Bo Kaap sunset

The setting sun grazes this steep hill in Cape Town's Bo Kaap district.

Traditionally home of Cape Town's predominantly Islamic Cape Malays, Bo Kaap has tiny streets, steep hills, cobbled roads and brightly painted terraced houses. Daily, hundreds of tourists walk these streets, gaining a whiff of life as it was (and still is), mixed with exotic Cape Malay curry aromas wafting from kitchen windows. It is Ramadan and food is being prepared for a much anticipated evening meal.

As Cape Town burgeons, the area is gaining popularity and is rapidly being gentrified by its many new residents.

Fortunately, the charm of Bo Kaap remains. Kids still play in the street, daily conversations are held from pavement to nearby balconies and doorways and the call to prayer that has boomed over the streets for centuries can still be heard from the neighboring mosque.

Leica D-LUX 3