I made it to Cape Town! It’s been three quick months across Africa, but I’m happy to have finally arrived.
Just before Cape Town, I made a quick stop in Stellenbosch, the wine capital of Africa. Of course, I toured multiple wineries. Several offered fantastic countryside views.
Cape Town is a world apart from the red of Africa. It’s better organised and managed than many cities in Europe! The streets are clean, the water is safe, and public transport is excellent. In fact, I arrived from Stellenbosch on the extensive light rail system that serves the suburbs. Within the city, public busses go virtually everywhere.
Because it’s so well-developed, it’s also an extremely popular tourist destination, especially with the current weakness of the South African Rand.
For the most part, I relaxed at my fantastic backpackers and wandered around the city. But I did take an afternoon to climb Table Mountain, which dominates Cape Town’s skyline. It was a strenuous climb (the cable car was closed for maintenance), but the views were worth the effort.
After climbing down, I ascended nearby Lion’s Head in another challenging climb. The views of sunset over the city and mountains were unforgettable. Photos (especially iPhone photos) can’t do it justice.
Now I’m headed back towards the States, but not in too much of a hurry. I’ve arranged day-long layovers in both Dubai and Seattle.
