My Lovely Journey to Cape Town (South Africa)

Hello all...I can't help my self to let you know about my lovely journey to Cape Town, South Africa on November 12-17, 2006.

First off, I'd like to tell you that my journey to Cape Town was organize by Investing Coordination Board of Indonesia (BKPM). I'm as a small business woman that have a small garment industry had been selected to attend Match Making Business Meeting there.

I've never ever imagine could go to the land of Africa soon...since I, like every Indonesian people think Africa is very far from Indonesia...and honestly I can't afford to pay traveling by my self lol. Yeah..I'm freaking happy since I heard Cape Town is the most beautiful city in South Africa.

Allright, so we had 10 people in BKPM group; they are 8 (including me) business man/woman from Jakarta, Bandung, Jogya and Bali on various type of small industries and 2 people from BKPM staff. 

We were all flying from Jakarta to Cape Town by SQ and layover in Singapore for 2 hours. It was long distance direct flight from Singapore to Cape Town ....almost total 13 hours in the plane didn't make us tired when we arrived in Cape Town.

And...the story just beginning...Cape Town now inhibited around 3 million people is a part of white European descent. Historically since the city name Kaapstaad is establish by the Dutch in 1625. The change the name of Cape Town after UK take over in 1806. 

The beauty of this city is sooooo amazing. You can see the heart of the city from the top of Table Mountain. Lucky for us...the weather was fine so we could go to the top of Table Mountain by ride cableway. I felt blown away when I looked around at the top of Table Mountain. It's sooooo awesome! we just say...wow and....wow! I'm not surprise if Table Mountain become an ikon of Cape Town.

After Table Mountain, we went to Boulder Beach, a white sandy beach which inhibited by African penguins. Lucky again...we could see more of them closely since the weather was nice. The behavior of this sea animals looked very funny and cute. They always seen with tandem partner when playing or chatting within the group.

For your information, if you want to buy souvenirs or special african stuff , I think Boulder Beach was so much fun because the price was lower than any place at Cape Town. There were many seller offered their stuff on the street with bargain/budget price. I have bought my artistic ostrich egg and beautiful stone here lol.

Ok, It was time to have a lunch...so our guide took us to Hout Bay, an elite resedential area outside Cape Town. Many of rich European and American people had bought house in this area. The houses in this area are so special and expensive since built on the edge of hill and had overview to Atlantic Ocean. 

There is a famous restaurant named FISH ON THE ROCK that had many visitor and we all had stopped by to eat squid, shrimp, fish and potatoes fries...

After had enjoyed the seafood, we went to Cape of Good Hope, the meeting location of Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean. If the European, Dutch and Portueguese didn't wish to colonize Indonesia, it is possible that city of Cape Town and Cape of Good Hope may never exist. There is a historical story where the name come from. 

According to history book, the journey to Indonesia by traditional ship was very very difficult, especially in this area. Previously Bartholomeus Diaz (1488) from Portueguese named the cape as Heavy Cape due the dificulty of weather and sea conditions. But King of Portuegues replace the name with Cape of Good Hope because Diaz invention was useful to open the way to tropical region.

The Cape of Good Hope is a beach that sourounded by stone hill which located in the area of Table Mountain Nation Park. There is another famous place in this area which is actually the lighthouse named CAPE POINT. If you want to go there from Cape of Good Hope by walk, many path provided to go there . Cause I've never ever worked out and I'm not truly a young woman....I'd chosen to go by bus and train...lol. 

From the lighthouse tower of Cape Point...I, with my own eyes, witness the meeting of Atlantic ocean and Indian Ocean. In this place there is a pole which contain direction and distance from Cape of Good Hope to all major cities , for example Singapore is 9.967 km and New York 12.555 km. 

By the way, there is a faith about Cape Point....believe it or not! Praying at the top and at the most tip of continent of Africa..and at the meeting place between 2 big ocean (Indian & Atlantic), it seems, all we can hope fulfilled. Many blessing and sucess of man in the past already achieved there.....so you may got too....lol

Finally...in my opinion...Cape Town is a piece of paradise in the African horizon. I'm very very happy had been there.....cause it's soooooo amazing, fun, and awesome...

Thank God for one best thing in my life....Amien!