South Africa 1996: Cape Town - The Cape of Good Hope...

"Life has no limitations, except the ones you make..." - Les Brown

Cape Town, South Africa
(13 - 15 November 1996)

Cape Town is about 1,400 km away so we took a direct flight from Johannesburg.

In Cape Town we visited a few attractions around town. The Cape Town city centre lies to the north of Table Mountain. The commercial centre, known as the City Bowl, takes in many of Cape Town's attractions. The Castle of Good Hope was built between 1666 and 1679 and is one of the oldest European structures in Southern Africa. The South African Museum is a good old-fashioned place, with cases and cases of stuffed animals and bloodthirsty dioramas of dinosaurs. Exhibitions of indigenous cultures include some startlingly lifelike displays of San communities. If you see only one museum in Cape Town make it the District Six Museum, a much simpler place dedicated to residents of this formerly vibrant community. 

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is to the north of the city centre. This area is pitched at tourists. It's atmospheric, interesting and packed with restaurants, bars, music venues, shops and a great aquarium. This area closes very late so head down anytime.

(A view point on Table Mountain)

The Table Mountain cableway is such an obvious and popular attraction. When it's clear, the views from the top are phenomenal and there are some excellent walks on the summit, especially in spring when the plants are flowering. The Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens on the eastern side of Table Mountain are among the most beautiful in the world and are devoted almost exclusively to indigenous plants. A trip to Robben Island comes highly recommended: The island was a political prison until majority rule, and its most famous inmate was Nelson Mandela.

(The confluence of two oceans)

(A windy weather at the tip of the cape)

Like all South African cities, Cape Town is ambivalent mixture of European and African. But when it comes to being one of the most beautiful cities in the world, it is unequivocal. Even the transient visitor will appreciate this city, its mountains and the sea. Cape Town, South Africa's oldest settlement, is dominated by the kilometre high flat-topped Table Mountain and superb mountain walks, vineyards and beaches are all within easy reach. Despite an increase in street crime in recent years, Cape Town remains one of the most relaxed cities in Africa, which can instill a false sense of security.

With the assistance of a friend as a guide, we drove from Cape Town to Cape of Good Hope and spent a whole day there admiring the scenery and the view of the ocean.

(At the waterfront, the night before the bombing)

(A beautiful night view)

👈 1996: Madinah/Makkah, Saudi Arabia

1996: Johannesburg, South Africa 👉

South Africa 1996: Johannesburg - The City of Gold...

"If we can see the positive sides of everything, you'll be able to live a much richer life than others..." - Celestine Chua

Johannesburg, South Africa

(10 - 13 November 1996)

Hubby was invited as a resource person for an International Seminar held in Kwa Maritane. I accompanied him throughout the trip and have the opportunity to do my own adventuring in the Safari Park. Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge is a luxury accommodation in the Pilansberg offers all the amenities of an exclusive resort within the Pilanesberg National Park, an easy drive of 2 hours from Johannesburg or about 3 km from the airport.

We spent a few nights at the Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge where the rooms are spacious and all have magnificent views. Pilanesberg is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world. It’s unusual rock structures, and types make it a unique geological feature. The crater of a long extinct volcano stands in the centre of the Pilanesberg National Park created by volcanic eruptions over 1400 million years ago. The lodge’s main restaurant overlooks the waterhole and the Rocky hill with its magnificent granite formations.

In our free time we visited attractions in Johannesburg and the Sun City. Later, we spent a few days in Cape Town and drove up to the Cape of Good Hope.

(On a Safari adventure tour)

Jo'burg or Johannesburg is by far the largest city in South Africa. It's brash, fast-growing and often ugly, but it's got wealth, energy and a beautiful climate. Many would suggest you go through Jo'burg as quickly as possible, with your valuables close to you. However, if you want to see the 'real' South Africa - and try to understand it - Jo'burg has to be on your itinerary.

(Our lodging for a few nights)

(Waiting for dinner)

While the colour lines are etched deeply, you stand a better chance of meeting blacks on relatively equal terms in Jo'burg than almost anywhere else. Unlike many South African cities where there are so few black faces you could forget that you are in Africa. Jo'burg has been reclaimed and the sidewalks are jammed with black hawkers and stalls of every description. There's also a growing multiracial music and theatre scene.

(Going for a night outing)

The so-called black townships, where conditions range from reasonable to appalling, ring the city and are a grotesque contrast to the northern suburbs. Soweto is the main township. It's an enormous, sprawling and sometimes grim spread of bungalows, houses, huts, shacks and dorms. Most white South Africans are completely ignorant of life inside the townships and few have ever been inside one. Although the townships are still in a state of acute social trauma, outsiders are not automatically targeted…

(A TV interview session)

~ OUR OWN PATHWAY ~

On the pathway that we choose to thread

There will be many wonderful sights & memories

Sometimes we will come across a barren bit

Thread on to pastures new & bright

To your own self always be true

Tread along the pathway meant for you

Always keep your head held high

Keep your eyes opened & learn as you go

(A night in the Sun City)

👈 1996: Cape Town, South Africa

👉 1995: London, UK