Table Mountain 2013: The Seven 7 Natural Wonders of the World

Here I am back again after 4 years to the Table Mountain of Cape Town, South Africa. During my visit in the year 2009, it was one of the prospects for the UNESCO Heritage, Seven Natural Wonders of the World. I voted for the Table Mountain and glad that I am back with the Table Mountain recognised as the Seven Natural Wonders. 

Table Mountain as it is, a flatted-top mountain forming beautiful prominent landscapes overlooking the city of Cape Town. The 1084 meters tall mountain can be accessed by hiking or by taking the cable car. However, accessed to the top of the mountain depends on the ever unpredictable weather. I managed to reach the top on the first day of my arrival but in the following 3 days, the mountain was closed to the public due to very bad weather which includes rare hail storm.

The Panoramic View of the Cape Town City

The Cable Car up to the top of the Table Mountain

The feeling of infinity of the Table Mountain landscape

The typical view of clouds forcing themselves up to the top of the mountain

Try it if you dare~ Abseiling off the top of Table Mountain

Stone Marking indicating the 'no entry' zone but this is too small to be noticed .

Due to water scarcity in South Africa, the Table Mountain management took measure by  installing waterless men's urinal and sensor taps

As mentioned before, I did accidentally crossed the 'border mark' and thus I get to capture some highly steep and dangerous cliff. Do not try this if you have a weak heart. 

~I captured this shot with my life on the line~

Some beautiful vegetation along the trail of Table Mountain

The decision to visit in the late afternoon paid off as I managed to capture beautiful sunset photos.

Panoramic shots of the beautiful landscape by the beach with the iconic Lion's Head at the right.

Panoramic scenery of the Cape Town City from the top of Table Mountain

Evening night shot of the Cape Town at the cable car station with the iconic Lion's Head at the left overlooking the city 

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Top 5 Reasons for my return to Zebra Crossing Lodge in Cape Town

4 years on and finally I managed to return to Cape Town again. First thing on my mind while purchasing my air tickets, Zebra Crossing Lodge. I did mentioned on my first review about Zebra Crossing Lodge that I will definitely return again for my stay in Cape Town and yeah here I am for 4 days 3 nights. Despite some minor setback and incidents which have happened in Cape Town, these top 5 reasons are the main factors that made my stay memorable.

No. 5: The Lemon Trees

As soon as you enter the lodge, you will be greeted by green lush  lemon tree. As lemon is not common in my country, Malaysia, it's great for me to look at those trees everyday :D..

No. 4: The Hail Storm Experience 

This happens only once in a blue moon, and yes, really once in a blue moon. With experience with all kinds of precipitation such as rain (too common and boring in Malaysia) and snow (boring as well), hail is a new experience. It started with a sudden sunny weather during a stormy weekend and suddenly, you could hear loud 'heavy rain' kind of sound and here you are, the round spherical hail which is suitable for some ice coffee during hot summer (unfortunately not in Cape Town at that time). 

No.3: Beautiful Rainbow after the hail

No places offered you the best rainbow view ever than Zebra Crossing Lodge (I hope it will be always...lol) As soon as the hail stopped, the sun emerged again with rainbows~ beautiful indeed after a stormy session

No. 2: The Location

click for panoramic experience

The Zebra Crossing lodge is located at a strategic New Church St.. it took me about 10-15 minutes taxi ride to either the Cape Town's very own gorgeous Table Mountain which is one of the 7 Nature Wonders of the World and the breathtaking panoramic view is also view-able from the lodge every morning. Besides that, the South Africa's most visited destination, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, can be reached within 10-15 minutes by taxi. Malls and restaurants are also situated around the vicinity of Zebra Crossing Lodge which can be reached on foot. The airport is also reachable within 20 minutes of taxi ride.

No.1 The Fun People of Zebra Crossing Lodge

The top reason apart from wifi facilities and affordable rates, as a backpacker, you tend to look for a place where you can interact and of course make new friends from around the world. And here we go, the top reason for my return to Zebra Crossing Lodge is the fun people and staff! Thanks to you positive guys and girls (Ian, Regine, Steven, Bryan, Ole the Great Dane, Juanho, Pierre, the staff, Susan and Nadia (too bad I missed out Stacey this time) for the fun, laughter and memorable time~ I am sure to be back again and keep in touch through Facebook or email~ God Bless You!! :D

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Zebra Crossing Lodge: Cape Town's Backpacker's Lodge

First and foremost, this is actually a late posting by 2 years. I have always wanted to blog and review about the Zebra Crossing Lodge as it was the place I have stayed for 3 nights on my first visit to Cape Town. I have enjoyed the stay very much. Basically, I get to interact with many young foreign adventurer/tourist during my stay. You will not be able to experience such fun if you are staying in a standard hotel. The lodge are managed by two sweet ladies at that time, Ms Susan and Ms Stacey (I still hope that they are still in Zebra Crossing Lodge) and they have been a wonderful host for me such as arranging and planning tours around Cape Town. Too bad I did not have the chance for a picture with them.

Well, that's a past, but I have some great photos to shared with my friends and other future Cape Town tourists with hope that it will promote the lodge even more :D

That's the  Zebra stripe gate greeting you...Nice and simple :D

On the left, and right, the main entrance with proper locking system

And a fruit tree at the garden, is that lemon tree or tangerine?

Nevertheless, let's get over first hall. A nice and cosy place whereby you can enjoy some novel reading or even play the piano.

and here's the 2nd hall whereby I still remembered that I sat here enjoying the FIFA Confederation Cup Match between Italy and USA in the year 2009.

And this was my cosy bedroom at an affordable cost (sorry that I have forgotten how much is the cost for this room though)

And if you're hungry, you can make yourself a meal at the kitchen or you can even order some food at the cafetaria.

And that's my bowl of flakes in the morning before my departure back to Pretoria. And I have been picked-up by another nice Indian ethnic guy (sorry dude, I have forgotten your name)

Overall I would like to give Zebra Crossing Lodge a rating 5/5, for it's affordability, great backpacker's experience, courteous host, cleanliness, amenities and facilities (Free WiFi provided) and great location. 

I will DEFINITELY return to this lodge again in my next visit.

It is a highly recommended place for a budget traveler who loves to experience social communication with other travelers.

However, if you are expecting some luxurious experience or if you are a very private person, this place is not for you. 

Cheers! and Dankie!

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Victoria & Alfred Waterfront @ Cape Town

V & A Waterfront, one of the most visited tourists destination in Capetown, South Africa. It is situated between the Table Mountain and the Robben Island..For those who do not know what is Robben Island, it was where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Boat trips from the waterfront to the island is possible. Set against a backdrop of sea and mountain views, it offers a variety of shopping and entertainment options to visitors, intermingled with office locations, hotels such as the historical Breakwater Lodge once a 19th century prison and luxury apartments in the marina residential (Wikipedia, 2009).

Well let's enjoy the scenery there...with a cup of flemish coffee and choco mousse.


That's the famous Victoria and Alfred Hotel aka V & A Hotel

Some of the harbour view with boats around..and that's the TABLE MOUNTAIN behind.

Yachts around


Harbour from near and afar





Abundance of Hotels and restaurants




Ships and boats around..a spectacular site to behold in my opinion...

That's me 'enjoying' the flemish coffee and choco mousse


That's the Flemish Coffe..a layer of wine mixed with black coffee with a layer of milk...how does it taste like?? well in my opinion, I would say it sux...hehe..no offense to the Flemish though..even my Dutch boss said that it's such a waste to the coffee...
The choc mousse's delicious though..

And here's some of the street performers

Acrobatics of fire..it's a hard-earned money for them


Street musicians promoting their albums


aww..he's such a sweet person isn't he?

So many directions..what next for my blog? Could be back to Tokyo again for a detour..that's all folks..enjoy! Indeed I did go back to Tokyo at that year itself.

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