It's been a while since I last updated this blog. I've come to the realization that it's impossible to update a travel blog daily, unless I want to spend hours a day in front of a computer!
So to pick up where I left off, after my wonderful tour of the Cape Point and the southern part of the peninsula, I decided to check out Cape Town's city centre on day 3. I took the Metrorail for the first time (which stops running at 7pm), one of Cape Town's few public transportation infrastructures (though with the 2010 Soccer World Cup approaching, this should improve). I was sold a first class ticket without being asked what I wanted (I guess there is no way to hide the fact that I'm not a tourist, given the few East Asians in SA). Other than the fact that the train arrived 10 minutes late, the trip into Cape Town was smooth. It was safe and the train was a melting pot of races. Exiting the train station in Cape Town was quite an adventure as everyone was funneled through ONE turnstile where one person collected tickets!
Upon exiting the train station, I saw the majestic mountains surrounding the city. It was gorgeous! There really is not a bad view in Cape Town-- it's either the mountains or the water. I then strolled down the pedestrian shopping throughfare of St. George's Mall. I also saw the few unfinished elevated highways. Parts of Cape Town remind me of San Francisco, with its sloping, hill-like streets. Cape Town is really the best of all worlds-- San Francisco's culture and San Diego's climate.
I then strolled down the Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront, a touristy marina similar to Fisherman's Wharf. The highlight here were the excellent views of Table Mountain, Devil's Peak and Lion's Head. The V&A also hosted various performing acts, such as people performing jazz, African drumming, or swallowing fire. But the most popular attraction at the V&A are the tours to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent years imprisoned.
Afterwards, I strolled along the coast through the neighborhoods of Mouille Point and then Green Point, all the way to the lighthouse. One intriguing sight along the way was the construction of the nearly completed Green Point Stadium, to be used for next year's soccer World Cup.
The last neighborhood on my tour was the Waterkant. This area is located on a hill and had views of Table Bay. The architecture was Victorian. Overall, this area reminded me of San Francisco.
The absolute highlight of the day was the hike up Lion's Head for the sunset. Hannes and I hiked up for 1 hour to the summit, scaling several ladders and chains. The views at the top were some of the most phenomenal I've seen through all my travels-- 360 degree views of Cape Town (Table Mountain, Devil's Peak, Atlantic coast, City Bowl). My favorite view was that of the mountains (Twelve Apostles) and coves along the Atlantic coast. At around sunset, a layer of cloud, the famous "tablecloth" rolled in on top of Table Mountain. Also, the sky turned into a beautiful purple and pink display. It was completely dark by the time was finished descending the mountain. Luckily the crescent moon and numerous stars guided us safely.
The hike up Lion's Head has convinced me that Cape Town is the most beautiful city in the world! There are so few cities with mountains, beaches and ocean within the city limits. Furthermore, the quaint architecture, electic culture, diverse food and mild weather make Cape Town one of the world's most desirable places to live. I must confess that I now want to relocate to the Mother City!
Showing posts with label Cape Town. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cape Town. Show all posts
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Day 1- Arriving in Cape Town, South Africa
Including transit time, my flight from San Diego to Cape Town took 23 hours! Luckily, I had no one sitting next to me on my Atlanta to Dakar and Dakar to Cape Town flights. Both flights were only half full, which is not good news for Delta Airlines. (I hope they don't start charging for food on international flights.) To sum up my Delta experience, I would have to say that the airline is stingy. They served us one meager meal on an eight-hour segment! Also, who ever heard of an international long-haul flight in which passengers do not have individual TV screens?
Because the transit in Dakar, Senegal was so interesting, I have to add a few points about it. First, we arrived there at 4:30am and that passengers who would be going to Johannesburg had to stay on the plane while the Cape Town and Dakar passengers de-planed and Senegalese authorities came on board to search for illegal items. This I found bizarre as how could anyone have smuggled any items while flying? We were then shuttled to a waiting room and then within one hour boarded our plane to Cape Town.
A few minutes into the Cape Town flight, the flight attendants came by and sprayed an insecticide that the South African government required. I later learned that this was to kill mosquitos.
The highlight of the flight was the descent into Cape Town, as I got to observe Table Mountain and the rest of the Cape Peninsula mountains rising majestically behind the city. I was also able to catch a glimpse of Robben Island, the place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for many years.
Upon landing, I collected my bag only to find out that my brand-new sleeping mat had fallen out of the bag straps! Boy had I learned my lesson.
Since the flight arrived earlier than scheduled and my CouchSurfing host Hannes was not yet off work, I waited in the Cape Town Airport. I did not realize how small the airport of this major city would be. (They are expanding it in time for next year's World Cup.) While waiting, I immediately noticed the diverse racial mix of South Africans, including the Malays and Indians. Another interesting point to note is that the ATM display is available in eight languages!
Hannes kindly picked me up from the airport and we proceeded to drive through the city. En route, I saw the infamous Cape Flat townships whose shacks house 2.5 million of the city's 3.1 million people! This is the third-world side of South Africa that so few foreigners get to observe.
We drove up Table Mountain to the trailhead with gorgeous views of the City Bowl and harbor. We also drove down the mountain to Camps Bay and up the coast along Clifton, past the Waterfront and Bo-Kaap (more info about these places when I actually do a neighborhood tour).
I spent the first of three nights at Hannes' apartment in the southern suburb of Diep River. He prepared a delicious South African meal of bobotie (shephard's pie with ground beef, curry, dried fruits and eaten with rice). This is a traditional Cape Malay dish in which the spiciness of the curry is mitigated by the sweetness of the dried fruit. I savored the scrumptuous meal along with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon from nowhere but South Africa's Stellenbosch region.
Because the transit in Dakar, Senegal was so interesting, I have to add a few points about it. First, we arrived there at 4:30am and that passengers who would be going to Johannesburg had to stay on the plane while the Cape Town and Dakar passengers de-planed and Senegalese authorities came on board to search for illegal items. This I found bizarre as how could anyone have smuggled any items while flying? We were then shuttled to a waiting room and then within one hour boarded our plane to Cape Town.
A few minutes into the Cape Town flight, the flight attendants came by and sprayed an insecticide that the South African government required. I later learned that this was to kill mosquitos.
The highlight of the flight was the descent into Cape Town, as I got to observe Table Mountain and the rest of the Cape Peninsula mountains rising majestically behind the city. I was also able to catch a glimpse of Robben Island, the place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for many years.
Upon landing, I collected my bag only to find out that my brand-new sleeping mat had fallen out of the bag straps! Boy had I learned my lesson.
Since the flight arrived earlier than scheduled and my CouchSurfing host Hannes was not yet off work, I waited in the Cape Town Airport. I did not realize how small the airport of this major city would be. (They are expanding it in time for next year's World Cup.) While waiting, I immediately noticed the diverse racial mix of South Africans, including the Malays and Indians. Another interesting point to note is that the ATM display is available in eight languages!
Hannes kindly picked me up from the airport and we proceeded to drive through the city. En route, I saw the infamous Cape Flat townships whose shacks house 2.5 million of the city's 3.1 million people! This is the third-world side of South Africa that so few foreigners get to observe.
We drove up Table Mountain to the trailhead with gorgeous views of the City Bowl and harbor. We also drove down the mountain to Camps Bay and up the coast along Clifton, past the Waterfront and Bo-Kaap (more info about these places when I actually do a neighborhood tour).
I spent the first of three nights at Hannes' apartment in the southern suburb of Diep River. He prepared a delicious South African meal of bobotie (shephard's pie with ground beef, curry, dried fruits and eaten with rice). This is a traditional Cape Malay dish in which the spiciness of the curry is mitigated by the sweetness of the dried fruit. I savored the scrumptuous meal along with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon from nowhere but South Africa's Stellenbosch region.
My Adventures in Southern Africa
As some of you know, what had originally slated to be a one-year round-the-world experience is now up in the air as I was not able to find someone to sublet my room in San Diego.
However, my six-week trip to Southern Africa will proceed as I make my way from South Africa to Namibia, Botswana and Victoria Falls with a one-day stopover in Paris en route back to San Diego.
However, my six-week trip to Southern Africa will proceed as I make my way from South Africa to Namibia, Botswana and Victoria Falls with a one-day stopover in Paris en route back to San Diego.
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