This archive report was first published on 5 October 2019.
As I stepped off the plane in Cape Town, South Africa, I was greeted by a warm welcome from my seatmate, a South African with a thick accent. 'Welcome to Mzansi,' she said softly, as we made our way to our hotel, the Radisson Red V&A Waterfront.
After freshening up, my team and I set out to explore the city, armed with our smartphones and a desire to experience Cape Town like never before. We used Google Maps to navigate the city and review our hotel, and I even created a list of places to visit using the app.
Our first stop was Bo-Kaap, one of the oldest residential neighborhoods in Cape Town, known for its colorful houses and mix of Cape Dutch and Cape Georgian styles. Our tour guide, Ken, was bursting with knowledge about the area and took us to the Auwal mosque, the oldest in South Africa.
As we wandered through the neighborhood, we stumbled upon the Monkeybiz boutique, a not-for-profit organization that sells unique bead creations made by disadvantaged women. We were able to learn about the women's crafts and even take a photo to share with our friends back home using Google Lens.
After a delicious lunch at a restaurant with a stunning view of the city, we set out to explore the V&A Waterfront mall. We used Google Translate to learn about the local flora and fauna, and even took a photo of the Cape gooseberries we were eating to look up their English name.
Our final destination was Table Mountain, a world heritage site that offers breathtaking views of the city. We took the aerial cableway to the top, where we marveled at the stunning backdrop of the city and learned about the unique fynbos plant diversity.
As the sun set over Cape Town, we reflected on our amazing day and the many experiences we had. From the vibrant culture to the stunning architecture and breathtaking natural beauty, Cape Town truly is a city like no other.
