| Can I complete the whole of Round 9 of ABC Wednesday based on our four week stay in South Africa in February? Click on the photos to enlarge. |
It is said that it is easy to get your bearings in Cape Town simply by using the ever present Table Mountain as your guide.
A good theory that I never quite got the hang of while driving around and about the city, something I put down to the sun being in the ‘wrong’ place – ie in the north and crossing the sky from right to left.
But there is no doubt that Table Mountain does indeed dominate the skyline. If you enlarge my photo above, you can see the view of the City Bowl and the harbour at Table Bay.
On the left is Signal Hill and above and to the right of that is Cape Town Stadium at Green Point, built for last year’s football World Cup.
The houses that crowd up the lower slopes of Signal Hill on the right are part of the Bo-Kaap which I wrote about previously, while in the centre, by the sea, is the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.
The perfect spot to photograph Table Mountain is at Table View north of the city and looking back over Table Bay, although it was a little hazy when I took the photo above.
Table Mountain took its name from its shape and the clouds that often sit on top. The French called the clouds a wig, while Dutch thought it resembled a tablecloth, hence Table Mountain.
Personally, it looks more like an overflowing bathtub, but I suppose Bathtub Mountain doesn’t have the same ring to it.
We went to the top of the mountain on a couple of occasions. It is possible to walk to the top through Skeleton Gorge, a ‘stroll’ that takes about four hours, but we took the less energetic cable car option.
The views from 3,500 feet up are quite something, from the glorious sunset into the Atlantic to the flora and fauna you find on the two mile wide ‘tabletop’ like the dassie above and the flower on the left.
Mind you, there were some terrible sights as well. Like the cemented in place compass stone on the right – spot the misplaced apostrophe.
I have been up mountains before, but never one that has had a city in such close proximity which is what makes Table Mountain so special.
Not surprising then that is was one of the contenders for the new Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
But the sight that people climb or are carried to the top of Table Mountain to see is Cape Town by night and that is the panorama I shall leave you will.
Always nice to be able to have a point of reference in an unfamiliar TOWN.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Lovely photos. Makes me want to visit South Africa.
Terrific T post! The Two panoramas of the Town, day and night, are Tops! As is the long view of Table Mountain. But Troubling to see the Trip on gift’s… 🙂
I have never been to South Africa – but I have met Desmond Tutu!
Wow! Your last picture of Cape Town at night is superb. Regarding the unnecessary apostrophe, you should have taken some Polyfilla up there – Polly-filler. Geddit? Mmm… better censor myself at this point.
Terrific tour of the town and the “table”!
HelenMac
ABC Team
The night-time photo is especially lovely, quite dramatic.
I have enjoyed your trip and wish I could see it in person.
The night view is stunning, normally you only get to see things like that from a plane but to stand on a mountain is unique.
Wonderful photos espacially the night-time photo is lovely, quite dramatic.
I have enjoyed your trip and wish I could see it in person. keep it up thanks for sharing.
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