Winter in this city isn’t half bad
IRECENTLY had the opportunity to visit the city of Cape Town, amid some of the worst weather it has experienced in a longt time. But by luck when we landed at Cape Town International the rain had stopped. Our home for the next three days was Southern Sun’s The Cullinan Hotel, two minutes by foot from the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
As we strolled into this sophisticated hotel, the afternoon sun shone its golden rays into the reception area from the double glass doors. It made the entire room glow quietly.
With the Western Cape facing possibly its worst drought in the last five years, I was impressed by Tsogo Sun’s efforts to make guests conscious of water usage. A note in the bathroom urged guests to use water sensibly.
The hotel’s Stella’s Cafe and Bar treated us with delicious platters prepared under the eye of executive Chef Lindsay Venn, a judge on SA’s version of
Through the City Breaks excursion organised by Cape Town Tourism and kulula.com, we were given the opportunity to explore all the reasons we love Cape Town, with a number of fun activities.
I had two favourites. One was the group cooking session at Ginger and Lime. The chefs are big on two things – the participation of the audience in the actual cooking, and wine. Ours was a Thai-inspired evening. I am not a soup person, but I loved the Thai-inspired butternut soup.
My other favourite activity was the helicopter ride over the V&A Waterfront.
NAC Helicopters offers a choice of four routes, all differing in scenery and length of ride.
Our 15-minute hopper tour took us over the 12 Apostles, Green Point, Camps Bay, Clifton and Sea Point. Our friendly pilot, Anthony, entertained all my strange questions.
We also did the regulars, like Table Mountain and the City Sight Seeing Bus tours. As always it was a humbling experience to see the magnificence of Cape Town and Robben Island from the top of one of the seven wonders of the world. It was however, extra cold because it’s winter.
We wound down Friday night at hip venue The Vue. This provides magical views of Cape Town at night. With the latest pop music setting the mood for the evening, it struck the balance between a dinner and night time outing.
The trip confirmed to me that Cape Town is an evergreen tourist destination, and the good times don’t roll only in summer. Winter’s a winner there too.