Travel Throwback Thursday: Cape Town, South Africa

My dear friend, Crystal recently celebrated her 30th by taking herself on vacation–to South Africa. She’d been wanted to go for a while and decided that her Dirty Thirty celebration was going to include beautiful sunsets and delicious food! I recently caught up with Crystal to ask her about her experience. Check out the details below!

Tai:

How long were you there?

Crystal:

Ten days.

T:

What were your accommodations like? Hotel or Airbnb/something else?

C:

I stayed in a beautiful self-service apartment/hotel: The Versailles Luxury Apartments.

T:

Were there any notable food/restaurants/cafes?

C: 

Mama Africa, Gold Restaurant, Afternoon Tea at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town Ostrich Ranch (Restaurant & Tour).

T: 

What are a few things travelers have to do during their visit to Cape Town?

C: 

Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus (Get a 2 day pass and make sure to do the free Sunset Bus Ride) is a CHEAP and EASY way to get to all the main attractions. If you had to choose, you might want to dedicate an entire day for each the Red and Yellow lines. The Purple line goes to a few wineries, and the Blue line goes down part of the peninsula. I booked separate, full day, guided tours for both the winelands and full peninsula. If you don’t have the money or time to tour these areas separately, then it’s worth the money to buy a second (maybe 1-day) sightseeing bus ticket to travel these areas. Make a point to see Robben Island, the V&A Waterfront (shop til you drop over multiple days), Camps Bay Beach (Clifton Beach is nice but more secluded with no retail), Table Mountain, and see (and eat) the ostriches…they are awesome, Long St. on a Friday or Saturday night is POPPING.

T: 

What are some travel tips you’d like to offer for those considering a visit to Cape Town?

C: 

Cape Town is dope. I went at the beginning of USA winter (beginning of their summer). The water is FREEZING in the summer so no swimming for me. The nights get cool – bring a jacket. If you see wind in the forecast – bring a jacket. The wind is NO JOKE. It only interrupted one day of my trip (a planned beach day), it literally blew ALL DAY but the next day it was like 90 degrees; lol. Pack one of those space-saver duffle bags that fold completely flat. You will bring back a ton of stuff – it’s so inexpensive and locally made.

Picture taken at the top of Table Mountain–the rolling clouds were everything!

My picnic spread at the top of Signal Hill waiting for the sun to set over the Atlantic Ocean. I snagged some tasty macaroons and a bottle of wine from The V&A Food Market.

We had evening tea at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel. I took a stroll through the gardens before the tea started.

This was my meal at the Ostrich Ranch…hands down DELICIOUS! Ostrich tastes like steak and lamb made a baby. I had the 3 course filet meal with scrambled ostrich egg instead of potato.

Lunch at Two Oceans restaurant as part of the full-day peninsula guided tour. I believe this was the lobster bisque with avocado mousse; it was my cousin’s appetizer.

14-course dinner at Gold Restaurant.

My bathroom at Versailles.

We strolled through a quaint neighborhood a few blocks away from the hustle and bustle of Long St. This block featured Bacon on Bree, Mother Ruin’s Gin Bar, and the Cultural Cheese Club. I could have stayed here ALL DAY eating cheese, bacon sandwiches, and drinking gin cocktails. Check out their Websites!

The sunset tour bus tour had just ended. The activity involves driving to the top of Signal Hill and watching the sun set over the Atlantic Ocean. This is a view of the full moon.

Buffalo wings from Mondiall Kitchen & Bar. A beautifully situated restaurant at the V&A Waterfront. The backdrop of Table Mountain and the sunset were incredible here. The food and wine were delicious. Try their burger and truffle fries!

Sitting on a ledge at a scenic stop along Chapmans Peak Drive overlooking Hout Bay.

Have a vacation spot you’d like to share with us? Email us at: plateandpassport(at)gmail(dot)com!

And don’t forget to subscribe for more yummy food destinations delivered to your inbox!