is addictive. The aquarium is well worth | | | | water is still cold like the rest of the Cape |
| seeing. If you have children it is a must. There is a | | | | waters.The small rock pools are excellent for |
| touch area with a variety of sea plants that can | | | | children to play in and obviously not that cold. |
| be touched to get an idea of the textures. | | | | Unfortunately it is also the ideal spot for beach |
| Feeding times you can watch the sharks having | | | | parties and some of these areas can be very |
| their lunch. There are great restaurants and | | | | dirty. |
| coffee shops for the hungry. In the designer | | | | CHAPMAN'S PEAK: The view is worth paying the |
| shops you can virtually shop till you drop. | | | | R22 toll fee on this road. You don't need to come |
| THE MOUNTAIN AND THE MOTHER CITY: The | | | | back the same way. From Noordhoek you can |
| cable car is an experience on its own, with a | | | | take the Muizenberg road back to Cape Town. |
| rotating floor and magnificent views when going | | | | From Hout Bay go back past Landudno and |
| up and coming down the mountain. Phone in | | | | Camps Bay which is the other beautiful coastal |
| advance or check on the website if the cable car | | | | road. |
| is going up. It is not always open. The weather | | | | KALK BAY: A tiny little place a few kilometers out |
| can change in a second from great to foggy and | | | | of the city. The shopping experience is very |
| cloudy. On the top is a restaurant and shop with | | | | different form that at the V&A. Here you |
| great views. | | | | will find individualistic little arty shops each with it's |
| Cape Town is full of historical buildings that are | | | | own character and style. If you are looking for |
| worth a view and great for pictures. In the | | | | something out of the ordinary, away from mass |
| famous Castle of Good Hope, you'll find examples | | | | production, you need to visit Kalk Bay's main |
| of beautiful antique furniture. You can also | | | | street. Cape to Cairo and Papagayo stands out |
| experience the dark dungeons where prisoners | | | | but they are all worth a visit. The shops are so |
| were kept. It's horribly cold, pitch dark and small. | | | | nicely decorated and painted in vibrant colours. |
| You can take a guided tour at the Castle and get | | | | There are also nice art galleries, a theatre and |
| all the info on Jan van Riebeeck, the Van der | | | | restaurants. |
| Stel's, Lady Anne Barnard and everybody that | | | | SUNSET ON SIGNAL HILL: |
| was involved in the beginning years of the Cape. | | | | Instead of going up to the cable car take the |
| There are also numerous historical church buildings. | | | | road to the right and drive up Signal hill. Lovely |
| Take a drive through the city area on a Sunday | | | | sunset. |
| or Saturday afternoon to visit all these buildings. | | | | CENTURY CITY: Century City is a bit out of the |
| During normal business hours the streets are too | | | | city close to Milnerton. It is a lovely centre with |
| busy to find parking. | | | | each and every shop you can think off. Less |
| KIRSTENBOSCH BOTANICAL GARDENS: Don't | | | | designer stores than at V&A and obviously |
| miss this. You can pend a whole day and still | | | | not that expensive. The MTN science centre is a |
| haven't seen everything. You will only find | | | | hit with children. You can buy a family ticket and |
| indigenous South African plants like Protea, Fynbos | | | | spend the whole day there. You get a stamp on |
| etc. There is a path up Table Mountain from inside | | | | your hand and can move in and out as you |
| the gardens. We climb for a while but it is quite | | | | please. Make sure you attend the "camera |
| steep and we had no idea how long it would take. | | | | obscura" session. It works with mirrors and even |
| I wouldn't advise this unless you have all the info | | | | though you are inside the building you can see the |
| on hiking up to the top of the mountain. | | | | reflections of the cars moving, the movement of |
| The weather can change very quickly and then it | | | | the water in the canals and whatever is happening |
| is dangerous to be out somewhere on the | | | | outside. All the other mall things are there like |
| mountain. On Sunday afternoons (late afternoon) | | | | movies, places to eat, lots of chain stores etc, |
| in summer you can attend musical concerts. | | | | etc..... |
| There is a nice restaurant or bring your own | | | | MORE RESTAURANTS AROUND CAPE TOWN |
| picnic basket. Lots of space for a picnic. | | | | BLUES |
| MALAY QUARTER The old Malay quarter or as it | | | | Sit outside with a beautiful view over the beaches |
| is called nowadays the Bo-kaap is worthwhile | | | | of Camps Bay and the very busy and interesting |
| seeing. It is basically in the city. Drive in Wale | | | | street running next to the sea. You'll see anything |
| Street to Green point. The area has been | | | | from a top of the range Ferrari to a "gedaan" |
| upgraded in a lot of places and property prices | | | | (run down) taxi, a luxury tour bus to an old beetle. |
| are rising sharply. It is conveniently located and | | | | The menu offers seafood, pasta and a few grill |
| has a great atmosphere. The houses are painted | | | | goodies like hamburgers, lamb rib, steak etc. Nice |
| in bright colours and look festive. Streets are still | | | | cocktails and wine list. Excellent service. |
| cobblestone and narrow. From the top the view | | | | MARINER'S WHARF (Hout Bay) |
| over Cape Town is amazing. | | | | There is a beautiful upstairs area for a sit-down |
| CAPE POINT: Contrary to some beliefs this is not | | | | meal with spectacular decor. It opens at 12 in the |
| where the two oceans meet. The actual meeting | | | | afternoon. If you are too hungry to wait go to |
| point is at Agulhas. Nevertheless Cape Point is an | | | | the open area downstairs. Get a box of real fish |
| incredible experience. The last time we went | | | | and chips and have a feast. |
| there Chapman's Peak was closed due to rock | | | | FARMSTALL, NOORDHOEK On the other side of |
| falls and we took the road past Kommetjie and | | | | Chapman's Peak is Noordhoek. The Farmstall has |
| Scarborough. The whole area is a nature reserve. | | | | all the traditional South African cakes and pastries, |
| There are 2 200 different plant species to see, as | | | | like scones and milk tart. |
| well as a lot of smaller animals. You can take the | | | | This is but the tip of the iceberg and just a few |
| funicular to the point or take a walk. It is a bit of | | | | of the exciting places to visit. Explore and feel like |
| steep to climb but do-able. The view is absolutely | | | | Dias with every new discovery. |