Africa: Cape Town/Snacks, the Africa Café and Morning in Cape Town

Colorful houses

We got back to Cape Town in the early afternoon and, after cleaning up, we met up with Linda and walked down the street in search of an afternoon snack. We stopped at a tapas restaurant and ordered a small plate (or so we assumed based on price), and this is what we got!

"Small" plate

It was a huge amount of food. And, it was yummy. That’s where we started to catch on that South Africa is an incredibly inexpensive tourist destination. Food, alcohol, lodging, everything South Africa based is extremely affordable. Too bad airfare is so pricey! 

Alexis and Kandice at the Africa Cafe

When we got back to the hotel for our initial meeting with our tour guide, Dee (for Dinga) Höll. She gave us a rundown of our upcoming Cape Town adventures, explaining that the order of the itinerary could be turned upside down because some rainy weather was expected the next day. 

Because the rain patterns tend to correspond with time of day, they would bet on where would be the driest and manage the day accordingly. Dee then informed us we were going to dinner at the Africa Café, which serves a prix fix dinner showcasing African specialties.

Oh, I wish I had not had tapas. I was so full from our snack that I opted not to eat. I knew that if I started tasting, I would overindulge. I am sorry I didn’t get to try everything (I will admit to a few very small tastes of some of the plates) ...

Africa Cafe

... but it was still quite interesting to hear the food, drink and wine descriptions (and I did drink some wine) ...

Becca trying a fruit cocktail and then enjoying some South African wine

... to get to see the African-inspired décor ... 

Modern and traditional

... to get our faces painted and to enjoy the music performed by the staff.

To listen, click here.

Caty and Becca with painted faces

South Africa's first African restaurant, the menu provides about 15-20 different dishes from various African cultures. 

There are nut- and bean-based vegetarian options as well as meat dishes that feature chicken, lamb and Eland. 

It might seem a bit touristy, but I found it delightful and would recommend it to anyone visiting South Africa (in fact, Matt and Tracee had recommended it to us on the shark trip).

We knew right way that Dee would be a great guide. She has a super personality and she jumped in right away to try to help Caty find her luggage that British Airways had lost. At this point, we still had hope of seeing it.

The next day dawned with rain and we were concerned, since everything planned for the day was outdoors. So, we grabbed raincoats and rain jackets and headed out.

Left,Dee Höll; Photo: Linda Rowe; Right, Company garden

Before actually embarking on our tour, we walked a few blocks to an area called Company’s Garden, a park and heritage site that was originally created in the 1650s by the region's first European settlers to grow fresh produce to replenish ships rounding the Cape. 

Rainy park

The park features the oldest cultivated pear tree in South Africa (circa 1652); a rose garden planted in 1929; a fish pond; a garden commemorating a WWI battle in France, in which a South African force of 3,000 soldiers was reduced to 755 by German forces; an aviary; a restaurant; a herb and succulent garden; and the Iziko South African Museum and Iziko National Gallery.  

We didn't have much time, so we just walked around the memorial garden.

There we saw what turns out to be two of the most common birds in South Africa: the Hadeda Ibis …

The first of many

… with its beautiful iridescent feathers …

A close-up

… and the Egyptian Goose, which is regarded a lot like the Canada Goose is here in the states …

A pretty bird

… there was even a pair of Egyptian Goose goslings …

Two cuties

Then we started out on our driving tour by seeing part of Cape Town, including the colorful Muslim section called Bo Kaap. Formerly known as the Malay Quarter, it is the historical center of Cape Malay culture in Cape Town. The Nurul Islam Mosque, established in 1844, is located in the area. Bo-Kaap is traditionally a multicultural area. The area is known for its brightly colored homes and cobblestone streets.

A treat for the eyes

We stopped briefly to take pictures and Dee bought us some Cape Malay koe'sisters, a spicy dumpling with a cake-like texture, finished off with a sprinkling of coconut. Plus, she got some Papeer Bites – a kind of spicy chip – and some meat-filled Indian Samosas. So, we had snacks.

False Bay

As Dee had predicted, when we left Cape Town, we turned our travel schedule on its ear and, in so doing, managed to not get wet. Well played.

As we headed to Boulders Beach, we drove up a rise and saw the sun peeking out of the clouds onto False Bay. 

We scanned the bay for Sharks and saw none, but we did see a commotion that caused use to stop the van and get out to investigate.

It turned out to be a group of Southern Right Whales – we think two adults and a baby, although it could have been more. They were swimming in circles and thrashing around each other, but every now and then, we could see flukes and fins. It really made me want to go whale watching – although we didn’t ever hear too much about whale watching being an option.

Southern Right Whales!

After a while, we got back into the van to continue down the peninsula towards Boulders Beach.

Trip date: August 25-September 9, 2017