Transit@Cape Town Airport
23th, Buenos Aires (BA) – Arriving at BA…
Guess what is the smaller one used for? hahaha
The weather was so very cold, for me at least. But I managed. At night it was even colder. We spent some time refreshing ourselves and then went for window shopping at the Florida walk (not sure the exact name but is nearby Florida street, I think). This is where you can find your souvenirs. Bargain is good but no, the prices are not cheap, at all. So, we mainly did the scouting.
The next day we took a trip to the famous Recoletta. It was a cramp ride cos we shouldn’t take a taxi with 5 of us but the driver was so nice in willing to take us all in. 
What is Recoletta? That’s one big cemetery in the city where they housed the deceased (yeah, I mean, really, housed).
Each family has their own spot and it was built like small Victorian-like houses deep underground and next to one another.
This is also where they buried Evita after her husband refused to accept her, as I was told. The Duarte family took her and buried her with theirs. However, we couldn’t come near to the grave house cos it’s under maintenance. Walking along the pathway here was eerie and quite scary.
After Recoletta, we took a walk around the city, went to the Hard Rock Café and grabbed myself a t-shirt (but don’t know when I’ll ever come to wearing it *roll eyes*) and Yati’s order as well. On our way back we bought some souvenirs since we had an early flight the next morning. So, we finished up buying little that we need. Like I said before it’s very pricey here. Not so sure I’ll visit again. And there’s other one big reason which I’ll tell later on.
25th, Lima – Arriving at Lima and soooo tired! At least we had a nice fellow, Fernandes picking us up at the airport.
Nearing the hotel, he asked us, “Do you want my service?” and all of a sudden we were dumbfounded for a second before all of us bursting in a pool of laughter. He managed to correct his statement with “Do you like my service?” (you see, he said he’s not really good with English *faint*) and we just chuckling and giggling. Oh, Fernandes, you’re a funny man! Hahaha… but of course we like you, but you’re married, so that’s the end of it… ^^
The famous Lacomar
The senorita gave us a really good bargain! Not to mention I had a great one too. I got myself some killer bargainers around me, cool! Haha
Around 5 we took a long walk to the Inka Plaza and did some souvenir hunting. I changed small USD for Peruvian Soles for the first day and did my scouting and buying some souvenirs just to please myself. I knew we may be coming here again before we depart, so I was taking my sweet time. However, the long walk had taken all my energy plus my nose was getting dry and throat was sore. I knew fever was coming but I was totally unprepared. Usually I travelled with some med but not when I haven’t had flu and fever for so long… argh! Thank God we took taxi back to the hotel! The fever was unexpected and so troublesome and thankfully my bosses and team mates offered some of their meds. So, I had a variety of them during my stay here in Lima. I even bought a local cold and flu panadol. I’m so gonna need some rejuvenating and detox session afterward.
Cooking time! Since it’s hard to dine out, we cooked our meal. Vegie soup is soooo delicious at this moment of time! Especially with flu plaguing me. And add maggie tomyam to that! Perghhhhh
Attempting silhouette photo – hmmm, not really there yet…
On the night of 28th, we also went for a free city bus tour arranged by the hotel . Too tired we spent the trip sleeping and only woke up when we arrived at Barranco. The poor tour guide was speaking and explaining to lolling heads…bwahahaha… They didn’t took us downtown cos there was a celebration and it could be pretty unsafe for us to be there.
There was an earthquake here, and a moment later it appeared on the local news. I heard it was 6.9. We were having some tidbits after meeting at the lounge (24th floor) when the building actually swayed. No shaking my friend but it swayed. But as the waiters informed us, that was actually normal. They even built the hotel to accommodate such event, thus the swaying. So, we were a bit relief, although still felt uncomfortable. There was another mild tremor of quake sometime on the 29th night though, but didn’t bother me much except it woke me from slumber but then I just drop dead back again… too tired to spend even a moment of panic. What cause my deadness?
The last day has been less hectic… While waiting for my bosses to finalize the report during the early hours in the morning, I was watching the live badminton of the recent French Open and at the same time we were attracted by the flying para gliders outside the window. The game was intense, the report was stressing, we were running out of time for our afternoon plan and the para gliders giddy us into leaving our seats. I was glad LCW avenged his lost to that shirt ripper! But he needs to work on the unforced errors. The margin could be reduced significantly if he played with less error. Anyway, congrats to LCW. We supported you and even watched the final@Buenos Aires airport. Such devotion! Hahaha…
After lunch, we decided to do the paragliding. I was so excited and nervous at the same time. My fear of heights and my excitement to do it mixed up. It’s a chance I may never come across again so I decided to follow my heart.
Insane, yeah tell me about it. I even forgot (it’s Jose by the way, hehe) the name of my guide but he was a very nice guy who has been paragliding for more than 20 years. Cool eh? The experience? Awesome! Even went up above our hotel. When we went back towards the depart area, he flew to the middle of the ocean and tried the swing but I told him I can’t swim and I was scared and he just laughed but agreed to turn back. Phew! The swing was really scary for me and that in the middle of the ocean when I don’t even have the skill to swim! Well, I have a strong reason to be in fear.
The capoeira!!
I was flying!!!! Bwahahahaha….
After the exhilarating flying, we moved to the souvenir market for one last time (again!). The walking around the Indian Market has all but drained me. Not to mention the long walk back to the hotel. We went back to the area where we did some souvenir hunting the first day arriving in Miraflores, Lima except that this time we started the second trip across the road to the Indian Market. The prices here are more or less the same for few items and slightly higher for the pure Alpaca made materials than with the items sold at INKA Plaza. You may find the items at the Indian Market to have more creativity and choices plus the quality is much much better. Seriously, I don’t even know when I’ll be coming here again, but next time I come, I know I gotta get my hands on those beautifully crafted art pieces i.e. alpaca poncho, natives art painting etc. They are mind blowing… really such a temptation to an artistic heart of mine.
The two groups split to different destinations due to some miscommunication. We were the last to arrive at the hotel. When we arrived at the lounge for dinner, there’s nothing left to eat and I even passed out on the sofa. Then we went back to our room but my two bosses wanted to go to the happening Lacomar just across the street. I was already obliviously unconscious so, I slept. That walking back to the hotel on the first day, I never expect we gonna be doing it again on our final day here at Lima. *faint*
The next day, after we say goodbye to our colleagues who will be proceeding to Machu Pichu, me and Cik Azah waited for our car to take us to the airport. Our flight will be at noon. So we still got more hours, or so we thought. Even we arrived four hours early at the airport we only managed to board the flight nicely within an hour or two before departing. There were a lot of people at the airport and their system was inefficient to us in a way that we understand they wanna make things easier by segregating the procedures but man, the place is sooo crowded and regardless of what you do, the traffic still gonna be hectic.
Some miscomm again happened when my ticket was not written with vege meal so, I fasted during the whole 6-7 hours flight to BA. I slept the whole way. Not waking until the plane landed. Then we transit to Cape Town. But, my oh my… what awaited us in CT was more depressing that not getting food in LAN Airlines even when it’s covered in my ticket. Some idiots at BA opened and rummaged our luggage. They even took away my belting and travel lock (I finally found it in the front pocket, totally damaged. My guess would be they cut my belting. @#%%#^!!) My boss at least still got one of her lock at her bag (which was also later realized as damaged) but they really rummaged through our stuff and she got her choc ate by the idiot! I am still angered by this nonsense! Now I have to spend on the unnecessary. I gotta buy again the lock. So stressful la.
So, next time, you guys gotta remember, that BA people, they like to check everything. Better wrap your bag if you ever gonna drop by at BA even for a transit. Urgh! I felt like screaming my heart’s out in that idiots’ ears. And please remember, whenever you arrive at the airport, DO NOT let the guys (readily pushing the empty trolley) to handle your luggage. Get your own trolley. Cos, they will help you and will expect you to pay them for the service. So, be cautious ok!
31st, Cape Town – Ehem, so anger aside, we began our day at Cape Town visiting the famous Malay Village called the Bo-Kaap.
Mosque, can you see it? They are really, really old, mosques here…
At the flea market… not buying anything… just window shopping and me, trying to cope with my dizziness…
Yikes, what’s that in middle of the room!!!!??? wakakaka
The Malay community here painted their houses in various color and it gave out very happy, joy and harmonious feeling as we walked along the street here in the village. Then, Mr. Rithwaan drove us to many more scenic areas around the town and along the beach. It is breathtakingly beautiful. I can imagine myself living here. I love the blue sea. I really do. The wide horizon caught me in my heart and I’ll be forever remembering Cape Town and its wonderful bays and its kind people of course.
The low cost housing area
We also drove along the black township also called pondok here. The government is trying to move these community into a proper low cost houses.
Some photos at the Waterfront and Victoria Wharf
We first thought we will be going up the table mountain on the first day but it seems like it’s cloudy so perhaps the next day. As we eagerly woke up early, appreciating the nice warm sunshine and the cold breath, a mark of a good weather for the day, we were told that they closed the cable car again due to the wind. Argh, our hopes were again dashed. But Mr. Rithwaan ensured us that even if we couldn’t ride it tomorrow we will do it on our last day. But I wasn’t convinced if we got the time to do that.On second day, we drove along the coast line, the Hout Bay, up the mountain and down again and arrived at the Cape of Good Hope. I so love the white sands and the blue sea, and the fresh air as well.
The 12 Apostles Mountain, Camps Bay
The Lion’s Head
On our way to the Duiker Island to watch the Cape Fur Seal. I was scared at first cos the waves got rough and I know I will get easily sick riding a swaying transport… The water was rough, I managed not to get seasick. Yeay! Feel like on the Black Pearl though! Bwahahaha…. Then we went climbing up the Cape Point where the oldest light house was situated. But no, we didn’t reach the old and the new (to replace the old one) lighthouses. Too tired, hahaha…
Then we had lunch at Kalk Bay (@ Lucky Fish shop) where it is one of the fisherman’s villages.
The fish n chips are served in big serving so, guys if you go to the Lucky Fish, order one serving for two ok! You’re not gonna finish for more than that. We even share two servings for four people… well, I ate only to fill my stomach and my friends and Mr. Rithwaan finished the rest. The fish is really fresh, and I suggest you guys visit this place. After filling our hunger, we dropped by at the place where they made the precious stones. Come here girls cos it’s definitely cheaper! Don’t forget your bankers! hahahaha….
This white beach is used for horse training. No swimming cos, as usual, sharks! Yikes!
Climbing the Cape Point
Cape of Good Hope
Kitesurfing anyone??
After the long drive along the coast line, we went to the Canal Walk for some shopping. I bought what I had to. Finally able to change money! Phew! Now it’s time to pay back the advances and for the tour package as well. Another advice: Bring USD here. Cos despite have to deduct tax and commission when changing, you are still left with more Rand compared to changing RM to Rand back home.The 3rd day we were unsure of how the weather would be and were told that the cable car still closed. Oh dear! But our tour guide insisted we just went there to check and we found that people were queuing and it’s opened! Yeay!! We rushed to take our place and finally took the short ride up and above. It’s a steep ride but what a great view and no words could describe it. Mind blowing!
There were even hikers hiking the mountain using the route readily available for this purpose. Challenging but I’ll pass, thank you. ^^
That day my neck was killing me. To make it worst, I was not comfortable riding the Mercedez Benz’s mpv as it shook a lot and made me nausea. When they changed to a Merc Benz car the second day, I was totally relieved. But unfortunately, third day they changed back to the mpv and I spent most of the time eyes closed trying to handle my queasiness.
We went to the small town, Stellenbosch, where they still have the very, very old thatched roofed houses/buildings now marked with special emblem and some operated as restaurant and office. This small town is really nice looking with some element of Victorian and English at the architecture. Actually most of Cape Town is.
Dried beef (halal). Dare to eat it???
We also drove to the Mooiberge strawberry farm colorful with its man-made scarecrows. We bought the famous local tea. I tasted it and I think it’s a perfect gift for my parent. I also bought spicy corn that actually is not spicy at ALL, lol. It got nice sweet sour tomato flavor. Foods here is halal everywhere, KFC, McD, you name it. I rarely see pork here. Good riddance! Finally to the cheetah outreach (we didn’t reach them close enough though)!
The Cadbury chocolate here is tastier and cheap if you bought them at Pick n Pay mall and the Checkers but definitely not at the airport. So, kalau nak borong, borong kat tempat2 yang I cakap tadi.
I am actually in the plane writing this as I know I won’t be having much time blogging after this (jet lag etc etc)… I’m gonna get myself ready to sleep in a moment. Darn, it took sooo long to upload these photos!! Glad I finally get to it, phew!
So, conclusion of my two weeks trip: BA, is not a favorite… so expensive… no safety guaranteed (luggage handling wise) at the airport for transit and no bringing any home-made stuff plus meat products cos they will get confiscate. Lima is nice good place for shopping local art pieces. Great bargaining place, highly recommended. I really, really fell in love with Cape Town but no, not the price tags. Food serving is normally big for one person, so you may want to share. Cost of living is scarily high with the VAT included in every purchase and as high as 14% to add to that. But seriously, this is a very good destination for those who love hiking, surfing, and enjoying scenic views. But for sea lovers, beware of sharks should you feel like having a swim at one of the white beaches. Do heed the alarm, ok! My only regret would be, despite having to spend most of my days nearby the sea, I couldn’t experience the beautiful sunset and dawn. There’s none in Peru due to the fog and I missed them while shopping in Cape Town *sigh*…
Another fail attempt to silhouette shot…haish!
Night view from the hill.
Finally, a photo with our kind and attentive stewardess. Love them!
With that, hope you guys will visit any of these places. I really recommend Cape Town and Peru. You’re so gonna love them!!!
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Selamat Menyambut Aidiladha to all my friends and family. ^^
