Hard to believe that this is our first time sleeping on dry land in the past 40 days. We miss the gentle rocking of the Wind, but we do not miss the smashy-crashy of 4 metre plus swells. So it all balances out, even if the floor occasionally feels as though it’s shifting beneath our feet.
Up at 8:45 am this morning – breakfast runs until 10 am, but you never know how slow these hotel buffets can be. Thankfully the Capital has a nice spread with eggs-to-order, toast, bacon, sausage – the works. The cappucino line gets somewhat backed up, but that’s a small price to pay for a delicious breakfast.
Upstairs to finish packing, and then downstairs for our 11 am departure. We already miss being able to strew our belongings across the room with reckless abandon. That – and the freedom to skip planes, trains and automobiles – are perhaps the greatest arguments in favour of cruise ship travel.
But we eventually get our mountain of luggage downstairs, only to discover that – instead of the one large vehicle promised by the front desk – the taxi company wants us to use three smaller vehicles instead.
I quickly inform the driver that three vehicles will be completely unnecessary, and then go upstairs to war game this with my wife. Cape Town is safe enough but we generally don’t like to split up our family unless completely unavoidable. I come up with the bright idea of having our luggage travel in one car and us in the second when it becomes clear that our bags and us will actually fit inside a single vehicle. Huzzah!
(This also brings the cost of our transfer down to a little under US$7 – but I double the fare with the tip, as we’d expected to spend closer to US$15 for a larger vehicle. My logic is that any vehicle big enough to hold us and our luggage should be considered a large vehicle.)
We soon arrive at the Radisson Red:
Before we unload we get contact information for our driver – Gilbert – in case we need him to take us somewhere later during our time in Cape Town.
I’m not sure we’re cool enough to stay at this hotel.
Seriously, though, the RED line of hotels is known for their distinctive design, community connections, and lively atmosphere. It’s also considerably less expensive than the Radisson Blu down the road, which was a key factor in this decision. Edgy and modern or corporate camouflage? Jury is still out.
Either way, our distinctively funky rooms won’t be available until 3 pm, so we go off to check out the waterfront, which is simply beautiful:
There’s even a herd of cape fur seals playing in the water.
We stop in at the nearby Kapstadt Brauhaus for lunch.
We get a table with a lovely view of the waterfront:
I enjoy a lovely cold pint of lager:
As well as a huge hotdog with sauerkraut:
While my son has the schnitzel:
And my wife and daughter have the fish and chips:
The fish – hake – has some bones in it, but it also has some sort of cumin or curry in the batter that makes it extra tasty. The other dishes are great too.
Particularly the kids’ milkshakes:
Around this time we decide that we’ll need a driver to take us to our Context Travel excursion tomorrow – Introduction to Cape Town: Dutch Trading to Democracy – so we text Gilbert to see if he can take us. Success! He’s available, and the cost should be quite reasonable – just another USD$7.
We continue down along the waterfront, past some street art:
And under the shadow of some paragliders:
Eventually we reach the Two Oceans Aquarium:
With friends like this, who needs anemonies?
We take some time to watch the scorpion and stone fishes, which should hopefully help us spot them when we’re in Tahiti in October:
And then otherwise just take some time to browse the exhibits:
Their main aquarium is particularly striking:
There’s also a penguin exhibit with African penguins:
And rockhoppers:
Then we carry on with the aquarium portion once more, visiting the kelp forest:
And the sharks:
Our basis for aquariums is the Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto – which has more immersive elements like tunnels, but feels like it has fewer exhibits. (It certainly has fewer penguins, as it has no penguins at all.)
Then it’s time to wander back to the Radisson – where our rooms are ready!
Not as fancy or as spacious as the Capital, but still good value for money considering the location.
Off to the Radisson’s rooftop bar for a swim, and dinner:
The pool is a bit murky and the water is cold, but it’s incredibly refreshing in this unseasonable heat.
Plus they have a drink truck on the roof to help ensure they reach their Corporate Quirkiness Quotient:
But the drinks and food are tasty, so no complaints here.
My son has the chicken fingers:
My daughter has the grilled cheese:
And my wife and I have chicken sandwiches:
Then the kids have waffles for dessert:
But time marches on – and a loud DJ starts up – so it’s soon time to admire the sunset:
And turn in for the night.
Another beautiful and full day-and then a glorious sunset!
And thanks to the kids for the postcard!
Xx Nana