Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Before you die !!!

A Travelogue after a long time. Unsurprisingly, it was a splendid trip to Cape Town. The South Africans are always proud of the rich natural beauty of the country and Cape Town is the primary underlining factor for the statement. I have planned this trip for 4 nights along with my family. Enjoyed every second of it from the accomodation to every meter of the lengthy drives in and around the city. For those who never been here, check out the composed briefing on must see places in and around Cape Town from my experience.




First thing first, mine was a package tour from Johannesburg and the price was 17K Rands (1,12,500 Indian Rupees, 2500 USD, 3120 Singapore Dollars). The price includes for 4 adults and 1 baby return flight from Johannesburg, Toyoto Versa Car rental, 4 nights stay in Protea hotel - Stellenbosch)


Table Mountains : Mr. Nelson Mandela mentioned this as the gods gift to South Africa and rightly so. If you want to use the Cable car to go to top, be there by 9 AM in the morning to avoid crowd and have a pleasant and less-crowded view at the top. Also, the cable car transport will be closed if its raining or heavy winds. You can also do a 1-2 hours trek along the pathway to reach the top. I recommend the cable car atleast to go up as it gives good 360 degree view around and save your energy to spend walking at the top. You can walk like around 1 hour on the mountain top all the way from east to west. I guarantee you will cherish every moment viewing the beautiful beaches and the landscapes around cape town from there. FYI, the Table mountains are the oldest mountain in the world (even older than everest)

Cape point (Cape of good Hope): This is the south western tip of Africa. The drive to Cape point is a pleasant experience crossing the valleys, coasts and several view points along the way. There is a Funicular ride (winch as called in India) that takes you to the cliff. You can explore a lot around the mountain by foot. The more you explore the more you can see and the more your heart will linger with joy. I have seen the views in many many movies and clicked a lot. Good food for my lens. Remember to plan your lunch there in the restaurant (i guess its called two oceans restaurant) in Cape point. Its delicously delicious even for a vegetarian like me.

Robben Island : This is most intresting part. This is an island prison (something like you can relate to the movie THE ISLAND) where the political prisoner (including Mr. Nelson Mandela) was jailed. Before that, the island is the quarrantine area for the leprocy patients. They were isolated and left in the island to suffer to death. You got to take the ferry from VA Water front. The ticket includes the ferry ride, the bus ride and guided tours inside the island. There will be a X Prisoner himself there to explain his experiences inside the prison and how brutal was the treatment inside. At the end, the prisoners where so determined to fight the apartheid with peace so no more from the future generation should suffer in the prison any longer. Dont miss this place, this will make your trip more meaningful emotionally.

Camps bay (Sunset view) : The best i would suggest is leave cape point around 3-4 PM and head on to Camps bay via Kommitije, Houts bay, Chapmans peak to Camps bay. You can stop at several view points along the coast. Refresh yourself and get ready to feel perplexed with the amaizing driving route in the Chapmans peak. The experience of viewing the coast as you drive through the mountains is impeccable. You will love every second of it. Make sure you reach camps bay by around 5 PM. This is for me one of the best place to view the sunset. It was too cold and windy for me to swim in the beach. I guess summer should be best.

Cape town Castle : This isnt visual pleasure as i expected but the meuseum inside the castle is quiet informative. This explains a lot about Anglo Boer war and how the British captured Cape town from Dutch. Besides, there is a Cannon firing session which is a wonderful experience where a representative from SA Cannon Association explains the whole process of firing a Cannon with right tools. Go for the knowledge.

Hermanus (Whale watching): I knew it wasnt whale season but i was told if i can get a boat, i can able to catch glimpse of those monster whales in the mid sea. Unfortunately, the boat was full and we have to return disappointed. However, the long 1.5 hour drive was exciting crossing the mountians and plains. Plan this if you are excited watching Whales.

Ostrich Farm : This is the delight of my own research to make the trip memorable. I found out this unfamous West coast Ostrich Ranch off N7. The farm has like 200+ Ostriches and a guided tour is all fun with the guide explaining end to end about life of Ostrich. Also, you can feed them, touch them and even sit on them for photographs with Table mountains back drop. Please dont miss it :)

Thats pretty much i managed to cover in around 4 days. I would like to go another time by reaching Port Elizabeth (another city) by flight and drive all the way to cape town (800 KMS) staying at different places along the way each day though the Scenic Garden route.


Few pictures are in my facebook and email me for the pictures link if you wanna have a look. But make it as a point that you visit this place before you die :)

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