Hiking up table mountain and the first surf lesson

Woke up early as always ( Still adjusting to African time) and was up at the breakfast room by 7.30 am. The lady making breakfast was held up due to traffic and breakfast began slightly later. The weather was perfect today, sunny and bright and I decided to head up table mountain. Finishing breakfast at around 8 plus, Leah called a cab for me and I was at the Platteklip Gorge trekking path  ( as recommended by Leah) around 8.45 am. After some slight delay since the cab driver did not have change, I started off on the path at 9 am.  The weather was really nice and I could move up at a decent pace. Coming from a country which is very humid, the sun without the stickiness is such a relief.

Along the way, I met up with 2 german physicians who were here for a conference and we chatted all the way up. The trail pretty much winds up through the gorge and the view of Cape town was simply stunning. Naturally the higher we went the better the view.

The trail itself was clearly visible and some points which were too steep had wire fencing erected. Most of the trail was boulders and rocks. The trail doesn't change along the way but the view does get way better. We stopped by occasionally to catch our breath before proceeding on towards the top. The hike up does require some level of fitness and preparation but can be done with regular intervals of rest and recuperation as well.

We took about 2 hours to reach the top and decided to hike up towards Maclear's beacon, about 45 minutes one way. I had to be back down for my surfing lesson, to be picked up at Capetown's backpackers at 1.30 pm and it was a risky choice but I agreed anyway. We took what was shown as an alternative path towards Maclear's beacon but which was very enjoyable. The path basically skirts around the sides of the plateau and has several "blow off" points as we put it, or points where people could be blown off the top. The views along this path were definitely worth the choice and we took several pictures along the path.

The journey back or the direct route back to the cable car station was so much shorter then the alternate path and I had to say a goodbye to my two companions as I had to take the cable car down. It was nearly 1 pm and I had 30 minutes to rush back. The cable ride was about 105 rand. The queue seemed intimidating at first but the cable car had a pretty big capacity so it wasn't as bad as I thought it was. The ride down was pretty quick and the base of the cable car rotates as it moves down so it's possible to have an all round view of the scenery.

Got a cab at the base of the cable car station ( This is also where the red bus station is located ) and rushed back to the backpacker's just on time. Matthew from Stoked School of Surf (http://www.stokedsurfschool.com) came about to pick me up and we visited a few other places, picking up people before heading out to the coast for the practice session.

Matthew taught me and another student and for a beginner with no experience, the lesson was simple and easy to understand. The coaches were very friendly and easy going as well and Matthew as well as michelle ( the owner) have been surfing for 10 years. Both were very encouraging of the efforts we made and quick to point out ways to improve. It was a tiring and gruelling 2 hours of playing in the cold water. Definitely fun !

Personally I would have wanted to go for a few more lessons but unfortunately I would not be staying in Cape town for so long. Had a nice chat with michelle as she went about dropping me back at Capetown backpackers.

Dinner was at Kauai (http://www.kauai.co.za), a shop selling really healthy fare. This was my second visit and I tried their Thai wrap. Its a hearty meal comprising of brown rice, nuts, carrots, lettuce and much more tasty morsels all in a wrap. I liked the fact that it was so healthy with minimal oil. ( No french fries here ) The previous wrap I tried was the Mexican wrap and that was good as well. Perfect for vegetarians or the health conscious.

It had been a long day and the next day I had great white shark diving planned !

Time to get some rest.

Taking the Red Bus around Cape Town

The way back to Capetown backpackers

Woke up rather early today thanks to still not having adapted to the new timing. I was up at 6.30 am and took a warm shower before making my way up to the breakfast room. The lady making breakfast would only arrive at 7.30 am and I had a chat with another dorm mate who recommended me to take the red bus around town. I had another chance to appreciate the house I was in before heading out. The kitchen was pretty nice and had a back exit as well. Only one way.

My general plan was to hike up table mountain and rather then take a cab down, the red bus seemed a much better option. Breakfast was 2 pieces of toast with 2 sunny side eggs and a cup of coffee for 30 Rand. Had a chat with Leah and I learnt that the nearest red bus stop was at the planetarium, just a short walk down. The first bus would arrive around 9 plus and the timing was just nice. Browsing around the list of pamplets showing various activities that could be done, I came across Stoked School of Surf. Always wanted to try surfing and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. After paying a deposit of 75 rand, I set off for the planetarium. The way seemed relatively easy to follow and I had no issues as such, finding the stop in about 10-15 minutes. The Red Bus stops are very prominently displayed including the stop number.

The red bus is basically a hop on hop off service, starting as early as 9 am and ending around 5 plus in the evening. For a flat fee of 150 rand, passengers can get off at any stop and walk around for as long as needed before returning to any red bus stops. The buses run at intervals of 15 minutes so a short wait and the next bus arrives.

When entering any bus, the friendly staff also provide a pair of earphones ( red as well !) to be plugged into any of the numerous earphone jacks in the bus. These allow passengers to listen to an audio commentary as the bus moves. The explanations were not only detailed but uncannily timed such that it was rather easy to follow it with regards to the buildings on the ground.

Spiked door to the castle of Good Hope

The bus also has a semi open deck concept so it was possible to enjoy the open view on a dry day. It was simply the perfect way to learn so much more about Cape Town and its history, particularly on district 6 and the various museums. The first stop I got down at was the Castle of Good Hope and the red bus staff was very accommodating and friendly when i asked to be let down. It was rather unfortunate that it started drizzling once I alighted and I had to rush into the castle for shelter. The castle is more of a fortress and the oldest building colonial building in Cape Town.

It was interesting to see an arms display as well as the display they had on ancient warfare and attire. Another thing that piqued my interest was a room of confinement. For a certain amount one could experience being confined in a room. Certain parts of the exhibitions are still a work in progress but nicely done up otherwise.

The rain picked up in a bit so I left and walked around the shopping centers opposite. Stopped by for a coffee before heading back to a red bus stop. Decided to visit the coastal sides of Cape town and got off at the station, enjoying the beach as well as the wind. The bus had earlier on stopped at table mountain but I did not trek up the mountain, choosing rather to just get down awhile and stretch before boarding the bus again. It was a rainy day and hence misty. Not the best time to trek. The coastal walk was really good and I got to experience the beauty of Cape town's location. Walked past a few sea front apartments and got myself some fries only to be harassed by sea gulls most of the way. The day was mostly cold and misty and watching the waves crash on rocks shaped over many years of erosion was a relief. Despite the rainy day, there were many people sitting or running along the coast.

My next destination was to the Two oceans aquarium which was also the 1st stop of the red bus. Tickets can be bought here ( Or at any other stop you get on) There is also a blue bus besides the red one which covers another route, coinciding with the red bus on some parts of the journey. Having a red bus ticket allows you a discount on certain places and the two oceans aquarium is one.


 The Two oceans aquarium has a number of really nice exhibits and the one featuring this really fat eel was one I enjoyed. They also have stations where it is possible to touch anemones and even view smaller sea organisms under a powerful microscope. The staff at such exhibits were older and very happy to explain when questions were asked. It was rather amazing that an empty looking dish could contain so much life and movement when looked closer at.

2 other tanks I really enjoyed were the shark tank, which featured  a number of really big sharks cruising around in a circular tank as well as the kelp forest exhibit which even simulates the level of the water rising and dropping in the tank. Definitely beautiful to watch the huge fishes moving about. Visiting this place was an exciting experience for me as I've always loved the ocean. Just outside the two oceans aquarium are numerous shops and restaurants. Once I left, I spent awhile waiting for the red bus and then it was back to stop 6, outside the planetarium, to take a walk back to Cape town backpackers
.

The planetarium was closed by the time I returned and I had to forego that.  Dinner was at a  restaurant close to the backpackers with two dorm mates and I had my first long island tea after a long day of hopping on and off the red bus. It had been a pretty good day besides the sudden bouts of rain and taking the red bus was definitely worth it. For a 150 rand, I now had a much better idea of the history as well as places in Cape Town.

A hot shower and I was all ready to sleep.

Leaving Singapore for another adventure

It was another teary goodbye as I left Singapore for Cape town, South Africa. My parents are still not accustomed to my sudden bouts of wanderlust and mom had so many questions for me as I left.

I had planned a one month volunteering stint at ADDO elephant national park ( That explains the elephant on my background) but had additional time. The volunteering stint only starts on 4th March and I planned to reach Cape town and move downwards towards Port Elizabeth.

Compared to my previous trip where I cycled through Korea, this would be a back-packing trip and in this blog I'll try to detail my journey as much as possible, particularly on the places I stay at as well as the means of transport. Having no car licence, I'll be relying on public transport.

I took the cheapest flight possible, flying from Singapore to Doha and Doha to Joburg for a one hour layover before heading to Cape town. The entire journey took 21 hours but it was a delightful experience flying with Qatar airlines. Not only were the staff friendly and approachable but the sufficient in-flight entertainment kept me occupied.

The colour coding on the ticket sleeve made things a breeze as well and I entertained myself waiting at Doha by visiting the numerous shops around.

Arriving at Cape town, the queue at the customs cleared rather quickly and I found myself looking for the driver from Capetown back-packers. Realizing my name ( and the driver) were nowhere to be seen, I got a cab and proceeded to the backpackers. The journey cost me 250 Rand and I arrived at Capetown backpacker's quickly. The view of table mountain throughout the cab ride was amazing and pretty much fuelled my interest to hike up before I left Cape town.

Entering Capetown backpacker's (www.capetownbackpacker's.com), I was treated to a beautiful Victorian house, spacious and done up nicely. The staff were very friendly and I definitely felt welcome. Shifting my luggage to the shared dorm, I came up again to take some pictures of the house. Besides the bar, the room where breakfast could be had in the morning captured my attention.

The entire floor had a very relaxed atmosphere to it, something I needed at that point in time.

Sitting down at the breakfast room, I chanced upon a copy of coast to coast, a book packing loads of information of things to do, prices as well as backpackers all along the way to visit. Besides information, the comics and the humor in the book definitely perked me up. Martin, from Capetown backpackers let me try Stroh 80 ( 80% proof) and that woke me up a little from the jet-lag.

 The clean white bed and comforter was definitely inviting and well worth the price paid for a dorm bed. It was past midnight Singapore time and I was really tired when I took a quick shower and crashed.

A new place and a new day tomorrow awaited.