Bo Kaap, Cape Town, South Africa
We enjoyed a wonderful wander around the Bo Kaap on a very hot Saturday - the community was out and about, the tourists were following the tour guides, a wedding was taking place and the atmosphere was congenial in this colourful part of our city.
The lady above was selling koesisters - those delicious spicy doughnuts that one just cannot get enough of! Well known favourites are also samoosas (crispy triangle pastries), half-moons (crescent-shaped savoury snacks), daltjies (chilli bites), slangetjies and paaper bites (crisps)
All yummy!
Or you can pop into one of the shops/restaurants for some delicious local cuisine or try a cooking class! This little girl was diligently sweeping the sidewalk of her parents restaurant while her brother played with his toys on the wall.
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| Bo Kaap Cape Town South Africa |
Start your visit at the Bo Kaap Museum at 71 Wale Street
This will give you an insight into the fascinating history of the area prior to a wander through the streets of Bo Kaap
This will give you an insight into the fascinating history of the area prior to a wander through the streets of Bo Kaap
"The Bo-Kaap Museum, situated in the historic area that became home to many Muslims and freed slaves after the abolition of slavery, showcases local Islamic culture and heritage. No. 71 Wale Street is today known as the Bo kaap Museum. Reportedly dating back to the 1760s, the building was converted into the Bo Kaap Museum in 1978, and is furnished as a 19th century Muslim dwelling.
The Bo Kaap Museum documents the history of the ‘Cape Malays’, and the contribution of these skilled craftsmen and scholars to the history of the Cape as a whole. The yellowwood floors and ceilings were restored to reinforce the old Cape Dutch feel, as were the teak window frames, doors and shutters. One of the rooms is furnished as a bridal chamber."
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| Bo Kaap Cape Town South Africa |
"To this day, the houses are a mix of Cape Dutch and Georgian architecture, in distinctive multi-coloured rows on steeply cobbled roads. The choice of colour is said to be attributed to the fact that while on lease, all the houses had to be white. When this rule was eventually lifted, and the slaves were allowed to buy the properties, all the houses were painted bright colours by their owners as an expression of their freedom".
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| Bo Kaap Cape Town South Africa |
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| Local resident Bo Kaap Cape Town South Africa |
We loved the fact that this lady's dress matched the colour of her beautiful home! She graced us with a beautiful smile.
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| Brian in Bo Kaap, Cape Town, South Africa |
Brian is a cheerful artist selling his African art outside another art shop, Art du Cap. Anthony de Klerk is the artist and runs his gallery here. Although not a local Malay, he caters more for the tourist market.
A wedding had just taken place and all the folk were happy and smiling!
We also chanced upon a photo shoot - it was for some German online company. and was fun to watch!
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| Bo Kaap Homes Cape Town, South Africa |
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| Bo Kaap Cape Town South Africa |
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So all in all, a wonderful place to spend some time soaking up the unique atmosphere, eating some delicious snacks, chatting to the locals and enjoying time with your camera! And, given that 2020 is a Leap Year, perhaps a time to propose to a loved one in Cape Town!!!
For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa
www.bradclin.com
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