Cape Town

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Cape Town

An August 2000 trip to Cape Town by allain

Cape TownMore Photos

my personal travelogue about Cape Town in South Africa

  • 8 reviews
  • 13 photos

Cape TownBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Pinguin
Cape Town, the mother city of South-Africa, nestles in one of the most dramatic scenic settings of any city on earth, cradled by the imposing bulk of Table Mountain. Vasco de Gama was the first to reach Cape of Good; however, the city was born in 1652, when a Dutch sailor gazed in wonder at Table Mountain, dropped anchor in Table Bay and hoisted the Dutch flag. Soon he had built an earthen - walled fort and planted a vast garden of fruit and vegetables. The new city had begun to grow. Table Mountain, often visible 200 kilometers out to sea, now beckoned like the gigantic sign of a haven shelter from the stormy seas.

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Kensington PlaceBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

View from my chamber
This superb hotel has a perfect location. At the feet of Table Mountain with a nice view of the bay. Rooms are wide and very confortable according to Western standards. Bathroom, balcony, TV sattelite in every room. Each day you recieve a letter with a lovely African poem. There is also a private pool. Atmosphere is romantic with a typical African touch.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by allain on November 4, 2000

Kensington Place
38 Kensingtown Crescent Cape Town, South Africa
424 4744

The green DolphinBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Wine of Cape town
The address is well known by jazz music's fans. Each evening, you can enjoy live music in a moody swinging atmosphere. Furthermore, the cooking is delicious and not so expensive. A large choice of roasted fish and salads. The restaurant is located in Waterfront in the Victoria & Alfred hotel. Starters for $5, and $7 for entrees.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by allain on March 18, 2001

The green Dolphin
Alfred mall, Pierhead, Victoria Waterfront Cape Town, South Africa
421 7471

Cape of Good Hope Nature ReserveBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Cape of Good Hope"

Lighthouse
There was a time when this cape was the end of the known world. Portuguese navigator Bartolome Diaz was the first to cruise there, but Vasco de Gamma was the first to line this point. Also named Cape of Storms this is not the frontier between Atlantic and Indian oceans, this point is 200 km farther. The area is included in a National Park, 60 km from Cape Town. The park is the kingdom of fymbos the famous local floral world. If you are lucky you could spot ostrich and antelope as well. At the end of the earth, on the top of a cliff stands a lighthouse. You could enjoy a huge wild panorama. Forget about the idea to have a bath, the floods came directly from Antarctica and the water's temperature is about 12°. In June it is possible to see whales at False Bay.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by allain on November 5, 2000

Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
Off the M65 Cape Town, South Africa 7975
+27 21 780-9526

Simon's TownBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Penguin
Simon Town could be a coastal city like any other. However since 1983, some special inhabitants came to invade the beaches of the town. An overall total of 2350 adult penguins live there. The place is favoured as a penguin's breeding locality because there are fewer predators than elsewhere along the coast. The park bushes provide ample shade for nesting birds.

The increasing number of penguins in and around Simon Town is becoming a problem. Neighbouring humans have complained about the noise, especially at night when penguins are most vocal, and of the smell of guano. Anyway these penguins are easy to approach, and the tourists are pleased. Simon Town is 45 km from Cape Town on the main road leading to Cape of Good Hope.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by allain on November 5, 2000

Simon's Town
45 km from Cape Town Cape Town, South Africa 8000

Robben IslandBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

In the middle of the Bay there is a small island. Full of rocks, a very poor vegetation, the wind blows strongly at this point. During the Apartheid this place was a jail. The most famous prisoner was Nelson Mandela. He stayed there for many years. Some penguins and springboks replace now the wardens. It is not a place for fun but for pilgrimage. From Waterfront it takes one hour to reach the shores of the island.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by allain on November 6, 2000

Robben Island
Table Bay Cape Town, South Africa 8000
+27 (21) 419 1300

Table MountainBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Sunset at Table Mountain
Table Mountain is one of the most exiting natural spot in the world. Could you imagine a huge mountain, whose summit is completely flat overhanging the sea from 1000 m. There are 2 ways to climb to the top. From the parking it takes 2 hours walk to reach the top. Or you could take the cable, be careful it is very impressive to see to cabin so close from the cliff ! On the summit you have an incredible view on Cape Town, the city bowl, Robben Island and last but not least : the two oceans. Some dassies inhabit the mountains. The best moment is the sunset, when the water the sky and the city merge in a red blooded shadow. Cape Town's weather is often windy, if cables do not work. In fact you should climb to the top as soon weather is fine.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by allain on November 6, 2000

Table Mountain
Rotair Cableway Cape Town, South Africa 8000
+27 21 424 5148

Victoria & Alfred WaterfrontBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Waterfront"

Waterfront from the sea
This new district is one of the top attractions of Cape Town. Built in the early 1990's in the place of the old docks, it is now a huge commercial mall including restaurants, pubs, a hotel and tourist shops. Its architecture resembles the Victorian style and makes a lovely landscape between the sea and the Table Mountain. In the evening it is a good place for entertainment, pubs and clubs are open even late at night. You can park your car in the large parking just in front of the Victoria Hall. Sometimes the Waterfront looks like Disney World, it is so new and clean! However the harbour is still active for small or medium ships like tugboats, or the destroyers and sailors that still inhabit the place.
An other point of interest is the aquarium where you could spot powerful species of fishes such as the great white shark or the elegant manta ray.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by allain on March 18, 2001

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Portswood Road Cape Town, South Africa 8001
+27 21 408 7500

About the Writer

allain
allain
paris, France

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