Cape Town - Helicopter Flight and HOHO bus

Our third day in Capetown  we started the day by waiting to be picked up for an excursion, the problem was that there was the Cape town triathlon taking place and a lot of the roads were closed so the travel company could not get to us, we rang them and said we would get to them ASAP. Thankfully, our host, Earl, said “Jump in my car, I'll get you there” and as good as his word he drove “hell for leather”  to get us there.

I forgot to mention that the excursion was a helicopter flight over Cape town and the surrounding area. Well, we arrived at the helipad ( that sounds posh ) and the company apologised so much that they upgraded us to a private flight with a full DVD and photo package, that was a lovely gesture.

We had our pre flight briefing and then met our pilot, a young, blonde, South African girl named Sammie who I would estimate was about 14 years of age, well she looked it to us. 

Sammie could not have been friendlier or more professional, she put us at ease and had a easy going attitude and sense of humour, she was also a perfect guide, pointing out various landmarks in the City and along the coast.

As soon as we lifted off, Cape Town stretched out beneath us like a vast, sun-drenched canvas. The vivid blue of the Atlantic sparkled in the midday light, contrasting with the rugged slopes of Table Mountain. We could see the city’s landmarks shrinking below—Sea Point, where we had walked along the seafront days earlier, and the iconic V&A Waterfront. Mandy squeezed my hand as the helicopter banked gently, giving us an uninterrupted view of the mountain peaks and the lush green valleys nestled between them.

I’ll never forget the moment we caught our first glimpse of the Cape Peninsula stretching ahead of us, a jagged arm of land reaching into the ocean. The colours were striking—the emerald greens of the coastal vegetation, the white froth of the waves crashing against the rocky shore, and the deep blues of the water that seemed to stretch endlessly into the horizon.

South Africa continues to surprise us with its diversity of people and landscape.
After the helicopter experience we took time out to have a coffee and relive the flight and come back to Earth, so to speak.

We then boarded the Hop on Hop off bus. The bus wound its way through the heart of Cape Town, past impressive buildings that stood as a reminder of the city’s rich history. The architecture was a mix of colonial influences, modern skyscrapers, and vibrant colors, which all gave the city an undeniable energy. As we moved out of the bustling center, the landscape changed. We found ourselves driving through a densely wooded area, with thick trees and lush greenery creating a peaceful, almost tranquil atmosphere.

Then, almost without warning, we emerged from the trees and were greeted by the breathtaking sight of Hout Bay. The contrast was striking—the deep green of the woods gave way to the dazzling white sands of the bay, framed by towering mountains. The beauty of the place was undeniable, with the calm, azure waters lapping gently at the shore. The high mountains around us seemed to cradle the bay in a protective embrace, adding to the serene and picturesque feel of the spot.

When we arrived at Hout Bay, we hopped off the bus and made our way to the pier. The vibrant atmosphere of this small fishing harbor was alive with the sounds of locals chatting, boats bobbing gently in the water, and the occasional squawk of a seagull overhead. The sun was shining, and there was a fresh sea breeze that carried the unmistakable scent of the ocean.

What really caught our attention was a local fisherman who had set up near the edge of the pier. He was casually feeding seals, tossing fish to these playful creatures as they bobbed and darted around in the water. We stood there, captivated, watching the seals expertly catch the fish with an almost effortless grace. One seal, in particular, seemed to have developed a special bond with the fisherman, leaping out of the water with a practiced ease whenever he tossed another fish its way.

We decided that this would be the ideal place to have lunch, so we chose “The Wharf” restaurant and had a superb fish lunch washed down with a nice bottle of white wine. We continued our trip visiting Camp's Bay for a stop off for a well deserved ice cream before heading back to Sea Point. 

That evening we walked up to Jerry's bar to watch the Rugby, Rob's team were playing England in the six Nations but the less said the better, but the did serve really good home made burgers and a very nice pint of ale.....