The Mother City in South Africa is one of the country's and indeed the world's favorite travel destinations. It is breathtakingly beautiful and the weather is perfect. There are great beaches and lots of adventure. Capetonians are diverse and interesting people and to meet them and have a more fulfilling visit, you may want to consider touring Cape Town by commuter train.
Cape Town has an extensive rail system for an African city. Taking the train is a popular mode of transport for many Capetonians, since it's cheap and a great way to avoid the notorious rush-hour traffic. The city is big and there are train lines serving different areas, from the suburbs near the City Bowl to the townships further afield on the Cape Flats. You can even take the train to the beautiful wine region of the Boland. For visitors, one of the most unforgettable journeys is the Southern Line to Simon's Town.
The Southern Line shows you different aspects of the Mother City. You'll travel through industrial areas near the harbor, then through the leafy Southern Suburbs with their quaint Victorian houses. The most scenic part of the journey starts at Muizenberg, from where the railway line runs all along the western coast of False Bay. On your left you see the ocean and on your right there are mountains and little villages like bohemian Kalk Bay with its fishing harbor. The line runs so close to the ocean that the sea spray may hit the windows on windy days. Keep an eye out for seals, wild birds and, in winter and spring, whales.
The suburban trains have two classes. First class is officially called MetroPlus while third class is really called Metro. The informal names are a leftover from apartheid, when white people could choose between first and second class while third class was for non-whites. After all these years there is still a racial divide of sorts, with white people usually traveling first class. For a truly authentic Cape Town experience, however, third class is the way to go.
Many visitors are worried about the safety of train travel. However, there is no need to be afraid if you take the usual precautions of not traveling alone after dark or flashing jewelry and cameras. In third class, the people you meet are mainly commuters who are simply going to work or returning home and they usually look out for the safety of visitors who take the time to see how they live.
What makes third-class travel so much more interesting is everything you'll experience during the trip. Lay preachers are a common sight and no journey is complete without vendors coming through and selling everything from crisps to socks. It's not unheard of for buskers to get on board and everyone in the carriage spontaneously dancing to the music either.
Outside nearly every station you'll find some minibus taxis waiting to take commuters further. These taxis are a truly African experience too. When you reach Simon's Town, flag down a taxi to take you to Boulders Beach, where you can swim among African penguins.
There are some instances when a car is your most convenient mode of transport for seeing the Mother City. A popular outing is to rent a car and drive along Chapman's Peak Drive to Cape Point, for example. However, the public transport system is the best way to really get under the skin of the city and its friendly people.
Cape Town has an extensive rail system for an African city. Taking the train is a popular mode of transport for many Capetonians, since it's cheap and a great way to avoid the notorious rush-hour traffic. The city is big and there are train lines serving different areas, from the suburbs near the City Bowl to the townships further afield on the Cape Flats. You can even take the train to the beautiful wine region of the Boland. For visitors, one of the most unforgettable journeys is the Southern Line to Simon's Town.
The Southern Line shows you different aspects of the Mother City. You'll travel through industrial areas near the harbor, then through the leafy Southern Suburbs with their quaint Victorian houses. The most scenic part of the journey starts at Muizenberg, from where the railway line runs all along the western coast of False Bay. On your left you see the ocean and on your right there are mountains and little villages like bohemian Kalk Bay with its fishing harbor. The line runs so close to the ocean that the sea spray may hit the windows on windy days. Keep an eye out for seals, wild birds and, in winter and spring, whales.
The suburban trains have two classes. First class is officially called MetroPlus while third class is really called Metro. The informal names are a leftover from apartheid, when white people could choose between first and second class while third class was for non-whites. After all these years there is still a racial divide of sorts, with white people usually traveling first class. For a truly authentic Cape Town experience, however, third class is the way to go.
Many visitors are worried about the safety of train travel. However, there is no need to be afraid if you take the usual precautions of not traveling alone after dark or flashing jewelry and cameras. In third class, the people you meet are mainly commuters who are simply going to work or returning home and they usually look out for the safety of visitors who take the time to see how they live.
What makes third-class travel so much more interesting is everything you'll experience during the trip. Lay preachers are a common sight and no journey is complete without vendors coming through and selling everything from crisps to socks. It's not unheard of for buskers to get on board and everyone in the carriage spontaneously dancing to the music either.
Outside nearly every station you'll find some minibus taxis waiting to take commuters further. These taxis are a truly African experience too. When you reach Simon's Town, flag down a taxi to take you to Boulders Beach, where you can swim among African penguins.
There are some instances when a car is your most convenient mode of transport for seeing the Mother City. A popular outing is to rent a car and drive along Chapman's Peak Drive to Cape Point, for example. However, the public transport system is the best way to really get under the skin of the city and its friendly people.
About the Author:
If you are looking for information about exciting Cape tours, pay a visit to the web pages online here today. You can see details at http://www.capetours.co.uk now.
No comments:
Post a Comment