TRAVEL CAPE TOWN
Cape Town contains
multitudes: the sea and the mountain, the wildlife and the wines, hiking trails
and nightlife destinations. Above all, it serves as a reminder of freedom: how
precious and hard-won it is
Trek Up the
Table
Often referred to as Mother City, Cape Town is set against the
backdrop of the majestic Table Mountain plateau and the sapphire Table Bay. At
about 3,500 ft above sea level, Table Mountain offers spectacular vistas of the
city, Robben Island and the Cape Peninsula.
Take the rotating, state-of-the-art cable car up the flat-topped
mountain or hike up for some exercise. There are a number of routes to reach
the mountain, with the shortest trail taking about two hours to climb from the
cableway station. Locals often opt for Platteklip Gorge, a rigorous scramble to
the table top. The route offers incredible views of Camps Bay, but can take as
much as four hours. Whether you are welcomed with a blanket of moody clouds or
crisp, clear, blue sky, you will be dazzled. If you have time to spare, sit
with a cup of coffee at a mountain cafe and soak up the views from a quiet
corner. Keep an eye out for rock hyrax or rock badger, mongoose, tortoise and
porcupine, as well as eagles and sunbirds flying over patches of fynbos, the
Cape's indigenous flora.
If you are keen on just a short, evening hike, go for Lion's
Head, which is only a 45-minute climb to the top. It is the little sister to
Table Mountain but provides incredible views.
On the other side of Table Bay are small beaches of Sea Point,
ideal for tanning sessions. Travel a little farther and you come across the
four fa mous beaches of Clifton. This is the millionaire's mile and the most
expensive suburb in Cape Town, a far cry from the original wooden bungalows
built for soldiers returning from World War I. A hop, skip and jump away is the
suburb of Camps Bay, with a vast stretch of soft sand and lounge chairs for
sunbathing. Or, play a game of volleyball or frisbee with the locals. Post
sunset, head across the road to one of the trendy bars for a cocktail and
seafood dinner. Being on the Atlantic side, the temperature of the water is 12
to 160 Celsius; only the brave can attempt a swim here.
FACT FILE
HOW TO GET
THERE
While there are no direct flights from India to Cape Town, the
Cape Town International Airport is well connected to Johannesburg, Durban, Port
Elizabeth, and all major South African cities as well as international
destinations like Dubai and Doha.Once you are there, MyCiti bus network connects
wide stretches of Cape Town. It is a convenient and cost-effective way of
getting around. Check for offers on weekly and monthly passes.TIP Apply for
visa well in advance of your trip.
BEST TIME TO
VISIT
February is the hottest month and July the coolest. But beware
of quick weather changes as well as torrential winter rains. For affordable
hotel rates and flight tickets, plan your trip during the winter months of June
to August.
CURRENCY
1 South African rand equals `4.96
ead6
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Around the City in a Sidecar
With its rolling hills and
breathtaking landscapes, the city and its surrounds are heaven for a biker.
If you don't wish to ride a bike, discover the secrets of the city from the
comfort of a chauffeured sidecar. These are decommissioned military bikes
originally used by the People's Liberation Army of China between the 1950s
and the 1970s. They are Chang Jiang CJ750s, a version of the German BMW R71
used extensively in World War II. While the temperate climate makes the ride
pleasant, the retro biking gear provided with the sidecars adds a dose of
fun.
Sport dapper leather jackets, biker
helmets, sunglasses and a bandana for a true-blue biking experience. You can
choose from a variety of routes. The beginning of Chapman's Peak Drive -the Hout
Bay -is one of the most scenic. The winding road deposits you in Noordhoek
which has a wide expanse of white sand bordering the wetlands. The coastline
becomes more rugged as you move towards Cape Point where two oceans -the cold
waters of the Atlantic Ocean on the west and the warmer Indian Ocean on the
east meet. If you are a nature enthusiast looking for tranquility as well as
modern amenities, stay in one of Cape Point's villages Scarborough, Kommetjie
or Misty Cliffs.
On
weekends, artisans and vendors from around the city gather at the Bay Harbour
Market in Hout Bay. At this buzzing place, you can find everything from art
and jewellery to fish, mojitos and live bands.
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Shikha Shah
ETM5NOV17
A Town
with a Hundred Hues
Bo-Kaap on the slopes of
the Signal Hill is possibly the most colourful neighbourhood of Cape Town, with
houses in all the hues of the rainbow -from bright green, baby pink and butter
yellow to lavender, fuchsia and black.
There is a reason for this
colourful outburst. When Apartheid ended, Bo-Kaapers managed to buy their own
homes from the city council. People say painting houses in bright colours
became an expression of long-subdued individualism and a celebration of
new-found freedom and identity.Also, since the owners had to maintain their
houses on a budget, they often picked the cheapest paint. Before they painted
their houses in preparation for Eid, the neighbours would come together to
decide which colour each one would use so as to avoid a clash of shades.
Bo-Kaap was earlier called
the Malay Quarter and was home to the city's Muslim settlers. A must-visit is
the Bo-Kaap Museum, where you can see age-old, handwritten Korans, traditional
costumes and ceramics. It has photographs of Cape Town in the 19th and early
20th centuries. Bo-Kaap's multifaceted heritage is reflected in its food and
festivals. Pop in at Biesmiellah, a familyrun joint that dishes out everything
from traditional bobotie and denningvleis (lamb stew cooked in tamarind) to
samoosas, falooda and fresh koeksisters (coconut-dusted doughnuts infused with
cardamom and cinnamon). To enjoy great views of the city along with authentic
Cape Malay cuisine, head to Bo Kaap Kombuis. Their recipes are a heady mix of
spices and date back centuries. Even better, you can visit one of the homes for
a cooking session. Learn to make aromatic curries before a sit-down meal with
the family.
Jam with
the Djembe
Embrace the rhythm of South
Africa with a night of djembe drumming in Cape Town, followed by a 14-course,
authentic Cape Malay and South African feast. The word djembe possibly comes
from the saying “Anke dje, anke be“, which means “everyone gathers together“.
And that's exactly what you do at Gold Restaurant on 15 Bennett Street. Here
you are in for a big party as you master the art of playing African drums,
surrounded by stunning artifacts and contemporary artwork. Learn the basics of
djembe, like cup ping your hands and playing a rhythm.
Then sit down for an
elaborate meal that draws inspiration from varied parts of South Africa. From
spicy meat dishes to healthy vegetarian food, there's something for every
foodie. Try the Zanzibar soup, Cape Malay spicy lamb, ostrich samoosas, Zambian
sweet potatoes, Moroccan grilled vegetable couscous and more. The celebration
doesn't end here. Tall Mali puppets in flowing robes dance gracefully between
tables as you gorge on the sumptuous food.
The Art
Square
Greenmarket Square is
located in the heart of Cape Town. You can happily spend a couple of hours in
the open-air market.The cobble-stoned flea market has, at different times, been
a slave market, a trading area for passing ships and even a parking lot. Today,
it depicts the cosmopolitan nature and vibrancy of Africa. It has a wide range
of fabrics, wooden masks, sculptures, beaded accessories, batiks, Zulu
paintings -all made by artists from different corners of the African continent.
But you need to know the art of haggling. If you don't want to shop, find a
table at one of the coffee shops and be entertained by buskers, drummers,
jugglers and mime artists who perform at the square.
Mandela's
Isle
You don't leave Cape Town without going to Robben Island, where
anti-Apartheid revolutionary and later president, Nelson Mandela, was
imprisoned. Mandela served 18 of his 27 years in prison here.Learn about the
legendary leader from a former inmate who will personally guide you around. It
is both heart-wrenching and inspiring to sit in the same cells where prisoners
were locked away for years and hear about their struggle and triumph, the food
they ate and the letters they wrote to their loved ones.Tours depart from the
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, and you are shuttled across the bay to the
island via ferry (R320). Ferries depart at set times.
If you haven't read it yet,
sit down with Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, which he wrote
while he was imprisoned on Robben Island.
ETM5NOV17
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