Dear friends and other interesting creatures,
With thanks to @Safari365, @SirNoid and I was invited to do a photo tour in Cape Town in December 2014. I have done photo workshops before, but never a photo tour.
We met our tour guide from @capephototour and other photography enthusiasts at the Cape Milner Hotel which struck me as boutique and quite beautiful. Jaco was the perfect guide. Young, informed, full of life and witty. He guided everyone to stay on schedule with regards to time without anyone feeling rushed. We all enjoyed his company tremendously.
The Chase The Sun Peninsula Tour is a full day package from about 10h00 until approximately 19h00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Taking into account that the sun goes down quite late in the Cape it was perfect.
While I revived my love for photography with my trusty Canon, @SirNoid made use of the Samsung NX300 camera on offer. The awesome part is that while you get to play with a new camera, you take your pictures home on a memory stick at the end of the day. I thought that was kinda cool.
What I enjoyed most about the tour was the information shared by our guide, Jaco. His hint and tips at every stop as to camera settings along with events or interesting stories from the area made the experience personable. It was wonderful that neither my husband or I were driving, so we could both focus totally on our surroundings and the beauty of the Cape. A simplistic lunch of fish and chips was very appropriate and absolutely delicious in taste and I loved listening to the locals chatting around us. Very funny characters!
Be prepared for a change of weather so bring along a light jacket or dress in layers. Best to wait to the bigger tourist attractions to use the bathrooms and the public facilities are not very pleasant. We received bottled water when the trip started and @SirNoid and I bought ice cream at Boulders Beach, sold by a local from their garage. It added to the tourist in your own country feeling. Also, note that it is a bit of a walk up to the lighthouse at Cape Point. I had never been before and may have chosen better shoes had I known. You can make use of the funicular for a 3 minute ride to the top should you wish. 286 metres above sea level took me lots longer to walk! Still I am glad @SirNoid encouraged me to. It was beautiful up there. The ocean carries on forever. Entrance to all destinations are included in your tour price, along with lunch.
Our stops included:
Muizenberg Beach
I’ve been wanting a mascot, much like @SpicedWeasel has (yes, a shamelessly stole their idea – thank you guys!), and @SirNoid and I found a purple and yellow giraffe at the airport on our way to Cape Town. Jaco named him #Twiga… so here you go, introducing #Twiga – doing the photo tour, posing on Muizenberg Beach.
Kalk Bay (where we had a delicious fish and chips lunch) & Fish Hoek
Simons Town / Boulder’s Beach with the fabulous jackass penguins
The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve & Cape Point
Chapman’s Peak Drive
The tour is relevant for both local photography lovers, as well as tourists. While locals may see these scenic views often, it does not come with the group dynamic, interesting stories and tips of somebody in the know. For tourists it would be fantastic to see the attractions and take awesome pictures along the way.
Do something you have never done before!
I wish you enough,
Nocturnal Wenchy 
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