Cape Town

Vacation Trip to Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

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Cape Town - arguably the most visited tourist attraction in South Africa was next in our destination list from Johannesburg. The second largest city in the country and is the capital of the Western Cape Province, as well as Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa. After a 2 hour flight we arrived Cape Town in the morning of 1st of December 2008 and picked up our rental car from SIXT. The car was the same Nissan Tida like last time with the only variation in color (RED). We were reserved in the Ritz Hotel at Sea Point which took hardly 40 minutes for us to reach via highway N2. The main challenge started then as the hotel didn't allow early check-in. Highly unexpected after warm welcome and the priviledges we enjoyed in Gauteng.

So first couple of hours in the city for us were spent in timepass around the peripheral of Sea Point. Under this circumstance people get hungry very easily and we were no different. I'll rate South African Pizza very high any day and to support that we enjoyed a stupendous Pizza lunch in one of the sea side restaurants for a nominal charge. Post lunch finally the hotel receptionist was kind enough to let the door open for us with a small shock of 20 ZAR fee per night for car park. An hour later we were ready to explore the city but in a most unfortunate incident I knocked the other side of my car with a boulder to avoid collission with an oncoming car. That caused serious dampening of our mood to visit Table Mountain and instead visited the VA Waterfront to satisfy our shopping spree like embroidered Ostrich egg, wooden crafts etc. 

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Our first day ended in relatively quite mode as we took the bed early. Seond morning was bright with the day started with a super heavy overwhelming breakfast which was missed badly in Midrand. We started driving towards the Cape Point taking multiple help for navigation. At one point where others gave up one shopkeeper who spent all his life in Cape Town provided a fabulous direction which we followed blindly and reached the Cape Peninsula. On the way we crossed Hout Bay - a quiet yet full of bustling fisher boats at the same time. The entry to Table Mountain National Park costed 60 ZAR per person in late 2008. The road inside the park is marvelous and great place to walk or bike. Near Cape Point there is a good hiking spot leading all the way to the lighthouse pointing important directions for the world's famous cities. 

The view from the top is stunning on the backdrop of Sandy Bay creates a superb picturesque landscape. Debarati gave up hiking in the mid way but I continued and reached the top to view the lighthouse closely. After getting down we drove towards Cape of Good Hope - the famous geographical landmark. However, Cape Hope is also not the most southern point of Africa, which is actually Cape Agulhas in the Overberg, where the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean meet. The place is not so appealing in terms of natural wealth. But overall the park is full of flora and fauna. While driving back one tortoise was crossing the road. Fortunately one lad carried it across the street else it could have taken all day. But be aware of the baboons. They are used to people and often steal objects from tourists.

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Do not feed them!!! And trust me they are really wild baboons and if they occupy the road don't mess with them till they leave the track on their wish. After coming out from the park we head towards Boulders a popular beach near Simon's Town, gets its name from the large boulders surrounding it. The foremost attraction in Boulders are the thousands of African Jacques Penguins (Red Mark below the Beak). The first penguins came only two decades ago but now their number increased to more than three thousand, mainly because penguins from the surrounding islands immigrated to the beach. The entry to the penguin's private beach attracts a fee of ZAR 30 per person. 

We parked our car quite far due to already crowded Summer day. After paying the entry fee we walk up to the spotting place, where you will be able to see most of the penguins from a small distance. Penguins - simply an amazing animal and looked really special when they catwalk on the beach. Our visit coincided with the moulting session so thousands of them lying on the boulders and beach sand. I recorded a small video of one of them walking towards water in a confused state. One can get down to the beach and swim with the penguins but we were not too adventurous to do that. While leaving we picked up an icecream each while walking towards the car park. After having lunch (rolls) at Scooter's Pizza and little rest at hotel room in the afternoon we visited Bloubergstrand which is located across the Table Bay. The view of the Table Mountain from Bloubergstrand is awesome. Debarati standing in the backdrop of table mountain creating super contrast of popped out round mountain against flat mountain tops.

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It was pretty scenic to do few round of photo shots of backdrop. After strolling there for half an hour we moved out to experience a wine farm. Cape Town has some of the worlds best wine producing vineyards and arguably the worlds most scenically stunning on it's doorstep. The wine regions of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl are all with in an easy hours drive, these historic and lush regions offer stunning views and world class wine tastings. There are more than 250 wine farms within 30 minutes' drive of Stellenbosch. Most wine farms charge a tasting fee of ZAR 20 - ZAR 50, but waive this if you buy wine. The most practical problem will be to self drive the car but you can not legally drink wine and

drive so I left it to the passenger to drink as I took the wheel. Back to the hotel in the evening and enjoyed a simple dinner from Khushra's Kitchen. Next morning our destination was Garden Route so early morning call and heavy breakfast. After checking out from the hotel we refuelled our car. In the Western Cape the Petrol is relatively cheaper than norther part. While following N2 we misread one direction and diverted into the city and while I pulled away to ask for direction we accidentally found Bo-Kaap. This neighbourhood, located on a hill south-west of downtown, is the area historically inhabited by mainly Muslim descendants of slaves from South-East Asia (hence an older term for the area - 'Malay Quarter'). It's a common location for film shoots, as there are some very colourful buildings, quaint streets, mosques.

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As we left Cape Town for 2 days before we came back again on 5th December and this time we drove directly to Table Mountain before even check in to the hotel. After getting lost in Cape Town traffic few times we found the way to the Table Mountain Cable Station. The Cable Car to the top of Table Mountain starts from Lower Cable Station, Tafelberg Road. By the time we reached the station it was bright and the sun was blazing. Unfortunately the service was halted for few hours before the heavy wind got stabilized. We used the time to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the surroundings. Always take something warm to wear when going up the mountain, even if it is hot at the bottom as weather conditions changes rapidly at the top. There is a cafe with limited range of snacks, coffee and beer at the top.

The Cable car fee was ZAR 145 return & one way R80 as of Dec 2008. In the afternoon checked in to the hotel enjoyed a heavy dinner at Gourmet's Pizza before sleeping for our last day in South Africa. Next day the challenge of returning the car was relatively smooth as I completed accident report for the damage (glad that we took full insurance)  
**Location :** On South-Western tip of Western Cape, South Africa coast  
**How to Get There :** Flight from to Johannesburg. Continue on Rental Car  
**Best time to Visit :** Summer months (November to February)  
**Attractions :** Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain, Penguins  
**Not so Good :** Lack of Etiquette from People at times  
**Photo Gallery :** Click [Here](/gallery/photo/Cape%20Town/42) for Complete Album

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