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Discovering Cape Town

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leanne-rodney in South Africa,, Family Holidays,, Self-drive holidays,, Travel Tips,,
November 07th, 2011 at 4:52pm
Tags: africa,, Attractions,, Cape Point,, Cape Town,, Cities,, Destinations,, Hiking,, Hout Bay,, Kirstenbosch,, Penguins,, tour,, view,, Views,, Village,

Ah, Cape Town. Where does one start? I think the mere fact that I, like many other Capetonians living in Cape Town,  take for granted this gem we referto as the Mother City.

I recently took the opportunity to travel through Cape Town and the surrounding areas to destinations I had visited before and to some I previously never took the time to explore. And what an experience! Prettysoon I (re-)discovered  what the big fuss was about and realised why Cape Town was voted one of the top 10 cities in the world.

A short drive into the tour, we headed intothe small coastal village of Hout Bay which hasbeautiful mountains on the one side and the Atlantic Ocean to the other. The village has many fantastic restaurantsand scenic hiking trails but the biggest attraction is probably that of Hout Bay Harbour. With fresh fish for sale fromthe local fisherman, curio stalls, a great restaurant -The Lookout Deck- which is worth a visit, a short trip out to Duiker Island to view a massive seal colony, Hout Bay Harbour is a must see. 

Cape Seal Colony

After leaving Hout Bay, we ventured along thescenic drive of Chapman’s Peak and enjoyed its awe-inspiring views ofthe ocean. The endless horizon makesone feel very small and insignificant,andto be honest a picture does not quite capture just how magnificent it is.

After we made a short stop at the Cape of GoodHope, we drove further along towards Cape Point where the famousFlying Dutchman can be found just a short 4-minute walk up the mountain. Alternatively,  you can opt to take a scenic walk and discover some more beautiful views on your way up. Although not the southern most tip of Africa as many believe (that belongs to Cape Agulhas),it still makes for some breathtaking sights overthe ocean.

Cape of Good Hope

The penguin colony at Boulders Beach, Simons Town, wasthe best part of the tour for me personally. Except for the beautiful views down at Cape Point, I most certainly enjoy the animal side of things more and these penguins are most definitely worth a visit!

Hopping and bopping about or some simply just lazing around, these little  guys are quite special to observe in their natural environment.

Boulders Beach, Simons Town

Our day ended among the lush gardens of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens which forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is evident to see why. With flowers, plants and trees surrounding you from every side;it is the perfect place to end off a busy day, strolling through the green gardens.

If you are at all wondering whether you should go ahead and brave Cape Town’s hot tourist spots on your own or whether you should opt for a guided tour, my answer will most certainly be a guided tour. You can see most of the main attractions in one day and it makes it just so much easier when you have a driver/guide to take you around. The guides are very professional and knowledgeable and will ensure that you do not miss out on anything, especially if you have limited time to spend in the Mother City.

 

 

 

 

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