CapeTown – day 1
Finally back to travel, although with a lot of new safety measures in place. 48h before departure we did the PCR test and then had a nervous one day to wait for the (luckily) negative results. Not being sure until the last minute, we didn’t pack or did too much planning, booking only hotels with cancellations and leaving the activities for later. This is likely the only year it is possible to travel to Cape Town over Christmas without booking months ahead.
After a surprisingly full airport, we had a very smooth plane ride. We got in, had dinner, fell asleep and woke up shortly before landed at 4.30am in Johannesburg. Which remains one of the few airports I truly dislike. They renovated since we last passed by but a bigger passport control doesn’t do much good if only one bloody booth is open. We had three hours to connect and still had to run in the end. COVID control, passport control, picking up the luggage and as the transfer booths were closed, get to the regular check-in to drop the bags off and another security check. On that one we smuggled ourselves through fast lane, else we might not have made it. Also mentally 🙂
We really liked the hotel we booked in Cape Town, the Radisson Blue Waterfront Hotel. Directly at the sea, with a big terrasse to sit outside for breakfast or in the evening for drinks. As morning entertainment, a pod of dolphins surfing the waves in front of the hotel and showing off with some acrobatic jumps. Together with the hotel serving really good food, that was the perfect breakfast. The hotel is in walking distance to the lovely V&A Waterfront, a beautiful harbor with lots of restaurants, shops and the starting point for many activities (Robben Island tour, helicopter) and they have seals. SEALS!
On the other side of the hotel there is the Sea Point promenade which is excellent for morning runs, along the sea and with great views to the mountains.
From the airport we had a entertaining Uber ride with Roger and learned all about how he grew up thinking all white people are Swiss. If you meet a white person, be super punctual. If you show up at a white person’s home unannounced, they don’t serve you food and drinks…. 🙂
As we arrived too early to get our room, we left our luggage at the hotel and took an Uber to the Neighbourgoods Market in the Old Biscuit Mill. It’s an excellent food market in a old Victorian warehouse, with a big courtyard, live music, drinks and catering to all different types of food, we had seafood paella, Korean chicken and churros. After an afternoon nap, we walked to the V&A Waterfront to wrap up the day with a lovely stroll, baby seals and a sea food dinner at Ocean Basket. Dorin showed some troubles with the SA accent, thinking the waiter offered to clean his glasses (instead of fill the glasses) and the day later believing the hotel waiter asked if we want a drink or leave, instead of drink or eat.
