Cape Town

    

Time to catch up! It’s hard to believe we’ve been in South Africa for over 2 weeks now.

Sept 3-5, 2021 

We landed in Cape Town mid-morning on the 3rd. When we arrived, Michael from Bushlore met us at the airport with our rental car. It was nice to have things so seamless and easy after a long flight. We stopped at the Bushlore depot, signed our rental forms and headed into the city. Driving in Cape Town was stressful--too many cars, pedestrians and quick turns, topped off with driving on the left--but we only had to get to the hotel and then a few days later head to Stellenbosch. 

Our first afternoon in Cape Town we walked around the Woodstock neighborhood to have a look at the murals. There were very few people out. The weather was cold and rainy, but we managed to see a lot. 

   

Our second afternoon was a tour of the Bo-Kaap neighborhood--the historic center of Cape Malay culture. It's a heritage site with a museum, a vibrant neighborhood, and the oldest mosque in Cape Town--the Auwal Mosque built in the late 1700s. The houses, later colorfully painted, were originally leased to slaves and laborers from Malaysia and Indonesia. It remains a prodominantly Muslim neighborhood with several mosques, Malay restaurants, and spice shops. 

    

 

  

 

     

 

   

After our tour of Bo-Kaap, we found a gin bar tucked away in a courtyard behind a chocolate shop. The bar was lovely with finished wood and a winding staircase to the upstairs -- not advised to use if you are having more than one gin and tonic!

Before we left Cape Town, we went to the Old Biscuit Mill for a drink and to walk around the market. We found Amarula fudge!

       

Next Stop -- Stellenbosch