SOUTH AFRICA - 2016
As usual, we squeezed a lot into the holiday, finding that the hotel was perfectly placed as a good base to explore from. We'd also hired a car and found this a great, flexible way to get about, especially as they drive on the same side as the UK!
First we visited Boulders Bay which was approximately 50 minutes away. Here we saw penguins in their natural coastal habitat, nesting in the rocks. I had a great time photographing them and we could park all day for only a nominal fee. Table Mountain is a must-see. A top tip here is to check daily with your hotel reception about the weather; the height of the mountain can make for variable conditions. Also, it is best to visit in the morning when queues for the cable cars are significantly shorter. There are also walking routes for those wishing to scale it on foot.
We had a very relaxing day at Camps Bay which was approximately a 40 minutes’ drive. This is a lovely, peaceful coastal resort which is perfect for those wanting a bit more relaxation. We briefly visited the waterfront in Cape Town. It is very lively with lots of bars, nightlife and entertainment. Most interestingly, we visited Robyn Island which is accessed via boat. This was a definite highlight for me; the guided tour around the camp and Nelson Mandela's cell in particular was superb. The tour also included a 15 minute talk from an ex-prisoner which really added an extra dimension to the experience.
We couldn't come all the way to South Africa without factoring in the fabulous vineyards and letting Mrs H sample one or two! We moved from our hotel to a small boutique hotel in Stellenbosch which is approximately two hours from Cape Town. Stellenbosch has over 365 vineyards! We organised a private tour with the hotel reception which meant we were driven around a number of different vineyards at a very relaxed pace and had a great time!
We loved South Africa and will be definitely returning; maybe the Garden Route next time?
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