An introduction to Cape Town

Cape Town in South Africa is home to the South African Parliament, and is the second largest city in the country. Cape Town is located near the Cape of Good Hope, and is the most southerly of all cities in Africa. This coastal city offers many attractions for visitors ? here are a few of them.

The Bo-Kaap neighbourhood offers the chance of a glimpse of times gone by. Formerly an area inhabited by the descendants of slaves from South East Asia, the colourfully painted buildings make the area stand out, and you can get a good view over the rest of Cape Town. The Bo-Kaap museum can complete the picture after you have finished a leisurely stroll.

The Castle of Good Hope has a good display of military paraphernalia from history, as well as telling the story of the history of the castle. After you are finished an edifying tour, you can also eat in the restaurant or the caf?, as well as buy some local wine.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is feted as one of the most stunning botanical gardens in the world, and has an excellent collection of flora not just from the area surrounding Cape Town, but also rare specimens from throughout Africa. There are often displays of local art to enjoy, and you can eat and drink as well as buy souvenirs at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

On a far more serious note, a tour of Robben Island ? just off the coast of Cape Town ? will introduce you to the former prison of Nelson Mandela. Guided tours provide the back story. Many of the tour guides are former inmates, political prisoners from the Apartheid era, and as such they are able to provide fascinating first-hand accounts of this difficult time in the history of South Africa.

For a great view of Cape Town and the surrounding area, a trip to the top of Table Mountain is an essential day trip. There are several paths allowing a walk to the top for the fit and adventurous, and also a cable car which will take you straight up that is fully wheelchair accessible ? as are the paths around the summit.

Excellent surfing opportunities are the result of the confluence of two oceans at the Cape. In particular, the area is noted as providing world class kite surfing at spots such as Dolphin Beach and Langebaan Lagoon.

The Cape Peninsula offers excellent scuba diving opportunities, although it is a marine protected area, meaning that it is necessary to obtain a permit to dive ? no bad thing for the conservation that keeps fish stocks abundant. For those that like a little less adventure, the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town also offers the opportunity to dive with local sea creatures in a 2.2 million litre tank.

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Caron Kristan is a retired policeman who visits Cape Town every year.Caron Kristan recommends looking at the services provided by Octopus Travel when planning a visit to Cape Town.

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