Category Archives: Africa

CPT: Cape Town Airport

It was a wild ride, but I had finally arrived in Cape Town, South Africa.    Departing the Columbus International Airport, my flight was scheduled to arrive in Atlanta, but with a delay at CMH, I was rerouted through Detroit, Michigan.  Because of the delay, I missed my connection in Frankfurt, and lost a full day in Cape Town.

Waiting for my luggage by the carousel, I finally realized that my suitcase did not arrive. Baggage claim was nearby and I could see that there were several other passengers who were waiting as well.  Within about twenty minutes, I stepped up to the window and was asked to complete the lost luggage claim.  Handing the form back to the agent, I needed to reach the Hertz counter to pick up my rental car.   I couldn’t help but take in the impressive displays and took a few moments to read up on the highlights of Cape Town.

One of the most surprising finds was to learn that South Africa was under a water restriction during my visit.  From 2014 to 2017, the country’s water supply dropped from nearly 93 to 23%, resulting in a water crisis in 2018.  In January, the water had reached such an all-time low, that the country issued a crisis where water conservation was the utmost of importance.

One of the most beautiful murals at the Cape Town Airport is titled “Flying Madiba.” Unveiled in 2015, this gorgeous tapestry is displayed in honor of Nelson Mandela who championed “human rights around the world.”  Madiba, Mandela’s clan name, was imprisoned for his pursuit of civil rights.  This spectacular artwork was designed by Czech artist Peter Sis and woven by France’s Atelier Pinton.

In my research of Cape Town before my visit, I learned so much about the wines the Cape Town area produces.  I was so excited to try the various varietals, that I had actually made room in my luggage so that I could bring back a few bottles.

I was most surprised that this region has been making wines for over 350 years.  With its perfect climate and soil, Cape Town produces such wines as Pinotage, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Merlot, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet-Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style red blends.

Kalk Bay, a cute little fishing village in Cape Town, was voted as one of the coolest towns by Forbes Magazine.

The Long Walk of Freedom display represents Robbin Island and the location where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years before the fall of apartheid.   I was so excited to have made reservations to visit this historical place in the next couple of days.

The beautiful, bright colored structures remind me of the photos of the homes of Bo-Kaap, the Malay district of Cape Town.  With its cobblestone streets. this neighborhood is beaming with culture, incredible restaurants and history.  I was so excited to explore this amazing neighborhood and try some amazing, local cuisine.

Yet, what was even more exciting was the opportunity to see penguins on the beach.  I learned that there are seven beaches in South Africa where penguins make their home: Bird Island, Boulder Beach, Dassen Island, Dyer Island, Robben Island and St. Croix Island.

So exhilarated with so many options in Cape Town, how would I decide?

Have you visited Cape Town?  What was your favorite place and would you visit again?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

Many thanks for reading about my arrival into Cape Town and I hope you read more about my amazing vacation.  Wishing you many amazing travels in your future!

What to See and What to Do: 

Robbin Island
Cape Town 7400 South Africa
Telephone:  +27 (0) 21 409 5100

  • Admission Fee:  Adults: R550 ($35 per adult); Children (ages 2 – 18): R310 ($18 per child)
  • Hours:  Open daily from 9AM to 3:30PM
  • Amenities:  scheduled tours, tour guide by former prisoners, special exhibitions, ferry transportation to the island, bus transportation on the island,
  • Scenic View:  Gorgeous views of Cape Town from the ferry and island.  There are penguins on Robben Island as well.
  • Length of Visit:  At least 2 – 3 hours to see the highlights
  • Tips for Your Visit:  You can pay an additional fee for pick up from your hotel.  Wear comfortable shoes for walking and remember your passport.  There will be plenty of opportunities for photos so don’t forget your camera.  The tour is based on the weather of the seas and may be cancelled, so if you are staying over several days, select this option at the beginning of your visit to Cape Town.  You may want to consider taking medication for motion sickness for the ferry.  Bring additional money to tip your guide.

Top 5 Wineries in South Africa

Boschendel Wine Estate
Pniel Road, Groot
Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
Telephone:  +27 21 870 4200

One of the oldest and most picturesque wineries in South Africa, this estate is known for its Boschendel Brut.

Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
Simondium, 7670, South Africa
Telephone:  27 21 863 3852

Babylonstoren produces 13 different grape varieties over 232 acres.  In addition to its winery, Babylonstoren offers cottages, restaurants, spa treatments and garden.

Jordan Wines Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch Kloof Road, Vlottenberg
Stellenbosch, 7604, South Africa
Telephone:  +27 21 881 3441

Twenty five minutes from Cape Town International Airport, the Jordan Wine Estate is an ultimate wine destination with vineyards, luxury suites, a bakery and spectacular views.

Waterkloof
Old Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, Somerset West
Cape Town, 7130, South Africa
Telephone:  +27 21 858 1292

Producing organic wines on land that was once the feeding ground of local sheep, Waterkloof is a full-fledged organic farm.

Beau Constantia
1043 Constantia Main Road, Constantia
Cape Town, 7130, South Africa
Telephone:  +27 21 794 8632

Overlooking False Bay, this spectacular boutique winery is also a magnificent restaurant

Kalk Bay is a 35 minute drive from Cape Town, South Africa,  Known for its caves, it is recommended to schedule a tour with a local who is familiar with the cave routes.  There are fabulous restaurants along the coast and lovely places to stay with scenic views.

Bo Kaap is another neighborhood in the heart of Cape Town.  Colorful houses line the  streets and restaurants offer traditional dishes.  Dating back to the 1760’s, this area was once known as the Malay Quarter when Indonesians and Malaysians were brought here as slaves. Be sure to check out the Bo Kaap museum.

Where to Stay:

Radisson RED V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
No. 6, Silo, Silo Square, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Telephone:  +27 87 086 1578

Where to Eat:

Harbour House V&A Waterfront
Quay Four, Ground Floor, V&A Waterfront
Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Telephone: +27 21 418 4744

In addition to their sushi, the views of the V&A Harbor are spectacular!

What to Eat: 

  • Amaural Don Pedro is a dessert cocktail made from  the marula fruit, indigenous fruit
  •  Biltong and Droewors are air dried meat and sausage, a traditional South African meal.  Cured with vinegar, salt, spices and sugar, this dish can also be made with ostrich and wild boar. a cream liquor made from South African
  • Bobotie is a dish inspired from the country’s Asian settlers.  This casserole dish is made of minced meats simmered in spices then topped with egg and milk then baked.
  • Boerewors are sausages formed into a coil and cooked on a BBQ (braai);  boer means farmer and wors is sausage.
  • Braii / Shisha nyama are barbecues and many butchers will set these up in front of their shops.
  • Bunny Chow is a popular street food in Durban where hollowed out loaf breads are filled with spicy curry.
  • Chakalaka & pap, a vegetable dish is typically served with barbecued meat.
  • Malva Pudding is a dessert inspired by the Dutch who settled in Cape Town.  Similar to a sticky pudding, it is made with an apricot jam and smothered in a hot cream sauce.

What to Read:

  • Long Walk to Freedom, by Nelson Mandela
  • A History of South Africa, by Frank Welsh
  • Burger’s Daughter, by Nadine Gordimer
  • Cry, The Beloved Country, by Alan Paton
  • Jock of the Bushveld, by Sir James Percy Fitzpatrick

What to Photograph:

  • Lion’s Head – The Top and Wally’s Cave
  • Boulder’s Beach for the Penguins
  • Cape Point for its stunning views
  • The Bo-Kaap for its vibrant colors
  • Street art in Woodstock
  • Muizenberg and St James for their colorful bathing boxes
  • Top of Table Mountain
  • Chapman’s Peak Drive
  • Robben Island
  • The amazing wineries

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

A Walking Tour of the Victoria and Albert Harbor

Filled with adrenaline from having swam with the Great Whites at Gansbaai, I was excited to explore the scenic coast of Cape Town before hopping a plane for Johannesburg.  With a couple of days ahead of me, I planned to explore the coast, sample the local wines and study the fascinating life of Nelson Mandela.

Grabbing my backpack, I exited the Protea Hotel in Sea Point and began my forty-five minute trek towards the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.  Known as the oldest working harbor in the Southern Hemisphere, this lively neighborhood is where I will be catching the jetty over to Robben Island in the afternoon.

Navigating through one of the most affluent suburbs of Cape Town, I quickly reached the coast.  I had arrived in August, the start of South Africa’s winter, greeted with mild temperatures and overcast skies.  The colorful high rises were a welcome site against the gray backdrop and foggy start of my day.

Mounds of seaweed covered the manicured beaches as small whitecaps made their way towards the water’s edge.  The sun was rising and casting a glow on the concrete landscape where locals slowly filled the promenade.  The briny smell of the sea continued to grow stronger as warmer temperatures began to rise.  My walk continued northeast away from Sea Point  towards indigenous gardens, passing the Green Point Lighthouse with a glimpse of the Cape Town Stadium.

Gazing toward the barren mountains in the distance, the palm tree-lined avenue brought me closer to the V&A Waterfront.  Posted signs served as a reminder of Cape Town’s water shortage which was at its peak during my visit.

Within minutes, the landscape grew more beautiful with gardens of purple salvia and elegantly laid brick stretching for miles.  Tall, clusters of palm trees rose from the rocky cliffs sloping down towards the bay. The V&A Waterfront, a part of  Cape Town’s Big 6, includes the Table Mountain Cableway, Kirstensbosch Gardens, Robben Island, Cape Point and Constantia Vineyards.

In the midst of the spectacular countryside was built a beautiful tribute to Queen Victoria and her son Prince Alfred, known by locals as the V&A Waterfront. The venue has become one of South Africa’s most visited historical and cultural destinations.

From the second story of the waterfront’s shopping plaza I noticed the boats moored in South Africa’s oldest working harbor, over 450 shops and restaurants lining the streets and a Ferris wheel offering spectacular views of Signal Hill.  I had purchased a ticket to visit Robben Island and would return to the dock after lunch to board the Robben Island jetty.

Too early for lunch, I strolled the harbor where boats were tied up alongside the dock bringing in the catch of the day and taking out passengers for tours of the coast. Many of the stores and restaurants would soon open, so I strolled the quiet site and found The Harbor House where I decided to dine for lunch.

Starting out with a local Chenin Blanc from Beaumont Wines, I scanned over the menu in hopes of finding a local seafood dish or a platter of sushi for lunch.  The wine was crisp with the flavors of tart apples and melon, chilled perfectly.  Sitting on the second level of the restaurant, the sun was struggling to push its way past the cloudy sky, but its warmth was pressing in.

With each sip, I weighed my options and finally  decided on the Tuna Rainbow Roll and Ultimate Rainbow Roll.  Decadent and full of flavor, I slowly enjoyed each bite as I finished my glass of wine. The weight staff were exceptional and the restaurant views, spectacular.

As I strolled the waterfront with its colorful monuments and museums, I heard the bark of a Cape Fur Seal. Following the sound, I came upon this beautiful mammal tucked in a concrete corner finding a place to rest near the first stop on my self-guided tour, Cape Town’s Clock Tower.

Built in 1882, the Victorian-Gothic Clock Tower was once the office of the Port Captain, who managed the schedule of ships coming in and out of the docks.  The clock tower, originally painted yellow, is the oldest building along the waterfront.  One of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the red-and-gray tower was refurbished in 1997 and is the home to several Cape Fur Seals.

Located at the base of the Swing Bridge, the African Trading Port is a shop focused on selling local African Art to include sculptures, ceramics, pottery and artifacts.  Drawing works from all over the country, this workshop first opened in Zimbabwe in 1978 with additional shops such as the one in Cape Town, opening in 2001.

Looking out across the port, the location where I am standing is Alfred Basin, where the original docks were built at the port of Cape Town.  In the distance are the picturesque Signal Hill and Table Mountain.

One of my favorite experiences was finding the beautifully painted rhinos placed along the waterfront, part of a program to bring awareness to these endangered species.  Poachers have been hunting the rhinoceros for their tusks, bringing about their near extinction since the 1950s.  TRAC, which stands for “The Rhinos are Coming” is  raising money to stop this practice throughout Africa.  From February 1st to March 31st of 2017, one hundred decorated rhinos were strategically placed throughout Cape Town as an outdoor art exhibit, which remained on display.

The V&A Market is now home to the former Pumphouse.  A vibrant marketplace with over forty vendors offering fresh food and produce as well as gourmet meals and local beer and wine.  I couldn’t resist stopping by The Knysna Oyster Company for a half a dozen oysters on the half shell.

A few steps from the market is Nobel Square, another impressive artistic installation, which opened in December of 2005.   The four statues represent Albert Lutuli, Desmond Tutu, F. W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela, four of the country’s Nobel Peace Prize winners.

Checking my watch, I realized the ferry would soon be leaving for Robben Island.  Eager to explore the history of this island prison, I was also curious to learn more about Nelson Mandela’s experience here as a political prisoner.

Have you visited the Victoria and Albert’s Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa?  What was your favorite part of your visit?  I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to Cape Town and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

Where to Stay;

Where to Eat:

What to Eat:

What to Read:

Photo Guide to Capetown:

Great White Shark Diving in Gaansbaai, South Africa

It had been such a whirlwind couple of days, but I finally arrived in Cape Town, South Africa.  From cancelled flights to missing luggage, I was so excited when the plane touched down in the Mother City. 

It took me a few moments to adjust to driving on the left side of the road while sitting on the right and using my left hand to control the gears.  I was so thankful that my sister suggested I rent an automatic transmission because I could not imagine trying to manage shifting gears.

Travelling the N2, I was warned not to stop nor pull over until I reached my hotel in Seaport.  Apparently this area is a high crime district, but driving in the middle of the night and in the rain, I wasn’t able to notice my surroundings.    I finally reached the area of Seaport but soon found myself lost after entering the roundabout.  Luckily, I had been pulled over in a random checkpoint and a policeman directed me towards the hotel which was only a couple of blocks away.  The hotel check in was quick and I was so happy to have finally reached my room.  I had only three hours before the shuttle would arrive to take me for my Great White Shark Dive.

I struggled to turn off the hotel alarm clock when it went off at 3AM.  I had only thirty minutes until the bus came to pick me up from the lobby and take me to the east coast of South Africa for my Great White Shark Dive.  It was a two and a half hour drive before we reached Kleinbaai where we would board a boat for Gaansbaai, south of Hermanus.   I grabbed my backpack with an extra change of clothes and was fully prepared for the trip, with the exception of my nerves.

There were two passengers in the van so I found a seat in the back and used my backpack as a pillow to nap on my way out.  The extra half an hour was much needed and I awoke half way through the drive feeling full of exhilaration and a bit of anxiety.  There was no backing out now, but to be honest, there were several times that I had thought about it.  I just had to remind myself that I had not come all this way to cancel.  I could do this.

When we had arrived at the dock, I could immediately smell the ocean and the air was still a chilly 64 degrees.  We were provided a safety overview and given a lovely, thick jacket, wetsuit, booties and facemask.  We waited for another van of passengers to arrive as we enjoyed a continental breakfast.  I was surprised at the number of South Africans on the trip as I would have guessed most of them to be international travelers.  I met a couple that were on their third trip so they assured me that I would thoroughly enjoy this adventure.

August is considered the start of winter and while I was hoping the water would not be too cold, it was about 60 degrees.  According to our boat captain, this is one of the best times to see the great whites as the water is not as cloudy.  Another factor in whether we would even be able to go out for the trip is based on the weather.  Storms are prevalent during the early winter months and if the sea is too choppy, we would not be able to set sail.  When preparing for this trip, I was well informed that I should allow a few days to be able to reschedule should this happen.

We were more than welcome to go into the cage, but we would also be able to see them from the boat as they are known to breach out of the water.  Dyer Island and Geyser Rock is the area where many of them stay at this time during migration.  They will remain in the area either a few days or a few weeks, so there is no guarantee to see the sharks.   We were very lucky this day.

We began the journey out to the islands and within a quick twenty minutes time arrived at the desired location.  The crew waited about an hour before setting out the chum.  We learned that the great whites are attracted to such fish as sardines and tuna. With the help of fish oil and mince, we were anxious for the feeding frenzy to begin.

It seemed like hours, but soon we could see the fins of two sharks approaching the vessel.  The great whites are not accustomed to the boats and cages and may stay in the area only a few minutes at a time.  About 15 minutes after sighting them, eight of us entered the cage.  The cage goes below the surface about a foot and a half, while there is space at the top to come out of the water and catch your breath.  Our first entry lasted about 10 minutes so that we could ensure that everyone who wanted to go into the cage cold snap a few photos and allow the next group to go down.  Because there were several passengers who only wanted to see the sharks from the boat, I spent about a total of thirty minutes in the cage, which was absolutely amazing.

Our trip lasted a total of four and a half hours at sea and this was definitely one of the most invigorating excursions I have ever experienced.   I can see how anyone could become addicted to great white shark diving and would absolutely do it all over again.

Have you visited South Africa and experienced great white shark cage diving?  I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my amazing experience in Gaansbaai and wishing you many Happy Travels!

I would like to thank Adventures for Solo Travelers for the opportunity to visit both South Africa and Namibia.  Without booking their tour, I would not have arrived in Cape Town a few days earlier to explore the beauty of this magnificent continent!  If you are traveling solo and want to experience luxurious travel at reasonable costs and meet like-minded travel enthusiasts, check out AFS’s website at https://www.afstravelers.com/

What to See and What to Do:

White Shark Diving Company
9 Kus Drive
Kleinbaai
Gansbaai
South Africa
7220
Telephone:  +27 82 559 6858

Where to Stay:

Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Sea Point
Arthurs Road, Sea Point, Cape Town
8005, South Africa
Telephone:  +27 21 434 3344

Where to Eat:

Harbour House V&A Waterfront
Quay Four, Ground Floor, V&A Waterfront
8005, South Africa
Telephone:  +21 418 4744

What to Eat:

  • Biltong & droewors  – game such as springbok which is thinly sliced and air dried (biltong) or air dried sausage (droewors) cured in vinegar, salt, sugar and spices and then hung out to dry
  • Boerewors – South African sausage made from beef
  • Bunny chow – a street food where meats spiced with curry are prepared and then placed in buns which are hollowed out
  • Cape Malay Curry – slaves from Indonesia, India and Malaysia brought their spices to South Africa and their curry includes, saffron, cinnamon and chili
  • Chakalaka – a vegetable dish made of peppers, onions, carrots, beans and spices, this is a mainstay for South Africans and is served cold.
  • Pap – South African porridge similar to American grits

What to Read:

  • Long Walk to Freedom, by Nelson Mandela
  • A History of South Africa, by Frank Welsh
  • Burger’s Daughter, by Nadine Gordimer
  • Cry, The Beloved Country, by Alan Paton
  • Jock of the Bushveld, by Sir James Percy Fitzpatrick

What to Photograph:

  • Lion’s Head – The Top and Wally’s Cave
  • Boulder’s Beach for the Penguins
  • Cape Point for its stunning views
  • The Bo-Kaap for its vibrant colors
  • Street art in Woodstock
  • Muizenberg and St James for their colorful bathing boxes
  • Top of Table Mountain
  • Chapman’s Peak Drive
  • Robben Island
  • The amazing wineries

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.