Yesterday, I got back from a whirlwind trip to South Africa where I visited Cape Town & Johannesburg for the first time. I tweeted while I was there that this trip took the shape of a beautiful slap in the face and I must say as I sit in my London flat, I still feel the same. I didn’t expect the culture shock and I didn’t expect to feel so many different things in such a short time. It was my first time in Africa (aside from visits to my family in Tunisia) and also my first trip to the Southern Hemisphere, which is quite exciting.
I flew from London to Cape Town last Wednesday night with SAA (with a much needed pit stop in Jo’burg). As soon as I arrived in Cape Town, I had just enough time to check in at the lovely Taj Hotel (more on this soon) before I was taken on a tour by the Escape To The Cape people who kindly showed me around some of the Cape’s landmarks. The tour carried on the next day, this time in a 1967 MG borrowed from a local Classic Car rental – it was exactly as perfect as it sounds!
Cape Town is a truly beautiful city, with many different sides and while I didn’t see everything, I most definitely fell under its spell. Being surrounded by natural wonders cannot be beaten. I have many, many more things to tell you about this trip, but I need to break it down into a few posts, so stay tuned. In the next few weeks, I will tell you where I ate, slept and shopped but I will also share with you my impressions on Johannesburg.
Traduction – Je reviens d’un voyage magique en Afrique du Sud. Voici quelques photos de mon escale au Cap, où j’ai passé 48 heures.
Robben Island seen from Signal Hill
View from Signal Hill
View from the bottom of Table Mountain
Wale Street in the Bo Kaap Malay quarters
Market on the Wharf
Drive to Steenberg Vineyards
Our car for the day: a 1967 MG convertible
Sunset over Camps Bay
Address book:
Getting there: South African Airways offers return flights to Cape Town from London Heathrow from £841.49pp. Prices includes tax, surcharges and APD valid for departures until September 2013.
Guided tours: Escape To The Cape offer a variety of tours of Cape Town.
General Info: Consult the Cape Town Tourism website to know what is happening around town during your visit.
Stay: The Taj Hotel is ideally located and offers wonderful views of Table Mountain. Prices from £115 per night incl. breakfast (full review coming soon)
Guided tours: Escape To The Cape offer a variety of tours of Cape Town.
General Info: Consult the Cape Town Tourism website to know what is happening around town during your visit.
Stay: The Taj Hotel is ideally located and offers wonderful views of Table Mountain. Prices from £115 per night incl. breakfast (full review coming soon)
Mademoiselle Robot was a guest of South African Tourism