Cape Town, South Africa - day 2

Before I tell you about our second day in Cape Town, I must show you a short video of what we woke up to this morning! It was truly the most amazing sunrise I have ever seen. And keep in mind - the photos can't even begin to do it justice!

 

 

Balcony view - Table Bay Harbour

Civilization!! After sailing down the west coast of Africa and seeing so much poverty along the way, Cape Town was like being in a completely different world! It is extremely large, clean and very modern! Along with our fellow shipmates, we had been duly warned that if we were going to be victims of theft, it would be in Cape Town. I was very pleased to see friendly security officers stationed fairly close together patrolling the heavy foot trafficked areas.

 

view from the swing bridge

lots of art sculptures

 

commemorating assassination of John Lennon

 

Cape Town (nicknamed the “Mother City”) is South Africa’s oldest and most popular city. It’s also Africa’s second largest city, after Johannesburg) and the largest in the Western Cape. It is known for its harbor and landmarks such as Table Mountain and Cape Point. It’s a popular tourist destination for it’s wildlife, beautiful beaches and mild climate.

Here’s something I found interesting. The average age in Cape Town is just 28 years old if you can believe that. So it’s a very young city in terms of its residents. Also interesting is that the world’s first heart transplant took place there in 1967. And get this - it was voted as “the best in the world” for 7 years straight by readers of The Telegraph (2013 – 2019).

 

photo credit: Ronnie

 

a glimpse inside Victoria Wharf Center - houses over 450 retail businesses

menswear

 

Victoria Wharf Shopping Center

 

window shopping

Victoria Wharf

South African home goods shop

Needless to say, it was a refreshing change from everything we’ve seen so far in Africa! It’s only a short walk from the port to V&A (Victoria and son Albert) Wharf Mall and waterfront area. How can I describe it? For sure it’s nicer than any mall I’ve ever been in. There may be nicer ones in the U.S. but I don’t know where. I’ll just say that it makes the Galleria in Houston or North Park in Dallas look old and crummy – lol! It is HUGE and has stores where only the extremely wealthy would shop (big names I recognize, many I don’t). And because of the exchange rate, things are actually cheaper than in the U.S.

 

photo stop

souvenir shop

moon over harbor reflecting in water

 

reflections

Let me just say for the record that Ronnie is NOT a shopper. In each country we visit, I try to find a postcard (our friend Josie collects them), local currency (for nephew Chris) and Christmas ornaments (the tradition of Christmas ornaments for our girls). Ronnie will accompany me for those things but being a man, he’s all about Point A to Point B and you’re done! At the same time, he doesn’t want me wandering around distracted (browsing in the shops, taking photos, etc) by myself because he knows I’m directionally challenged and he doesn’t want to “lose” me. ha! So, we stick together when we’re out and about in unfamiliar places and in all honesty, our shopping experience was somewhat frustrating (likely just as much for him). So much to see and so little time to see it!

Even so, we were both happy to get a much needed haircut at the mall. And of course I took plenty of pictures, and I will share a few here. But all in all, a very nice day!