If someone told me that I would visit Africa three times in less than two years, I would certainly call their bluff and make them out to be an awful liar. Fortunately enough for me, it actually happened. Some of you may remember a while back, a year ago to be exact, when I announced that I won the SAA Love sweepstakes from South African Airways for a trip for two. I eagerly chose Cape Town once again!
The Cape Town I fell in love with nearly a year and a half ago stood still, awaiting my return. I was once told that everyone should experience Africa for the first time with someone else. Being the solo traveler that I am, my first visit was done alone, but great nonetheless.
The culture in Cape Town is anything but static. Cape Town is a city with many stories. Some told, some untold, and some that remain hidden. This time around, my sister Niki and I set out to create our own story. We had two goals in mind -- surviving the 17 hour journey and creating new memories!
After clearing customs at Cape Town International, we met our driver Glenn and headed to Bo Kaap, formerly known as the Malay Quarter. Right below the winding slopes of Signal Hill, this vibrant township boast many colorful houses, romantic cobbled stoned streets, and frequent calls to prayer from the nearby Mosque.
Bo Kaap City
Niki and I stayed at Rouge on Rose, a small boutique hotel, just a few skips and rolls from the bustling city center. The hotel owner, Ursula, and her son, Michel, made our stay pleasant. They were always ready and waiting to dish out knowledge on things to do, see, and eat while in Cape Town. Our suite was located on the third floor, with five balconies, a huge soaking tub, and an amazing view of Table Top Mountain!
Apartment Life
To avoid the crucial effects of jet lag, I did my best to keep Niki occupied for the remainder of the day by giving her a quick tour of some of my favorite spots in Cape Town. The first stop was Camps Bay. Coming from the heart of winter back in NYC, we were itching to get some much needed beach time in. Unfortunately, that was an epic fail! When we arrived to the beach side, we were greeted with a continuous monsoon like wind that made it remotely impossible to even walk. As we made our way up and down the stretch, I struggled to keep heaps of sand out of my eyes while Niki tried to keep her flimsy dress in tact and not moon the public. After realizing a day at the beach was not in our immediate future, we decided to grab a few drinks and a bite at Paranga before heading down to the V&A Waterfront.
Camps Bay
V&A Waterfront
After my last visit to Cape Town, I had a laundry list of things I wanted to do if I was to ever return. It was Niki's first time - I had to suck it up and repeat a few of the same activities I did the first time around. After getting a full night's rest and adjusting to the local time zone, we set out to conquer the city and give Niki her first full glimpse of the Rainbow Nation.
The Company Garden
Inside The Slave Lodge
Cape Town Castle
Here and there, I made it a priority to squeeze in as many new activities for myself to keep the intriguing momentum going. After roaming the streets for the day, we decided to indulge in some local dancing and catch a show at the African Dance Theater on Long Street. Take a look for yourself...
The last time I was in Cape Town, I vividly remember being on the tour bus thinking to myself how cool it would be to visit South Africa during their carnival season. Later that night after the African Dance show, a dream came true. Christian, the night shift lad at Rouge on Rose, made us aware to stay awake to see the carnival crew dance and sing through the streets of Bo Kaap. What were the chances that I picked a hotel right in the heart of Carnival 2013?! This was not planned, nor was it any where close to top of mind. Being able to participate in the festivities was an amazing moment for me. I went to sleep that night feeling blessed as ever. Its always the little things in life that has the greatest impact.
After calming down from the adrenaline rush the night before, Niki and I finally got in the beach time we both craved. Since we had limited "free time," we made sure to squeeze in ALL beaches within a few hours - Camps Bay, Glenn Beach, and Clifton Beach. Similar to day one, our attempts to enjoy the beautiful ocean was an epic fail! The water was soooooooo cold! I mean excruciating, numbing, oh shit I'm about to die type of cold! This water was not meant for people in two piece bathing suits and skimpy swimming trunks. I suppose we missed the memo to bring out the chinchilla laced body suits for the frigid waters! At this point, we had no choice but to lay on the beach, listen to music, and have a pepsi or two.
Camps Bay Beach
Clifton Beach
Later that night, we took the tour bus up to Signal Hill to watch the sunset, sip on some bubbly, and laugh at the strange people that surrounded us.
One of the activities that I anxiously awaited was the trip to Aquila Safari. I mean, who would miss the opportunity to cruise through the safari on a quad bike and get up close and personal with the animals?
It was important for me to have Niki leave the glitz and glam of the city center behind for one day and experience the real life of some Capetonians. We made several stops throughout the town including the District Six Museum, The Langa Township, and Robben Island to see Nelson Mandela's prison.
District Six Museum
Elementary School in Langa Township
Heading to Robben Island
After a few days with Niki, we were due for some sibling separation. While she maxed out her credit cards at the shops along the V&A Waterfront, I made my way to Stellenbosch to visit a few wine farms! Are you guys surprised?!
Stellenbosch Wine Farm
Rickety Bridge Wine Farm in Franschhoek
Laborie Wine Farm in Paarl
Here are a few more highlights of our trip:
Two Seas Aquarium
Tribal Face Painting in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Lunch at Mayo Restaurant in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
On my last day in any city, I like to sit alone and indulge in a bottle of wine and reflect on my trip as a whole. I seem to always amaze myself when I travel. This was another well spent journey in the city of Cape Town. The more I travel, the more I realize I was born to do this! For highlights from my first trip to Cape Town, check out the following link at: http://www.vagabondingheights.com/2011/12/this-time-for-africa.html
Shimmy Beach Club
CHEERS TO THE VAGABONDING LIFE!
After clearing customs at Cape Town International, we met our driver Glenn and headed to Bo Kaap, formerly known as the Malay Quarter. Right below the winding slopes of Signal Hill, this vibrant township boast many colorful houses, romantic cobbled stoned streets, and frequent calls to prayer from the nearby Mosque.
Bo Kaap City
Niki and I stayed at Rouge on Rose, a small boutique hotel, just a few skips and rolls from the bustling city center. The hotel owner, Ursula, and her son, Michel, made our stay pleasant. They were always ready and waiting to dish out knowledge on things to do, see, and eat while in Cape Town. Our suite was located on the third floor, with five balconies, a huge soaking tub, and an amazing view of Table Top Mountain!
Apartment Life
 |
| She was a victim to Jet Lag lol! |
To avoid the crucial effects of jet lag, I did my best to keep Niki occupied for the remainder of the day by giving her a quick tour of some of my favorite spots in Cape Town. The first stop was Camps Bay. Coming from the heart of winter back in NYC, we were itching to get some much needed beach time in. Unfortunately, that was an epic fail! When we arrived to the beach side, we were greeted with a continuous monsoon like wind that made it remotely impossible to even walk. As we made our way up and down the stretch, I struggled to keep heaps of sand out of my eyes while Niki tried to keep her flimsy dress in tact and not moon the public. After realizing a day at the beach was not in our immediate future, we decided to grab a few drinks and a bite at Paranga before heading down to the V&A Waterfront.
Camps Bay
V&A Waterfront
After my last visit to Cape Town, I had a laundry list of things I wanted to do if I was to ever return. It was Niki's first time - I had to suck it up and repeat a few of the same activities I did the first time around. After getting a full night's rest and adjusting to the local time zone, we set out to conquer the city and give Niki her first full glimpse of the Rainbow Nation.
The Slave Lodge
The Company Garden
Inside The Slave Lodge
High Tea Time At Mount Nelson
Cape Town Castle
Table Top Mountain
Here and there, I made it a priority to squeeze in as many new activities for myself to keep the intriguing momentum going. After roaming the streets for the day, we decided to indulge in some local dancing and catch a show at the African Dance Theater on Long Street. Take a look for yourself...
The last time I was in Cape Town, I vividly remember being on the tour bus thinking to myself how cool it would be to visit South Africa during their carnival season. Later that night after the African Dance show, a dream came true. Christian, the night shift lad at Rouge on Rose, made us aware to stay awake to see the carnival crew dance and sing through the streets of Bo Kaap. What were the chances that I picked a hotel right in the heart of Carnival 2013?! This was not planned, nor was it any where close to top of mind. Being able to participate in the festivities was an amazing moment for me. I went to sleep that night feeling blessed as ever. Its always the little things in life that has the greatest impact.
After calming down from the adrenaline rush the night before, Niki and I finally got in the beach time we both craved. Since we had limited "free time," we made sure to squeeze in ALL beaches within a few hours - Camps Bay, Glenn Beach, and Clifton Beach. Similar to day one, our attempts to enjoy the beautiful ocean was an epic fail! The water was soooooooo cold! I mean excruciating, numbing, oh shit I'm about to die type of cold! This water was not meant for people in two piece bathing suits and skimpy swimming trunks. I suppose we missed the memo to bring out the chinchilla laced body suits for the frigid waters! At this point, we had no choice but to lay on the beach, listen to music, and have a pepsi or two.
Camps Bay Beach
Clifton Beach
Later that night, we took the tour bus up to Signal Hill to watch the sunset, sip on some bubbly, and laugh at the strange people that surrounded us.
One of the activities that I anxiously awaited was the trip to Aquila Safari. I mean, who would miss the opportunity to cruise through the safari on a quad bike and get up close and personal with the animals?
It was important for me to have Niki leave the glitz and glam of the city center behind for one day and experience the real life of some Capetonians. We made several stops throughout the town including the District Six Museum, The Langa Township, and Robben Island to see Nelson Mandela's prison.
District Six Museum
Elementary School in Langa Township
Drinking Beer in Langa
Heading to Robben Island
Stellenbosch Wine Farm
Rickety Bridge Wine Farm in Franschhoek
Laborie Wine Farm in Paarl
Here are a few more highlights of our trip:
Two Seas Aquarium
Tribal Face Painting in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Lunch at Mayo Restaurant in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Shimmy Beach Club
CHEERS TO THE VAGABONDING LIFE!
