Exploring Bo-Kaap and Cape Town's Waterfront
One thing I forgot to mention yesterday is that Cape Town still has Woolworths, and it's exactly the same as the Woolworths we used to have back home. A real blast from the past!
After a great night's sleep, we woke up to blue skies and sunshine. It was pleasantly warm, although a light jacket over a T-shirt was just right for the morning. We took a leisurely walk along the canal to the V&A Waterfront, where our first stop was Bootleggers. Thanks to our City Pass, breakfast was ‘free’, and the bacon and egg bap certainly wasn’t bad!
From there, we hopped on the Blue Route hop-on-hop-off bus and made our way to the colourful Bo-Kaap district for a guided walking tour. Lasting around two hours, it allowed us to get a real understanding of the area and its history.
The local guide shared not only the fascinating history of Bo-Kaap but also the challenges its residents still face today. The neighbourhood dates back to the 1760s, when Dutch landowner Jan de Waal built rental houses for enslaved people brought from Malaysia, Indonesia and parts of Africa. Over the years, the area has developed its own distinct culture and cuisine.
Many long-standing residents are being priced out of the community. Although many families have owned their brightly coloured homes for generations, rising property values have led to higher taxes, making it difficult for them to stay there.
We also learnt the cannon on nearby Signal Hill still fires every day at noon. It's a tradition dating back to the days when ships in Table Bay would set their marine chronometers before heading out to sea.
After the walking tour, we got back on the Blue Route bus and continued to Hout Bay. Here we enjoyed another City Pass perk, free fish and chips overlooking the harbour. The fish was incredibly fresh, beautifully cooked and the portions were certainly large.
The afternoon was spent completing the rest of the bus route before swapping four wheels for the water. First came a harbour cruise, followed by a relaxing trip along the canals. One thing we've really appreciated is the quality of the commentary from the local guides. Whether on the bus or the boats, each tour guide offers different stories and insights, so you never feel like you're hearing the same information twice, which is great.
Back at the V&A Waterfront, we browsed the artisan craft shops before ending the day. Friday evening brought a lively atmosphere with live music, a glass of excellent South African wine and a selection of African tapas to round off another fantastic day exploring Cape Town.