The Wonders of Cape Town

Sailing into Cape Town on the divine Regent Seven Seas Splendor was a surreal experience. This destination has been on our travel wishlist for nearly two decades. As we arrived, the much-anticipated cityscape, spoken of so highly by others, was nothing short of enchanting.

We were greeted by Cape Town's iconic landmarks—Table Mountain, Devil's Peak, and Lion's Head—which majestically overlook the city and its breathtaking coastline, marking our long-awaited arrival in South Africa.

Cape Town lies atop a granite foundation, home to 6 million people, and is noteworthy for Afrikaans, the youngest language globally, established in 1925. The society predominantly follows Christian beliefs.

Our guide shared some striking statistics about the unemployment rate, standing at 35% overall, with a staggering 75% among those aged 19-25 and 50% for those under 50. Furthermore, 80% of the population are 'Black African', and only 13% of the land is owned by Black Africans.

Our exploration began with a visit to Table Mountain. We were picked up from the quayside and taken to the lower cable car station, where we ascended to the mountain's flat summit.

Although a sheet of mist obscured our view, it lent an enchantingly eerie atmosphere as we roamed the peak. Table Mountain's highest point is 1,085m. It is part of an ancient glacial valley and the world's oldest mountain range, at 500-600 million years old. Thus, it offers a unique vantage point over the city.

Subsequently, we embarked on a scenic drive along the Atlantic Coast through the trendy beach neighbourhoods of Camps Bay and Sea Point. A stop at a local beach allowed us to marvel at the ocean's mighty waves crashing near the shore.

Our city tour then took us past the hillside Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, distinguished by its vibrant homes and cobblestone streets, once known as the Malay Quarter and boasting the title of the oldest surviving neighbourhood. The Bo-Kaap's history traces back to the 1760s when Dutch colonists rented out "huurhuisjes" (rental houses) to enslaved people brought from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Africa. The decision to paint their houses bright colours once they could own them marked their freedom from slavery's shackles.

Passing the life-size Nelson Mandela statue at Cape Town's city hall was poignant. Unveiled in 2018, it stands where Mandela delivered his 1990 speech shortly after his release from 27 years of imprisonment for his efforts to dismantle apartheid.

Our guide shared a nostalgic story, pointing out that the ocean used to reach farther into the city over 50 years ago, evidenced by his mother's tales of swimming in areas now occupied by streets.

This initial taste of Cape Town left us eager for the coming weeks, especially our impending visit to the renowned wine region of Stellenbosch. We looked forward to immersing ourselves further in the wonders of this dynamic city.