"The Fairest Cape in all the World." --

---

Capetown was always the place people asked me about when I said we were starting our trip around the world in South Africa for two months, and now I see why. The mountains, combined with the ocean, combined with the city and the many different suburbs that are each so different, makes for a truly spectacular place.

We stayed in Bergvliet, one of the suburbs in Capetown, with Andy's Uncle Denis, Aunt Josephine, and cousin Amanda (when she was in from Stellenbosch University). Andy hadn't seen them for a number of years, so it was really nice to witness the reunion and to get to know them as well.

As a Capetown first-timer, I insisted on doing all of the touristy things, as I had a few "must-do" lists going at this point. I could go on and on about this very special city, but thought we would show you through our photos instead...

---

Photos

Jo & I
Chillin' in the backyard while the boys got the braai ready

Me, Denis, and the braai
In South Africa, a braai (bbq) is not simply turning on the gas and cooking. It is an event. This happened to be a 5-beer fire (i.e. the fire will be ready for cooking after about 5 beers), a shorter version of the process. Once the coals are ready, they proceed to cook every form of red meat, chicken and fish -- it's never burgers and dogs.

Cable Car up Table Mountain
Lazy man's way up the mountain. Many choose to walk. Luckily, I had my lazy man with me :).

more from the top
Devil's Peak over my right shoulder, and Robben island--where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned--in the backround over my left.

Camps Bay from above
Camps Bay is a trendy suburb of Capetown. It's ten minutes around the mountain from downtown, and the beautiful beaches are lined with many restaurants and bars.

another view from the top...
looking north (it's a big mountain)

a funky plant
The Cape has it's own floral kingdom where fynbos predominates. There are flowers here unlike any I've ever seen. The variety is astounding.

Some More Funky Flora
Most of the stuff growing around here has little soil and lots of wind and has evolved some really bizzare ways to make it

Protea
One of the flowers that only grows in Cape Town

Yikes!
We actually did see a snake on Table Mountain.

say cheese
One of many cute, little lizards getting some sunshine.

Camp's Bay
View from up the hill.

Camp's Bay
Aside from the great restaurants and bars, the beaches are fantastic.

Camps Bay
People always toast the sunset in Camps bay. In summer it sets after 9.30 making for an awesome day

Camps bay
Sundowners (a southern hemisphere version of happy hour)

Summervilles in Camps Bay
Den, Jo Lee and Myself having a few Cold ones at Summervilles

For Karen
check out the guy on the left getting in on the action. Had I known.....:)

Clifton
One of Clifton's four beaches--prime Cape Town real estate.