My Manhattan Place - Cape Town Guest House
Joe and I decided that for the long Easter weekend we wanted to travel south to South Africa’s Mothercity. So we booked our Cape Town guest house and were soon on our way for our short retreat.
On top of the world…
We booked in at Manhattan Place, our would-be home for the next few days. Our loft apartment was in the city centre and our view was absolutely stunning. From our veranda I looked out over the whole of Cape Town and, of course Table Mountain. Let it be known that Capetonians are extremely proud of their table top shaped mountain. A view of the mountain to them is worth as much as any ocean view.
We decided that we’d have to explore the view from atop Table Mountain. We travelled by cable car, which was thrilling and scary all at the same time. Being afraid of heights I tried to distract myself with the view. Joe kept trying to convince me that cable cars are safe, that the chances of a cable snapping is zero to none, but still, putting your trust in a man-made object really doesn’t make much sense to me, unless it was made by me of course. When we eventually reached the summit, it was Joe who was the one feeling sick. In his attempt to try and calm me down, he was struggling with his own little fear of heights. He recovered in no-time as we enjoyed the view from the top however. It was as promised: absolutely breathtaking.
Big in Japan, and in Cape Town too…
I am a total sushi addict. So I was ecstatic when we found out from a local we met at the coffee shop that Minato was the place to go for the ultimate sushi experience, but we were warned that booking was essential since Mr. Minato, the owner, doesn’t allow you into the restaurant if you haven’t booked.
When I first walked into the restaurant I was a bit taken aback by the interior. Kitsch, I think, is the word best used to describe the look and feel of it. But dismal design aside, Minato’s sushi is mouth-watering. Their salmon rose is to die for and the California rolls were superb. It’s sad but true when I say that this was my happiest moment in Cape Town yet.
After our dinner Joe and I headed back to the apartment. It was a long day and we were both exhausted. So we spent the rest of the evening on the veranda enjoying the view. I can’t explain what it is about Cape Town that makes you feel so at ease. Maybe the reason Capetonians are so relaxed is because their mountain is so beautiful, or maybe it’s just the fresh breeze blowing in from the ocean’s side. Either way, we were enjoying the calm air that surrounded us. I felt like I was at peace with myself and with all around me. Something I hadn’t felt for a long time.
A stroll through the city ….
After breakfast, Joe and I strolled down to Greenmarket Square. Cape Town’s city centre really isn’t that big when compared to other cities, but Cape Town is by far the cleanest city I’ve been to. At Greenmarket Square there was African art, clothing, books and of course interesting characters selling their merchandise. One man in particular was an odd attraction. He is known to many as the Egg Man, mainly because his headdress consists of egg boxes and eggshells. He gave me a fright at first; he is most definitely not the person you would want to run into in a dark alley. But soon you start to laugh at his outfit, once you start to realise what exactly it is.
After strolling through Greenmarket Square we cosied up at one of the local coffee shops. When you stroll through the central business district and you count the number of coffee shops and restaurants in the area, you come to realise where Capetonians’ priorities lie and why they all seem so laid back. I really think it wouldn’t take much to convince Joe and I to move down to the Mothercity for good!
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