Patrick, a 19-year resident of Cape Town, originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, introduced himself with an easy smile and a voice seasoned from years of telling Cape Town’s layered stories. We met him at the waterfront just after we disembarked, one of many tour guides we could choose from. His easy smile and friendly demeanor immediately triggered us to choose him, among a plethora of others.
He stated he’d take us on a two-hour tour of the highlights of Cape Town for US$70 $70 which was reasonable compared to the many other offers thrown at us.
The morning air was cool, tinged with sea spray and that faint aroma of roasted coffee drifting from nearby cafés. Patrick explained that Cape Town is best understood as a tapestry, each neighborhood a patch stitched from different moments in time. That idea framed the entire tour, as though we were unspooling a long thread that connected past to present, one step at a time.
We began in the shadow of Table Mountain, its flat top softened by a thin ribbon of cloud. Our guide pointed out how the mountain almost seems to anchor the city, both geographically and emotionally. Locals look to it as a constant, he said, especially on days when the winds shift and life feels a bit unpredictable. As he spoke, I could feel that sentiment echoing somewhere inside me. After so many years of nomadic living, I’ve grown sensitive to how anchor points—mountains, oceans, even people—give a place its pulse.
From there, we wound our way through the city where ancient trees arched overhead like protective elders. Squirrels darted across pathways, accustomed to visitors stopping to take photos or offer tiny morsels. Our guide paused often, not to lecture but to share small, almost tender anecdotes, where couples propose, where schoolchildren gather, where artists come to find their quiet. It reminded me that cities aren’t just streets and monuments; they are held together by moments that might seem insignificant until they’re stitched into someone’s memory.
No city tour of Cape Town would be complete without a visit to the Bo-Kaap, and the sight of those candy-colored houses made my heart lift with the same lightness I feel when traveling down a sunlit sea lane. The bright facades, turquoise, rose, lemon, and emerald, seemed to glow under the midday sun. Patrick explained the neighborhood’s Muslim heritage and the resilience of families who’ve lived there for generations. You could feel the pride in his voice, but also a thread of protectiveness, as though he were speaking of a beloved relative. That kind of connection always moves me; it’s a reminder of how deeply place and identity intertwine.
Later, we drove along the coast, where waves crashed against the rocky shoreline, sending up plumes of white spray. Our guide let the scenery do most of the talking, offering only gentle notes, where fishermen cast their lines at sunrise, which beaches locals escape to on sweltering afternoons, and how the color of the water shifts with the seasons. As we looked out at the expanse of the Atlantic, I felt a familiar blend of gratitude and longing. Gratitude for the privilege of witnessing so many corners of the world, longing because every beautiful place leaves an imprint, a soft tug that stays with you long after you’ve moved on.
By the time our tour wrapped up and the city began to glow with afternoon light, I felt that Cape Town had opened itself to us in a way only a skilled guide can orchestrate, honestly, gently, and with a sense of invitation. We returned to our ship with full hearts, carrying with us not just facts and photos but the feeling of a city alive with stories, stitched forever into our own.
Unfortunately, riding in Patrick’s vehicle through insane traffic prevented us from remembering the details of every photo, and we are unable to identify every scene. However, regardless of that reality, we were entranced by the sights and look forward to sharing more in tomorrow’s post.
A fantastic surprise we promised to share today… Our dear friends from Marloth Park, Louise and Danie, are meeting us at the pier at 2:00 pm to share sundowners at a local pub and to have a lively conversation about our exciting visit to their home city, Cape Town.
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, November 14, 2015:
