The Mother City - Travels in a Rainbow Nation

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In true English fashion, a weather report. It's been 25 degrees and sunshine all the way so far in the South African autumn. The Rainbow nation contrasts are immediate on leaving the airport, as the first thing that you see are the Cape Flats townships. We are safely installed in our hostel in the trendy Kloof Street area of the city - more coffee shops than West Bridgford to confirm it's up and coming status.

The early trip enthusiasm and over- estimation of Miranda's fitness led to the first money saving decision - climb Table Mountain rather than take the cable car. Whilst a sense of achievement was gained - hard work would be an understatement. The tourist trail continued unabated with a ferry across to Robben Island to check out the former prison, a stroll round the V & A Waterfront (which together with the above, has a feel of San Fran, Alcatraz and Pier 39 to it) and a wander along the beach at Camps Bay (where the "haves" gaze down at the ocean from their 10 million rand homes). As eager as ever to absorb the culture and in John's case to save money, the museum path has been well trodden - District 6, the Bo-Kaap and the SA museum.

Whilst we are trying not to be too paranoid, there is clearly a booming business in 24 hour armed response and razor wire. It clearly doesn't pay to take any short cuts, especially not at night - that said the biggest danger appears to be the crazy standard of driving (or lack of it)!

We got out of the city - hiking and mountain biking down at the Cape to get the all important picture at the southern trip of Africa. Awesome scenery, beautiful beaches, heading south from Llandudno, Noordhoek Beach and shark attack Scarborough......

......and so to the real purpose of our journey, the launch of the all new Bohemia leisurewear collection. Despite being branded by the authors of Gazetta as a negative, defensive outfit, the forward thinking club has brought their snappy new design to the Southern Hemisphere for it's official launch with Table Mountain as a backdrop - store sales will commence from the Forest Tavern HQ with online sales when Gurminder develops the website!

We are currently finalising our plans to move to the vineyards of Stellenbosch - some of the lesser priced bottles from there we have already sampled! After another few samples, we have bitten the bullet and purchased our Baz Bus ticket all the way to Joburg (via Swaziland) and leave on Friday.

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Photos

Table Mountain
Table Mountain from Robben Island

Table Mountain - Bohemia Leisurewear
Table Football - a serious away match as opposed to an away match with serious!!

The Waterfront
The V & A Waterfront

Bo-Kaap
Bo-Kaap area

Mandela's Cell
Miranda experiences Mandela's former view on the world.

Camps Bay Twelve Apostles
The 12 Apostles at Camps Bay.

Cape of Good Hope
The Cape of Good Hope from the Point

Cape of Good Hope
The Southern Tip of Africa

Nelson Mandela
It pays to know a man.

Camps Bay
Camps Bay from Table Mountain

Dassie
Wildlife on top of Table Mountain

Simonstown
The penguins of Boulder Beach

Comments

[Sam Smith]

WOW!!!!!!
Wow, it looks beautiful. I am so jealous. Can't you leave John in Mandela's cell and take me instead!!!

[Khalid ,farris and Amirah]

Wow! This looks lovely. I hope they are enjoying themselves. Cool Im really missing them.-

[alex waring]

Cape Town
Gosh, this reads like a summary of my own trip to Cape Town! Not much has changed on the tourist circuit trail in 17 years! Table Mountain, Robben Island, V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay, Boulders Beach, the signs at Cape Point, lol! I'm so impressed that you hiked up to Table Mountain rather than take the Cable Car - a mighty achievement indeed, well done! 😁