Cape Town – city of contrasts and gorgeous beauty – is a story with every experience. The city flexes its layers of culture, history and indulgence from the townships to its waterfront down to its opulence.
Welcome to the ‘Africano’
My first stop on landing at Cape Town International Airport was the coffee shop. The barista smiled and quipped, “We don’t even call it Americano, we call it an ‘Africano’. That was a very playful start to what become a lifetime memory.
We only live 15 minutes from the V&A Waterfront, which is where we base ourselves while we stay. A quick 15-minute Uber ride did the job. Our Uber driver, though reticent, gave a telling summation of Cape Town’s dining scene: “All of them are not bad.”
A Glimpse of Khayelitsha
On our carriageway, we both watched the sprawling township of Khayelitsha appear before us. It was a patchwork of cinder block and corrugated tin shacks, stretching miles, a sign of the resilience that it was. AT the top of the shanties, the shanties, purple rows of MTN satellite dishes probe like whack-a-moles, even where there is no running water and, therefore, no indoor plumbing.
There’s still joy — communal concrete toilets are the norm here and controlling indoor temperatures is a luxury. I heard the world’s happiest people live in townships, a truth I didn’t let leave my thoughts as we went further.
The trip from the Concrete Jungle to the Waterfront
We came into the more polished parts of Cape Town on the road around Table Mountain’s eastern flank. The city had palm trees here too, palm trees that hinted at urban sophistication, and then there was the beautiful V&A Waterfront.
When we checked into our hotel we strolled to Harbour House which is a favorite place to watch boats drift in and out. It was lively — locals and tourists all soaking in an end to the day.
Dining in Style at The Silo
The Silo, a former old grain silo transformed into a five star hotel. Suites cost well over £1,200 a night — it’s jaw-dropping indulgence.
Fortunately, however, the food was surprisingly easy to come by. For starters, I was served a salady salad of rocket, red onion and pine nuts dressed in lime, and for my main, coconut lemongrass rice, cucumber pickle and lemon yogurt.
To celebrate South Africa’s reputation for culinary richness, a Chamonix Unwooded Chardonnay from the Franschhoek wine region gave the meal the perfect partner.
Nightcaps and Not So Great Preparation
We detoured before heading back to the One&Only Resort for a nightcap. We finished the day with a sophisticated ambiance, expertly crafted drinks, a perfect to complete our adventures and indulgence of the day.
Little did we know, this late-night indulgence wasn’t the best preparation for the challenge awaiting us: The next day a hike up the iconic Table Mountain.
Cape Town: A City of Contrasts
Cape Town is a place where you will often experience the beauty of nature, and the realities of life, woven into a mosaic of inspiration and challenges. The city beckons you to see, feel, and reflect from the joy of the townships to the elegance of it’s waterfront.
There was a story on every corner and each person left with one of their own. It was a journey of resilience, luxury — and heart of a city like no other.
Jackson Reed is an avid traveler and adventure seeker, sharing tips and stories from around the globe to inspire your next journey.
