·        Cape Town, South Africa

I am dedicating this entire issue of the Events by Brawin Newsletter to a fabulous travel destination.  I visited Cape Town, South Africa for the first time.  My vacation coincided with the Christmas Holiday and extended through the first 5 days of 2006.  I have been so overwhelmed by the experience that I have not been able to fully process the magnitude of what I experienced - until now.   It took a while for me to find words that were even suitable as I didn't think that I had the capacity to adequately describe the splendor.   I am going to make an attempt!

If it sounds like this was my best vacation ever - I mean ever - then you are correct.

Many Worlds In One

Cape Town is an exceptional city, where dreamers are bound to find inspiration, where lovers are certain to return again and again.  It's immense natural beauty can be seen from every angle in every corner of the Cape.

It is referred to as 'Many Worlds In One' because the city is so sophisticated and it sits at the gateway of a very majestic continent.  The awe and wonder that is Cape Town envelopes you the moment that your journey begins.  Cape Town is proudly conscious of itself - like a beautiful girl who knows that others are always looking at her. 

It's a place where old and new harmoniously collide - in terms of history, architecture, cultural pursuits and, most of all, its' people.

Warmed by the African Sun, Cape Town is watched over by a towering, table shaped mountain set on a peninsula of soaring rocky heights and lush valley.  It is where two oceans converge - the Indian and the Atlantic. 

The fast pace, bright lights and vast urban centre has firmly positioned Cape Town on the international map of world class travel destinations.

There are a ton of things to do and see.  So, here are my highlights.

CAPE TOWN, HARLEY DAVIDSON AND ME!

It is important to know the vantage point from which we (husband and I) experienced the Cape.  We experienced Cape Town from the saddles of two 2006 Harley Davidson Softtails.  Absolutely Unbelievable! 

The unspoiled magnitude of their landscape, nature, wildlife, numerous sights and great roads - made this the ultimate riding experience.  I'm sure that I sound like an advertisement for Harley Davidson or some fancy automobile manufacturer.   But the truth is, each moment of each ride felt like a surreal experience.  I had to keep reminding myself that it was really happening to me.

My husband documented much of the ride with his video camera and the footage will be made available on The Urban Bikers website in the near future.  www.tubclub.net

CHAPMAN'S PEAK

Chapman's Peak drive between Noordheok and Hout Bay on the Atlantic Coast is one of the most spectacular, scenic marine drives in the world. 

BMW, Porsche and Ferrari all film their car commercials on Chapman's Peak because stunning views unfold in both directions.  The route is 9 km and it has a grand total of 114 curves.

The peak cuts into the mountain walls and winds along vertical cliffs.  If it sounds adventurous to experience the peak on a motorcycle then you are correct.  Skill level - 10!  You can see the whales playing in the ocean below and the views are majestic and ever changing.  This was a spiritual experience as I knew immediately that God was smiling when he fashioned this peak. 

TABLE MOUNTAIN

Table Mountain is one of South Africa's greatest landmarks and it towers nearly 1100 meters above the city of Cape Town.  We spent New Years Eve day atop the mountain where we met great people from Russia, the UK and other parts of South Africa. 

Spectacular views of the city, the peninsula, the coastline and the ocean can be seen from 11 different vantage points. 

It is amazing that one minute you can see nothing but the fog covered mountain top.  Then nothing but water for miles and miles.  Then nothing but city lights - all in one locale.  It is a New Years Eve afternoon that I will never forget.  It was special for so many reasons...

SIMONS TOWN/BOULDER BAY

Simonstown is home to the South African Navy.  The town sits on one of the most beautiful bays in Cape Town and it's extremely popular because it's next door neighbor is Boulder Bay - home of the Penguin Colony.    While in Simonstown be sure to visit the lovely people at Seaforth Restaurant.  Beautiful views, gracious people and fantastic fish.

CAMPS BAY

Camps Bay is a beautiful beach community that winds along the ocean.  It is known for its azure bay and its sandy beach is the longest in Central Cape Town.  The bay is lined with palm trees and the adjacent promenade has lots of restaurants and cafes.   It is the place to see and be seen and could easily be mistaken for a trendy South Beach spot.  The people were gorgeous and The Tuscany Restaurant offers great food and even better sight seeing.

What was also so wonderful about Camps Bay is that the drive leading in or out of town was spectacular.  To the north you had Hout Bay and beyond and to the south you had Clifton Bay, Sea Point and beyond. 

SEA POINT

After much research I settled on accommodations in Sea Point.  Sea Point is the most densely populated suburb of Cape Town with hotels, apartments and high rises all along the seafront.  There is a wide promenade and a main road that provides many restaurants and shops.  It is a well equipped neighborhood that is inhabited mainly by locals.  It was perfect for my stay as I like to do and see what the locals do and see!

The Protea Hotel chain is one of the largest in South Africa.  The Cape Town Protea Sea Point Hotel had the look and feel of a stateside boutique hotel.  It was quaint with all of the necessary amenities.  However, its' people were its' best asset.  I loved the area and all that it had to offer.  It was the ideal location in terms of proximity, amenities and personality.

HERMANUS BAY

Hermanus Bay is famous for its' whale watching.  The bay is so beautiful that the locals joke about it being the 'honeymoon' spot for the whales since the vast majority of whales are born in Hermanus.  Restaurant on the Bay had fabulous food.  My husband said that it was the best Haki (local fish) of the entire trip.

SIR LOWRY'S PASS

Sir Lowry's Pass is another breathtaking drive with a vantage point much higher than that of Chapman's Peak.  This drive laid the cape out from a totally different vantage point with a totally different set of riding challenges.  One had to quickly master sightseeing with remaining focused so that the drive was a safe one!  Winding roads, unexpected turns, unbelievable views all coupled with the beauty of the world around you was almost overwhelming at times.  Fortunately, there were drive offs and look outs that allowed you to gather your composure and resume the ride on a conscious level.  Skill level - 10!

STELLENBOSCH CAPE WINERY

Stellenbosch is the heart of South Africa's wine industry and it is a place of great beauty and culture.  It is the oldest and most famous winery and it includes 106 cellars of which most are open to the public.  It is a short 45 minute drive from Cape Town and we spent New Years Day at the Moyo Festival on the Spire Resort in Stellenbosch.  The festival included wine tasting, traditional African dance and local customs such as face painting.  It was an unbelievable way to start a new year.  It was a small reminder of how much there is to experience in the world around us. 

CAPE POINT

Cape Point is the scenically spectacular area at the tip of the Cape Peninsula and the African Continent.  The warm Mozambique current from the east mingles with the cold Benguela current from the west and this is where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet.  Cape Point is known as one of the greatest landmarks in the entire world and there is no better place for two majestic oceans to meet.  The drive from Cape Town takes a few hours and one should be prepared for baboon sightings and other adventures.

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

The V & A (as it is referred to by locals) is South Africa's most visited destination.  It is set against a backdrop of sea and mountain views.  It is home to designer clothing stores, national retailers, boutiques, services, restaurants, amphitheatre, coffee shops, movie theatres and oh so much more.  It is like nothing you have ever experienced in terms of an entertainment complex. 

WEATHER

Our trip coincided with their summer time and their holiday.  Our day time temperatures averaged 75 to 82 degrees and the nights were beautiful and breezy with an average falling between 60 and 65 degrees.  The days were picture perfect - never a cloud in the sky and never a drop or even a hint of rain.

Because our trip coincided with their holiday, Cape Town was overflowing with people.   If you decide to travel there during traditional stateside holidays, then be mindful of that.  Otherwise, if you are anything like me, then you will welcome the opportunity to meet a variety of diverse people from cities, countries and continents too numerous to count.

Our travel consisted of 2.5 hours from Chicago to Atlanta.  9 hours from Atlanta to a fuel stop on Sol Island, off the coast of Senegal.  Then another 9 hours from Sol Island to Johannesburg.  Then another 2 hours from Johannesburg to Cape Town.  I repeat, it was a challenge.  But in the end it was worth every moment.

CONCLUSION

I am forced to conclude this special Cape Town edition of the newsletter for fear that I will rehash every detail of every moment - as they were all memorable. 

We ran out of time and there was much that I didn't get to see or do.  However, I have already made the commitment to go back this year - same dates - so that I can fully experience the many sights and sounds of South Africa. 

My itinerary was great.  The next time around I will add 5 more days and do the following:  stay two nights in Johannesburg, visit a wild game reserve, ride the Garden Route (Route 66), visit Port Elizabeth and Durban.  Wow, I experienced a lot but there is so much more awaiting me this holiday season! 

It is important to note that I have never planned a return trip to any destination the very next year.  Never.  This is a first for me but I am already fare watching!

If your upcoming travel plans take you to Cape Town, please don't hesitate to contact me if I can be a resource in any way.  Oh, and I'd love to share my photos with you.  They don't even look real!

Eventfully Yours!

Brawin

We hope you have enjoyed this edition of the Events by Brawin Newsletter.  I have certainly enjoyed writing it.

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