I dropped in at the Stellenbosch Botanical Gardens run by the local university. An eager male student asked if I was here to see some really rare plant from Namibia (of course I can’t remember the name now). I was like, “Uhh, yes?” I’m no plant expert so he showed me the plant in question […]
South Africa
Cape Town: Table Mountain
Table Mountain provides Cape Town with its dramatic backdrop. As you may have so cleverly deduced, Table Mountain is a flat plateau. While the more adventurous may choose an intense hike/climb up the steep cliffs, most visitors use the Aerial Cableway. Built in 1928, the Cableway has gone through several upgrades, the latest of which […]
Cape Town: Robben Island
“We want Robben Island to reflect the triumph of freedom and human dignity over oppression and humiliation.” -Ahmed Kathrada, Prisoner 468/64, Robben Island 1964-1982 Note: I feel this post is largely condensed, as there is so much to be learned about apartheid. However, I hope that it will spark an interest in a visit to […]
Montage Monday: Bo Kaap, Cape Town
Bo Kaap is a neighborhood on the edge of Cape Town’s city center and is known for it’s colorful, semi-detached houses. Bo Kaap’s residents are largely descendants of slaves that were imported by the Dutch in the 1700s from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. Because of this, the neighborhood is mostly Muslim and has colorful […]
Cape Town: First Impressions
Less than two weeks after the World Cup came to a close in South Africa, I was headed for Cape Town. I had heard from many a traveler along the way how much I would love Cape Town. But it’s difficult for me to imagine the places they described as still being part of the […]
RTW Trip: Five Months In
Five months. That means I’m over halfway through my trip now (sad!). It was another absolutely spectacular month of travel. No time for small talk, let’s cut straight to the adventures.