The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront - One of my most favourite
places on earth
I am a painter.
I want to paint a picture before your very eyes, so that when
you visit Cape Town, you will be able to say, "This is the very
picture Helen painted!"
Vibrant and alive, not as it once was, with cargo ships trading
on their way round to the Dutch East Indies, but with
entertainment and delicious wafting food smells, enticing you to
sit, relax and enjoy the sunshine and tremendous backdrop of
Table Mountain.
Situated in what was once the working docks, The Waterfront
embodies the 21st Century, whilst still conjuring up nuggets of
its past history. The Time Ball Tower was originally used by
navigators out in the bay to adjust their navigation aides,
whilst other nautical attractions include the South African
National Maritime Museum, the Victoria Museum Ship and the
Harbour Masters residence. A Dragon Tree sits basking in the
sun, whilst its nearest family reside in the Canary Islands - an
early immigrant from the "Old World".
The bright pillar-box red of the Clock Tower watches over
proceedings, as you ponder the menu of Harries Pancake House.
Hmm, now which one shall I have ... the dark chocolate mousse or
the banana caramel?
Out in front of you the jazz band is doing its best to keep your
feet tapping, whilst a few meters further on the seals gently
roll and dive, cooling their fur and sleeping off the effects of
their fishy lunch.
Across the harbour, the glass and marble of the shopping malls
brings relief from the hot afternoon sun. All manner of
beautiful objects longing to make the trip home with you,
lovingly wrapped in bubble-wrap to make it safely to that
special resting place.
As the sun begins to slide into the water, a chilled glass of
South African wine allows you to unwind from the days exertions
in preparation for the evening sail into the sunset.
As one more day in paradise slips away, there's always the
knowledge that there's so much more to see tomorrow.
"I've sailed almost everywhere in the world - except the moon,
as my daughter says - But Cape Town is the best" --- Argentine
Navy Captain