We had 3 days in Cape Town. Was it enough? The answer is a resounding ´`No``. Cape Town is a wonderful place to visit, and clearly our favourite stop thus far. Situated between a majestic mountain range and the sparkling waters of the Atlantic Ocean, it has the vibe of a Vancouver or perhaps, Rio. The pace is relaxed, the people easy-going, with much to see and do. With one of the most awesome waterfronts imaginaable, this working port acts as a major hub of activity day and night. We seemed to natually find ourselves there every day of our stay.
It's summer, and with a huge international mining convention here, the city was crawling with visitors. The low value of the South African rand, when compared to the pound, the euro, or the US dollar also enhanced its attraction for the swarms of Germans and Brits encountered everywhere. It was wonderfully hot out, but breezes off the ocean made it quite comfortable. Sunsets are supposed to be amazing, but the day we chose to take a long bus ride up to the top of a mountain turned disappointingly cloudy and quite cool, so no sunset for us. No matter. Our visits to gorgeous local coastal neighbourhoods allowed us the chance to stroll wave-kissed promenades, fishing villages, a century-old wine estate, and to see how the rich live, in their seaside homes with the million-dollar views.
We visited a fascinating Jewish museum and an adjacent original synagogue dating back to the 1850´s. Among other things, it featured a recreated shetl (a Lithuanian village) and a fascinating film on the relationship between Nelson Mandela and the S African Jewish community. For instance, did you know that it was a Jewish lawyer who gave Mandela, a black man, his first articling job, something that whites simply didn´t do then. This formed the beginnings of his activism, imprisonment, and ultimately, his presidency in post-apartheid S Africa. Also, we learned that a greatly disproportionate number of Jews were amoung the whites arrested for participating in apartheid resistance efforts.
Sightseeing aside, we stayed at quite the B&B while in Cape Town. Called The Chocolate House, it was chock-a-block with kitchy period furniture, knick-knacks, quirky art, and artifacts. It was designed and run by two of the coolest guys you could ever want to know. We loved every encounter with them because they attacked everything they did with so much energy and love. Guests in the 3 rooms they let out were treated like best friends, and they just couldn´t do enough for us. They were dramatic, and flamboyant, caring, and giving, and they took such good care of the place and us, that you couldn´t help but be swept away by it. Breakfasts were to die for, and felt like a scene from Downton Abbey., full of pomp and done with a flourish. The only thing missing was a dowager the likes of a Magge Smith. It was just so much fun.
Our last day in Capetown really proved a trip highlight for us. I had booked a Corolla for 10 days for our subsequent driving trip along the southern coast of Africa. However, when we got to Thrifty, we were upgraded to a 2016 Mercedes! This, at $13 a day, no less. After the shock of the upgrade, I was about to face an even greater challenge. How do I drive a car where the steering sheel is on the opposite side of the car, and the driving lanes are reversed? I had no idea how I was going to do it, but do it I did. And the biggest surprise of all was that I took to it like a duck to water. While I fully expected to drive into the wrong lane within the first hour causing chaos, instead, with Bonnie´s help, and a good GPS, I was soon acclimated to this huge change, and I was driving in S Africa.
Our first major excursion was a day trip to Cape Point, a few hours away from Cape Town, and the location of the Cape of Good Hope. It´s at the southern tip of Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. What a thrill to be there, and a chill, too, because of the overpowering wind gusts attacking us.
With this drive, we ended our Cape Town stay. The next blog entries will cover our driving trip along a scenic drive of several hundred miles known as the Garden Route, including stays at a numberr of popular tourist destinations along the way. The first will be in a town called Oudtshoorn, ostrich farming capital of the world. Our home for 2 nights will be an ostrich farm.
ESCAPETOWN
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
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Myrna
2016-02-21
Well, you have done it once again! Your vivid, colorful descriptions of your travels made me want to visit South Africa! Sounds like you are loving every moment of your trip...and this is such a good thing. I have this feeling that you may, once again, travel to this magnificent part of the world in the future! Enjoy your driving experiences, especially in your Mercedes! Miss and love you both!!!!
Cecile Lapowich
2016-02-21
What a wonderful 3 days you have enjoyed in Cape Town! I knew some of your facts, but relished in the new ones. I had no idea the waterfront was such a hive of activity day and night: would that our city follows suit. How nice that you are in summer and having lovely ocean breezes while we are still bundled. I must say this weekend has been spring like and very welcomed. Stay safe, continue to enjoy and writing your terrific blogs.
Chaim Weintraub
2016-02-21
Hi Moishe,
What a trip. Your descriptions almost makes us feel we are there with you. Hopefully someday Juli and I can visit S Africa one day, perhaps in our dreams. When does the safari happen?? I hope you brought a lot of mosquitoe repellant. All the best, Chaim
Hope Springman
2016-02-23
Amazingly vivid and picturesque blog - and trust the Liliens to find themselves in a left-handed Mercedes to do the town in their own special style! Loved your descriptions of The Chocolate House and your visit to the Jewish Museum - fascinating story about Mandela's relationship with his country's Jewish community. Can't wait to read your next entry! With love, Hope
Shelli Koenigsberg
2016-02-25
What a great blog, David. I'm just catching up with you and enjoying the ride. Thanks for taking us along with with you!