Cape Town, South Africa

CAPE TOWN

Arriving in Cape Town, late in the afternoon

On the way to check in the Hotel

View of part of Cape Town from the hotel

Some free time to discover The City around the Hotel

The main road to the city

It was the year of the football world cup

with the background of Table Mountain in the "blanket"

IN AND AROUND CAPE TOWN

To the city centre

the city hall

Always the mountains as backdrop

At the monument for Ian Smith

The bust of Ian Smith

Overlooking Cape Town

The Malay quarters

colorful

At the morning market

There are fruits,veg and lots of souvenirs 

UP THE TABLE MOUNTAIN

Going up along the coast

The Table Bay

Stopping for a quick snapshot at the uptown section of the city

At the base of Table Mountain. The weather was just right and temp. around 20 deg. C. Going up the Mountain depends very much on the weather and wind condition.

Queuing for the cable car

The cable car can carry about 20-30 people and the inner side rotates to give the passengers a full 360 degree view.

At the top of Table Mountain 

Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean

View from the top, spectacular

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The city of Cape Town

Some Flora and Fauna 

Red breasted something bird

CAPE  PENINSULAR 

Cape Town is on a peninsular surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains. Our tour took us along the coastline visiting many interesting towns and places. 

Visit to Hout Bay.

Hout Bay is a fishing harbour and a picturesque village. From here there is a cruise to  seal island for viewing thousands of cape fur seals.

At Hout Bay Jetty

souvenirs at the jetty

Entertainment while waiting for the cruise

on the boat to the seal island

The views along the way

Deep blue Atlantic Ocean

nearing the seal island

I saw this in Nat Geo. there should be some sharks or killer whales somewhere

back at the jetty

hummp!

To Boulders Beach to see the African penguins

Still on a scenic coastal road

This place is called False Bay

The road was carved out from the mountain side

At Boulders

Its about 1km walk to the beach

   

Along the way more souvenirs shop

Boulders beach is under Table Mountain national park

The walkway to the beach to see the penguins.

Beautiful sea from the walkway

    

Keeping the eggs cooled

To the Cape of Good Hope nature reserve

Small villages along the way

Lunch at the beach in one of the villages

Cape of Good Hope from a distance

There it is one for the record.

The 'other' local residence

The baboons

at the base of look out point

going up to the lighthouse on a funicular railway

From the top of the cape point

More interesting places inland.

Our travel inland began with the visit to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, near Cape Town, regarded as one of the top 7 botanical gardens in the world. However at the time of our visit the garden was not in full bloom because its  winter. But still it was unforgettable. The photos here may not do justice to the splendor of the well kept garden.

The weather was perfect

Our knowledgeable tour guide

Stellenbosch 

Stellenbosch or city of oaks is the second oldest town in South Africa. It is also a wine country. You'll see spectacular vineyards and scenic country road. We visited one of the vineyards. Its not to taste the wine as in the itinerary but more for its spectacular gardens and buildings. 

Villages along the way

At the winery 

Beautiful well kept gardens

Some of the oldest trees

At the pears orchard nearby

at the vinyards

At the cheetahs sanctuary. 

Orphaned cheetahs are brought here  until they old enough to be released back to the wild.

Entrance to the cheetahs sanctuary

Its not a pussycat

Having lunch under the trees

And we visited this quaint little shop suppose to be the oldest shop in the area. well worth a visit.

Back to Cape Town and at the V& A Waterfront shopping Mall

It was the day before new year. We welcomed the new Year at the waterfront with a few thousands other people  watching the fireworks display.

The Waterfront is a wharf, a marina and a shopping complex. Locals and tourist hangout here at the cafe while watching the boats and yachts passing by.

The Malaysian Flag is out and about

Victoria and Alfred Mall at the Waterfront

Oh yes!! What can be more enjoyable than shopping

Lunch break at the Waterfront Cafe

At Dusk

On a movable bridge for boats to pass through

Roadside entertainment

Having dinner while waiting for the fireworks display at 12midnight

Some spectacular fireworks display

The next day on the way to the airport and home

Goodbye Cape Town, Goodbye South Africa, Until we meet again.