Wondering Around Cape Town

This time it was without a tour guide or a giant bus to keep us safe. Dana, Sarah and I decided because it was a holiday weekend (National Women's Day) we would spend the day in Cape Town! We took the early train from Stellenbosch to Cape Town at 9:00 am. The train ride itself took about an hour to travel the 40 km between Stellenbosch and Cape Town. The train ride itself was boring and uneventful. We paid only R14 for a round trip tickets (at the current exchange rate it was about $2) and we sat in third class. Traditionally third class was reserved for black South Africans, whereas white South Africans took the more expensive first class coaches.











We got into Cape Town about 10:00 am. After stumbling our way through the crowded train station we made it to the street. It was from here that we took a 10 minute walk to the V&A Waterfront. We went and saw the Two Oceans Aquarium, which was fun, interesting and educational. Some of the high-lights include the sharks, the kelp forests and the penguins. It was quite an experience, though we were surprised at the small size of the aquarium. We figured a city boasting about four million people would have a bigger aquarium.















After our two hours at the aquarium, we enjoyed sack lunches on the waterfront. We then hit up a craft fair that featured local made nick-nacks, photos and artwork. Afterward, we explored more of the Victoria Wharf shopping center and the V&A Waterfront.













On the way back to the train station we walked up Long Street where Cape Town's night life comes to spend most nights in pubs and clubs till odd hours at night. We found many colorful buildings of Dutch, French and Victorian architecture styles. We also tried, somewhat successfully, at avoiding some of the local drifters and poor. In South Africa the homeless beg a lot harder for coins or food. They tend to walk with you for a few blocks before they take the hint. It gets slightly annoying and can be quite intimidating.













Our train ride back was a lot more cramped. Third class filled up quite a bit but most got off the train before our stop at Stellenbosch. All in all, I would say it was a pretty successful day in Kaapstad!