V-Flyer

The deed has been done. I really hope I don't regret giving VS a chance to redeem themselves. The Premier Team were excellent today (unlike last night) and DL the Elder and I are off to Cape Town for a week in December (this will be my mother's first experience of UC and I so really want her to have a great trip).
So the question is what to do when we get there? I managed to find this old thread http://www.v-flyer.com/forum/topic.asp? ... C_ID=21978.
Anything to ammend or update?
We're staying at the Table Bay on the V and A waterfront. DL the Elder is reasonably fit for 72 (apart from her crumbling bones) and I'm happy to hire a car.
Thanks
DL

If you want to go to Robben Island I would recommend making your reservations in advance as December is peak time and there is often a wait of several days at that time of year.

Table Mountain of course for the amazing views. Maybe also go down to the Cape of Good Hope just to say you've been there.

Boulders Beach for the penguins.

Apparently the shark diving is pretty good in Cape Town. [:p]

quote:Originally posted by DragonLady

We're staying at the Table Bay on the V and A waterfront. DL the Elder is reasonably fit for 72 (apart from her crumbling bones) and I'm happy to hire a car.
Thanks
DL


First day you see the moutain is free of cloud--GO, its often shrouded in 'the cloth', mornings are usually clearer. Least can always go back if you get a clear evening, which tend to be fewer.

have used a good Guide in the past 'Gary Flynn',
http://www.sa-venues.com/explore/capediscoverytours/
Can recommend him. - Day trip taking in Botanical gardens (drop off at one end- picked up at other), Cape point, Penguins at Boulders etc. You also get chance for sneaky glasses of wine (has priority for restaurant at cape point etc which is always full and queuing).. a real bonus.[y]
Chapmans peak drive is also a must - scenery is spectacular.
Have used him on 2 separate visits, second one with mini nh aged 8wks!

Open top bus tour also a good intro especially for the Elders- good for getting your bearings around the town. You can get taxi into Green market Sq, which is worth a stroll (watch you bags etc), I'd tend to avoid out of the waterfront after dark, unless taxi to specific places.

Being at Table Bay you have every evening for pleasant strolls around waterfront- loads to see, eat etc. all very accessible.

NH

While I agree with NH, that if Table Mountain is clear, then go but if it is any way windy don't bother. You'll find that you will get as far as the cable car only to find that the mountain has been closed - or else you will get on top only to hear the siren which tells you to come down. Our trip to the top was curbed because of winds.

Remember the adage about Cape Town. It's like a baby - wet and windy

I would also recommend trying to get out to the winelands for at least a day or over night. It is lovely and the wine is great too.

V&A waterfront is lovely and has a lovely atmosphere.

Have a great time planning it all.

Dominic

I would recommend taking a personal armed guard (or hiring one once there). I seriously found Cape Town once big scary place and that is from someone who has a home in Hackney ! (the posh part mind)

quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
I would recommend taking a personal armed guard (or hiring one once there). I seriously found Cape Town once big scary place and that is from someone who has a home in Hackney ! (the posh part mind)


Really??? It's hardly Jo'burg! I spent 2 weeks in SA, a week in CPT and drove the Garden Route. I felt very safe driving and being around CPT city.

Like any big city you have to be careful and would taxi everywhere after dark but I was fine walking around during the day had no problems what so ever.

An armed guard maybe over doing it!

Agree with Dominic.

Have only ever needed an armed guard in Lagos - never in Jo'burg or Cape Town.

As long as you are sensible about where you go in South Africa you'll be fine. Take taxis after dark and don't show off anything valuable - pretty standard for most places!

quote:Originally posted by DMetters-Bone
quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
I would recommend taking a personal armed guard (or hiring one once there). I seriously found Cape Town once big scary place and that is from someone who has a home in Hackney ! (the posh part mind)


Really??? It's hardly Jo'burg! I spent 2 weeks in SA, a week in CPT and drove the Garden Route. I felt very safe driving and being around CPT city.

Like any big city you have to be careful and would taxi everywhere after dark but I was fine walking around during the day had no problems what so ever.

An armed guard maybe over doing it!


Nope I am 100% serious. It used to be safe(ish) but when I was last there - last year, I was terrified and my friend (a lawyer in Southern Africa) certainly confirms that having an armed guard is NOT Over doing it !(well for them or for me if I return).

We had an armed guard/driver a few years back in Jo'burg,but going to some of the more dodgy areas,where Mrs JP was brought up.Hillbrow used to be the place to live, how times change.Im with HG on this, SA is a scary place don't think we will be going back anytime soon.As Tinkerbelle says not quite as scary as Lagos or Port Harcourt though.

quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
quote:Originally posted by DMetters-Bone
quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
I would recommend taking a personal armed guard (or hiring one once there). I seriously found Cape Town once big scary place and that is from someone who has a home in Hackney ! (the posh part mind)


Really??? It's hardly Jo'burg! I spent 2 weeks in SA, a week in CPT and drove the Garden Route. I felt very safe driving and being around CPT city.

Like any big city you have to be careful and would taxi everywhere after dark but I was fine walking around during the day had no problems what so ever.

An armed guard maybe over doing it!

Nope I am 100% serious. It used to be safe(ish) but when I was last there - last year, I was terrified and my friend (a lawyer in Southern Africa) certainly confirms that having an armed guard is NOT Over doing it !(well for them or for me if I return).


DL,

Let's be sensible..

You're going to be going around the main tourist areas, during the day, waterfront at night.., commonsense, for piece of mind I'd opt for the use of a guide/car for a day trip or two- also keeps hassle down..

The place is crawling with tourists, and they have pushed the use of tourist wardens at all the main areas..

When you see some of the blinkered cruiseliner folks wandering round with all on show, you can understand how things happen...

Common guys don't be too over dramatic...

NH

quote:Originally posted by northernhenry
[Common guys don't be too over dramatic...

NH



I am NOT prone to being dramatic - just a practical guy giving my honest assesment on what I have witnessed on my recent visit and intelligence from a reliable source (i.e. a lawyer Brit friend working there).

Yes a couple of years back I would have recommended it as a holiday destination to colleagues and family - but not these days. Times have changed very recently and I now feel safer in Zimbabwe - a place I visit often.

HG

Eek, fair enough, doesn't bode well for the forthcoming world cup then...