Landing in Cape Town always leaves me in awe.
I’m not sure if it is the majestic mountains surrounding the city, the fresh air, the vibrant colours or the vibrant people but there’s definitely something special about Cape Town.
It’s easy to understand why so many people want to return to Cape Town time after time- I’m one of them!
This time was a little extra special for me because it was the first time I had the privilege of landing at the ‘updated’ Cape Town International airport. As a matter of fact I was teeming with excitement to see all the changes that had been made a few years prior in preparation for the 2010 FIFA world cup which was held in South Africa. I might have missed the world cup but I was more than content to inspect the left overs.
I was not disappointed.
It was a breeze from the moment we landed until we drove our hired Avis car out of the parking lot. It’s a nice airport!
The drive from the airport into Cape Town city is always sobering for me. Before enjoying the very best of Cape Town we have to drive past the shanty towns. A stark reminder of the poverty issues South Africa faces.
It’s all so much to take in sometimes. The beautiful sandy beaches. the shanty towns and poverty, the posh mansions and huge shopping centres – all surrounded by those breathtaking mountains. A melting pot of diversity on a huge scale.
After some lovely days with family in Constantia and Fish Hoek we headed for the waterfront. I think I can safely say that there isn’t a hotel in Cape Town that hubby hasn’t stayed in. The Victorian & Alfred however is one of his favourites. We like it for several reasons. ‘Location location location‘ as they say on TV. Spacious rooms, friendly staff, good service and a nice restaurant. All very well priced me thinks.
I was a little disappointed when we were given a room facing the shopping centre. “Too noisy” I thought listening to the singing and dancing coming from outside. What happened to our usual room on the other side facing the mountain!
Was I in for a pleasant surprise! The music offered a stream of constant entertainment for our four year old daughter who spent most of her time sitting on the wide windowsill singing in tune (or out of tune as it might have been) with the ‘choir’ downstairs.
We decided to take advantage of the ‘culinary variety’ of the waterfront as Norway had left us starving for decent affordable restaurant meals (yes, Norway really is that expensive!). There is more than enough to choose from at the Waterfront.
One of my favourite restaurants turned out to be Karibu. I must tell you that years ago when I still lived in South Africa this was the kind of restaurant I would avoid like the plague! Over priced and aimed at ignorant tourists who don’t know where to find the real good food I used to say. Those were the days when I thought that spending 150 bucks on a meal was expensive. In Norway we pay that for a hot cross bun and a cup of coffee!
There’s only one word to describe the meal we had at Karibu but I’m not allowed to use it on my blog so I’ll just leave it to your imagination.
It was the best butternut soup and king prawn curry I have ever had in my life. As for our daughter – she is hooked on boerewors!
I will be joining all the other ignorant tourists next time I am in Cape Town – they get to eat the really good stuff.
For sushi we stuck to Balducci’s. It might not look like much – that little square wooden box in the middle of the shopping centre passage way but I tell you - what comes out of that kitchen is nothing short of a miracle.
We ate good food, enjoyed fine wine and walked back to our hotel room to the beat of bongo drums every night. It was joyous!
Just beware once you get used to the sound of bongo drums – you can’t fall asleep without them!
Cape Town waterfront on PhotoPeach
Loving your new tourist coverage of SA xx