The best calamari in the world !!!

Everyone who visits South Africa says it is the most beautiful place on earth.  If you believe this to be an exaggeration I suggest you go and I bet you will return repeating the same message.  I know, because I've been.

 Phil and I went on a trip to Cape Town.  It was a "gin clear" day on our arrival and Table Mountain was majestic.  A wonderful start to a wonderful trip.

We stayed in an area called Somerset West at the Lord Charles Hotel with views of False Bay in the distance.  The hotel was extremely comfortable and staff very friendly.  We spent the afternoon by the pool with the temperature in the 30s.  In the evening dining in South Africa is a great pleasure - and a cheap one.  Dinner was at Steffanie's Place and the view from the terrace was amazing.  The fillet steak was so tender.

There's no better way of seeing a new country than by jumping in your hired car and going where the fancy takes you.  So we drove towards Cape Town and then followed the road signs to Muizenberg on the False Bay coastline.  We then drove along Boye's Drive for the spectacular views, stopping of course, to chat to the Shark Watcher.  In the distance you can see Seal Island and we all know what lurks near there. Continuing you will pass through Fish Hoek and Glencairn, before arriving at the Naval Base of Simon's Town.  We stopped here for coffee, toast and a stroll.  We then drove along the coastal road to Smitswinkel Bay.  This is where you turn into the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve.  However, we decided to turn left and drive up the Atlantic seaboard, passing though the village of Scarborough and stopping for a walk on the beautiful beach.

Then on to Kommetjie and the wonderful beach at Noordhoek.  We then drove along Chapman's Peak Drive, one of the world's best drives:-

Chapman's Peak:-

Hout Bay, a picturesque fishing village, is next in line and we stopped for lunch at the Chapman's Peak Hotel.
It's quite old and lunch on the terrace is a must.

Not to be missed, along with the view, is the Calamari, served in a frying pan.  This is the specality of the house and it's delicious.  We think THE BEST CALAMARI IN THE WORLD!

After this wonderful lunch we strolled along the beach at Hout Bay then followed the coast road back towards Cape Town.  Taking the Kloof Nek Road we headed for Signal Hill Road and followed this road for about 3.5 km to the parking area at the end of the road.  Signal Hill affords spectacular views and we were lucky enough to look down on the Queen Mary II at dock.

and the Football Stadium famous for the South African World Cup and funny Trumpets.

Also a close up of Table Mountain, with lace tablecloth

and without

Then back to the hotel and the return journey home the next day.  However, we did also go shopping for some Simonsig wine which Phil has since drunk at home.  It travelled well.