The walk from Camp’s Bay to Sea Point, Cape Town.

On my last day in Cape Town I decide to head to Camp’s Bay to check out the area and walk up the coast. The receptionist at the hotel recommends a Mexican spot in Sea Point and I decide to make that my final destination. I call a cab and ask them to drop me off at the beach, but The Cape Town Cycle Tour has closed roads in the area. I ask the driver to drop me off up the road and walk the rest of the way.

The beach is sparsely populated. I take my shoes off and walk to the edge of the surf. The water is cold and I’m not surprised there are so few people in the water. I’m impressed by those who brave it.

From the beach I walk back up to the road and head north. I feel lucky to be doing the walk on the day of the bike tour. The road closure is a bonus, and it’s neat to hear the sound of bicycle tires on one side of me and the surf on the other. Now and again I hear cheers and cowbells as spectators urge the cyclists on. There’s not many kilometers left.

Beautiful apartment buildings line the streets and descend cliffs down towards the beaches below. Lion’s Head rears up to my right, a constant companion on my walk.

Now and again there’s a gap between buildings and I can see down to the decks and pools that some sport just above the beach. I wonder how much the apartments cost. I’m curious how they’re furnished. I wonder how I might get an invite.

The road runs inland for a bit, allowing the apartments their view. Rounding a bend I’m once again above the sea, approaching a rocky coastline.

I reach Saunders Rocks Beach, one of the most active spots I’ve seen along the coast. Looking at the natural pools I wish I had packed a bathing suit. A dip in a pool would be a fantastic way to end the walk.

Leaving Saunders Rock Beach I cross over to Queen’s Beach and then on to Sunset Beach. At a bend in the road I stop to watch the cyclists cruise down a hill and then turn north once again towards the finish line.

I head down to walk a bit on the sand before heading back inland. I’ve reached Sea Point and am ready for lunch.

I pass a large pool complex and stop to check out the prices. I’m already thinking about returning to Cape Town later in the year and am sussing out activities.

I eat lunch at a Mexican place in Sea Point and take a cab back to the hotel where I change into my swimsuit and take a dip in the pool. It’s a bonus day for me; my original flight was to have left today but it was canceled and re-booked due to planned strikes in Frankfurt, where I am to transfer on my way to Riga. I’ve booked myself into Gorgeous George, a boutique hotel with slight Soho House vibes.

In the evening I head to Openwine, intending to have a glass and check out the jazz scene. My cousins Alice and Greg had taken a free walking tour of Bo-Kaap the day before and had asked about things to do in the area. The guide had recommended the bar and Greg made me promise to go.

It’s packed. the band is set up on the sidewalk and people spill out of the bar into the street. A woman sits alone at a table and I ask if the seat next to her is free. She invites me to sit down.

I order a glass of wine from the bar. The music is great, the musicians trading off instruments and opportunities to each other. I order olives and lamb ravioli to share, and a second round of drinks. We chat between numbers. She’s a student, soon to graduate. She had wanted to get out of the house this late Sunday afternoon but none of her friends were feeling it and so she came alone. We’re glad to have met each other.

The sun sets, night falls. I stay for a few more songs and then head home to get some work done. I thank the student for letting me join her. I tell her I plan to come back in August. We exchange numbers and promises to meet up then. 🇿🇦