Anyone On Here Been To Cape Town?
I went in the bad old days in the early seventies, but just now booked a fortnight in Feb. It looks absolutely stunning, with scenery to die for in the wine country. I know there are some safety concerns and will take that on board, but itching to start planning.
Anyone holidayed there, recently?
Re: Anyone On Here Been To Cape Town?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Peajay
I went in the bad old days in the early seventies, but just now booked a fortnight in Feb. It looks absolutely stunning, with scenery to die for in the wine country. I know there are some safety concerns and will take that on board, but itching to start planning.
Anyone holidayed there, recently?
I have. It was fantastic.
We also did a tour of the townships which was a real eye opener - I don't think that you get a balanced perspective of Cape Town without doing so.
Re: Anyone On Here Been To Cape Town?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Peajay
I went in the bad old days in the early seventies, but just now booked a fortnight in Feb. It looks absolutely stunning, with scenery to die for in the wine country. I know there are some safety concerns and will take that on board, but itching to start planning.
Anyone holidayed there, recently?
Been twice in the last 18 months for mildly extended periods. Favourite place in the world. Hired a car the one time and did a loop over to Plettenburg and the Karoo region, Inc the wine regions.
Give us a PM if you need to know anything in particular!
Re: Anyone On Here Been To Cape Town?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bobby Dandruff
I have. It was fantastic.
We also did a tour of the townships which was a real eye opener - I don't think that you get a balanced perspective of Cape Town without doing so.
Surely you'd have an image in your mind's eye about what to expect, i.e poor, overcrowded living conditions, before you even got there?
Re: Anyone On Here Been To Cape Town?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rock_Flock_of_Five
Surely you'd have an image in your mind's eye about what to expect, i.e poor, overcrowded living conditions, before you even got there?
I don’t know if you have ever been to Cape Town (have you?) but the townships are truly vast, even to the reasonably well informed, but about 20 mins from the centre.
Many, many people visit Cape Town for the glorious scenery, Robben Island, the weather, as a gateway to the Garden Route etc and yet never visit the townships. In fact, it is hardly a tourist trap for obvious reasons and therefore you have to go out of your way to visit and even then it is with a police escort (despite the people being seemingly very welcoming).
So your ‘right on’ comment is a bit naive as the majority of visitors never visit that part of Cape Town which is a bit surprising as there are well over a million (yes a million) people living in abject poverty on the doorstep of what is on the surface a beautiful city, which, to me anyway, has to be seen to be believed. It is staggering.
So, have you been? I’d recommend it if you haven’t as it is a fascinating country.
Re: Anyone On Here Been To Cape Town?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bobby Dandruff
I don’t know if you have ever been to Cape Town (have you?) but the townships are truly vast, even to the reasonably well informed, but about 20 mins from the centre.
Many, many people visit Cape Town for the glorious scenery, Robben Island, the weather, as a gateway to the Garden Route etc and yet never visit the townships. In fact, it is hardly a tourist trap for obvious reasons and therefore you have to go out of your way to visit and even then it is with a police escort (despite the people being seemingly very welcoming).
So your ‘right on’ comment is a bit naive as the majority of visitors never visit that part of Cape Town which is a bit surprising as there are well over a million (yes a million) people living in abject poverty on the doorstep of what is on the surface a beautiful city, which, to me anyway, has to be seen to be believed. It is staggering.
So, have you been? I’d recommend it if you haven’t as it is a fascinating country.
Thanks, lets not turn this in to some sort of political or ethical spat RFoF.
There may be a few PMs coming out over the next few months requesting info. Looks an absolute stunning country, initial plan is to stay in CT for 4/5 days and do the jaw dropping garden route and wine country.
Re: Anyone On Here Been To Cape Town?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bobby Dandruff
I don’t know if you have ever been to Cape Town (have you?) but the townships are truly vast, even to the reasonably well informed, but about 20 mins from the centre.
Many, many people visit Cape Town for the glorious scenery, Robben Island, the weather, as a gateway to the Garden Route etc and yet never visit the townships. In fact, it is hardly a tourist trap for obvious reasons and therefore you have to go out of your way to visit and even then it is with a police escort (despite the people being seemingly very welcoming).
So your ‘right on’ comment is a bit naive as the majority of visitors never visit that part of Cape Town which is a bit surprising as there are well over a million (yes a million) people living in abject poverty on the doorstep of what is on the surface a beautiful city, which, to me anyway, has to be seen to be believed. It is staggering.
So, have you been? I’d recommend it if you haven’t as it is a fascinating country.
It's sometimes a diificult balance wanting to educate oneself and see what deprivations some people suffer from but without it being some sort of 'poerty porn'. I made a trip four years ago, something I always wanted to do before American tourists got there. All well and good: I experienced a largely 'unspoiled' Cuba bit it was evident that a lot of the population may actually benefit from the extra touris, than would have made it less charming for me.
To that end, besides putting money into the hands of the locals as opposed to intermediaries, what would you consider ethical when visiting South Africa and the townships? I have the opportunity to visit a firend in CXape Town myself.
The other thing is that I have always considered people to exaggerate risk hugely when travelling to places off the beaten track (and I have backpacked around some very outlandish places all around the world on my own hitherto) but I feel less relaxed in doing so in South Africa. If you have any advice on any front I would appreciate it.
In the meantime, I will be visiting India, Italy and Gambia.....
Re: Anyone On Here Been To Cape Town?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bobby Dandruff
I don’t know if you have ever been to Cape Town (have you?) but the townships are truly vast, even to the reasonably well informed, but about 20 mins from the centre.
Many, many people visit Cape Town for the glorious scenery, Robben Island, the weather, as a gateway to the Garden Route etc and yet never visit the townships. In fact, it is hardly a tourist trap for obvious reasons and therefore you have to go out of your way to visit and even then it is with a police escort (despite the people being seemingly very welcoming).
So your ‘right on’ comment is a bit naive as the majority of visitors never visit that part of Cape Town which is a bit surprising as there are well over a million (yes a million) people living in abject poverty on the doorstep of what is on the surface a beautiful city, which, to me anyway, has to be seen to be believed. It is staggering.
So, have you been? I’d recommend it if you haven’t as it is a fascinating country.
No, I haven't been. There are a number of places on my bucket list, but Cape Town isn't one of them. I'm sure South Africa is indeed a fascinating country, I wasn't trying to deride it or your visit there. I was just trying to say that if you pay a visit to Beverly Hills, for example, you would go there expecting to see large, expensive houses - if you plan on visiting a township in South Africa, you go there expecting to see poverty and poor living conditions, surely?
Re: Anyone On Here Been To Cape Town?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Peajay
Thanks, lets not turn this in to some sort of political or ethical spat RFoF.
There may be a few PMs coming out over the next few months requesting info. Looks an absolute stunning country, initial plan is to stay in CT for 4/5 days and do the jaw dropping garden route and wine country.
What the hell are you talking about? :hehe:
Re: Anyone On Here Been To Cape Town?
So many threads go South on here and way off topic, just didn’t want this one to have the potential to do the same 👍
Re: Anyone On Here Been To Cape Town?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Peajay
So many threads go South on here and way off topic, just didn’t want this one to have the potential to do the same ��
Your sense of direction is impeccable!
Re: Anyone On Here Been To Cape Town?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Peajay
I went in the bad old days in the early seventies, but just now booked a fortnight in Feb. It looks absolutely stunning, with scenery to die for in the wine country. I know there are some safety concerns and will take that on board, but itching to start planning.
Anyone holidayed there, recently?
South Africa is a magnificent country and Cape Town a great city. Have holidayed there many times. Was there last year and will be back later this year.
But it is different and changing. When we first started going there NM was President. The face of Tourism and more was still very much white in colour. Over the years that has changed as has so many things. With over 25 million unemployed and not receiving any benefits its very hard to argue that there should not be more opportunities for all.
The incredibly huge townships are being transformed from townships mainly of corrugated sheets and open sewers to concrete buildings with hot running water and toilets. It will take decades to complete the transformation and not all will be a success.
The scenery is stunning, the good roads tend to be very good, the others are what they are, driving on the left makes it easy and whilst it is right to be cautious it has always felt generally safe.
I am in London tomorrow and expect to see more begging that I would in Cape Town.
The people who do have menial jobs will often travel say 10 miles to get to work and that used to mostly mean walking, Now there are free buses in the urban areas to enable people to get to work. Beyond those areas it is not uncommon to travel for very many miles from 'civilisation' and encounter people walking towards somewhere.
The ruling ANC party do not at a regional level rule the prosperous Western Cape and they would like to. Last year, as an act of growing strength, there was strike by the workers, the first ever in the very popular Herm**** which had a major impact on tourism and reminded the business owners not to be complacent.
The Waterfront, The City Centre, The Muslim area, Signal Hill, Camps Bay, Table Mountain, Constantia, Franschhoek and other parts of the wine region, Herm****, the Newlands Rugby/Cricket ground, Green Point Stadium, tour of CT harbour and all the other obvious tourist points are well worth visiting.
Two tips. Do Table Mountain as quickly as you can because it isn't always open.
If driving keep a copy of the Big Issue on the dashboard to avoid being pestered at traffic lights. If you want to cover of all the bases also white lilies, a coke can, sunglasses and bangles!!
Re: Anyone On Here Been To Cape Town?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BLUEAWAY
South Africa is a magnificent country and Cape Town a great city. Have holidayed there many times. Was there last year and will be back later this year.
But it is different and changing. When we first started going there NM was President. The face of Tourism and more was still very much white in colour. Over the years that has changed as has so many things. With over 25 million unemployed and not receiving any benefits its very hard to argue that there should not be more opportunities for all.
The incredibly huge townships are being transformed from townships mainly of corrugated sheets and open sewers to concrete buildings with hot running water and toilets. It will take decades to complete the transformation and not all will be a success.
The scenery is stunning, the good roads tend to be very good, the others are what they are, driving on the left makes it easy and whilst it is right to be cautious it has always felt generally safe.
I am in London tomorrow and expect to see more begging that I would in Cape Town.
The people who do have menial jobs will often travel say 10 miles to get to work and that used to mostly mean walking, Now there are free buses in the urban areas to enable people to get to work. Beyond those areas it is not uncommon to travel for very many miles from 'civilisation' and encounter people walking towards somewhere.
The ruling ANC party do not at a regional level rule the prosperous Western Cape and they would like to. Last year, as an act of growing strength, there was strike by the workers, the first ever in the very popular Herm**** which had a major impact on tourism and reminded the business owners not to be complacent.
The Waterfront, The City Centre, The Muslim area, Signal Hill, Camps Bay, Table Mountain, Constantia, Franschhoek and other parts of the wine region, Herm****, the Newlands Rugby/Cricket ground, Green Point Stadium, tour of CT harbour and all the other obvious tourist points are well worth visiting.
Two tips. Do Table Mountain as quickly as you can because it isn't always open.
If driving keep a copy of the Big Issue on the dashboard to avoid being pestered at traffic lights. If you want to cover of all the bases also white lilies, a coke can, sunglasses and bangles!!
a n u s.
Re: Anyone On Here Been To Cape Town?
[QUOTE=BLUEAWAY;4977941]a n u s.[/QUOTE
It’s all bottoms with you South Africans (bit of poetic licence with Fawlty Towers there) 🤪
Re: Anyone On Here Been To Cape Town?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Taunton Blue Genie
It's sometimes a diificult balance wanting to educate oneself and see what deprivations some people suffer from but without it being some sort of 'poerty porn'. I made a trip four years ago, something I always wanted to do before American tourists got there. All well and good: I experienced a largely 'unspoiled' Cuba bit it was evident that a lot of the population may actually benefit from the extra touris, than would have made it less charming for me.
To that end, besides putting money into the hands of the locals as opposed to intermediaries, what would you consider ethical when visiting South Africa and the townships? I have the opportunity to visit a firend in CXape Town myself.
The other thing is that I have always considered people to exaggerate risk hugely when travelling to places off the beaten track (and I have backpacked around some very outlandish places all around the world on my own hitherto) but I feel less relaxed in doing so in South Africa. If you have any advice on any front I would appreciate it.
In the meantime, I will be visiting India, Italy and Gambia.....
I felt perfectly safe at all times during our trip (two and a half weeks) and the people were so friendly and welcoming.
I only noticed the double police escort in the townships when someone pointed it out to me!
I’d thoroughly recommend it as a country to visit and I know what you mean about the ‘poverty porn’. I suppose the easiest thing to do is not go. But then I wouldn’t have felt that I’d appreciated enough of Cape Town.
But it isn’t for everyone of course.
Re: Anyone On Here Been To Cape Town?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rock_Flock_of_Five
No, I haven't been. There are a number of places on my bucket list, but Cape Town isn't one of them. I'm sure South Africa is indeed a fascinating country, I wasn't trying to deride it or your visit there. I was just trying to say that if you pay a visit to Beverly Hills, for example, you would go there expecting to see large, expensive houses - if you plan on visiting a township in South Africa, you go there expecting to see poverty and poor living conditions, surely?
I think that my point is that I have friends who say that they’d like to live in Cape Town as it is their favourite city.
And some of it is lovely.
But without experiencing the townships (they aren’t exactly small after all!) then I’m not sure I’d be so quick to agree.
And I’m not trying to sound holier than though, but there is a difference seeing it first hand especially now, as the townships have developed so much since the ANC came to power (not necessarily for the better btw)
Re: Anyone On Here Been To Cape Town?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bobby Dandruff
I felt perfectly safe at all times during our trip (two and a half weeks) and the people were so friendly and welcoming.
I only noticed the double police escort in the townships when someone pointed it out to me!
I’d thoroughly recommend it as a country to visit and I know what you mean about the ‘poverty porn’. I suppose the easiest thing to do is not go. But then I wouldn’t have felt that I’d appreciated enough of Cape Town.
But it isn’t for everyone of course.
No, I will definitely go. I just wanted any tips that would be ethically the right thing, that's all. I much prefer to see places with my own eyes than boycott them (unless absolutely necessary).
Re: Anyone On Here Been To Cape Town?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Taunton Blue Genie
It's sometimes a diificult balance wanting to educate oneself and see what deprivations some people suffer from but without it being some sort of 'poerty porn'.
There was a young sailor from Brighton,
Who remarked to his girl, You've a tight one,
She replied, "Oh my soul,
You're in the wrong hole,
There's plenty of room in the right one!"
