Days 14 and 15: Cape Town First Impressions

The loud clamor of trucks, roaring machines, and the shouts of workers rudely jolt us awake. The bustling port of Cape Town has forcefully introduced itself into our lives. Three days in this vibrant city lie ahead of us. 

Cruise ships don’t always dock in the most picturesque parts of town. Occasionally, they end up in industrial zones, where the noise, dust, and looming trucks can make even the simplest walk feel perilous. After clearing immigration, we set out to find our way to the "Victoria & Albert Waterfront," Cape Town’s quintessential tourist hub. A place designed to capture easy profits with its standard array of restaurants and craft shops. 

Nelson Mandela Memorial

Christmas season has started

Don't throw your PET bottles in my ocean

African Trading Port: everything that a tourist might need to buy

Historical clock tower next to the Brauhaus

We are passionate about trees, plants, and flowers, particularly in tropical climates where our familiar houseplants reveal their vibrant, full-grown cousins. Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, located on the lower slopes of Table Mountain, did not disappoint. The garden offered not only a spectacular collection of flora but also stunning views of the mountains and coastline. 

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

Shady walkway on a sunny day

Protea

Giant tree behind dwarf

Coral tree in its beauty

Homage to wildlife: Leopard and Springbok

After wandering through a portion of the expansive park, we paused for lunch at the garden’s restaurant. Lunch or dinner in botanical gardens always reminds us of our meal in Singapore’s Botanical Garden following our wedding registration—a cherished memory. While our expectations for the food weren’t particularly high, we were pleasantly surprised by the chef’s creativity and the quality of the dishes.

After coffee, we hopped on the next bus, heading toward Chapman’s Bay on the eastern coast. The coastal road stretching north of Cape Town to Cape Point is a chain of charming villages catering to both local and international beachgoers. These villages offer restaurants, bars, and beach activities. We found a cozy bar terrace overlooking the beach, where we spent the afternoon enjoying a "Tequila Sunset" and watching the lively beach scene unfold below us.

It feels like California but it is South Africa

Sand and waves

Apartment buildings and hotels in front of 12 Apostles Mountains

***

To be continued 
We reached the most Southern point of the journey

Location: Kapstadt, Südafrika

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