Cape Town - A World Away
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After months of backpacking through Sub-Saharan Africa, I arrived in the posh, metropolitan city center of Cape Town – a world away from Africa as I knew it.
Full of trendy café’s, restaurants and bars, at first glance, you could be anywhere in the world. Smartly dressed businessmen and women rush through the wide, well maintained streets, shimmering skyscrapers reach towards a listless blue sky and a modern harbor designed for shopping, dining and entertaining beckons a visit.
But to reveal your true location, simply look south to the famous Table Rock Mountain. Sandwiching the urban sprawl between National Park and the sea, Cape Town’s unique topography is alluring unto itself.
Full of trendy café’s, restaurants and bars, at first glance, you could be anywhere in the world. Smartly dressed businessmen and women rush through the wide, well maintained streets, shimmering skyscrapers reach towards a listless blue sky and a modern harbor designed for shopping, dining and entertaining beckons a visit.
But to reveal your true location, simply look south to the famous Table Rock Mountain. Sandwiching the urban sprawl between National Park and the sea, Cape Town’s unique topography is alluring unto itself.
Cape Town has an energy, personality and pulse unto itself. It beats for Africa but flows in it's own modern, liberal direction. Straddling a, "western lifestyle", with the very real effects of apartheid, Cape Town is more then just a beautiful CBD. Just outside the metropolitan areas and rich suburbs lie some of Africa’s largest slum communities. Estimated to house some 3 million people, shantytowns such as Khayelitsha and Nyanga are modern reflections of the impoverishing effects of Apartheid and the failure of post-Apartheid reparations. It is this failure, these marginalizing effects that have created a shantytown pride unto itself.
As for activities whilst in Cape Town, I suggest 4 must see’s:
1. Table Rock Mountain –This iconic, natural wonder can be reached by foot or majestic 360-degree cable car. Stunning views of the entire Western Cape await…that is, if you’re not enveloped in the, “Table Cloth Effect” – When a thick cloud blankets the entire mountain.
As for activities whilst in Cape Town, I suggest 4 must see’s:
1. Table Rock Mountain –This iconic, natural wonder can be reached by foot or majestic 360-degree cable car. Stunning views of the entire Western Cape await…that is, if you’re not enveloped in the, “Table Cloth Effect” – When a thick cloud blankets the entire mountain.
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2. Robben Island – This site needs little introduction. The former jail house of Nelson Mandela and dozens of other political prisoners who fought the government during apartheid. Ferries depart from the waterfront harbor hourly, transporting you to the desolate island. A prison tour follows, revealing the tiny cells, rock quarries and communal areas Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in jail enduring. All the while, beautiful Cape Town sits on the near horizon - offering hope yet despair.
3. Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (V&A Waterfront). A reflection of modern, liberal Cape Town, the Waterfront blossoms with fancy shops, fine dining restaurants, trendy malls, cape cruises and even a ferris wheel!
4. A trip to Cape Town isn’t complete without a night out. Look no further then, “Long Street”, the heart of Cape Town’s party scene. Full of thumping night clubs, boutique clothing shops and dozens of unique and trendy hostels, this area will in trance until the wee hours of morning. But before the parting begins, be sure to indulge in the diverse dining scene. Everything from Mexican to Ethiopian, Steak to Sushi, this is your one stop street for everything you’ve been missing after months of Sub-Saharan Africa.
3. Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (V&A Waterfront). A reflection of modern, liberal Cape Town, the Waterfront blossoms with fancy shops, fine dining restaurants, trendy malls, cape cruises and even a ferris wheel!
4. A trip to Cape Town isn’t complete without a night out. Look no further then, “Long Street”, the heart of Cape Town’s party scene. Full of thumping night clubs, boutique clothing shops and dozens of unique and trendy hostels, this area will in trance until the wee hours of morning. But before the parting begins, be sure to indulge in the diverse dining scene. Everything from Mexican to Ethiopian, Steak to Sushi, this is your one stop street for everything you’ve been missing after months of Sub-Saharan Africa.
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After exploring Cape Town proper, be sure to branch into the surrounding townships and Western Cape regions.
1. Clifton and Camps Bay, for instance, boast some of the best beaches in all of SA and only require a 20-minute bus ride from Cape Town CBD. The vibe is similar to Southern California. A seen and be seen environment full of smoothie shops, wine bars and scantily clothed teens. But beaches and bodies aside, I'm partial to Camps Bay for a certain delicacy…i.e. “The BEST steak of my life”. A beef filet flambed to perfection! Now for a Nebraska girl to admit someone has better steak then her own backyard is saying something. |
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2. After a day at the beach, head inland to the Western Cape for an afternoon of wine tasting. Stellenbosch and ranschhoek regions produce world-class varieties of Cabernet Savignon, Chenin Blanc and Pinotage, all available for tastings year round. Dozens of companies run inexpensive wine tours out of Cape Town so be sure to jump on board the SA wine express!
3. If wine tasting isn’t adventurous enough for you, how about a Great White Shark Dive? A few hours away from Cape Town, near Hermanus, the dive of your life awaits! No better way to end a trip to Cape Town then from behind steel bars submerged in the frigid Southern Ocean. I’ll never forget the empty stares, razor sharp teeth or carnage inflicted just inches from anxious eyes! |
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Cape Town proper and the beautiful Western Cape host so many activities and attractions you will never see them all. Instead, focus on what matters most to you, albeit culture, cuisine, history or the great outdoors.
I feel fortunate to end my days in Africa, in SA's incredible, "Mother City". A big thanks to the beautiful Amber Osborn for all her hospitality whilst in this grand city. I’ll never forget you or our time in Cape Town!
Until next time my beloved Africa...
I feel fortunate to end my days in Africa, in SA's incredible, "Mother City". A big thanks to the beautiful Amber Osborn for all her hospitality whilst in this grand city. I’ll never forget you or our time in Cape Town!
Until next time my beloved Africa...