Cape Town - "Rise Above"

Hop On Hop Off City Bus

A city bus hop on hop off 2 day pass is very good value and a great way to see all the sites. A sunset cruise and a trip round the harbour on a boat are both included.  We’ll save the sunset cruise until tomorrow.  
Cape Town Rise Above
Waterfront - Hop On Ferry

Must Do - Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

The blue route goes to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, which are a must see World Heritage site.   The area is famous for its fynbos  (fine bush) and there were some stunning examples in these very well kept gardens.  

Rise Above Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Cape Town
Fine Fynbos
Rise Above Cape Town Markets
Cape Town Markets
Rise Above Sunbird on the Fynbos Kirstenboch Botanical Gardens Cape Town
Sunbird on the Fynbos
Arrival in Cape Town Cape Town Food Market - Great Sign!
Cape Town Food Market - Great Sign!

Foodie Firsts - Rooibos Tea

Today’s highlight – sipping a cup of rooiboos tea under the shade of a sun umbrella at the gardens, chatting to the friendly African staff.  The jolly waitress with a feather headdress just couldn’t believe I had never tasted rooiboos before!  It is a lovely strong tea – I’m looking forward to sampling more during our stay here and may buy some when I get home (sorry Tetley!)

Glad I Packed

Walking sandals and a sun hat – It was HOT today!

Learning the Lingo

The atmosphere here is friendly and relaxed – “just now” means at some point in the future (unspecified!)

Rise Above Kirstenboch Botanical Gardens Cape Town
Admiring the Kirstenboch Botanical Gardens Cape Town

I don”t think two days is enough in Cape Town – I could spend a week here quite happily.

Thought for the Day - "Rise Above"

Thought for the day – Nelson Mandel’s mantra – “Rise Above” – above apartheid, struggle, bad news, loss – whatever has gone wrong, you can overcome it so long as you have the right mindset.

Not all of Cape Town is as beautiful as the waterfront area and Kirstenbosch.  The drive in from the airport reveals South Africa’s other less palatable side.

Imizamo Yethu Township Cape Town
Imizamo Yethu Township Cape Town