SA: Cape Town and Surrounding areas

Cape Town is a port city on South Africa’s southwest coast, on a peninsula beneath the imposing Table Mountain. Slowly rotating cable cars climb to the mountain’s flat top, from which there are sweeping views of the city, the busy harbor and boats heading for Robben Island, the notorious prison that once held Nelson Mandela, which is now a living museum. The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa. Head to Simon's Town and Boulders Beach for penguin viewing. Hermanus is the place to spot Whales. Snorkel with Seals iin Hout Bay. Take a cable car up Table Mountain. Dive with Great whites in Gansbaai. Visit the magnificent vineyards. Go to the beach on camps Bay...every day is a different delight!

🙂 Everything to love. This is the most magnificent City and surrounding areas in the World.

🙁 Crime – be cautious.

Cape Town is a port city on South Africa’s southwest coast, on a peninsula beneath the imposing Table Mountain. Slowly rotating cable cars climb to the mountain’s flat top, from which there are sweeping views of the city, the busy harbour and boats heading for Robben Island, the notorious prison that once held Nelson Mandela, which is now a living museum. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town is situated on the Atlantic shore, Table Bay Harbour, the City of Cape Town and Table Mountain and offers great shopping and dining and is the departure point for Robben Island.

Where to Stay:

Mount Nelson, Cape Town

The Mount Nelson is part of the luxurious Belmond Group – ideal for a 50th stay!

Cape Town’s iconic pink lady opened her doors in 1899, and has attracted a well-heeled mix of loyal guests ever since. Service is impeccable, interiors are glamorous, gardens immaculately groomed, and the number of restaurants, bars and city sights within strolling distance to its doorstep are plentiful.

We enjoyed High Tea here. The Chef’s Table was also a treat. Highly recommended – very close to Kirstenbosch Gardens.

Twelve Apostles, near Camps Bay

The Twelve Apostles is part of the Red Carnation Group (Tolman Family, who Linda is closely associated with) – same group as Oyster Box – amazing! A lovely stay and also had all the CT friends meet for a drink at Leopard Bar. Dramatically located above the Atlantic Ocean, flanked by the majestic Twelve Apostles and Table Mountain – it is a must stay place!

Table Bay Hotel, V&A Waterfront

The Table Bay is a centrally located hotel which is very comfortable. My 50th group had all arranged to stay here.

Hout Bay

15 December 2022: We travelled home to South Africa – we were spending the first week working from Hout Bay which is a harbour town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is situated in a valley on the Atlantic seaboard of the Cape Peninsula, twenty kilometres south of Cape Town – we have always loved it here, especially because I took Paul to Mariner’s Wharf for lunch way back in 1994 – and where we left our credit card in the phone box!

We had found a really reasonably priced apartment on Air BnB which was right across the road from the beach and big enough for us both to work comfortably without disturbing each other in meetings etc. We met my work colleague and friend in the lounge as we were travelling on the same flight…and it was also my Birthday 🙂 Flights had been ridiculously expensive despite being purchased a year in advance – fortunately we were upgraded to Premium which was very comfortable. It was great to be back in the Mother City! The accommodation was perfect.

Table Mountain

I decided to conquer my fear of heights and abseil down Table Mountain – what an adrenalin rush !

Seal Snorkel

There is an option to snorkel with seals with Animal Ocean in Hout Bay which is great fun… it is super cold but they provide you with 5mm wetsuits and hoodies .. we enjoyed swimming through the kelp forest … there are no sharks here for exactly that reason plus it is fairly shallow. April is the best time as the pups are very active and curious then. We had a quick debrief before we headed off.

The boat is a two minute trip away. It was pretty cold! We saw several seals moving like lightening through the water… the kelp forest was the highlight … the seals in Galapagos had far more interaction with us … I would try again in April when a friend said it was excellent.

We headed back and took the obligatory photos!

Hermanus:

It is a lovely coastal drive to Hermanus and you can often spot whales breaching. We met up with old Durban friends and had a great lunch at Bientangs’s Cave: a Seafood restaurant set in a cave, with terraces on rocks above the ocean, known for whale watching. Created out of a traditional cave previously inhabited by a Koi Strandloper of the same name, the restaurant spills out onto the rocks of Walker Bay in Hermanus, where Whale Watching is the preferred local pass-time. The rustic charm and natural ambiance of the cave and it’s surroundings is a delight to all patrons with many returning year after year to sample the delights of Bientang’s Cave. With an abundance of sea and bird life as well as Dassies for company, this exquisite setting is heightened by the freshest seafood and an award winning wine list.

Gordon’s Bay

We managed a lie on the beach but the water is FREEZING!

Simon’s Town

Simon’s Town is always a highlight with the penguins which were always called ‘jack-ass penguins’ but have now been renamed ‘African penguins’ … times have changed – years ago, as reflected in the photos below we use to be able to stroll freely on the beach amongst the penguins.

In recent times the penguins are now protected and you pay an entrance fee and are able to view the penguins from platforms – their numbers do seem to have increased visibly.

IMHOFF FARM – Kommetjie

We arranged a family get together at Kommetjie. By pure chance the Air BnB that we were staying at was owned by one of our friend Pam’s best friends – small world! My step sister Nancy and her husband lived here in the 1990s when Peter was the lighthouse keeper. Coincidentally he grew up in a Pub that Paul’s Dad renovated in the Ipswich – small world! Michael and Renee and family came out for lunch as did the Loves – we had such a lovely afternoon at Imhoff Farm – great food and lovely sunset.

Robben Island

Robben Island is an island in Table Bay, 6.9 kilometres west of the coast of Bloubergstrand, north of Cape Town, South Africa. It takes its name from the Dutch word for seals, hence the Dutch/Afrikaans name Robbeneiland, which translates to Seal Island. It is the unique symbol of “the triumph of the human spirit over adversity, suffering and injustice” after Nelson Mandela’s incarceration there for 27 years.

V&A Waterfront

The V& A Waterfront is a great base to enjoy a fine lunch, do some shopping and soak up the atmosphere. It is also the base from where the boats leave for Robben Island.

Chapman’s Peak Drive

The Chapman’s Peak Drive route starts at the picturesque fishing harbour of Hout Bay and the climb winds steeply up to Chapman’s Point, revealing breathtaking views of the sandy bays down below, until the road reaches lower levels again at Noordhoek. The twisting road is totally paved and has 114 curves and takes about 20mins to drive. It was hacked in to the near-vertical face of mountain on the western side of the Cape Peninsula. From stunning vantage points, some of which are up to 593m above sea level, it is not uncommon to see whales and dolphins frolicking in the ocean below, and baboon troops curiously observing passing tourists.

Kirstenboch Gardens

Kirstenbosch is an important botanical garden nestled at the eastern foot of Table Mountain in Cape Town. The garden is one of 10 National Botanical Gardens covering five of South Africa’s six different biomes and administered by the South African National Biodiversity Institute.

Langebaan

If you are venturing further afield – do not miss Die Strandloper in Langebaan – an amazing 4 hour seafood feast on the rocks!

RESTAURANTS

TINTSAWAO ATLANTIC

You have to book Tintswalo Atlantic 3months in advance – and we now know why – it is outstanding! Stunning views – on the Chapman’s Peak drive, just before the toll gate … the tapas tasting menu with paired wines is simply divine. Perched above a pebbled beach at the foot of Chapman’s Peak, and overlooking the Cape’s iconic Sentinel mountain, Tintswalo Atlantic sits sheltered by the Table Mountain National Park. As the only hotel permitted to operate within the boundaries of the word-renowned Heritage site, the lodge enjoys the very best of magnificent, panoramic ocean views, as well as access to the natural beauty found along the mountainside’s winding hiking trails.

Stunning setting…

MARINER’S WHARF
Mariner’s Wharf is an old favourite – particularly as it is the one place n South Africa that still serves an authentic Crayfish Thermidor (OK, it had to be on request) – DELICIOUS! The views are also spectacular. The Cape sky was particularly moody on this occasion – beautiful.

QUENTIN AT OAKHURST

Located on one of the original Hout Bay farms, the Quentin at Oakhurst restaurant and cellar follows in the footsteps of generations of family food farming. It has a great ambience and is set in a barn with quirky decor. The food was great – ostrich carpacio delicious.

THE BUNGALOW

We’d been looking forward to eating at the Bungalow for some time… unfortunately it had rained so we were seated inside so missed the great views… the service was good but a little disappointed with the food given the price….we went for the seafood platters.

On the way back to drop Ben & Charlotte we stopped off for a cocktail and malva pudding in Camps Bay at the bar where they had watched the France vs England football match.

ON THE ROCKS: Bloubergstrand

Great location overlooking Table Bay and Table Mountain with good seafood. The oysters were excellent and the sunset beautiful.

GRAND ADRICA – Granger Bay

The Grand is a vibey and relaxed venue on the beach. We have enjoyed a few good lunches and dinners here.

2016:

We had a lovely dinner with Linda and her chap Roland who seems to be lovely – good to see her so happy. This Japanese fusion was fantastic with great views across the sea at sunset.

KAAPSE STORIES

Roland owns a restaurant which provides entertainment called ‘Kaapse Stories’ about the history of the Cape – a very enjoyable evening! The musical performs a playlist of well-loved South African and international songs to give insight into Cape Town’s (Kaapse) history and celebrates the resilient, colourful people who live at the foot of Table Mountain.

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