After a week in Cape Town, affectionately known as the Mother City we have managed to achieve quite a bit in between all the surfing. Cape Town is known by many as the Mother City because of its status as the first town in South Africa, the first place in our beautiful country that could consider itself a Metropolis, others say it’s because it takes about 9 months for us to get anything done in this laid back and chilled environment. For me though, the best parts of Cape Town are the ones left untouched, the raw earth and rich landscapes so near to the city that we as Capetonians are so very proud and fond of. We set about exploring Cape Town to show the crew why so many travellers fall in love with this place, and Im certain it managed to capture their hearts as well. Number one activity is surfing at Muizenberg, but that’s a given!
Drive the Peninsula and Chapmans Peak
Being winter at the moment we have had a few very chilly days but fortunately enough the weather held out for an incredible drive around our peninsula. Starting in Muizenberg we drove the coastal road past Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek and Simons Town which is home to our Navy Base. Pretty soon we were out in nature on a coastal road with the Mountains and cliffs on our one side and the big blue Indian ocean on the other. As we made our way around Cape Towns most southern point and the Cape Point Nature Reserve we made the transition to the Atlantic oceans part of our coastline, past Misty Cliffs, Kommetjie and Long Beach headed towards the internationally acclaimed Chapmans Peak, an 8km stretch of road on a high cliff with a steep drop off facing Hout Bay, a tourist favourite in the Cape. Every 100m came with a request to stop for a photo, after all, it is considered one of the most scenic drives in the country.
Sample the local food and craft beer at the local markets
There are lots of different markets in Cape Town, last Friday we went to the one in Muizenberg, but for day time there are several others. Once in Hout Bay we stopped off at the local indoor market which is host to local food, craft beer, music, arts and crafts. It is quite the local hang-out place and is always very vibey and busy. The guys enjoyed all it had to offer, collecting a few memorabilia and tasting a bit of our local culture.
Boulders Beach and those quirky Penguins
One of the highlights of our Cape Town stop is the opportunity to go and get up close and personal with an African Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach. The video says it all really!
These pristine beaches with their white sands and blue waters are home to a colony of penguins who waddle and swim amongst you as you explore the area. With Rock jumps, secluded bathing areas and warmer waters than most parts, in summer it is a favourite amongst locals. We got to explore their habitat and came across a few penguins with some being more camera friendly than others. These are wild animals after all and its always a great experience to be able to view them naturally in the wild.
Wine tasting
We had the opportunity to visit the country’s oldest wine farm, Klein Constantia. Admittedly none of us are avid wine connoisseurs nor did any of us know too much about it but that didn’t stop us from enjoying ourselves as we tasted a variety of wines, grimacing and laughing at the taste of a few. The dessert wine for which the farm is best known was by far our favourite. Wine is a large part of South African history,culture and is one of the things we are best known for internationally so it was a great experience visiting the oldest farm and the origin of the trade for South Africa.
Climb Table Mountain
Exploring Cape Town wouldn’t be complete though without a trip to Table Mountain. We decided to hike our way up and take the cable way down to get a full proper experience of one of the new 7 natural wonders of the world. The hike is quite tough as it gets steep quickly but the views and scenery are well worth it. Unfortunately as we arrived at the top a thick mist had enveloped us and we were unable to get the panoramic views of the city and the peninsula that we had hoped for, but the views from the hike up were enough to suffice and the rest unfortunately was left to the imagination.
Surf Muizenberg
In 22 years of surfing, 15 years of travelling overseas and surfing, and 11 years of coaching surfing, Chris Bond swears without a doubt that Muizenberg is the best beginner wave in the world. It may not always be easy, and in winter can get a little chilly, but when it comes to feeling comfortable in the water for that first surf lesson or getting out to the back for the first time, there is not an easier place, and the group have been loving it!
We’ve had an incredible week so far and the group are really getting closer as we learn more about each other and enjoy these experiences together, and there is so much more to come!
Till next time 🙂
Luke