SHINNanigans: Tourists in Cape Town

We loved each and every place we visited along our 2-week trip to South Africa. Visiting Cape Town was no exception. We were every bit the tourists and rode the double-decker tour bus, explored the Victoria & Alfred waterfront, hiked on top of Table Mountain, enjoyed the beach, went shopping and ate out at some fabulous restaurants.

Here are just some of the pictures to highlight our time in Cape Town, South Africa.

Oh! Before proceeding with the pictures, I must send out a GIGANTIC thank you to our travel agent who put this trip together for us. Months and months before the trip, I emailed the travel agency we have used in the past, Green Rhino. I indicated the places we would like to visit, time frame, etc. Green Rhino researched our requests and emailed us back with a proposed itinerary. We emailed back and forth with some changes (due to our plan changes) and then finalized the plans. Green Rhino made all the lodging reservations for us. The places where we stayed were fabulous. I highly recommend Green Rhino for planning and coordinating your trips. I believe that because of Green Rhino's care for us, our trip was a great success. I couldn't imagine planning a trip like this without their guidance.

Now on to the pictures!
The 1st picture (above) is of hubby and me on top of Table Mountain.

The restaurant (upstairs) where we ate lunch. Table Mountain is in the background. The ocean is just across the street. Mountains and ocean in one place!

Another view of the restaurant/building with Table Mountain in the background.

Our eldest child

Our youngest child

Look closely at the photo for the tiny speck just below the tallest peak. That speck is a cable car. The cable car that effortlessly transports you to the top of Table Mountain. The cable cars do not run if weather conditions are poor/windy. Thankfully, the day we went was perfect weather-wise. So how do you get to the top if the cable cars aren't running? You hike up! Glad I didn't have to do that!

This is called Lion's Head

The "Citysightseeing Cape Town" bus is THE way (for a tourist) to see downtown Cape Town. We walked down to the bus stop from our hotel, hopped on the bus (after paying our fare), and off we went. I just loved it that we could 'hop off' at a stop, spend as much/little time there as we liked, catch the next bus to go to the next site to see. The bus also took us right up to the main building of Table Mountain. (Rather than having to find a parking space, and then walk a great distance to the main building.) All about ease and convenience for me! I was on vacation!
(Note to future riders of the open-top bus: Wear a hat! It isn't fun to get the top of your head sunburned.)

The Clock Tower at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

"This was the original Port Captain's Office built in 1882. On the 2nd floor there is a decorative mirror room which allowed the Captain an overall view of harbor activities and on the bottom floor a tide-gauge mechanism which was used to check the level of the tide. Its red walls are the same color as they were in the 1800s, having been carefully matched to scrapings of the original paint." (From the "21 Things to Do" Cape Town 2010 edition, published by The World's Favourite Publications)

And no, we didn't go in to the clock tower. Our goal of the day was to get to Table Mountain and spend our time there hiking (and to eat and buy touristy stuff).

The Victoria and Alfred Hotel. I'll bet the rooms are nice.

I thought the fountain with the soccer balls was neat.
Was there a soccer tournament or something here?

Did you know that Cape Town has a castle? The Castle of Good Hope. It as also the oldest building in South Africa. The exterior walls form a pentagon. Interesting.

These brightly colored houses are in an area known as Bo Kaap. If my memory serves me correctly from the tour bus, this area was once inhabited by slaves. The reason for the brightly colored homes was to bring some joy in to their weary lives, and to offset the dull, drab clothing they had to wear.

The cable station at the top of Table Mountain. It looks tiny from this distance.

View of Camps Bay from the top of Table Mountain. By the way, I found this description of Camps Bay (the suburb of Cape Town where we stayed): "The coolest place to be seen in up-market restaurants and lounges. Camps Bay is Cape Town's premier beach resort." Well there you go. I do like to stay in the best locations.

Scared of heights? There was a guard rail between you and the steep descent.

The trail upon which we hiked. Loved every step.

I took this photo the day we left Cape Town. I've heard that when the clouds roll in over Table Mountain, that "the tablecloth is on". Wonder who came up with that phrase?