Journey to the Cape
After an enormous buffet breakfast in the stunning Crystal Court restaurant we were off to the airport for the two-hour flight to Cape Town. Known as the “Mother City” because it was the first European settlement, this is a spectacular, vibrant metropolis. With the ever-visible backdrop of Table Mountain and the clouds rolling off its peak, we went to the bustling Victoria and Alfred Waterfront district with its colorful street performers, fantastic cuisine and craft stores. As a port city built on the slopes of a “peak” there is an obvious comparison to Hong Kong, but it is Sydney that one is most reminded of, with crystal clean air, impossibly vibrant colours and the relaxed, harbor front lifestyle.
We stayed in the heart of the Waterfront, at the beautiful Table Bay Hotel. As the name suggests, the hotel boasts fantastic views of the majestic flat-topped mountain. The hotel has a statue of its mascot, a seal named Oscar, the base of which carries small plaques naming the famous guests that have stayed there, including Barack Obama, David Beckham and Nelson Mandela, who formally opened the hotel in 1997.
This is one of the Leading Hotels of the World - and for obvious reasons. The setting and views alone lend it an air of grandeur, but from the minute you step into the lobby, it’s clear this is an impressive establishment. We were met by Sherwin Banda, the sartorially resplendent general manager, who clearly feels he made the right move coming here four years ago, after eight years running some of the finest hotels in Beverly Hills.
High tea is an experience to savour, literally as pastry chef Bobby Kumar joined us to describe his influences, world travels and lead us through an overwhelming array of delicacies to accompany each of the selected teas from around the world.
A walk around the harbor area was essential to burn off a few calories before we reconvened in the palatial presidential suite atop the hotel, where a dedicated butler completed the sense of opulence.
It was an early start the next morning as we headed out to the wine country of Stellenbosch. Rolling hills and verdant pasture on each side of the road are the defining landscape of this glorious part of the world. Sadly, we weren’t stopping at the world-famous wineries here but were en route to Franschhoek and a modern Jack Nicklaus classic at Pearl Valley.
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