This is my first time in the continent and J’s third time in the country so I left all the planning for him. We spent the first 4 nights in Cape Town doing the normal tourist routes: hiking up Table Mountain, visiting Bo Kaap quarter, dinner in Camp Bay, seafoods at Hout Bay, penguin watching at Boulder Beach, whale watching in Hermanus (where I got seasick very badly), and reaching the Southern most part in Cape of Good Hope. Although we had heard many stories about security issues in Cape Town, nothing bad happened to us, we were neither robbed nor threatened but we wouldn’t say we felt completely at ease hanging around town either. While we did enjoy our time in the city, we were more than glad as we hit the road and headed up North.
Greenmarket Square, one of the oldest market places in Capetown, many stands selling the usual African souvenirs for tourists
Bo Kaap quarter, formerly known as Malay quarter. It had been built as a housing area for slaves brought to SA by the Dutch.Lunch time in Bo KaapThe Nurul Islam Mosque of Bo Kaap, established in 1844African Gold Museumspeaks for itself….Table MountainThe clocktower at V&A waterfrontLunchtimeV&A waterfront at nightBoulder’s BeachAfrican penguins are a lot smaller than their Northern relatives. Despite seeming very harmless, we were warned that they can get quite “stinky” so you’re not supposed to get too close.
Boulder’s BeachCape of Good HopeThe most Southern part of the continentP on top of Cape of Good Hope
It was the Alantic ocean right after winter so the water was icy coldSomewhere between Kommitjie and Hout Bay
Hiking up Heimgarten and then going across the ridge to Herzogstand is one of the most spectacular hikes we have done so far. It’s pretty strenuous and takes almost 5 hours – but absolutely worth the effort!
Starting in the early morning in WalchenseeFirst part of the hike mostly underneath the treesView towards Herzogstand, our goalon and on and on …A first glance at WalchenseeSecond glance at Walchensee, a bit further up the mountainSomebody in the wayWildlife 😉Having a break at Heimgarten hutView towards Herzogstand, our final goalKochelsee while walking across the ridgeIn the upper left corner you can see Herzogstand, a small hut that had been built by King Ludwig II because of the great view across Walchen- and KochelseeSome parts of the ridge are steep and you better be carefulThe trail across the ridge
On our last day, we visited a sunday market close to the apartment where we stayed. Relaxed Sunday morning with relaxed people.
Entering the sunday market by crossing a canalThe market and some stores, mainly with “creative” people, is located on a former manufacturing site west of downtown Amsterdam. Nice atmosphere within all these old brick buildingsMore like a French than a Dutch breakfastNo surprise – this is where you get your breakfast fromLots of delicious things to tasteWooden bikes, a real eye catcher !Finally some sweets before we had to leave for the airport
