I recently got sent a swap for my London Gatwick…for Cape Town! Without hesitation I accepted straight away, I’ve only been to Cape Town once before and I was desperate to go back.
The flight is long, around 9 to 9,5 hrs each way depending on the wind, and it’s usually very busy. Especially if you do the daytime flight, as everyone is awake and thirsty! This time though, even though we had a full cabin in business class both ways, other than the usual service we weren’t crazy busy. I was pleasantly surprised, and with plenty of coffee in me I arrived in Cape Town late afternoon, ready to make the most of my time there.
A group of us arranged to meet and go up Table Mountain, as I hadn’t had the chance to do that last time.
We took the cable car up (which was half price after 6pm, perfect!) just in time for sunset. The sun was out, but we were all fooled by that and froze at the top! I don’t think any of us had anticipated just how cold it would be – and at 6 degrees Celsius I definitely was not dressed for the weather, oops!
Nevertheless, we were greeted by the most stunning view all round. Down to the beach, the city, and the gorgeous sunset.
We walked around, admiring the view, as well as all of the wonderful plants and flowers at the top.
The light was absolutely perfect for photos….if only my fingers weren’t so cold that I could barely move them, haha!
The last cable car goes down at 8pm, so we queued up to go back down and decided to head to the Waterfront for some dinner.
We’d been recommended a steak restaurant to try which was bustling and looked great…however 3 of the girls didn’t bring any money other than the allowance (half of which had already gone towards the cable car and taxi) and didn’t bring their cards either. So we had to pick a restaurant based on what they could afford, which was a real shame.
Nevertheless I ordered a delicious steak and some South African wine, so I was a happy girl!
The next morning we had plans to hike up Table Mountain, but I knew if it was the same temperature as the night before there was no way I could climb it, as I did’t have more than a thick cardigan. So I decided to take the hop-on hop-off bus and see what I could see.
After arriving at the V&A Waterfront (which, by the way, stands for Victoria and Alfred, not Albert!) I got my ticket and hopped on the bus. The route I chose takes around 90 minutes if you don’t get off, so I decided to only get off at a couple of stops.
As we were driving it started to drizzle a little bit, so I decided just to get off at Camp’s Bay. We drove up again to Table Mountain, passing by some interesting landmarks.
The bus stopped at Table Mountain for a few minutes, just in time for the sun to come back out for a picture!
We drove on down to Camp’s Bay, where I got out. How I wish I had had more time to explore, or even just sit at one of the pretty beach cafes with a glass of wine.
The area is absolutely breathtaking! Table Mountain is at the northern end of a mountain range that forms the spine of the Cape Peninsula, and on the atlantic coast the mountain range is known as the Twelve Apostles. The range continues on southwards to Cape Point, which I visited last time I was in Cape Town. In fact if you click here, you can see the blog post from my layover there!
Since I was by myself I found a couple of spots to put my camera down and put it on self-timer… I just hoped nobody was watching me standing alone waiting for the camera to go off!
I was so impressed by how absolutely beautiful Camp’s Bay was, I just couldn’t stop taking pictures! I walked along the beach, shoes in hand, wishing I had more time there.
I walked up the beach towards the slightly rockier area, and clambered up the rocks to try and get some good shots.
I think it was worth the wet and sandy feet for this stunning view!
Good old self-timer back in action… 🙂
There was only so long I could stay since I knew the wake-up call was looming, so I wandered back towards the bus stop and got back on. We drove around windy roads overlooking the stunning beaches, and it just made me more certain that I have to come back!
The bus arrived back in the Waterfront, and I just had time to grab a green juice before the shuttle back to the hotel. I bumped into one of the other crew, and even though we only had about 20 minutes before wake-up, we decided to pop to the wine shop opposite the hotel to make the most of cheap South African wine!
Just in time for wake-up I was back in my room, and even had time to write my postcards 😉
Cape Town – I will be back!
P.s. Follow me on Instagram & Twitter for more day-to-day updates of where I am in the world! 🙂
Hi Rachel! Love your blog!!
Just wondering I’ve heard that EK don’t pay you what they advertised at the open days. Is this true?
Kate xx
Author
Thank you! Hm to be honest I can’t remember what the pay was that they advertised at the open day. It’s true that the first few months (before you start flying) you’re not earning very much, but after that I have no complaints at all! 🙂
Loved the post and especially the pictures as always! Will you post your December roster soon? Can’t wait to find out about your next adventures!
Author
Thank you! Hope you enjoyed seeing my December roster 🙂
Hi Rachel!
Just 3 quick questions!
Ive read on another blog that prior to landing you have a checklist that is broken down into A.L.E.R.T could you tell me what each letter stands for 🙂
You write that you only pay approx 10% for personal flights. Does this include any flight in EK network. Including the US flights? Also if you really wanted to could you pay 10% of a Business or first class ticket if you wanted to treat yourself? 😉
Finally did you always want to be cabin crew? If not how did the idea become reality.
Thanks so much for the blog! Hoping to join EK when I turn 21 😀
Hey Rachel! Not sure what her answers will be but I can share this with you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HojD-JaqOM the last question is about flights 🙂
Hi Anna! Thanks for the video! However it doesn’t answer my question regarding US flights and Business/First tickets. Can you use the ID90 and ID50 on first and business class tickets?
Author
It’s just a 30 second mental review that we do, if you ever fly on the 777 it’s written on every door so you can check it out 🙂 Yep any flight (even other airlines as well) – though it’s on a standby basis so if the flight is full you don’t get on! Unfortunately only pursers can buy business class tickets, and while they’re reduced they are still quite a bit pricier than economy tickets! I guess I’d always thought about being cabin crew, as my dad is a pilot so it runs in the family 🙂
Hi,
I love your blog and adventures!
Am looking to join Emirates as cabin crew. I’m from Lebanon but I have family in Canada. How easy is it to get rostered to Toronto? Is it very in demand? I guess you need a visa too.
Thanks for any info!
Author
Hi there, thanks so much for reading! 🙂 Well we only have 3 Toronto flights a week so it’s a little bit trickier to get rostered than other flights. You need a US Visa which you usually get a few months after you start flying (in case your flight gets diverted to the US). Good luck 🙂
Hey Rachel , Love Love Your Blog ♡.
Author
Thank you so much! 🙂
Can you explain shortly how does biding system work? If you want to get rid of a flight, can you sent more than one requests at the time, or contact one FA at the time? Can you swap a turnaround?
Author
We can bid for up to 5 things at a time, that could be either flights or regions (Europe, Africa, etc) or days off. The swap system lets you send however many swaps you want, you just have to take some time! yes you can swap a turnaround, although not many people like them 😀
hi 🙂 so if I understand right, your allowance in Cape Town is around 30e? Is this one of the largest amount or smaller? thanks for answer and you have the best blog ever 🙂
Author
It’s a low allowance compared to most other places, but since we get it in South African Rand it was plenty for dinner/breakfast/sightseeing! Thanks for reading 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed some of Cape Town. There’s TONS more to see!
You should definitely visit between the months of December-March as the weather is amazing (it’s our summer & you’ll find that your fingers won’t fall off on top of the mountain lol)
Lastly, if you’re looking for a great hike – you should try Lions Head too 🙂
Author
I would love to come back for longer, unfortunately our layover is only 24 hours! And I don’t get 777 flights very often, so I’ll see if I can come back Jan/Feb/March 🙂 One of the girls hiked Lion’s Head, it sounded awesome!
Hey Rachy, enjoying your blog as always so I got an invite to an AD in Johannesburg South Africa please help me with tips, I really want this job.
Author
Congrats on getting the invite to the AD! Have you read my post with tips for the interview? Other than that just be yourself and keep smiling, most importantly! Good luck 🙂
I didn’t make it was deeply hurt.
Author
So sorry to hear that! Keep trying and don’t give up 🙂
Hey there,i really like your blog, it drives me crazy and makes me to want to go again flying,i have a weird and quick question,do you know if i have any chances to be hired by emirates if i have a babe and i am married? pLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP