Omega Seaside apartments
They say that all journeys begin with the first step so let's go sightseeing in the mother city of South Africa, Cape Town. Our first stop was at Omega seaside apartments where we met our friendly hosts, Mike and Helena Eaton with their dogs Bob and Dot.
They have four apartments which you can choose from but you need to make sure that you book in advance. Our room is overlooking Robben Island from Bloubergstrand. These apartments are equipped with everything that you need for your stay. Bloubergstrand is also called by some people Photographer’s beach, from where all the famous pictures of Table Mountain are taken. Bloubergstrand literally means blue mountain beach because of the blue haze which can be seen hanging over Table Mountain from this beach as the sun goes down. There are many restaurants, cafes and stores close to the beach in the suburb of Bloubergstrand which is just 15km north of Cape Town’s city center. The beach is a long white sand beach on the Atlantic Ocean. The water here is cold due to the Benguela current and on the west side of the beach is Big Bay which is popular with surfers and kite surfers thanks to the trade winds while Little Bay is more for families and sunbathers. Several prestigious international windsurfing and kite surfing competitions are held here. The entire area is within a marine nature reserve and you could see Cape fur seals, dolphins and even whales during their migration season. Now let's go discover Cape Town and Table Mountain.
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Table Mountain
Table Mountain has been announced as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and it watches over Cape Town and faces Table Bay. Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain; when the clouds roll over the mountain it is like a tablecloth being spread out on a table. The mountain is part of the Table Mountain National Park which also includes the Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Penguin Colony, Silvermine, Signal Hill and Lion’s Head. The mountain’s flat plateau measures 3km in width and the highest point of Table Mountain is 1086m above sea level. The cable car is located on the west side of the mountain. On either side of the mountain are Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head.
Visitors to Table Mountain can either hike to the top or take the cable car. It takes only 5 minutes to make the cable car ascent while it makes a 360° turn. That gives you the opportunity to look at the surrounding arias. You need to consider the weather when choosing when to visit the mountain top as bad weather means bad visibility. The cable car operates daily starting at 08:00, but it depends on the Cape doctor because the cable car is not operated during extreme winds. The Cape Doctor is the local name for the strong south-eastern wind – also known as South-Easter - that blows from False Bay and funnels through to Cape Town and Blouberg.
Once you reach the top there are well-marked paths that take you on various routes across the mountain past the look-out points and interesting flora. Along your walk, you may see Dassie and other small creatures. You can get something to eat on the mountain top at the restaurant or café and picnicking is permitted. You can also buy memorabilia at the Shop At The Top. If you plan on hiking up or down the mountain there are quite a few routes you can follow. Platterklip Gorge has a straight ascent to the summit and it takes 1-3 hours to make the ascent. There are also other longer trails that take 2-6 days to complete. If you join an organized tour or activity you can also rock climb, go caving, or mountain bike riding on the mountain.
Do remember that if it is your birthday and if you can prove it with your ID then you get a free ride to the top of Table Mountain in the cable car. Bad news for you if your birthday is at the end of July because the cable car is annually closed for maintenance from 25 July to 7 Aug.
Signal Hill
Signal Hill is a famous spot for watching the sunset. Visitors to the hill can travel to the summit on a road that reaches all the way to an observation point offering amazing views across the city and bay. There is a campsite along the road leading to the summit. Signal Hill is 350m high and the summit is reached via Kloof Nek Road. The hill gets its name from the signal flags which were flown to communicate to ships in the bay and approaching the city warning them of weather conditions and giving anchoring instructions. From about 1836 and up until 1934 a time ball was set up on the hill which indicated exactly when it was 13:00 Cape Mean Time. Ships at bay could see the Signal Hill from afar and set their marine chronometers. By 1934 radio signals had replaced the time ball.
Today a noon gun is fired from Lion Battery on Military Road in the Bo Kaap neighbourhood on the slopes of Signal Hill. You can hear the gun firing from much further away but if you want to be at Lion Battery to see the firing then arrive at 11:30 to see the whole ritual except on Sundays and public holidays and hear an explanation about the tradition by the SA Navy representatives. The firing of the noon gun is Cape Town’s oldest tradition and the guns used are the oldest still operating guns in the world. The gun was first fired in 1806 from the Castle of Good Hope and was moved to its present position in 1902. If you visit the observation point on Signal Hill you can continue on to hike up Lion’s Head.
Lion’s Head
For stunning views of Cape Town take a hike up Lion’s Head. Lion’s Head is situated alongside Table Mountain and is connected to Signal Hill facing out to sea and Robben Island. It is part of the Table Mountain range providing a backdrop to the city. The mountain rises 669m above sea level and was named by Dutch settlers in the 17th century because of its resemblance to a crouching lion together with Signal Hill as the tail. The Lions Head Hike Trail is a 12.8km circular trail that takes 3-4 hours to complete. The trail winds around the mountain giving you views of Cape Town from several angles with Table Bay on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. At times the trail is steep and there are ropes and chains to help you pull yourself along. There are different hiking tours that you can do like the Lion’s Head Sunset or Sunrise Hike. It takes about 3.5 hours depending on your pace and fitness and can be done by those with no hiking experience. To follow the trail just park your car at the parking lot at the foot of Lion’s Head and the trail starts a few hundred meters away. During the full moon, locals like to hike the trail starting at about noon and finishing off after sundown with a picnic by moonlight. The thermal winds make Lion’s Head a popular spot for paragliding, hand gliding and micro lighting. Avoid visiting at night alone when it may be dangerous.
Devil’s Peak
Devil's Peak stands 1000m high, less than Table Mountain's 1087m. You can walk to the top but the ascent is more pleasant and safer outside of the cold, wet, winter months of May to August. Devil’s Peak offers an interesting perspective of Table Mountain as well as stunning views of the Cape Town City Bowl with Lion’s Head and Signal Hill. The University of Cape Town is situated on the eastern slopes of Devil's Peak. From these vantages, one can look down upon the southern suburbs of Cape Town and over the Cape Flats towards Stellenbosch, Somerset West, and the distant Boland mountains. A number of historic military blockhouses are situated on Devil's Peak, along with a number of cannons intended to defend the city from attack from the south.
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
The V&A Waterfront is a tourist-friendly area facing Table Bay. The area is named after Queen Victoria and her second son Prince Alfred who began construction of the harbor in 1860. One of the landmarks on the waterfront is the Clock Tower constructed in 1882. The waterfront is home to 450 retail stores selling a wide range of products. The waterfront is still used by charter boats and fishing vessels, the fresh catch of the day will probably be served at one of the waterfront restaurants. At the V&A Waterfront you will also find a cocktail lounge, food market, music and art workshops plus The Cape Wheel; Chavonnes Battery Museum; A Diamond Museum; the Springbok Experience Rugby Museum and the Two Oceans Aquarium.
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The Cape Wheel
The huge observatory wheel that is on the V & A Waterfront takes you 40 meters above the ground and is similar to the London Eye that takes you 135m above ground level. From The Cape Wheel you can get views of Table Mountain, the Paarl Mountains, Cape Town Stadium, Robben Island and the Cape Town city skyline.
The Springbok Experience Rugby Museum
Sports fans won’t want to miss this museum focused on South African rugby. It is a state-of-the-art interactive museum that traces the history of South African rugby from 1860 to the present day through 60 audio-visual displays. In addition, there are authentic artefacts and memorabilia from the rugby world. On display, there are rugby jerseys, trophies and rugby boots. The South Africans have been playing rugby since the 1860s; highlights have included the 1891 match against the British Isles when Cecile Rhodes was the Prime Minister of the Cape Colony. The national South African team got their nickname “Springboks” or Boks in 1906-7 when they toured for the first time playing the British Isles and France. The players wear green colors with a gold collar and short white training pants. In 1995 South Africa hosted and won the Rugby World Cup with Nelson Mandela presenting the trophy. In 2007 South Africa won the Rugby World Cup for the second time. The museum is housed in Portswood House on the V&A Waterfront.
Two Oceans Aquarium
This amazing aquarium is located on the water’s edge of the W&A Waterfront where the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean meet. Water from the sea is pumped into the aquarium exhibits. The aquarium has large glass windows and see-through tunnels where you can feel as if you are inside the tanks with the fish. There are seven sections each dedicated to a particular aspect of marine life. At 1.6 million liters, the I&J Ocean Exhibit provides a massive home to rays, mussel crackers, green sea turtles, indigenous fishes and much more. There is the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Exhibit. The Kelp forest exhibits an underwater forest where giant sea bamboo grows like tall trees, fish swim through the algae fronds like birds and abalone, and sea urchins and rock lobsters feed and take cover among the root-like holdfasts. The Penguin Exhibit is home to a colony of African penguins. You can also learn more about the giant spider crabs, spider crabs are the largest crustaceans in the world – males grow to approximately 1m in length with a 4m leg stretch. These crabs live at depths of approximately 400m and in temperatures between 11ºC and 14ºC.
Sunset Cruise
One of the most amazing things that you can do for yourself during a holiday in Cape Town is to go on a sunset cruise. It is also known as the champagne cruise. It gives you the opportunity to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine. It is also a great opportunity to take beautiful sunset photos of the sun setting on the horizon or take photos of Cape Town. Sunset cruises departure from the V&A waterfront. Sunset cruises depend on the weather conditions of the Cape. You need to make sure that you do your booking in time to avoid disappointment.
Make your booking and enjoy all the fun and sightseeing in Cape Town
Castle of Good Hope
The Castle of Good Hope is known locally as "The Castle". Its Dutch name is "Kasteel de Goede Hoop" This pentagon-shaped fortress dates back to the 17th century and originally stood on the edge of Table Bay before land reclamation; today it is inland within the Central Business District. On 26 April 1679, the five bastions were named after the main titles of William III of Orange-Nassau: Leerdam to the west, with Buuren, Katzenellenbogen, Nassau, and Oranje clockwise from it. During the Second Boer War (1899–1902), part of the castle was used as a prison, and the former cells remain to this day. The Castle acted as local headquarters for the South African Army in the Western Cape, and today houses the Castle Military Museum and ceremonial facilities for the traditional Cape Regiments. The Castle is also the home of the Cape Town Highlanders Regiment, a mechanised infantry unit. The firing of the signal cannon was used to indicate that a ship had been sighted at sea and to relay the message to people inside the fort. You can view the firing of an old cannon, performed by the Cannon Association of South Africa. The cannon is fired on a daily basis at 10:00; 11:00 and 12:00.
Robben Island
Robben Island is located in Table Bay; it covers an area of 5.07km. The first recorded landing on Robben Island by Europeans was in 1498 when a group of Portuguese sailors took refuge there and stayed overnight in a cave. The Dutch were the first to turn the island into a prison and by the end of the 17th century, the island had become a prison mainly for political prisoners. Throughout South African history well known leaders and military personnel were imprisoned here. In 1806 a whaling station was established in Murray’s Bay on the northeastern shore. In 1845 the island was used as a leper colony. During the Second World War, the island was fortified and guns were installed to protect the bay. From 1961 to 1991 the island functioned as a maximum security prison for political prisoners. Today it is a UNESCO world heritage site and a popular tourist attraction. Peak-season tours are four times a day and off-peak season tours are three times a day from Monday to Sunday. The ferries depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V & A Waterfront.
Heart of Cape Town Museum
The museum is part of a museum complex in the Observatory neighborhood and opened in 2007. It is housed in the old main building of the Groote Schuur Hospital and focuses on the historic first human heart transplant performed by Doctor Christiaan Barnard at this hospital in 1967. The hospital was founded in 1938 The transplant patient was Louis Washkansky, age 54; unfortunately, he died of pneumonia just eighteen days following the operation. He received the heart of Denise Darvall who died in an accident after being struck by a vehicle. The original operating theatre from 1967 is part of the two-hour tour of the old hospital building. On the tour, you will learn about the ethical and religious issues of the operation as well as the practical challenges of such an endeavor. The tour includes a walk through the animal lab where doctors conducted experiments on more than 50 dogs to perfect the heart transplant technique. There is also a recreation of Darvall’s car accident, his bedroom, the surgery, Louis Washkansky’s recovery room and Christiaan Barnard’s office.
Camps Bay Beach
Camps Bay is just 10 minutes from Cape Town city center on the Atlantic coastline with the backdrop of the Twelve Apostles mountain range; it also has a beautiful beach that is about 840m long. Camps Bay Beach was named a Blue Flag Beach in 2008. The weekends and holidays are the busiest periods but the long beach has room for all. Thanks to the protected location of Camps Bay it is sheltered from the southerly winds which blow in the summer and the sea is calm and great for swimming. At the southern end of the beach, there is a tidal pool and to the north, the wind picks up and surfers can practise their moves. The beach is flanked by a stretch of lawn with palm trees offering shade where you can picnic and the beach is considered safe and family-friendly. Camps Bay is still considered one of the most beautiful and desirable locations in South Africa. With its abundance of restaurants, bars, shops and other attractions.
Clifton Beach
Clifton Beach is one of several magnificent beaches in Cape Town, located on the Atlantic coastline. Clifton Beach, which is named from 1st to 4th from north to south, is separated by groups of granite corestone boulders and has almost pure white quartzite sand. The four beaches of Clifton are one of the few coastal areas of Cape Town well protected from the notorious south-easterly wind, which has a great deal to do with its popularity with bathers. In Clifton, you can find some of the country’s most expensive real estate. The most expensive house in Clifton and also in South Africa is valued at R 189 million or $11.2 million USD. Clifton Beach is included on lists of “the best beaches in the world and it has received the Blue Flag of recognition for its cleanliness, safety, environmental standards and well-maintained appearance.
Boulders Bay
Boulders Bay in Simon’s Town is a suburb of Cape Town and it is also the main Naval base of the South African Navy, and the home port of the frigate and submarine. Here you will find the South African Naval Museum and also the Simon’s Town Museum. One of the beaches in Simon’s Town is Boulders Beach, the beach is sheltered from the wind by the bay and made up of inlets between granite boulders, from which the name originated. Boulder Bay is set in the midst of a residential area. The most exciting attraction here is the colony of more than 3000 African Penguins. These endangered creatures wander freely on the beach and breed here. The boardwalks can get you within meters of the penguins. Boulders Beach is part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area.
The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve is an hour’s drive from downtown Cape Town. The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve is one of the most picturesque nature reserves in the country which is part of the Table Mountain National Park and a UNESCO site.
There are two peaks in the peninsula, Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. Visitors can follow a steep path up to the Cape Point lighthouse or take the funicular, the Flying Dutchman, to take you up the hill from where there are stunning views across the cliffs, ocean, coastline and Dias Beach below. The lighthouse was built in 1859. It is possible to hike along the cliff top between the two peaks or drive along the scenic route. If you like hiking you can do the Good Hope Hiking Trail over almost 34km through the reserve. In the reserve, there are several animal species including baboons, buck and Cape Mountain Zebras as well as a good variety of birds for bird watching.
Among the top things to do here there is the Two Oceans Restaurant which overlooks False Bay; cultural and historical sites including the Vasco da Gama Monument and Bartolomeu Dias Monument; swimming and picnicking at Bordjiesrif and Buffels Bay tide pools; whale watching during the annual migration; walk the Shipwreck Trail which reaches 26 shipwrecks; mountain biking; kayaking and diving.
Cape Wine Routes
A trip to Cape Town is not complete without an excursion into the Wineland of the Cape. If you love wine tasting then Cape Town is the place to be. Groot Constantia winery and vineyard is among the most popular wineries in the country. Groot Constantia is the oldest wine estate in South Africa. They have been producing wine for more than 300 years. Groot Constantia is a fully working farm and the producer of a wide range of estate wines. On the grounds of the estate, there is also a museum and restaurants. The estate is part of a number of wine estates that make up the Constantia Wine Route. Visitors can take tours of the wine cellar; do wine tasting and even do chocolate and wine pairing.
Vergelegen Estate is one of the most prestigious and famous wineries you can visit. The winery offers wine cellar tours, wine tastings and tours of the heritage sites and gardens. The wine, food and beautiful surroundings have attracted celebrities and VIPs from around the world.
The Stellenbosch wine route is one of the biggest tourist attractions with about 96 wineries. The Wine Route is divided into four sub-routes, Stellenbosch Berg Wine Estates, Bottelary Hills Wine Estates, Greater Simonsberg Wine Estates and Stellenbosch Valley Wine Estates. Every winery at the Stellenbosch Wine Route is worth a visit.
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