I would go back again, in a heartbeat. But it was my first time on a plane though, a 12hour flight. Terrified like a kitten. Couldn't eat three days before the flight.
I was going crazy.
Super late bloomer when it comes to travelling. Lol.
First plane experience at 26 years young.
Had asked for window seat by the way. It's not the flying that I'm nervous about.
It was the following things that got my mind in a frenzy:
-not being picked up when i arrive (we are talking about Africa here.. )
-lost in transit (although there was none)
-lost at the airport (heard any stories about this?)
-denied entry (does it ever happen to anyone? Lol)
A great way to fly, indeed :)
Sat next to an Australian guy on the plane. "Third one for the day", he said.
Oh yeah? First plane ride in my life, Mister.
He turns out to be a nice guy, chatty and i started the journey by talking to a stranger. Lol
Football Fever!
As soon as you get off the airport and everywhere you go, you could feel the
World Cup 2010 fever coming up in June that summer. It was only November 2009 when i arrived but you could feel the balls in the air. Literally.
Love at first sight with World Cup 2010 mascot, Zakumi. Bet it was mutual.
Was staying near the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Everything else is a walk away. Never been to a cold country prior to this obviously.
Its strange to have the sun shining on you and yet you are seeking comfort from your extra clothing.
The walk to the convention centre
View from the bedroom
The super cosy apartment that makes you wanna stay in all day
Local TV stations were still screening Seinfield and Fresh Price of Bel Air.
Miss those!
Cape Town was a vibrant place filled with music, super talented street artiste, warm smiles and spectacular views! And its amazing no matter where you are in the world, there is always a lovely, lovely place near the sea, river or coast with names like River Front, Harbour Front and Water Front etc. So here I was at the Waterfront.
Love this photo! A slender me back then and an awesome view
Lunch by the river with Marissa
The music people that makes you wanna dance with somebody
The man who didnt move
Met a great travelling companion when i was there. Blessings in life. Do count them. Her name is Mako. Japanese lady living in the Texas who's in town for a visit.
Here's a few fun facts about my first travelling companion.
- she walks to almost everywhere in Capetown (not sure if its a Japanese thing)
- allergic to alcohol (and I dont drink but we both went on a wine tour. Lol)
- thinks im photo-crazy (selfie wasnt really a thing back then)
- love Owls!
Now here she is.
Me and Mako having fun on the tour bus
At the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens where she had enough of my camera. Lol
At the vineyard, where we had the best grape juice ever
Awesome lunch in a little cottage styled restaurant
At another vineyard, loving the grape juice again
The breathtaking sunset on the ride home
Got pretty excited when Mako told me about heading to the Malay Village. I had Geylang Serai in mind. Naturally. I wasnt expecting what they would called the Cape Malays. Descendants of enslaved Javanese who were transported to South Africa during the Dutch Occupation. It was a super duper heart-warming experience
At the museum
Playing colours. Beautiful Malay homes
We saw beautiful mosques too that dated as far back as the 1700 and went into one that was built in 1819. The Imam (head of the mosque) welcomed us inside, gave us a tour and even invited us back to his home to meet his family. We were back again at his place for Hari Raya Haji celebration that weekend. ( I was homesick by then) Was treated to ice cream later at Camps Bay and basked in the sunset overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Blessings yet again.
Imam's wife and me
Sunset at Camps Bay
Soaking up the evening sun
The highlight of Cape Town was definitely the Table Mountain. A must do. It was a long drive up followed by a cable car ride. When it gets cloudy at the peak, the locals would say that the there was a table cloth on it. Lol. On one side of the mountain was the Devil's peak and on the other was the Lion's head. It's all in the name.
That table top
He named this pic "the sun in your eyes". Not mine obviously
Thanks for dropping by! xoxo
