Things You Probably Didn't Know About South Africa - Cape Town And Beyond.
Firstly let me say if a trip to South Africa is not on your ‘To Do List’ then please give it some serious consideration. As a popular destination for my clients I was very keen to sample what this fantastic country has to offer its visitors.
The journey began with our first experience of the newly opened Terminal 2 at Heathrow and having read all the travel blurb I was really looking forward to the experience. It did not disappoint at all, lots of light, very spacious a good shopping experience and excellent food and drink options.
Our first destination was Cape Town and as we were flying courtesy of South African Airways (SAA) we flew via Johannesburg and once again a very impressive international airport. Our arrival although ‘winter’ was unseasonably wet and cold but hey no one can control weather – right?
Our first place to visit was the V&A waterfront it was also our first opportunity to sample the local cuisine in a place called Market on the Wharf – inside were many vendors that would cater to any palate. I was tempted by Gourmet Samosas - five different fillings to choose from and only £2!
I have a limited amount of words to share this experience which will definitely prove a challenge, so with that in mind I will be brief on accommodations and hopefully if interested you can contact me for a more detailed appraisal. Our first stay was at the Vineyard Hotel in the leafy Newlands suburb a must for cricket fans and incidentally where England/Portugal football teams stayed for the World Cup 2010. It was also for me the best breakfast on offer throughout our trip and an introduction to Rooibos tea or ‘Red Bush’ it is only grown in the Cederberg, a small mountainous area of the Western Cape it has no caffeine and very low tannin levels - I loved it.
Our two evenings in Cape Town were sampling the delights of 15 on Orange, a delightful city centre hotel and Gold Restaurant – an interactive drum and dance culinary experience not to be missed.
The unusual adverse weather did not spoil our fun however did prevent us from visiting Table Top Mountain but it did allow us a visit to Hout Bay and a short cruise to view a seal colony on Duiker Island, next stop Boulders Beach where another colony – the Jackass Penguins reside. It is totally surreal, we expect to see penguins in a much chillier climate but no, here they are having what I can only describe as a lot of fun on the beach (see pics). Lunch was at the ‘Black Marlin’ (not blue) at Simons Town and if you like seafood then this is your heaven. We had a Seafood Chowder to start with a platter of Lobster, King Prawns and a piece of Hake which melted in the mouth, followed by a cheesecake dessert.
Cape Point Nature Reserve home to the ‘Cape of Good Hope’ is an absolutely fascinating place and according to our guide contains more fauna and flora in its small promontory than the whole of the Brazilian rainforest - also home to wildlife such as Buck, Zebra, Baboons, Red Hartebeest and hundreds of species of birds. Literally no place on earth like it.
When you arrive near Cape Point it is possible to walk up to the lighthouse or you can catch the funicular that runs every few minutes. Although once there the weather was so inclement not much could be seen. I will have to return.
Cape Point is often mistakenly claimed to be the place where the cold current of the Atlantic Ocean and the warm current of the Indian Ocean collide. In fact, the meeting point fluctuates along the southern and south-western Cape coast, usually occurring between Cape Agulhas and Cape Point. The two intermingling currents help to create the micro-climate of Cape Town and its environs. Contrary to popular mythology, the meeting point of the currents produces no obvious visual effect; there is no "line in the ocean" where the sea changes colour or looks different in some way. There are, however, strong and dangerous swells and tides around the point. This area has witnessed countless maritime disasters in the centuries since ships first sailed here. I am in total awe of the significance of this part of the world with respect to modern history.
Our continuing journey then took us inland through the famous Winelands stopping en route at a 200 hectare working farm / hotel called Babylonstoren. I have never come across a place like it before and what a fantastic place to relax and return to nature, whilst at the same time enjoying smart, clean, modern even luxurious accommodations complete with a very good Wi-Fi signal if you choose not to completely switch off. If you do though then you are in for a treat and any visitors I send here will be advised to seek out ‘Mother Nature’ herself - real name Gundula, her knowledge of living off the land would put Bear Grylls to shame she is truly a fascinating person.
They are extremely self-sufficient and your meals will consist of seasonal produce from the farm and with its own wine for me it is a must visit place – I will return as a guest and will start my holiday right here, its only 25 km from the university town of Stellenbosch and 23 km from Franschhoek both of which I intend to stay a night or two then only an hour’s drive back to Cape Town before setting off on the Garden Route finishing off with a three-night Safari experience.
Word count has beaten me and I refuse to bullet point so my Stellenbosch, Garden Route and Safari experience will follow in a separate Journal.
Thanks for reading and please get in touch for more information on anything at all.