Cape Town

Located at the foot of the Table Mountain, Cape Town was known as Kaapstad among the Zulu in the past. It is the legislative capital of South Africa and situated at the northern end of Cape Peninsula,thirty miles
away from the Cape of Good Hope at the south. Residential housing in the city are built around Table Mountain while the suburbs extents to the south towards False Bay. Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate with an average temperature of 27 degrees centigrade in spring and 7~12 degrees centigrade in winter. Rainfall is concentrated primarily from May to August. 

Before 1881, Cape Town used to be surrounded by numerous minor independent cities. However, things quickly changed when the "Boer War" broke out in 1899, and numerous autonomous small towns with Dutch-descent residents either surrendered or end up isolated. When the Union of South Africa was initiated in 1913, minor neighboring cities wasted no time to become part of the union. As a result, Cape Town grew from a small port to a large metropolis that we have come to know today.

Diversified architectural styles from diversified cultures
Ever since its establishment in 1652, Cape Town has been ruled by the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and the English. Coupled with the influx of Malay, Indian and Muslim immigrants from central Asia, Cape Town has become a melting pot of different cultures.
The convergence of different cultures at Cape Town has resulted in the emergence of distinctively different architectures in the city. Edwardian and Victorian residential housing are most prominent at Cape Town, and one can find extremely well preserved, 18th century Dutch architecture near the Table Bay. Strolling around the streets and alleys at Cape Town would make one feel as if he has come to London or Amsterdam. However, the mix of Malay and Islamic building amongst the European styled architecture certainly add a dash of Southeast Asian elements.

With the constant on-going process of cultural transition for the past few centuries, Cape Town has essentially become a large museum with streets lined with numerous historical relics. Cape Town is just like a treasure trove that keen and observant tourists will no doubt take delight in venturing. There are many museums at Cape Town, and they are the best witnesses of local architectures with specific historical values. For example, the Bertram Museum offers a rich collection of furniture used by English royalties during the 18th century; the SA Cultural History Museum is the home to an exquisite collection of various coins, stamps and guns. Other notable museums in Cape Town include the Jewish Museum (which features traditional items and arts of major Jewish festivals) and the South African Museum (with extensive display of various fossils and specimens of mammals and reptile). It is worth noting that the South African Museum is the home of the world's most comprehensive collection of whale casts and specimens. Seeing the sheer magnitude of the ocean's largest mammal is guaranteed to be an inspirational experience.

Apart from these fascinating museums, other historical architectures can also be found at Cape Town. The old High Court and Groote Kerk are both Dutch styled architectures that were built in 1836. Typical Dutch architectures have horseshoe shaped roof and rectangular windowpanes. The exterior of these building are usually finished with white plaster and with the grayish black Table Mountain as a backdrop, these buildings look particularly eye-catching.
 

 The Malay Quarter in Cape Town City Bowl is located next to De Waterkant suburbs. 
The local Malays refer to the area as Bo-Kaap. During the Dutch colonial era, Malays that practiced Islam were sold as slaves to Cape Town. Eventually, the Malay immigrants in Cape Town started building mosques in the area. The dome shaped mosques also symbolize Islamic influence in the multicultural city of Cape Town.
 

City Hall, located on Adderley Street, is a typical Baroque styled architecture that was completed at the turn of the 18th century. With its pointed cylindrical clock tower and exquisitely carved marble statues, City Hall is no doubt the most majestic architecture in Cape Town.
The open square before the City Hall used to be a grand parade where the British commanders stationed at Cape Town inspected their troops during the "Boer War". However, the square has been turned into a flower market that is renowned for the sales of different colored roses cultivated in Cape Town.
 

Adjacent to the grand parade is the Castle of Good Hope that was built in 1697. It is also the oldest castle built by white South African immigrants. The moats and gates of the castle are still intact today, and the stone fort has been renovated into a military museum for tourists.  

Situated at the end of Adderley Street, Groote Kerk is the oldest church in South Africa. It is also the origin of Dutch Reformed Church denomination in the country. The architecture was first built in 1704 and later restored in 1841. The pulpit of the church was the work by Anton Anreith, a renowned sculptor and woodcarver. The century old masterpiece draws significant number of keen artists to the church on a yearly basis.
Sitting at the heart of the city is the Greenmarket Square, where the famous flea market of Cape Town is located. Due to its close proximity to the harbor (less than 1 km away), the market has become the most popular shopping area for sailors from around the world. The non-stop sound of merchants peddling their goods can be heard from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. at the flea market and one can find an impressive assortment of African wax-painted fabrics, wood sculptures and amber accessories at affordable prices that are still negotiable. The most unique goods available at the flea market would have to be the silverware sold by the Indian merchants. Most of their wares are oil lamps, candlestick or necklaces of unique yet simplistic designs from India or Middle East, and they are much harder to come by in other parts of the world.

The next street from the Greenmarket Square is the Church Street; the renowned antique street in Cape Town. Two-storey Dutch architectures are neatly built on both sides of the street, and every antique store has its unique featured items from 19th century faucet, antique clock to old wristwatches. If you are an avid collector of antique cameras, you must not miss the opportunity to visit Church Street. Rare items such as Kodak, Leica cameras manufactured in 19th century and mini spy cameras used during WWI could all be purchased.

The pavement of Church Street is occupied by antique peddlers most of the time and one can often see old ladies weaving and waiting for customers to approach them about their wares (typically vases or tea pots). In addition, the area is also a popular spot for street artists and singers of soul music or American folk tunes with guitar accompaniment. Artists donning all sorts of bizarre apparels are frequent patrons of the street, and because of their unique fashion statements, one might have a hard time differentiating their gender at the first glimpse. With these treasure seekers who are bent on scavenging rare items from the piles of antiques, the artists are just like the "displays" in the museum that is Church Street in its entirety.
 

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
As night falls, the streets are illuminated with dazzling lights as tourists and sailors from around the world emerge from all directions and head for the Amphitheatre.   
The bustling activities at Victoria & Alfred Waterfront would typically die down at this time of the day as the evening sun sets with various canvases and canopies at the harbor. Everyone holds their breath and the only remaining sounds are the cries of the seagulls or occasional steamboat whistle from afar.

Suddenly, the high notes of violin pierce the silence as the surface of the sea reflects the golden luster of the setting sun to provide the best ambient lighting for the Amphitheatre. By this time, the Amphitheater at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is crowded with keen audiences, whose full attention has already gone to the featured performance that is about to begin. The warm and romantic atmosphere of art makes this place almost as enchanting as the Paris Opera House.
Such is the daily routine at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront of Cape Town. The romantic moods of Cape Town have transformed the city into a "sanctuary" for art aficionados. The more one becomes acquainted to the city, the more he will be drawn by its splendor and glamour.

Time certainly seems to be moving slower at Victoria & Alfred Waterfront because the place still looks like a 19th century settlement with an ancient clock tower, old frigates and a breakwater harbor. These adequately reveal the majestic qualities of Victorian construction. The shopping complex at the waterfront offers an assortment of African sculptures and the experience is really more about the process of shopping rather than what you buy.

Ferry services to different quays at the Table Bay are available at the waterfront, and each of these quays touts distinctively different features. Travelers feel as if they have returned to the 19th century by setting foot at the quays with hints of the heyday of the Victorian era. There are dozens of restaurants operating in the proximity and every dining establishment serves exquisite cuisines. Imagine yourself savoring delectable seafood such as lobsters and oysters and having a cup of chilled beer to go with the food; as you indulge in the delicious dishes at the seat near the quay, you can also watch the energetic seals leaping about in the waters at the same time. The pleasant atmosphere is something that you have to experience to believe.
 

The fact is, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront area is a key part of the city to local residents. It is not merely a fishing harbor but also a place for people to reminisce the good old days at Cape Town.   

Determined to rebuild the old and smelly waterfront area into an extravagant tourist attraction with the pioneering spirit of the 18th century voortrekkers, "the V&A Waterfront Company" spent 3 billion rand on the entire project. Commencing in 1988, the project was completed in 2000 and the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has over 80 shops, 10 movie theatres, 25 restaurants, a flea market and a fresh fish market. In addition, a canal that leads straight to the heart of downtown has been built to draw more tourists. 

The North Quay Warehouse was renovated to become the five-star Victoria & Alfred Hotel. With the Table Mountain as its backdrop and full view of the harbor, its offering of 68 guestrooms is usually fully booked year round.
And hence, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has become another dazzling star in the international tourism market that could rival Fishermen's Wharf at San Francisco.
 

 The joy of shopping in a flea market at Cape Town
All tourists to South Africa no doubt include a safari trip in their itinerary, because that is something that you do not have the opportunity of 
experiencing in most parts of the world. However, avid shoppers at the flea market might also experience that rush of thrill just as a predator spots his prey. To an enthusiastic shopper, the excitement of identifying a long-sought-after treasure amidst a pile of "junk" would no doubt be more exhilarating than witnessing the Big Five game animals drinking from the same pool of water. 

One can find no less than a dozen flea markets at Cape Town in various places such as the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the Greenmarket Square, station front square, grand parade and so forth. But regardless of their sizes, these flea markets offer glimpses of Cape Town's contemporary styles and atmospheres. Take the one at Greenmarket Square for example; setting foot in the market makes one feel as if he has entered the UN building with merchants of various races, peddling their wares in English, Afrikaans, Hindi, Chinese and other languages. One can think of the flea market as the epitome of Cape Town, because it perfectly represents the cultural melting pot that has been around for a few centuries.
When you make your way to the Greenmarket Square, you will be impressed by the incredible variety of goods to choose from. Apart from traditional handicrafts, you may also find stores selling fresh flowers, dried flowers and precious stones from all over the world.

Other exotic merchandize that might draw your attention include exotic wood and stone carvings; handicrafts made from ostrich eggshells and even chieftain chairs.

But remember; regardless of what you buy at the flea market, you should always try to bargain and negotiate for the best deal. It would be worthwhile to compare prices and your shopping spree should yield fruitful results.
 

 Institute of tertiary education in Cape Town
Cape Town has two internationally renowned universities: one is the University of Cape Town, and the other is Stellenbosch University. 
Though both universities have their distinctive features, they share the common trait of having the most scenic campuses, which are recognized as a part of Cape Town's attraction. 

The University of Cape Town was originally founded in 1829 as the South African College, which was a boys-only school intended for missionaries pursuing academic achievements. In 1841, the school relocated to the slopes of Devil's Peak. The school began admitting female students from 1890 onward, so that children of immigration officials would have the opportunity to receive tertiary education. In 1918, the college was officially renamed to UCT and began to admit students publicly. Presently, the student population consists of black and white students in approximately equal ratio. The university is particularly known for its medical school, art department and graduate school of business, which are considered the best in Africa. The university has also attracted a fair number of students from Taiwan who seek quality education abroad. As the University of Cape Town inherits the qualities of strictness and discipline that are typical of traditional English education, the university drops out substantial percentage of students on a yearly basis. Consequently, students admitted to the university are known for their conscientiousness and diligence as they spend most of their time reading textbooks or conducting researches. Make no mistake: if you are looking for a university "where you can slack off for four years" and graduate in time, the University of Cape Town is definitely not an option.

Stellenbosch University is located approximately 40 km away from the heart of Cape Town. Its main campus is located in the town of Stellenbosch; the world-renowned town for its viticulture and winemaking. Built in 1679, the town of Stellenbosch also happens to be the second oldest European settlement in South Africa. The town is the home to numerous historical relics and the streets are mostly covered in green shades, provided by the overwhelming amount of century-old oak trees planted along the pavements. In Afrikaans, the town is known as Eikestad, which literally translates to "City of Oaks".

The town of Stellenbosch is just like a "miniature Europe". When it was built in mid 17th century, the town became a retreat for fugitive nobles from Europe. These aristocrats firmly believed that "Culture gives birth to Wine and Wine creates Culture". Seeds of grapes from Germany, France, Holland and Spain found a new place to thrive in Stellenbosch. Eventually, the town would become South Africa's top winemaking establishment. 

 All Dutch styled architecture with white walls and classic designs one can expect to find at Stellenbosch were all built in the 17th century. These buildings stand out particularly amidst the greenery of numerous vineyards.
One can find numerous giant barrels installed with numerous tubes for temperature control at the winemaking factories. Temperature control is essential for winemaking because the sweetness of the wine varies with temperature changes. This explains why you would see sweetness labels of "Dry", "Medium Dry", "Medium Sweet" and "Sweet" on wine bottles. 

There are no less than 80 winemaking factories in Stellenbosch. Apart from catering to local demands, Stellenbosch wines are also sold over sixty countries around the world. The most renowned estate in Stellenbosch is Neethlingshof Estate, which occupies an area of 230 hectares, covered by green vineyards. It was built in 1692 and the winemaker has closely followed the traditional methods of winemaking that have been passed down for over three centuries. In 1985, German financier Hans Schreiber bought Neethlingshof and turned the venue in to a five-star countryside hotel that draws countless European wine merchants and tourists with its exquisite wines.

Stellenbosch University is a predominantly Afrikaans medium university. It was initiated in 1683 with the goal of promoting education in Afrikaans. In 1859, the school was established by the Dutch Reformed Church as First Class Public School. It was renamed to Stellenbosch College in the following year. In 1887, the jubilee year of Queen Victoria's reign, Her Majesty consented to the College's name being changed to the Victoria College of Stellenbosch. Jan Smut (former South African Prime Minister, military leader, and international statesman), was among the numerous notable alumni from the Stellenbosch University. (The international airport at Johannesburg was named after Jan Smut.)

In 1918, the school went through yet another name change and was officially known as Stellenbosch University from then onwards. The university has ten faculties, namely Art and Social Sciences, Science, Education, Agriculture, Law, Theology, Commerce, Engineering, Military Science, Health Sciences, and the Graduate School of Business. Presently, the school has gradually adopted bilingual instruction in Afrikaans and English. Out of all faculties, Stellenbosch University's Military Science faculty is the most prestigious in Africa, with several alumni that became high-ranking military leaders and heads of state.
Almost all campus buildings at Stellenbosch University have been listed by the South African government as national historical architectures. The university is also the home to the J.S. Gericke Library, which is renowned for its extensive collection of tools and herbs used by various native African tribes.

Due to the school's policy on Afrikaans instruction, the university has limited enrollments of students from abroad.
 

Links:South African Tourism | Rovos Rail | Sun City Hotel | Blue Train
Contact Us 2012 Rock Sun Travel.All Rights Reserved.