An unspoiled gem Cape Town’s Southern Peninsula is about half an hour outside the City Center. I’ve always wanted to explore this side of the Mother City and thought an extended long weekend expedition seemed fitting. Kommetjie (which means small bay) was my home-base. It’s a diminutive, tranquil, seaside village that would be hard to find if you are not intentionally looking for it. The rustic neighborhood was built around a natural lagoon and my charming abode was situated right on its edge – Cottage on the Kom. Getting there: From airport take N2 towards City centre and turn south onto M3 and follow over Ou Kaapse Weg to Sun Valley and then west on M65 to Kommetjie. DAY 1 I headed to the Noordhoek Farm Village for breakfast. This idyllic, one stop hub encompasses craft shops; numerous eateries; a health & beauty spa; and a boutique hotel. Be sure to visit The Food Barn Deli & Tapas Bar and try their freshly baked specialty breads. If you’re looking to enjoy live entertainment, Café Roux not only serves delicious meals, but also showcases some of South Africa’s biggest musicians and comedians. For more information about the Noordhoek Farm Village, check out their website: www.thefarmvillage.co.za Next stop, Cape Point Vineyards – a wine farm snuggled between oceans and mountains. This setting adds to the wines distinguished flavor. Enjoy breakfast; lunch or dinner at their restaurant; wine tasting or a picnic while watching the sunset over the vineyard lake. Thursdays see this serene space turn into a vibrant Community Food Market - with stalls serving up Mexican; Italian and vegan-friendly dishes, as well as locally produced craft beer. Lucky for me, I was there on a Thursday! Visit: http://cpv.co.za/ for more information. DAY 2 I love ‘under-the-radar’ breakfast spots! Well under-the-radar anything, really. Imhoff farm is just that and less than 5km from my accommodation. The farmstead offers: horse-riding (with an option to ride along the beach); restaurants; quirky shops; 4x4 trail rides; laser-tag & paint ball and an interactive 3D maze adventure. Fish & Chips from the Blue Water Café deserves a try. The atmosphere is relaxed, even while sitting outside in front of the open air kids play area. http://imhofffarm.co.za/ Masi bicycle tour Masiphumelele is an informal settlement next to Kommetjie. Its name is derived from the Xhosa language (one of South Africa’s 11 official languages) and it means “let us succeed”. The international award-winning bicycle tour offers tourists insight into the culture and way of living in this community. All tours are led by an experienced local guide. One of the tour highlights includes a visit to a Sangoma – African Traditional Healer. Find out more here: www.capepointroute.co.za DAY 3 Finally it was Cape Point Day! The place where two oceans merge. These oceans being the cold Benguela current from the west coast and the warm Agulhus current from the east coast. I’m embarrassed to confess, as a born and bred Capetonian, this was my first visit to Cape Point. With flamboyant views; rich biodiversity; shipwreck trails; hiking trails and whale-watching (June - October) this location can be marked off as a full day excursion. Take the Cape Point Funicular, the only commercial funicular of its kind in Africa, up to the lighthouse viewing point and soak up breathtaking panoramic views. Shop for memorabilia at one of the Cape Point Shops or learn about the maritime and cultural history as you walk about, in the National Park. There are picnic spots too and if you’re lucky, you might see the world’s largest antelope (Eland) or Cape Mountain Zebra. The Two Oceans Restaurant screams “the perfect spot for a wedding proposal” and offers a fine dining experience. Be sure to make a reservation to avoid disappointment! Further information about pricing and answers to any questions, can be found on: https://capepoint.co.za/ DAY 4 I often joke and say that one needs a holiday, to recover from a holiday, after visiting a new place. So to mentally prepare myself for getting back to reality, I stopped at Shamballah Tea House & Holistic Center, for a yoga class and thorough ‘veg-out’ session. This place is a sanctuary and also a great space for hosting intimate gatherings. For more information check out: http://www.bodyandmind.co.za/therapist.php?step=about&id=4253 The southern peninsula truly is an unspoiled expanse worth a visit.
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