Even though today’s scheduled shark dive has been cancelled, I decide to drive to Simon’s Town, to see what’s changed since the last time I was there in 2012. The weather is quite overcast in Cape Town, and it progressively improves as I move towards the coastal towns lining the Indian Ocean. By the time I reach Simon’s Town, it is reasonably bright and sunny. Simon’s Town is a historic town lining the waterfront, with architecture dating back to the mid 1800s. Much of it has been restored, and it is a pretty little town to visit.
Simon’s Town is also important in Antarctic history. The British Hotel hosted no less than 6 expedition groups headed to the Antarctic between 1840 and 1910, including Robert Scott’s ill-fated final attempt to reach the South Pole in 1910.
About a month before leaving for South Africa, I realised I’d made a classic mistake in planning my itinerary. I would be checking out of the Cellars-Hohenort on the 23rd, and checking into the Marine Hotel at Hermanus on the 24th, leaving me nowhere to stay on the night of the 23rd. I could have extended the reservation at Cellars, but due to a long story with the Collection McGrath reservations ‘service’, I decided to move elsewhere. I had briefly visited Camps Bat in 2012, and decide to try staying there as a change of scene. I ended up getting the last available room at POD Boutique Hotel, a couple of steps away from the Promenade. It’s pretty brand new, and ultra modern in comparison to Cellars-Hohenort.
It has reasonable views of the beach and ocean and also of the Twelve Apostles, one minute shrouded in cloud, the next quite clear.
I suspect Camps Bay was very busy during the warm weather over the weekend, but today it is quite overcast, and the only beach goers are dog walkers and joggers.
I don’t often (more likely never) photograph my food, but tonight’s meal is an exception. The staff at POD have recommended The Codfather as the place to go for seafood, and they’re not wrong. An entree of calamari is perfectly cooked in olive oil, lemon and a bit of salt, and renders the accompanying sauces redundant. I would eat crayfish or lobster perhaps once a decade (I don’t think the cost & effort has sufficient payback), but tonight it’s a whole rock lobster! Including dessert and drinks, about $85.
