The rainbow city of South Africa shows off all the colours

This was the perfect place to spend my last few days before heading back home but for some lucky enough, this is the perfect place to start the trip of a lifetime.

Known to all as the Mother City of South Africa, Cape Town is a place where true beauty lies, a funky soul beats and where mother-nature has left her in-print.

The rainbow city is lined with cobbled streets and art deco homes showing vibrant colours and life around every corner. This is partly due to the Dutch influence from the 17th century however with the many other cultures that have now called Cape Town home, it is visually clear how multicultural this city has become.

First stop is Table Mountain.
The table is now set as the new 7 wonder of nature. This magnificent formation dates back 260 million years and is considered as the oldest in the world. Almost 75 percent of the surrounding area is protected national park allowing visitors and locals to trek up the mountain which is a popular pass time. For those who are keen to take the easy way, a ride up the cable car is only possible on a clear, wind free day and costs R195 for the return trip. If you miss-place your ticket, enjoy the lonely walk down.

The mountain boasts spectacular views of the ocean and Cape Town. On a cloudy day, Table Mountain is often covered by white mist known as the table cloth and the spiritual essence encompasses the onlookers and creates a different photo each time.

The cable way has been in operation now for over 80 years and each cable car can hold 65 visitors giving everyone 360 degree panoramic views as the floor rotates. Once on the mountain, you can enjoy guided walks or a coffee at the restaurant however everywhere you look, there is the perfect picture waiting to be taken. Make sure you get there early as the queues are lengthy and check the weather in the morning before heading up to the mountain to confirm the cable way is open.

Bo-Kaap Cooking Tour
Zainie’s cooking class and tour is an important part of Cape Town’s history. Here in the streets of Bo Kaap, you visit the local spice shop to learn all about the different ingredients before heading to the Bo Kaap museum.

This interactive tour not only teaches you how to make a traditional Malay Curry, but you are shown and educated about the history of Cape Town and how the cultures and food have intertwined throughout the centuries. This Capetonian lady is full of life and lives true to her name. Zanie is a fun loving mamma who invites visitors into her home to demonstrate cooking techniques while you learn how to make tasty dishes including Chilly bites, Samoosas, Chicken Curry and Rooties. At the end of the cooking session you get to sit down in her petite courtyard and eat the delicious plates you helped create.

However if you are like me, snacking on the goods before hand, will get you into some trouble and you may be asked to do the washing up. Zanie has over 30 years experience preparing Cape Malay cuisines and owns many restaurants including the famous NoonGun Restaurant. The all inclusive tour costs R350 per person and starts at 10:00am with lunch served around 12:30pm.

Cape Of Good Hope is home to a diverse habitat and hundreds of bird species, the local fauna and flora at the Cape is one of the richest in the world. You will see Antelopes, Zebras, Ostriches and plenty of bird life. Towards the South, the Ocean is dancing with Whales, Sharks, Seals and Penguins. This nature reserve encompasses 7750 hectares which include untouched beaches and roaring coastlines and is a definite must see when visiting Cape Town.

The next stop is the ever so quaint “Simon’s Town”. Located in False Bay, the town is known as the home of the South African Navy and this is evident as the large Navy ships are docked in the bay giving the outlook a whole new meaning. There are many boutique shops and local stores to peer into however for a bite to eat or a coffee, “The Meeting Place Emporium” is a great place as you are surrounded by rare ornaments for your home and typical African trinkets. A short walk to the ocean front and the street markets are buzzing giving visitors the chance to pick up a bargain.

Other major attractions include V&A Waterfront for the best seafood, Robben Island to see the place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years, the South African Museum, Canal Walk for shopping, Cape Town Stadium home of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, Clifton Camps Bay which is a famous beach in Cape Town and the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

With the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other, it is no wonder this place is a favourite for tourists. All this was made possible by South African Tourism along with the help of Brian our tour guide from Jorvan Tours www.jorvantours.co.za

Brian also runs “Jorvan Community Outreach” which helps struggling individuals in the townships to have a healthier life, better living conditions, education and safety. This non-profit organisation is just inspiring as it shows how amazing the people in South Africa are and just by visiting, we all can help boost tourism which encourages employment and awareness.