Blue Sky Thinking

Our arrival in Cape Town proper goes very smoothly, met as soon as we get off the plane and taken through immigration and baggage reclaim to car rentals - the advantage of arranging travel through a company rather than independently! 

Soon we’re heading into the city in our Toyota Ventura which seems reassuringly robust for the drive to and through Namibia. 

We’re staying in the delightful Wegelegen Guest House, a beautifully decorated late C19 dwelling where we’re greeted by the equally delightful Memory. Following coffee and chat, we’re left to relax in our room before we decide on a short venture to the Waterfront, calling first in Bo-Kaap - the old Malay quarter. Famous for its brightly coloured houses, there is a strong Islamic tradition here, though it is essentially multicultural. I love the vibrancy of the whole area. There’s a sense of celebrating life, though unsurprisingly, many pro-Palestinian murals now join its street art. 

From here, we head to the V&A Waterfront, walking through The  Watershed - an amazing market of high quality crafts. I’m really not a shopper when travelling, but this provides many temptations. Then we watch a group of a  cappella singers as we walk around the area, enjoying the beautiful light of a gloriously sunny late afternoon with the harbour looking stunning against the backdrop of Table Mountain.

I’ve booked a meal in Kloof Street House tonight, so after a quick freshen up, we walk the short distance to this fabulous restaurant. We enter through the fairy lit garden, entering a world of elegant serving staff and beautifully styled rooms. as the website  says ‘Every inch of the house is archival, a memoir of a time or place that escapes the modern city around us.’ The food is excellent. We start with mushroom and blue cheese arancini, then G has ostrich and I have a whole baked  kingklip - a type of fish. Everything is delicious - including the dessert I don’t intend to have! 

Advised against walking back in the dark, we take an Uber, falling gratefully into our bed after a tiring 24 hour journey. 


My main is of a young local engrossed in his phone in Bo-Kaap, followed by a number of probably very temporary extras.
Bo-Kaap’s coloured houses
Street art
Locals at the Waterfront 
Singers
The harbour at The Waterfront 
The eclectic Kloof Street House 


Thanks so much for your kind comments, hearts and stars for Cape from the air - very much appreciated!