Traveling to Cape Town
Cape Town is located on the South African West Coast, near L’agullas, which makes up the main Southern area of the African continent. It is generally thought of as one of the loveliest areas in the world with its popular and even magical, Table Mountain. Observing that it is a coastal city, the weather is mild with rain in the winter and breezy seasonal winds. The city is known for its citizens’ easygoing attitude, which one can say, makes up part of the Cape cultural heritage.
The History Of Cape Town
Bartolomeus Dias arrived at the Cape in 1488 and named it “The Cape of Storms”, which was then later named as “The Cape of Good Hope’. Ten years after, Vasco de Gama came to the Cape and from this time onwards the Portuguese acquired Eastern trade and the Europeans became well known to the Khoi-Khoi. It can be said that this was the reason for the Cape’s cultural diversity. Jan van Riebeek, in 1652, established a permanent settlement at the Cape, which was like a halfway station for ships to get fresh water and food. It also helped doing trade with the East. The Cape needed slaves because the crops that were planted to give us food were to be taken care of so the imported slaves made an enormous contribution to the Capes diverse cultural heritage.
Tourism
Cape Town offers a good variety of ethnic music, coupled with tribal African dancers, which can be experienced at the St George’s Mall. There one will find good traditional African music performed on instruments such as bongo drums, xylophones and flutes. On the first of January the streets of Cape Town are filled with the reach cultural activity of the “Kaapse Klopse” or Coon Carnival. It is an annual parade of about 20 000 dancing and singing people, performing traditional tunes to start the New Year on a positive note. At this time of the year one can also enjoy the singing of the Cape’s Malay choirs and the many church choirs which forms a distinct part of the Cape’s musical and cultural heritage.
You can also get cheap Cape Town car rental deals online by going to Car Rentals South Africa.
Architecture And Robben Island
Cape Town has a combination of British, Dutch & African styles of houses. The older houses of the Dutch era represent the ancient culture of the city. The poor black people who can not afford nicely built houses, build their own houses in unique indigenous ways, using whatever things available. This style is called “shack chic”. The tourists can visit nearby Robben Island by boat. The erstwhile white racist rulers used to keep political prisoners on this island during the freedom struggle of black African people. The first black president of South Africa- Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on the island for 27 years. Many other political leaders fighting against racism of earlier South African regime were kept prisoners on this island. Now the government of South Africa has turned the island into a museum, showing the history of struggle against apartheid.
The Castle Of Good Hope And Table Mountain
A popular tourist attraction in Cape Town is the Castle of Good Hope. It is located in the center of Cape Town. As South Africa’s oldest remaining stone building, it is not only a tourist attraction but serves as the headquarters for the Western Cape military. Tourists will find a wonderful museum and great food as well then visiting the castle. The thing that Cape Town’s probably most known for is its flat mountain called “Table Mountain”. There you will find an exciting cable car service that will take you to the top of the mountain where you can then enjoy a meal at the popular restaurant at the top while experiencing the breathtaking view of the whole Cape Town.
Cape Town is a wonderful tourist attraction. The city’s diverse population is reflected in the food, music, and architecture. Tourists to the city will find a great selection of accommodation such as hotels, lodges, houses, bed and breakfast inns, and even something for the backpackers. If you plan to travel to the city any time soon, you will find that South Africa also offers cheap flights to the city along with attractive car hire rates.