Cape Town is the second-largest city in South Africa, and to sum it up in the words of the locals, it is simply stunning.
A toddler plays with the penguins on a South African beach.
The tight-knit Jewish community in South Africa dates back to the 15th century with the early explorers and directors from the Dutch East India Company. However, the first Jewish congregation in South Africa was founded in Cape Town in November 1841.
The scenic backdrop of Cape Town is Table Mountain; it has a perfect view of all the different areas of the city. If you face north from the top of the mountain, you will find the city centre where the docks are filled with ships. On the west side, there is a magnificent mountain range known as the Twelve Apostles. It borders a beautiful beach called Camps Bay, which is like South Beach, Fla., filled with bustling bars and restaurants.
On the south side, the mountains are filled with historic vineyards and the gorgeous must-see Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Beyond the gardens and the Constantia suburbs is False Bay, which curves toward Cape Point. As you tour the mountain over on the east side, you can see Cape Town’s international airport.
Cape Town is a city filled with a variety of outdoor activities. There are adventures waiting to be had, such as windsurfing around Table’s Bay or jumping off Lion’s Head and paragliding close to Clifton.
There are a myriad of paths for mountain biking and hiking all over the city, whether it be Kirstenbosch, or anywhere on the huge stretches of beaches.
I stayed in the Sea Point area of the city, and it felt like a mini-Israel, with lots of families walking back and forth from shul on Shabbat. There are a few kosher restaurants to try, and even more synagogues.
When you stay in Cape Town, there are a few day trips that are breathtaking. These can either be taken with a tour or you can drive yourself if you feel confident driving on the other side of the road.
The first is South Africa’s world-famous Cape Wine Lands around Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. The enormous mountains are filled with valleys full of vines. There are dozens of wineries where you can go wine tasting, have lunch or simply enjoy the beautiful scenery, and there is even a kosher winery in Paarl.
One winery, called Spier, is lovely, but extremely touristy. It has a beautiful outdoor garden filled with couches where you can relax and have lunch. Women come around, and if you want, they will paint your face with traditional African symbols. Spier also has a gift shop filled with interesting African items, as well as a cheetah sanctuary, where for a nominal fee you can pet the babies.
There are many wineries to see, and the landscape changes and becomes more beautiful as you drive along toward all three cities.
Masada Siegel stops to schmooze with the penguins on Boulders Beach in South Africa.
Another day trip is to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic. The winding roads are filled with glorious views of the green mountains with steep drops into the ocean. This is where sailors rounded Africa en route to India. It’s not the southernmost point, which is at Cape Agulhas, but it is certainly worth a visit, because of the stunning scenery.
On the way, you will pass Muizenberg, a beach town that has long, white sandy beaches and is where mystery writer Agatha Christie went surfing 80 years ago. On this side of the peninsula, known as False Bay, the sea is warmer, and some of the best whale-watching spots can be found.
This drive is dotted with little roadside markets filled with beautiful carvings. The vendors sell a variety of African goods, such as soapstone statues from Zimbabwe, as well as jewelry and wood items.
Boulders Beach is a must see. It is past Fish Hoek and is south of Simon’s Town, historically an important naval base for the British and now the principal South African navy base. The well-preserved 18th-century streets are filled with shops and are architecturally pretty to look at, and there is a penguin colony just south of town at Boulders Beach.
Boulders Beach has a nature preserve set aside for the penguins, which for a small fee allows you a wonderful view of them marching out of the ocean and hanging out. Nearby at a small beach, you will find the penguins resting on the rocks and swimming alongside people in the water. I sat with the penguins and was close enough to touch them, truly a remarkable and fun experience. (From what I hear, they are often there.)
If you go, check out the following websites: www.uos.co.za/;
(Check out ÂZandwijk, a kosher winery listed on this site)
