Table Mountain, a Castle, and Camps Bay

Last Saturday we once again donned our tourist hats, and set out to explore some of the most popular tourist destinations in South Africa. We climbed up Table Mountain, took the Cable Car down, checked out the Castle of Good Hope, visited the old Company Gardens and even tried swimming in the freezing (but beautiful blue) Benguela ocean current at Camps Bay. 

The most popular tourist destination city in South Africa is Cape Town, but what makes Cape Town so special is Table Mountain, the curiously flat 'Guardian of the South'.

There are many hiking trails on top of the mountain itself, but one first has to get up there... Most people take the easy way out and ride the Cable Car up and down the mountain, but we decided to hike up Platteklip Gorge instead, and only take the Cable Car down. We were very glad about the Cable Car once we were on top though - the climb was only about 3 km, but it took us an exhausting 2 hours! 

Just started. 

About halfway up the gorge. 

The view was fantastic. 

We were very fortunate with the weather; there was barely a breeze, which is unusual for the Cape (and mountains). 

Headed down on the Cable Car, we had a good view of Lion's Head (on the left of the picture) and Signal Hill (which is supposed to be the rump of the lion). We also heard the Noon Gun firing at 12:00 pm from Signal Hill, which it has been doing every day for 110 years (since 1806). 

The mechanics of the Cable Car, imported from Switzerland. 

We made a quick stop at Signal Hill for some pictures. 

Next up was the Castle of Good Hope. Built in the 17th century by the Dutch East India Company, it is the oldest colonial building in South Africa, and is still serving as a military building today.  

This bell tower was added by Simon van der Stel (Governor of the Cape) in 1684 (made from yellow, imported Dutch bricks). 

Swellendam, Struisbaai and Southern Tip (of Africa) In One

We are on the move again. Names of places in South Africa often get very interesting, considering the variety of languages it originated from – from Hotagterklip to Suurbraak, Barrydale, and Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa. Here is some of what we did and where we were 28 to 31 December, 2015.

On December 28 we left the Kammanassie and drove to Swellendam, where we pitched tent for 2 nights. On the day of arrival, we tackled Swellendam (the third oldest district in South Africa) as proper tourists and visited the Drostdy Museum (check out their website).

The Langeberg mountain range (literally translated 'long mountains'). Picturesque views. 

The massive church in Swellendam. 

The Drostdy Museum's main building - typical old Cape architecture.  

Lock picking - an old safe with 3 different keys and locks. 

Transportation. 

The Craftman's Yard, where old trades were exhibited and explained. Did you know that making casks used to be a highly specialized trade called coopering ('kuiper' in Afrikaans)?