“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination with reality, and instead of thinking of how things may be, see them as they are.” – Samuel Johnson
Hey Bombers and Bombshells! Marsha here, checking in after one of the most amazing vacations ever! My recent trip to Cape Town, South Africa was inspiring, humbling and full of good eats and life-changing experiences. If Cape Town wasn’t on your must-travel list, hopefully this article will change your mind and inspire you take a journey to the Mother Land.
1. Where to stay
(photo courtesy of Cape Town Lodge Hotel)
When traveling. I enjoy staying at Airbnb’s for that ‘home away from home,’ feeling. This time around I decided to stay at a hotel so that I had guidance when it came to things to do and places to go. I booked a 6-night stay at the Cape Town Lodge Hotel. Centrally located, I was able to walk to shopping areas, restaurants and Cape Town’s hot spot known as Long Street.
2. What to do
(photo courtesy of Cape Town Travel)
What is there not to do? During my first full day in Cape Town I visited The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a large tourist attraction that features a mall, small shops, restaurants, water excursions, museums and much more. At The Waterfront you can hop on a ferry that will take you to Robben Island, a former prison that held Nelson Mandela for 18 of his 27 year sentence. I took a tour of the island and got to snap a photo of Mandela’s prison cell.
I also indulged in a wine tasting tour that aligned with the most amazing sunset ever. The scenery created an ambiance that gave me an outer body experience. It was sort of that moment where I pinched myself and said, “Marsha, you’re in South Africa!” You haven’t seen a beautiful sunset until you see it on the other side of the world.
There’s so much to do in Cape Town that you’ll feel cheated out of an experience if you stay for less than a week. During my trip, I found myself on an excursion every day! I visited Cape Agulhas, the southern most tip of Africa and the point where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. I went on a safari and got up close and personal with the wild life. I spent a day traveling to The Cape of Good Hope where I got to experience the aggressive baboons and see the world at a bird’s eye view.
3. Where to eat
Where should you eat? EVERYWHERE! The food is simply amazing. Colorful, flavorful, adventurous. On my first night I dined at the popular restaurant, Mama Africa. Highly recommended, I tried crocodile for the first time and it was amazing! Cape Town is very heavy on game meat, so if you’re opposed to eating ostrich and crocodiles, you can indulge in perfectly seasoned fish or prawns.
Around the corner from my hotel was a trendy Italian restaurant named Bocca. Because Cape Town in a melting pot, you can find food from just about every culture represented. While dining at Bocca I sampled the Arancini with aioli with the house made spaghetti, basil pesto, roasted tomatoes and crispy parmesan. Delicious! My drink of choice throughout my trip was the Savanna Cider.
Lastly, while in Cape Agulhas, I stopped at a quaint little eatery named Pelican’s Harbour Cafe where I enjoyed prawns, french fries and a cold Savanna. Did I mention how inexpensive the food is? A meal for two that includes a few cocktails, appetizers, entrees and dessert costed a whopping $50 total. Imagine what that’d cost you in the states!
Whew! I feel like I barely scraped the bottom of the barrel when it comes to recapping my amazing trip. I’ve never been in more awe of the strength and beauty of people who despite their troubling history, manage to smile every day and carry on. South Africa’s Freedom day occurred on Thursday, April 27th. Twenty three years ago, South Africans were able to vote and become free from apartheid. While the wound is still fresh and visible, the government is doing what they can to bring reform in the areas of housing, education and business. It was humbling to speak with the South Africans on their freedom day and hear the excitement in their voices about finally experiencing equality.
This trip was life-changing! If you’re a travel noire, wanderlust, history junky, culture lover or just a person who wants experience life through your own lens, I encourage you to book a trip to Cape Town, South Africa. You won’t be disappointed!
XOXO- Marsha B.
Photos courtesy of Marsha B.
