City Walk, Cape Town...bring out your inner tourist...

Be a tourist in your own town and start with walking your city. Walking (and bicycle tours) are something I do in every new city I visit, always guided, but this particular Walk gives tourists and locals the opportunity to do an organised tour or go it on their own, at their own pace. I'm not a visitor mind you but lately I'm becoming more of a tourist in my town ~ it's amazing to discover what surrounds me in my hood and beyond. 

The newly introduced City Walk, made possible by the City of Cape Town, the CCID and the Cape Town Partnership, is a fine way to explore Cape Town and to get people walking instead of driving everywhere. The route runs from the top of Government Avenue where it meets Orange Street (opposite the Mount Nelson), then all the way down to lower Wale Street, down St George's Mall, over Strand Street, into Waterkant Street, onto the Fan walk and over the bridge and as far as St Andrew's Square. 

The oak tree lined Government Avenue and Company's Gardens are star attractions in the CBD. Aside from the wide open spaces of the Garden, there's no shortage of things to do and see. First up it's something of a tradition to feed the squirrels, pigeons and a more recent addition to the local wildlife, Egyptian Geese, with peanuts (vendors sell small bags for R5 each). For culture vultures there's the South African National Art Gallery, the National Museum and many historical statues all around the gardens. This past Saturday the theme was 'play' and throughout the route there were amazing things going on- giant scrabble, jumping castles, DIY chalking, frisbee games, book readings, face painting...and that was just for the little people.  

The monthly City Walk adds to the Big 6 list - Cape Point, Robben Island, Groot Constantia, Table Mountain Cableway, Kirstenbosch and the V&A Waterfront- making it the Big 7, the attractions you really shouldn't miss on a visit to our fine city.

As the press release says, the City Walk "...is a spine....that connects significant places in the urban heart of Cape Town through storytelling, public art, walking tours and retail offerings... "

I had so much fun doing this walk- bumped into so many familiar faces like Jitsvinger and got caught up by innovative installation art, puppetry, dance and more. The vibe was festive and the atmosphere celebrated the cultural diversity that surrounds us. The next themed Walk and related activities is scheduled to take place 16 May. 

The next City Walk Saturdays events take place on 16 May and 20 June – and every third Saturday of the month thereafter. Keep track of upcoming themes and events via http://www.capetown.travel/blog/entry/city-walk-to-fuel-cape-town-big-7.

Follow @capetownsoul on Instagram and use the hashtag #walkcapetown to see what you missed out on Saturday- it'll inspire you to participate in the next City Walk.

@allisonfoat (CapeTownDiva)

Readings all over the Company's Gardens...

Looking down Government Avenue...

The famous Art Deco building in Queen Victoria Street, next to the Company's Gardens

giant chess set...

giant scrabble

In St George's Mall

fire girls...St Georges Mall

the loveliest face of all...

A little fire display video here >
https://instagram.com/p/1oPSW-DyLY/

Monumental odes to Discovery in Belem, Lisbon

There's a lot going on in this corner of Belem, on the north side of the Tagus River in beautiful Lisboa. Three stunning architectural masterpieces stand there, all close to each other: the Monument to the Discoveries, the Belem Tower and across the street, the Jeronimos Monastery. 

The Discoveries Monument is 52m high,  circa 1958-60, built to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator who led expeditions into the New World. It represents a 3 sailed ship with Henry at the helm and other notable explorers, monks, poets and cartographers bringing up the rear. The sculptural work by Leopoldo de Almeida, made of concrete and rose tinted stone that looks a lot like marble, is remarkable.

The much older 16th century Tower of Belem sits on a tiny basalt outcrop- right near the shore of the Tagus. It's 4 stories high and built of white limestone. Like the Pena Palace in Sintra and so many other ancient buildings in Lisbon, it's design comprises a combination of styles influenced by the extensive global travel undertaken by the explorers of the day. The Manueline style is particularly prevalent, combining Gothic, Moorish and early Renaissance influence and named after a certain King Manuel l whose reign coincided with the period of great successes in the various voyages of discovery undertaken by so many Portuguese navigators.

And then there is the stately Jernonimos Monastery...very Manueline, possibly the best example of that style. It's a very impressive tribute to Vasco da Gama's successful voyage to India and the architects were French and Spanish. There's an elaborate use of sculptural detail and motifs, as with the Triton sculpture at the Pena Palace. Altogether it's a monastic masterpiece. 

To get yourself to these monuments, take Tram #15 (2.85€ in exact change) or take a cab or an Uber (the latter is my choice mode of travel). Check online for opening days times and entrance fees where applicable. A great tourist site for further detailed info is www.golisbon.com.

#capetowndiva @allisonfoat

The Monument to the Discoveries>

The Belem Tower>

The Jeronimos Monastery>