In February to March I was really lucky to have a break away to South Africa and I visited my close pal at her self-catering establishment. She really is such a good hostess.
On my third to last day in Cape Town we made a day trip to the most beautiful part of the world. Ok, I’m biased. There are many many beautiful spots in the world. But for me this is one of the best. It’s a straight forward drive from Cape Town to Muizenberg, then through all the tiny little sea side resorts which have all joined into one long suburb, but surely many years ago Fish Hoek and Simons Town for instances where the navy base is were their own towns, up a very windy road towards Scarborough. At the top of that hill, you look down onto Simon’s Town and it is the most perfect viewing spot.
Then you drive on a plateau through quite sparse shrub, depending of course how dry the summer was. The Western Cape has winter rainfalls, so it can get really brown and yellow in summer. Then you come out on the ‘other’ side via Kommetjie Road. Love the names. Of course if you don’t go up the hill at Simon’s Town and just drive along the coast line you get to Cape Point.
Along the Kommetjie Road, which takes you onto Chapman’s Peak Road which winds a torturous way around the mountains. And as you drive around a precarious corner each view is more stunning of harsh mountain cliffs diving into the most incredibly blue sea water. An engineering feat keeps the mountain from falling onto the road.
Then you get to the Republic of Hout Bay, or so the residents would want you to believe. Right at the harbour mouth of a fishing boats docking area, is the tattiest fish and chips shop which under the most primitive but clean conditions sells the best fish and chips ever. It has remained the same as long as I can remember. This time around I saw they had added on another section for outside sitting. It started its life as a take away but you can now sit under shade cover and feast on amazing sea food.
On the final leg of the journey the choice is whether to drive over the mountain via Constantia, Kirstenbosch and past the University back into town, or take the equally lovely route along the coast line, which will generally take you slap bang into heavy heavy traffic in the wannabee upper class Camps Bay. Once in Camps Bay one can decide again whether to hike up a very windy road toward Table Mountain on the one side or Lion’s Head and Signal Hill on the other and drive into Cape Town in that way which is a wonderful view, or whether to carry on along the coast line via the famous V & A Waterfront and the City Bowl. Either trip is really worth while and gorgeous.
We did the coast line for each choice and it was truly worth it. We had a wonderful warm day without the normal heavy wind that keeps Cape Town cooler, but also a little bit more uncomfortable. Leads to many ear infections and chest colds.
Just for that trip around the Cape Town area, a trip to this city is worth it. And should you consider it, then think of At Cheryl’s for super friendly great accommodation. For more information visit http://atcheryls.co.za
Anja Merret lives in Brighton, UK. She has recently started a blog and writes on issues that interest her from self-improvement, wealth generation, motivational thinking and anything else that amuses her. You are invited to follow her journey on http://www.anjamerret.com.
She now looks after the business interests of her daughter who is a Flash and Accessibility expert at http://www.niquimerret.com