South Africa Gallery
Rendez-vous Cape Town
Cape Town was our next stop after Johannesburg, and while the landscapes promised beauty, the emotional terrain of South Africa was far more complex. From the moment my friend and I arrived, I felt a quiet unease. One that had to do with history lingering just beneath the surface.
In my early interactions, particularly with Black South Africans, I sensed a heaviness I couldn't immediately name. There was formality, distance, and a kind of restraint that felt learned rather than natural. Over time, it became clear that the legacy of Apartheid is not something neatly tucked away in history books. It lives on. In side glances, and in forced politeness that felt inherited. Racism, here, isn't loud. It's embedded.
Later, back home, a white South African explained something that helped contextualize those moments: in South Africa, black people would consider me "colored", not "Black". That distinction, foreign and highly disturbing to me, shaped how I was received when entering restaurants or shops. The realization didn't simplify anything, but it did underscore how deeply complicated identity remains in a country still healing.
And yet, travel has a way of placing light alongside discomfort. Amid stories of colonization, of wealth built on displacing native inhabitants, of Black South Africans forced into townships on the outskirts of cities they once called home, we had plans to hike Table Mountain. So, that's where we'll linger.
Two friends. One bottle of room-temperature water. Absolutely underprepared. Completely joyful. Hiking our way up toward Lion's Peak, lungs burning, legs and back aching, surrounded by sweeping views that remind you why Cape Town still attracts the world despite itself.
This is the part where movement brings clarity. Where the body takes over. Where the weight of history looses, just enough, to let awe back in.
And that, unprepared, curious, and very happy, is where this story begins.
Jump to the Chapters: Accommodation - Quick Shopping - Breakfast before the hike - Beauty Along the Way - The Path - Still Vibing Though - The Breathtaking Views - Goodbye Cape Town
Accommodation - Victoria & Alfred Waterfront Hotel
I'll start with the conclusion: I don't recommend it. The room felt claustrophobic and awkward, and the decor was a clear afterthought.
We were on the top floor, and despite the tiny prison widows, the sounds of the street activities carried straight up to our ears. (mind you, I'm usually a heavy sleeper!).
The bathroom was fine and the shower had solid pressure. So, it wasn't a total miss.
Overall, I suggest looking for accommodations a little farther from the waterfront.
Shopping
Then we went walking and stumbled upon a store called WAG, where I found one of those jackets you only wear sparingly because it's THAT spectacular.
Breakfast at Ginja restaurant
Ladies and Gentlemen, behold the breakfast of the Champion! My only preparation for what became a four-hour hike. As mentioned in the introduction, I was woefully unprepared for the day and this is the proof. *face palm*
Also, after careful reading of the map, we had absolutely no clue which hiking trail we ended up on. We simply started walking with an impressive amount of confidence.
The Beginning
And so the hike begins, and I invite you to pay close attention to the clueless soul in the middle. I'm genuinely questioning the thought process behind this outfit. Not a single piece of garment is hike-appropriate! Regular tennis shoes, sweat pants, a button down-shirt layered under a sweat shirt. Not one practical choice in sight! I still laughing. Why? But also, in what circumstance would that "fit" be appropriate... Help! A hard face-palm moment, indeed.
I included a short behind-the-scene moment of how what a travel influencer with no videographer goes through. I was smiling at NO ONE... awkward!
The Beauty along the Way
I usually roll my eyes each time I hear "it's not the destination. It's the journey". Ugh! But, then... this! Look at those odd, beautiful, tree trunks and logs scattered along the path. I couldn't help but stop and immortalize them with photos. That's exactly why the hike lasted longer than it needed to be. No regrets!
We're not even halfway there!
The bottle of water you see in my hand? That was it! The only water I brought. And when I sat down, I realized the gravity of my miscalculation. This wasn't a "light hike". The terrain was rough and the sun didn't let up. I royally f*up up. My friend was already far ahead, equally underprepared, armed with the same amount of water and one protein bar. We truly went into the hike running on nothing but vibes.
Did I mention it was 90F degrees plus?! This was in August, but South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, so it's their winter. Cold mornings and nights fooled me into layering up, because the second the sun is out, YOU'RE OUT!
So there, at this bench, I stripped. I'm not proud of it. It was all about survival at this point. I peeled off layer after layer as gracefully as I could. What you don't see is the regular purse with me and the winter jacket that I was carrying the whole hike!
The verdict was clear: deeply, unapologetically UN-PRE-PA-RED! But the views were still breathtaking!
The Path
We need to talk about this path. Raggedy, uneven, unforgiving, and clearly built to test knees and calf strength. Yes. I am guilty of not having proper footwear. Still, that's beside the point. And I bring evidence, Your Honor!
My favorite was the ladder.
All Vibes!
When life gives you lemons, document them. From every possible angle.
Breathtaking Views
The hike wasn't easy, but it was absolutely worth it! Every stretch of the trail was photogenic, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was exactly where I needed to be.
Last Shots
Even the greatest moments have to end. Otherwise, how would we ever learn to appreciate them? Thank you, Cape Town, for teaching me something about my sensibilities and for overwhelming me with awe through your landscapes.
