It is not a mere matter of "like" or "being fond of". When it comes to the place where your heart is firmly and happily routed, the place where you feel part of it in every way, where every sight, sound and smell brings a deep feeling of belonging - this is a place that one wants to be in, and to me this place is HOME - The Cape in South Africa.
The people of the Cape, and indeed the whole country have not had a life without turmoil and anxiety, but yet they have beaming faces and happy hearts filled with song and good cheer. You are always happily greeted in the Cape, and the infectious smiles and cheeriness is the perfect anecdote to a woeful soul. There is no match for the beauty of the vineyards at the feet of the majestic mountains, and the sophistication and glamour of the wineries dotted all over, providing the perfect backdrop to some of the best wines and finest occasions the Cape can offer.
It is about more than just being born and raised here, it is about being part of something so much more than yourself. The Cape has a huge variety of dramatic landscapes, whether it be inland or on it's breathtaking coast. Like gentle giants, the mountains guard and protect the valleys and plains below, with its rich heritage of vegetation and wildlife. Tiny little wild flowers and fynbos decorate the land, and although they look fragile and delicate, they are part of one of the world's most important ecosystems. Large brightly coloured succulents and plants dance in the African Breeze, and the protea proudly stands tall smiling at the sun. A sea of wheat creates waves and tides breaking into the rocks. The air is a metropolis of flying insects and buzzing things like a busy airport. The eagle fly's on high looking down on the dassie or meerkat going about their business. On the coast the cascading cliffs embrace the wild white waters continuously battering the rocks. There is a cool breeze with an intoxicating ozone smell bursting through the rays of sunlight stretched out over a blue scape that reaches far out into the horizon. As the sun sets at night, the scarlet sky shimmers like gold dust on the ocean, and the valleys and plains start to quiet and rest, while the "sonbeesie" starts its night chorus in expectation of the return of the sun in the morning.
The city of Cape Town lies at the feet of Table Mountain, serving up a cosmopolitan bowl of people. The architecture boasts the highest spec modern developments through to the historical and colonial influences of a bygone era. Wonderful addictive flavours and spices fill the air and the city is abuzz with activity day and night.
Yes, the sights, the sounds, the smells and the comfort of knowing you can always rely on these things, this is Home - this is The Cape.
