V-Flyer

Got any suggestions for Cape Town, Harmanus and the area around Cape Town? A friend (Roger) and I are going for a few days. Staying at the Westin Grand Cape Town Arabella Quays then Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa in Harmanus.

Any pointers greatly appreciated.

If I was to get back there (which is highly unlikely given my last trip ) I would invest very heavily with this company:

http://www.anti-ballistic.com/shop/

I go to Zimbabwe a few times a year - which I personaly find muche safer than cape town these days.

Hopefully would not need that item. Would have been helpful in Tegucigalpa when I was held at gunpoint a few months ago.

If you are looking for suggestions of things to do, this post and this one might help.

Top of my list would be the cable car to Table Mountain and Penguin spotting at Boulders Beach [y]

Thanks,
Sarah

Ahhhh - I love Boulders Beach and the penguins.

The cable car to the top of Table Mountain is fantastic however it is also weather dependant as have been there when they've had to close it due to it being too windy.

A trip to the Cape of Good Hope for the obligatory picture is also a must-do.

Robben Island and Table Mountain, although the siren went to leave when we were up there. Also the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

Hi

Can also recommend trip to the top of Table Mountain - they also do
guided walks on the top at certain times of the day. You also get a great view of Robben Island. Also you can drive round to table view on the M5/M14 to get a great view of the mountain. The boat to Robben island leaves from
the V and A Waterfront and the excursion is free and lasts about
half a day. Well worth doing. Also I liked the Kirstenbosch botanical gardens. There is a nice aquarium at the V and A waterfront. Something else which I liked is the drive to Cape Point using Chapmans peak road. Really narrow road with stunning scenerey.
Hermanus is really good for whale watching depending what time of the year you are going.
Whilst I felt very safe in Cape Town - you just need to have your whits about you (mainly at night) as not as safe as UK/USA etc. Only thing I would say is if you are renting a car make sure it has a/c so you can keep doors locked and windows up.

Enjoy [y]

Would second the Chapman Peak road- amazing scenery.
Afterdark the Waterfront development is the place to be, huge selection of great food and able to mooch about post diner; as in CBD you'll be jumping from one place to another in taxis.
Commonsense prevails, no bling, locked cars, bit of street sense- where to go etc.

Your staying at the right places - esp the Arabella Spa - they have an incredible golf course so hope you a keen player! I went to Robben Island in March and it was fantastic.

I hear the whales have just arrived in Hermanus so hopefully you should spot a few. There are some great places to eat there, but avoid Cubana (aweful food), but a really nice quirky place for a light lunch is the cukoo tree. Lemon Sole is great for fish/sushi. And definitely go for a long walk on the beach from Grotto Beach toward and past the lagoon.

If you are a bit adventurous I would try shark cage diving at Gaansbaai. Not done it myself yet, but I have only heard good things about it.

As for the 'security issues' - I go back to Cape Town at least twice a year and have never had any problems. You just need to be sensible as you would in any tourist city. I find myself feeling a lot less safe in the east end of london than I ever have in Cape Town.

A quick tip for Robben Island - unless I've just been unlucky - is to buy tickets in advance as everytime I've been to Cape Town, the tickets have been sold out.