Saturday, 12 February, 2011

Bliss. I am collected at the airport. On the way to the hotel I see why this town is renowned for its beauty.; there are mountains on the background amd the ocean facing it. We are taken on a walk around the hotel on the waterfron. We only need to cross the street and we are there -

there is the old port, the ships, the moving bridge.

We even see a dolphin.

Mostly it is like any port if it weren't for the people. They are a real rainbow in appearance and oh so lively. There are bands of musicians entertaining us; African drums, South American music, rock bands. We are taken then on a tour of the city but I am glad the hotel is on the waterfront so I can come back.

We are shown the opera, the Old Fort, the municipal offices, an open air market with sickly souvenirs - none which is very attractive except for some brightly coloured 'Malay quarters', the old indentured workers housing now being renovated. reminds me of the Rio de Janeiro houses but less bright.

The highlight of today is the ride with the Table Mountain Arial Cablecar- we are lucky that the weather is good. The views from the car as well as the countinous panorama on the way there are beyond the capacity of cameras. They have to be committed to memory.

A weak approximation of the magic of Table mountain view.