Wandering Around Central Cape Town
Spent the day discovering Cape Town, walking in the city centre. Walked past the Aquarium and the Robinson Graving Dock, and across the foot bridges to the West Quay, and thence on to Dock Rd, and Coen Steytler Ave. Through pedestrian walkways among office buildings to Long St. Up Long St for a while, but it was boring, so turned down Shortmarket St, across the bottom of Greenmarket Sq, and stopped for cofffee at St George’s Mall. Took photo of blind guitar player with unique, upright style, and gave him a couple of Rands.
Continued on Shortmarket St until it becamse Darling St. Past the art deco Old Mutual building, the Grand Parade, City Hall, and around the Castle of Good Hope.
Wandered through the CBD and eventually found the tourist office. Picked up lots of flyers from day trip operators, and found out that the blue route of the hop-on hop-off City Tour bus will take us to the Botanical Garden.
Walked up St. George’s Mall to the cathederal, and continued on Queen Elizabeth St, and into the Company’s Garden. Lunch at the cafe in the garden: white wine, bacon tomato egg and cheese sandwich, and strawberries with cream.
On through the gardens to the South Africa Museum. Very interesting exhibit on stone carvings and rock paintings by the San people. Info about the Bleeker family who preserved language and culture of the San as they disappeared. Also cool exhibits on coelacanth and whales, and an interesting temporary photography exhibit.
Walked the length of Long St; the upper part is a lot less boring than the lower. Retraced route back to Waterfront and hotel, passing the mega-yatch Tatoosh tied up in front of the Cape Grace Hotel. Tatoosh sports 2 helicopters, a 30 foot motor launch, and a 40 foot sailing “dinghy".