Nomad_Africa_Edition12

author James Thurber said in one of his more famous books
that “beautiful things don’t ask for attention” - and while i’m sure
Mr Thurber meant his words in a more anthropological way, the same
can’t be said for camps Bay, the undeniable crown Jewel of
cape Town’s atlantic Seaboard.
Words & Photographs: TRACEY LEE VICTOR
it’s a beautiful early autumn evening as
i check in to The Bay Hotel; a camps
Bay icon, situated in the middle of the
seaside suburb’s famous Sunset Strip.
The Bay Hotel has been a stalwart on
camps Bay’s most famous strip since
the late 1980s, and it’s easy to see why the
hotel has stood the test of time. accommodating
everyone from locals, international
celebrities and even english royalty. if you
haven’t been to The Bay Hotel, have you
even really been to camps Bay?
The checking-in process is seamless, and i
already feel welcome after the wonderful
hotel staff show me to my suite. My suite
showcases camps Bay in all its glory;
beachfront views, a view of cape Town’s famous
lion’s Head and a brightness that can
only come from relaxing in a luxury hotel
room after some serious travelling.
after unpacking (and unwinding with the
complimentary bottle of Muratie Merlot in
my hotel room), i find myself taking the first
of many gasps as i see the sun set over the
atlantic ocean and the bright, white sand of
the beach turn a milky beige.
as i fumble to find my phone - naturally, to
document the sunset in all its glory - i realise
why camps Bay beach has been included
as one of the best beaches in the world on
several travellers’ websites. i decide then
and there that after breakfast the next morning,
i would most certainly take a stroll along
this world-famous beach.
Breakfast at The Bay hotel is nothing short
of a feast. The buffet spread is beautifully
presented and offers something for every
palete. as for me, all ideas of possibly sticking
to a diet fly out the window and into the
atlantic as i grab my second, perfectly
baked croissant.
Feeling (a little) guilty after my croissant-indulgence,
i make my way to the beach,
hoping the walk will help balance out the
carbo-loading i just did.
camps Bay beach reminds me of a Pinterest
board; pristine beaches, bright, blue water
and enviable bikini bodies. i once again
grab my phone, snapping more shots of my
surroundings - bikini bods excluded, of
course.
as i make my way back to the hotel - a
stone’s throw away from the beach - i notice
that the infamous cape Town red Bus
Tour has a stop right in front of The Bay
Hotel.
Being fond of exploration myself, i decide
to buy a ticket. opting for the ‘classic’ package
on the open-top bus tour, i was thrilled
to find out that the r180 package includes
the constantia Valley Wine Bus, something
many a girlfriend has recommended.
With the first departure at 10:50 from the
red Bus Tour offices, conveniently situated
in front of The Bay Hotel, i was dressed,
ready and en route to constantia Nek by
11:00.
To join the constantia Valley Wine Bus, you
have to get off at constantia Nek, after
which the much talked about Wine Bus will
pick you up, and take you to three legendary
wine farms in the constantia Valley:
Beau constantia, eagle’s Nest and the infamous
groot constantia - the oldest wine estate
in South africa. My girlfriends were
right; the Wine Bus definitely did not disappoint.
Shortly after lunch time, i hop off at groot
constantia - wide eyed and ready to try the
wines and a light lunch (the lingering fullness
caused by the croissants prohibits me
from opting for a large lunch!).
groot constantia wines are fabulous. Without
sounding too cliché, or like one of the
ladies who lunch on the Upper east Side of
Manhattan, enjoying an exceptional glass of
wine alongside a delicious serving of mussels
in Masala lentil cream should be the
way we lunch everyday. life is too short for
bad wine and bad lunch dates - that much
i’ve learned!
after perusing the beautiful terrain of groot
constantia, spending way too much money
on Sauvignon Blanc and, once again reflecting
on my total disregard for diet, i make my
way down to the pick up stop to wait for
the bus: Beau constantia here we come!
Beau constantia, literally meaning ‘beautiful
constantia’ in French, definitely does its
name justice. The view, overlooking False
Bay is to die for, and i find myself planning
my future wedding in my head.
The last departure from Beau constantia for
the red Bus Tour leaves at 17:24, which gives
me enough time to get back to The Bay
30 | www.nomadafricamag.com | ...Celebrating the world’s richest continent | Issue 12