If you’re ever in Cape Town, the first thing people will tell you to do is summit Table Mountain, the city’s symbol, which stands proud and tall as a sentry on the perimeter of the city, casting a shadow over everything below it.
It’s like coming to San Francisco and not visiting Alcatraz or vacationing in Athens and failing to take a jaunt to the Parthenon: To not go would be simply unacceptable. I mean, just look at the view you’re in for from the top:
The thing is while we were in Cape Town for six days, we were mighty pressed for time. Normally, I’d be all about a little exercise, but the hike itself takes the better part of the afternoon and we were on a schedule. So we did the cop-out thing and took the aerial tram up, a maximum of five minutes from station to station.
Truth be told, we had considered bailing on this one activity entirely as we realized how much there was to do in this fabulous city, but my mom was dead set on going up—and I’m glad she was. I wouldn’t wanted to have missed this panoramic for anything. From one side, there are mountain peaks as far as the eye can see.
From the other, views of the sprawling metropolis of Cape Town.
I even found a couple of hams up top.
See?
And then, just as we were really having a chance to soak up the scenery, the horn blew and we hurried back to the tram, as it was the last one for the day.
But not before we got to see the sun sink slowly behind the Indian Ocean, the perfect end to a perfect day.
Visitor’s Tip: If you’re planning a trip to Table Mountain, avoid peak times like noon when you’ll be stuck waiting in line for the tram an hour, maybe more. Taking the 5:30pm one, the last of the day, was perfect, as the lighting couldn’t have been more brilliant. An added bonus: There was no line.
Ah, gorgeous. We tried to go up four times, but each time the tram was closed because of wind. We’ll give it another shot in a couple of weeks.
Looks like your weather was perfect!
ok, stop with the cape town posts! youre making me so homesick! 🙁 and that gorgeous boy reminds me where all the good men are!
Love these photos! I hiked the mountain when I was in Cape Town… Had great views on my way up, but by the time I got to the top, a thick fog/rain had rolled in, and I couldn’t see a thing! So your photos just showed me what I might’ve seen 🙂
Looking forward to hearing what else you make time for there. I only had six days, too, and after staying in a village in central Africa, I pretty much used my time in Cape Town eating grapes and going to the laundry mat and worshiping electricity. I’d love to go back sometime and do everything I missed!
Oh, one thing I did make time for: trip to Nelson Mandela’s former cell. If you’re still there, hop a ferry to the island. Worth the trip.
Gorgeous shots. I especially liked the night shot over CT. I waited 2 hrs in the Q due to power problems. I should have hiked. But it is a Must do.
Thank you for taking me back to one of my favorite places in the world!!! I wish you had had time for the hike. It’s an awesome one (I just wish I hadn’t had done it hungover and with someone else’s shoes, haha)! That picture of you is just gorgeous. I hope you frame it! 🙂
What great photos!! I love the view from the top! But isn’t it scary or dangerous sitting there? Oh wait…you’re Kristin! The ever brave Kristin who doesn’t know danger. 😀
I emailed this post to two of my bloggy friends living in South Africa.
Awesome photos! My friend is in Cape Town now and has similarly beautiful photos. This place just looks amazing.
Gorgeous! Definitely on my list for some day.
Stunning!