Captivating Capetown.
I have just been watching the amazing Stellenbosch University Choir on Youtube, such exhilerating and beautiful singers, which brings me to my next blog; Captivating Capetown. Of all the palces I hoped I might be able to visit, South Africa was not on that list, however we now have 2 duaghters residing in South Africa and 2 sons in law whose families live in Capetown and subsequently have visitied South Africa in 2017 and 2018 and God willing will do so again in 2020.
We arrived in Capetown by train, having travelled from Johannesburg to the cape on the overnight train. We did not travel on the luxurious Rovos Rail, nor the renowned Blue Train; we took the budget option and travelled on the Purple Train. Still, I have to say the service was first class; South Africa sure knows how to do hospitality! The food was excellent and in abundance, our sleeping compartment was very comfortable which was quite surprising; my 6ft 5inch hubby was able to extend to his full length comfortably whilst sleeping and ofcourse the other wonderful thing about train travel is the people, from all over the world, you get to meet. We chose the train over flight because we wanted to see as much of the countryside as possible. South Africa is a breathtakingly beautiful country, the natural beauty of the landscape and its rainbow nation of people as well as its history and amazing African wildlife make it a wonderful and unforgettable place to visit. Once is never enough.
Capetown is the Mother City of South Africa and according to the ancient Chinese philosophy of Feng Shui is the most auspicious city in the world becuase of its location; the city itself is cradled between Table Mountian at the back for protection and at the front has the wealth creating properties of water in Table Bay. We like to take the big red sightseeing bus whilst in new cities to get a feel for the city and what is available to explore. In the above picture the bus is at the lower section of Table Mountian from where the cable car ascends to the top.
Hubby loved the food in South Africa and because he has an adventurous palate he could not resist the smoked platter. This restaurant was in Simon’s Town which is the home of the South African Navy. We caught the local train from Muizenberg which travels right alongside the white sanded coastline and watched in wonder as whales frolicked in the waters of False Bay right beside the train line. From Muizenberg we also walked along the water front to Kalk Bay Harbour where we were amused by the antics of the cape fur seals and visited the penguin colony at Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town. For one week we stayed on the Atlantic Ocean seaboard of Capetown near the Victoria and Albert Waterfront and for the second week stayed on the False Bay/Indian Ocean side of Capetown at Muizenberg. It was all wonderful.
It would be true to say that South Africa now has a special spot in my heart and as I read some of the disturbing news reports that come out of this beautiful country my prayers are for all of its people. Nelson Mandella closes his 1994 autobiography thus;
We have not taken the final step of our journey, but the first step on a longer and more difficult road. For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
South Africa, Keep on Walking.
Way leads onto Way 