Run the most beautiful ultramarathon in the world!
by CatherineReichardt
South Africans are sports mad, and Cape Town's stunning environment makes it an ideal location for outdoor pursuits. It is therefore unsurprising that it hosts one of the most popular - and arguably the most beautiful - ultramarathon events in the world, the Two Oceans, which takes place over the Easter weekend.
The best bit about Two Oceans is the glorious route around the Cape peninsula, much of which borders the Atlantic Ocean and False Bay coastlines. There is also a good deal of camaraderie, as over 22,000 people ran in this event in 2010 (although this also included not only the 8,000 or so entered for the ultramarathon, but also people running in the half marathon and 'fun run' components). However, Two Oceans isn't for cissies - it extends over 56km and there's quite a lot of up and down along the route, as well as the potential for high winds if a South Easter is blowing. The winner usually finishes in a shade over 3 hours (the first woman would usually finish in about 3:40).
Most competitors enter Two Oceans to fulfil part of the qualifying requirements to enter the Comrades marathon - the world's largest ultramarathon that is held between Durban and Pietermaritzburg in June every year (see my travel tip).
If you are sane enough to have no intention of running Two Oceans, might I respectfully suggest that you avoid visiting Cape Town at this time, as flights and accommodation are fully booked, and the law of 'supply and demand' kicks in, which results in prices going through the roof!
THE ATALANTIC COAST
by PEE-WEE
The Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula has some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world.
The Cape Town Atlantic Seaboard is for the young and the young at heart. It has beaches, restaurants, bars and accommodation with magnificent views. The white sand beaches of Hout Bay, Noordhoek, Kommetjie and Llandudno are of the most beautiful in Cape Town. Click on the map below to find more information on each area.
The following areas are on the Atlantic ocean but are closer to the City centre and so we have included them as suburbs of Cape Town Central. Click on Cape Town, choose Towns and select Cape Town Central to find more information about Clifton, Camps Bay and other beachside suburbs.
The Cape Town Atlantic Seaboard is popular with outdoor enthusiasts, surfers and sea kayakers. Whales visit the coast (June to November) and the road between Kommetjie and Scarborough offers some of the best view sights in Cape Town. Most of the beaches are well protected from the south-easterly wind which makes it perfect for sunbathing. The cold water of the Atlantic Ocean makes for exhilarating swimming.
The Atlantic Seaboard is home to some of the most expensive real estate in South Africa. It offers a variety of accommodations to visitors, trendy bars, and beaches where the action is as hot as the weather.
Cape Town Explorer
by sof76
Transportation in Cape Town can be a problem, Cabs are really expensive and the taxis they have are mini vans FULL of people that everybody says are kind of dangerous (I took them many times and I didn't have any problem...)
I think this is a nice way of going arround Cape Town at least for the first day, so you can have a general idea of what to see the following day!
Panama Jack's
by paradisedreamer about Seafood
The restaurant is just a ramshackle, unpromising looking wharf side shack in Cape Town's commercial harbour. The décor is very basic but the food is excellent. You can choose your own live lobster or abalone from the sea water tanks. They also keep mussels and Namibian oysters alive in the tanks so that you are assured of fresh seafood. The calamari and prawns are also excellent