Book of the week; week 17, 2005

Just north of the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa’s picturesque city of Cape Town has emerged from a turbulent past to become one of the world’s great destinations. Magnificent museums trace the region’s history and culture; its refurbished waterfront combines a working harbor with warehouses converted into chic attractions: restaurants, taverns, shops, hotels, jazz clubs, craft emporiums, and a fine aquarium. Just outside the city, Table Mountain offers spectacular hiking and vistas, and the nearby Winelands region lures visitors with an array of fine vintages. Cape Peninsula stretches south with a string of small towns, lush gardens, rugged coastline, and sandy beaches. The exhilarating ascent of Cape Town’s Table Mountain is a must for any visitor and provides breathtaking views over the city and its beaches. The panorama stretches from Table Bay to False Bay and around the mountain to the Hout Bay Valley and Kommetjie. On a clear day one has a magnificent view across the Cape Flats to the Hottentots Holland Mountains. The mountain is sculpted from sandstone and it rises 1086 metres above the bay. Its flat summit measures nearly 3km from end to end. The mountain is home to approximately 1470 species of plants. Many of these are endemic, i.e. appearing nowhere else on earth. Included is the rare Silver Tree and the wild orchid Disa Uniflora. The Cableway was opened in 1929 and today conveys some 600,000 people to the summit annually. It provides safe access and the trip takes about six minutes. On the summit there is a restaurant and a souvenir shop, from which letters bearing the Table Mountain postmark can be sent. Short walks may be taken from the cable-station, and the flora that may be seen in the different seasons, makes it an essential trip for nature lovers. It is not advisable to climb the mountain without someone experienced who knows the route well. There are some 350 recognised paths to the summit, some undemanding and some extremely difficult. It is recommended that visitors contact Mountain Club of South Africa (021 – 4653412) before embarking on a hike or climb. Kloof Nek is linked to the 669 metre Lion’s Head which in turn is connected by a lion’s body to a rump known as Signal Hill. Along the road are superb views over the city and Atlantic Seaboard. The spiral pathway up Lion’s Head passes through silver trees and spring flowers and provides a breathtaking panoramic view. Along the way visit the old Mosque. Signal Hill was once used as a semaphore post for communication with ships at sea, and it is from here that the noon gun is fired each day. The scene from here at night, of the city lights with the backdrop of a floodlit Table Mountain, is an extremely romantic sight.

So, this weeks article in the National Geographic magazine is about Cape Town, an exerpt :

The Waterfront :

“The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, [Cape Town's] recreational focal point, combines a working harbor with warehouses converted into restaurants, taverns, shops, hotels, jazz clubs, craft emporiums, and a fine aquarium.”

The Lions Head Mountain :

“Lion’s Head Mountain, shrouded in clouds, overlooks Camps Bay, one of South Africa’s finest beaches. Attracting visitors with white sand beaches and calm water, the beach is popular among young people.”

Also have a look on my travel website of our journey to this city in july 2003 :