Cape Town

---

Val and myself flew from Manchester, in the UK to South Africa with Swiss Air via Zurich. After an overnight flight we had super views of Table Mountain as we landed in Cape Town. Our airbnb accommodation was in a good location in Newlands. We had a family meet up at the airport with Martin and Gemma from Brisbane, Australia and Paul and Beth from Bath, UK and collected 2 hire cars.

Cape Town was in the midst of a severe water crisis and we had to have short showers standing in plastic bowls so that we could reuse the water for toilet flushing. After settling into our accommodation the next day we set off on a tour of the Cape of Good Hope. Starting at Muizenberg then on to visit the penguin colony at Boulders Bay. After lunch we continued on towards the Cape of Good Hope. The scenery was spectacular with views of 2 oceans. We took the Flying Dutchman Funicular cable car to Cape Point for more super views.

The next day we visited Kirstenbosch Gardens. What a lovely setting beneath the mountain peaks. There were some lovely flowers, shrubs and trees to admire. In the late afternoon we went to the Groot Constantia Estate for a wine tasting.

At the V&A waterfront we had an excellent lunch and pottered around the tourist centre, the Clock Tower and made a short visit to the Nelson Mandela Gateway and the small museum describing the life of the great man and the struggle for democracy. Our day ended with a drive around the scenic Chapmans Peak with beach and mountain views.

---

Comments

[michelleandkev]

Cape Town's water shortage
From your description of Cape Town's water shortage things must have been pretty serious. Never mind; on the whole we probably use water too sparingly anyway so it would have been a good lesson. I've never been to South Africa. Is this your first visit there? It certainly looks an interesting place to visit and so great to get the whole family together. What a bonus! When are you coming back to Sydney? M xx

[boro boy]

South africa
I did a weeks work some years ago in Queenstown and also visited Joburg. For everyone else it was a first time visit. Wonderful scenic country but there is big gap between rich and poor and there is a safety risk. More blogs to follow on South Africa, Botswana and Zambia! Hope to visit Martin n Gemma next year in Brisbane and would be good to see you in Sydney.