Cape Town Adventures

February 28, 2017 Collyer Twins

If you haven't been to Cape Town before, then I hope this post will spark an ounce of curiosity or better yet a desire to explore the Mother city. When my good friend Danielle told me she was getting married in Cape Town, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to extend my stay and explore the place that so many people have been raving on about over the past year. (I certainly know why now!)

As I bid farewell to Loanne, I knew the next couple of weeks were going to be jam-packed with activities/ excursions & copious amounts of eating, drinking and celebrating the bride-to-be.

For the majority of my visit I stayed in an apartment in Mouille Point, an affluent suburb of Cape Town, situated between the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and Granger Bay to the east, Green Point to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west. This really was a great spot, not only a 30 second walk from the sea but within close reach to the majority of places we visited.

I won't go into every bit of detail about the trip as I'm sure the pictures can speak for themselves, so instead I've rounded up my highlights, the must-do's and see's if you ever plan on visiting Cape Town (you'd be silly not too!)

Things To Do

Hike Table Mountain - Probably the best hike I've ever done. We took the India Venster route, which is arguably the best half-day route to the summit, offering insane city and sea views. We managed to do it in an hour and a half (but with a very speedy pace). This treck is certainly not for the faint-hearted or someone with compromising fitness levels as 20% of the route presented narrow & steep ledges and involved some serious monkey climbing! I'd totally advise going to watch the sunset, we set off around 6pm and made it to the top just in time. We celebrated with wine and chocolate brownies whilst taking in the breath-taking views, we could even see venus in all it's brightness and glory, it was a real moment!) Make sure to get the cable cars down, it's equally as fun.

Morning Kayaking - I am definitely an outdoor enthusiast so waking up at 6am to go kayaking and dolphin spotting was definitely up there on my list of to-do's! We went with an instructor from 7am-9am and embarked on a 3 – 5 km journey towards Granger bay. A great way to start the day and spotting dolphins a meter from our kayaks was the ultimate cherry on top!

Spa day at the Twelve Apostles - I always love a pamper day when I'm abroad, not just because I'm in the ultimate relaxation mode but also to check out the variations that Spa's abroad have to offer. I booked in for a full Swedish massage (I'm particularly fussy about massages but this one was a real winner!) Not only was it a great massage the setting was simply beautiful. We were in an outdoor Gazebo nestled in the majestic mountains overlooking the Atlantic ocean, it really was an idyllic setting surrounded by nature. We spent the afternoon enjoying the spa facilities, especially the unique Salt Water Flotation Pool which was the ultimate relaxing experience (supposedly 20 minutes is equivalent to a full two hours of sleep!)

Boulders Beach - If you're a penguin lover then look no further than Boulder's Beach, we spent the day sunbathing here surrounded by the little cheeky chappies who are more than happy to go about their day-to- day unfazed by the masses of people capturing shots around them. These South African Penguins – formerly known as jackass penguins because of their distinctive braying – are the only penguins found on the continent. Make sure you stop off and pick up some old-school fish and chips at Kalky's and eat them over at the pier (beware of the greedy seagulls though!)

Summer Sunset Concert at Kirstenbosch - Grab your picnic baskets and don't forget the wine! The Summer Sunset concert is an outdoor live music series set amongst the stunning Botanical gardens. We spent the afternoon enjoying music from Jazz/ rock artist Dan Patlansky. It was such a fun day out and the ultimate Sunday session with friends. (If only we had this in London!)

Places To Eat

The Bungalow- I'm a huge foodie (as you probably all know) and this was by far my favourite lunch spot, not just for the delicious food & vibey atmosphere but the views of the Atlantic ocean were epic. Upon arrival we were greeted by extremely friendly staff who made our lunch experience so much nicer. We started off with a bottle of bubbly which felt extremely fitting with the ambience of the place. My friend and I shared the most mouth-watering seafood platter, a delicate selection of crayfish tails, prawns, calamari and langoustines and linefish. It was the perfect amount for two which we washed down with delicious watermelon martinis shortly after. Now for the desserts, a slice of baked cheesecake and coconut panna cotta, pure heaven on a plate is all I can say, (I'd go back just for the panna cotta and watermelon martinis they were that good!) This is a definite must for all foodies who want a lively atmosphere and a stunning view to accompany it!

Grand Cafe & Beach- Set within a restored warehouse, Grand Cafe & Beach is positioned on a private beach in Granger Bay. We went Friday lunch time and ended up staying all day as the atmosphere was pumping and the DJ's were playing some epic house tunes. 4 cocktails down and we were dancing the afternoon away!

Places To Visit

Webersburg Wine Estate -Stellenbosch - I'd probably go as far as saying this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. I literally felt as though I was on set for the Sound of Music. This was where the wedding took place, a historic cape dutch homestead and boutique winery nestled on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountains in Stellenbosch which is South Africa's Premium wine producing area. If any of you are looking for a wedding venue, this is your place!

Bo-Kaap - I fell in love with the streets of Bo-Kaap, it's brightly coloured houses (pure Instagram heaven) and deep rooted history evokes a captivating & exotic ambience to the place. The Bo-Kaap was formerly known, as the Malay Quarter and has been the traditional home of Cape Town’s Muslim population since the second half of the eighteenth century. Definitely worth an afternoon visit, if only to take a few snaps!

Where To Stay

TAJ Hotel- If you're looking for a 5* resort with the most incredible views of Table Mountain, this is your place! We were lucky enough to have a complimentary stay here. We loved our room so much that we ordered room service for dinner & breakfast and feasted in our ridiculously comfortable beds. The TAJ quintessentially Indian in its fabric, offers world-class refinement while remaining deeply rooted in its local heritage. If you stay here I'd advise ordering breakfast to your room, we indulged in a stack of delicious berry pancakes, brioche french toast and a vegetable frittata whilst admiring the incredible views. Boom!