Trip to Cape Town 2016

Trip to Cape Town 2016

After many months of saving and planning, we finally took the plunge into the deep end. 8 days in Cape Town - Oh what a trip it was!

We flew in from Johannesburg to Cape Town with Mango Airlines. Good flight, great weather as well.

We landed at Cape Town Int Airport at around 8am in the morning, it was a bit windy. My good brother Lufuno came to pick us up from the airport. And so it began!

Day 1

We got the car from Lufuno and drove from Cape Town central and headed for Cape Point. We drove straight to cape point and arrived at around midday.

We paid R135pp to get into the park and drove about 15 Minutes to get to the point. The park has lots of hiking and walking routes one can do. I recommend having an entire day allocated for this one.

We took the Flying Dutchman Cable way to go up to the point at an additional R65pp. The views up there were amazing! Now we did not see where the 2 oceans meet (water all looked the same) but the view is amazing!

Afterwards we went to The Two Oceans Restaurant – You will need a good budget for this one. Lunch is served at 12h30, make reservations! The food was well presented and the view was amazing! Service and all – Not impressed!

After that we drove along the beach and took some amazing photos! The second stop was Boulders beach. 
We paid R35 to get into the beach. Here you can see penguins up close. Some do run loose and you can actually play with them (At own risk).

Our 3^rd Stop was at St James beach, now we were hungry and needed a bite. Right next to the beach is a restaurant called Octopus Gardens, we had a Mussel thing that was just horrible. So horrible we did not eat it. Thankfully the manager took it of our bill.

We proceeded to taking some amazing shots by the change rooms, as customary.

We drove off to Sea Point and checked into our hotel. After a quick shower and change we set off to get dinner. Thanks to Trip Adviser we found a wonderful spot at Sea Point Breach called La Perla, that was the first time I was properly dined by a French waiter. Great food!

Day 2

We started the second day of on a chilled note - got up bright and early. Comfortable clothes on, sunscreen and shades. We took a walk from Sea Point to Camps Bay. 

The scenic route along the beach was everything!

We then sat down at Ocean Blue for some breakfast. So we ordered some food which took days to arrive and then when the meal finally arrived, the order was not done right. The manager was kind enough to scrap the bill and so, I had breakfast for free.

We ventured on, Via Uber to Table Mountain. The fare was about R70 buts to get there. We arrived, and I was so glad we booked online, the queue to get a ticket was just depressing! None the less, we waited to get onto the cable car. About 30 Minutes in a queue.

We eventually got up there, Table Mountain is again one of those places you plan a day for, up top you can take a very hectic hike, which I highly recommend. Pack your own water though. The prices up there are ridiculous!

We Uber-ed again to Hout Bay from Table Mountain at a cost of R140. I felt like a spot of fish chips, which I got at a random fast food joint.

We then proceeded to The Hout Bay Food Market, it has the farmers market kind of setup. Great food, great joint.

Day 3

Was a relaxed day out at V&A Water Front.

We took a walk all the way from Sea Point to water front right along the beach. Everyone was out running and walking their dogs. Our first stop was a breakfast run at Vovo Teli. Freshly pressed orange juice and some bread.

We got on the cape wheel…

Took a boat ride…

And settled in for some sushi at Sevruga! One of the best Sushi spots I’ve been to.

We then took the myCiti buses home, and went for a walk at the beach to take some sunset shots.

Day 4

28^th November is Fulu’s birthday, and we decided to celebrate in a big and dangerous way. We went shark cage diving!

The total cost for the dive was R3400 for 2 people. This included pick up and drop off.

We got up bright and early as our driver came to pick us up from the hotel at 6am, the destination was 200 kilometers away at Gansbaai (The world’s Great White shark capital).

We got there after a hectic and quick 2-hour drive, the drive master was a funny and entertaining fellow. There were quiet a number of us. We were the only guys from SA. The crowd was from Ireland, USA, Netherlands, Australia and the likes. We grabbed a coffee and set out to the harbor.

So what they do is to lour the sharks towards the boat using fish remains, this of cause whilst you are mounted to the side of the boat, in hopes of the cage not breaking and you becoming lunch.

I got badly sea sick…Half of the boat did. Now if you have never been sea sick, it’s painful to say the least. Your head sick spinning and all your body wants to do is to vomit – even though there is nothing to vomit. It’s a hectic experience.

We finally suited up and got in the water. The sharks swam by and all. It was a great experience.

In the evening we got all dressed up and went for dinner at the One and Only Hotel. The Nobu restaurant was amazing, we go there and had our best dining experience ever. Also our biggest bill (We left R850 there).

Day 5

On the fifth day we went to Robben Island. We took the first boat out in the morning.
There is a lot to learn there - unfortunately, we got a not so experienced tour guide. Poor girl really struggled, but the place seems to be well maintained. 
It’s another activity I recommend dedicating a day to. 
Just going to the island itself will take you 45 Minutes - plan wisely.

After Robben island we went for lunch at Balducchi. Great food spot at V&A water front.

Day 6

We set out in the morning for a day out at Cape Town CBD.
 Our first stop was at the Castle of Good Hope, we paid R60 for the tour. We got all the history on it from the best tour guide I have ever come across. He was well vested in areas outside his normal day to day. He took us from the torture chamber, the building, the surroundings and the people.

We then went to District 6 museum where the story of how Black and Colour people were evicted from their homes by the Apartheid government. A sad part of South African history, but one that needs to be documented and told. A great place, well maintained as well. As a local we got in for free.

We then went to Estern Food Bazzar for some Indian Food. Not the best I’ve had, but the prices where fair.

From there we went to Truth Café for some strong coffee. Its also the best coffee in Cape Town, as rated.

We rounded the night off with dinner joined by Fulu’s brother at Café Paradiso - I had a lovely Risotto there.

 Day 7

We started the day off at Cape Town CBD again. We went to Cheryl’s Bakery to get Cape Town’s best cake. Boy was it good.

We then took the local bus to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, it’s 1 of 8 South Africa’s World Heritage Sites.

 The bus ride was cheap, at R11 a trip from Golden Arrows, and we got to see the neighbourhood a bit more. Very exciting times!

We paid R60pp to get in. The place is beautiful to say the least, well maintained and kept. The vastness of the flowers and trees will boggle your mind. I recommend half a day for this one with a good picnic.

We went over to the famous Long Street and stopped at a Mexican Joint, with really bad food. Urgg!

Lucky my Brother Chef Lufuno Sinthumule invited us over for dinner at Fish Hoek. We took the metro train there. Another random experience.

We had Prawn Cocktail for starter, Beef Wellington for dinner and a wonderful Malva pudding for dessert. This of cause accompanied by great company! Thanks Lufuno

Day 8

This was the very end. Last day of the trip (Sad)

We started the day off at Sea Point’s Knead Bread café with some good breakfast. 

We then set off to Groot Constantia wine states. We took on a great wine tour at R100 pp. We got a branded glass of wine and a wine tasting as well.

Then the moment of truth. We headed back to noisy Johannesburg with Kulula airlines.

On this trip we spent a great deal of money, biggest was food. We got around with Uber a lot and myCiti. I recommend myCiti as it goes to all tourist destinations and its really affordable. All in all, plan your trips wisely, most of the places I visited required an entire day to really enjoy. So take your time and plan. Read trip advisor reviews and get a visitor’s brochure when you get to the airport.

Thank you for reading my blog, I hope one day you will go to cape town and this will help.

Remember always #travelHard