Cape Town part 2

We managed to go to Cape Town last weekend to do all the touristy stuff. Taxi fare here is damn expensive and theyre not that safe either. We arranged the transport with the company driver who apparently do part time on weekends. It still cost us 350 rand (RM175) return trip (for 30 mins trip), but that’s significantly cheaper than taxis.

Its quite difficult to get around here due to security reasons. There are so many problems in this country, and it shows just how shitty it can be if you have a huge gap between the rich and poor, and especially when the majority are poor.

The ‘Welcome to Cape Town, prepared to be blown away’ signboard greeted us as we were exiting the highway. This city can do just that.

We took a boat tour, hoping to see some whales and dolphins. The tour operator promised that we would see dolphins, but whales migrated north during spring. But of course no dolphin can be seen, and if not for the fantastic view of the city and table mountain, it would have been a total rip-off.

Hopped on the ‘Topless bus’, a double-decker which gave us quite a good tour of the city and suburbs. It took us around the city center, and also the Bo-Kaap…. the cape-malay area. And of course to the table mountain, were we hopped off and took the cable car to the top. We could see everything from up there, fantastic view of the seas and city on one side, and the wine lands and mountains on the other.

Coming soon…. more pics.... from top of table mountain...!

Yello from Stellenbosch

Im not exactly in Cape Town, but in Stellenbosch, about 45 mins drive away from the 'Mother City'.

Touched down Sunday morning via Johannesberg. On the way to Stellenbosch from the airport, we went pass a squatter camp. Its similar to the squatters in Jakarta.... only that its in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by a 'fence'. That was going to be the only hint of Africa during my trip here that I would see up till now.

Beyond the squatter camps, its just endless vineyards surrounded by beautiful mountains. Stellenbosch is right in the middle of South Africa's winelands. This is where you can get supposedly the best wines in the world. There are a lot of guest houses, wine country resorts, wine tours and all that stuff here. I just never get this wine route tasting country-resort thing.

Stellenbosch is quite a beautiful town. Its a university town, with the university of stellenbosch buildings scattered around the town. Students form a third of the population, but theyre all away for the summer. So the crowd is a bit mature now, and less things to look at(all though its still not bad!). A lot of nice restaurants, bars and stuff like that.... all the fine dining crap. it reminds me of Ann Arbor in so many ways.

People here are predominantly white. Unfortunately, most black people I have met so far are the driver, receptionist or waiter. Standard of living quite high, and you can see a lot of german cars. The people here are beautiful.

We are staying in some guesthouse. Sadly to say, this place is more suitable for a couple in their 50's. Everything is 'old-fashioned'. My toilet seat is made of wood. Are you freaking kidding me. My room smells like some wood. It is just so weird when at the breakfast, 2 young asian guys among some old couple who are obviously here to enjoy the wine country stuff. I think my dad will love this place.

One week has gone by, and one more week of training to go. Tomorrow we are planning to go to Cape Town, and do all the touristy stuff like table mountain and the waterfront. Cant wait for tomorrow cause I feel like I am 50 already after staying at this place.....

Cape town, South Africa

Blogging from MAS lounge at KLIA. On my way to Cape Town. Will be there until 4 dis. Its going to be 2 crazy weeks there.

The past week was hell week as well. So glad its over already. Screwed up so many things along the way.

Looking forward to get on the flight and have the ever fantastic MAS sate.