Cape Town Day two

 

 

 

 

 

 

6th April 2014 As the port at the start of our last leg had two days in Cape Town we decided to set off for day two in an open top bus ride in the heat and blue skies of another glorious day.

The famous open double decker Red Buses start at the V&E Waterfront and wind their way past the docks, into the city centre and along the Strand, which we were told was the original waterfront showing just how much land has been reclaimed over the years.

Then past the centre and back past the Mount Nelson Hotel where the good and the great take afternoon tea.

Then its back into town and  into the infamous District 6 where the township house were once bulldozed away during the apartheid years.

The land has never been built on since and it seems odd to see this patch of wasteland on the outskirts of the city when land prices are skyrocketing in Cape Town.

Coming back into the city we passed the Castle of Good Hope which is the oldest surviving building in South Africa (1666) and one is reminded again that at that time the sea used to lap it’s walls.

The bus tour goes out of the city and up to the Cablecar and then over Table Mountain and past the Twelve Apostles (Top picture) then returns Via Hout Bay, Camps Bay, Clifton, Bantry Bay, Sea Point and Three Anchor Bay.  All of these bays are west facing and once out of the wind are hot sunny beaches.

These make them favourite places for people working in Cape Town to live. Finally the bus completes it’s tour and arrives back at the V&E.  I can recommend the Hop On, Hop Off to all as probably the best way to get around the city and see the sights.

Finally, because of problems with the new passengers and crew we set off late and because of this it was dark, but the twinkling lights of Cape Town against the dark clear African sky were almost jewel like making it for me one of the most memorable sailaways ever.