A bucket list is like a love letter to yourself, intertwined with the promise of adventures and experiences to come. It’s like saying ‘some of the best moments of my life haven’t happened yet, but they are on their way, and I am the captain guiding them.’
It’s been a pretty rough two years, to put things politely. There was a time not so long ago when our 2020 bucket lists started to gather mountains of dust as we wondered if we’d ever be able to do all the wishful things we’d penned down.
To our 2020 selves, we can say that we’re back and wiser. We know a little more about appreciating life, and won’t let experiences simply slip away into vast tomorrow’s again, anytime soon.
We recently asked the Cape {town} Etc family what was on their 2022 bucket lists, and here are some delicious responses from those hungry for a slice of Cape Town.
The tunnel and dungeon tour
Secret tunnels lie right under our noses, where parts of the underground Canals and Rivers date back hundreds of years to the mid 15th century. For a different kind of exploration lit by mystery and history, you can discover the likes of these passages including the famous ‘little Amsterdam’ with Tunnel Tours Cape Town.
12 Apostle’s Hotel
The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa have always been the epitome of luxury and world-class experience, dubbed the Atlantic Seaboard’s crown jewel. It’s no wonder that our shining star would make it onto a bucket list. The bespoke stay finds itself nestled between indigenous fynbos and the tranquil blue waters of Camps Bay, and offers the rugged Twelve Apostles mountain range as a gorgeous backdrop, attracting Capetonians, tourists and celebrities alike.
Paragliding from Signal Hill
Paragliders in their kaleidoscopic landings were always an awesome sight for me when I lived along the Atlantic Seaboard, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Ashleigh Nefdt. The thrill of people doing what our ancestors never thought possible? Enchanting, daring and only a 7-20 minute cruise from Signal Hill to the various landing spots. This was a bucket list mentioning most people suggested, and who could blame them! Fly Cape Town Paragliding Company is an awesome company to make your Nelly Furtado dreams of being like a bird come true.
abseiling
As one user put it, abseiling would be an epic pick to conquer a fear of heights. No matter where you abseil in Cape Town, you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll have a one-of-a-kind view to enjoy while you conquer those fears. Abseil Africa is a great go-to for us soon-to-be daredevils defying the parameters of our fears.
District Six museum
District Six’s museum is a vital part of Cape Town’s diverse history. District Six was an area where occupants were forcibly removed by the apartheid government who declared the space ‘whites-only’. It tore apart communities, dispersed culture, and forced many to relocate to what we now know as the Cape Flats. Visiting the museum can be nothing other than an enlightening experience, and certainly a must on the bucket list of those wishing to understand the authentic history of Cape Town better.
13 peaks challenge
13 Peaks is an adventure drawn from the idea of wanting to connect various peaks on Table Mountain and in the Cape Peninsula area. The idea was born on a sketchbook and is now an incredible adventure challenge for those looking to explore the wilderness by foot. If 6000m of vertical over a 100km adventure sounds like something your bucket list needs, get ready to rally your tekkies.
The route map starts at Signal Hill and carries on through Lion’s Head, Maclears Beacon, Grook Kop, Judas Peak, Klein Leeu Kop, Suther Peak, Chapman’s Peak, Noordhoek Peak, Muizenberg Peak, Constantia Berg, Kiassen Kop and Devil’s Peak.
crystal pools
The Crystal Pool Hiking Trail in Steenbras River Gorge is a route that is well worth the challenge the terrain presents. The trail, albeit rocky eventually leads to a sight to behold and dive into – the divine crystal pools!
- Location: Steenras River Gorge
- website: Bookings can be made here.
ceres train
The Ceres Rail Company offers a unique experience via vintage steam. All aboard this top-notch bucket list choice. Travel back in time as you gaze out at the incredible views – namely luscious rolling hills and enjoy the thrill of locomotive movement from eras gone by.
Palmiet River
Kogelberg Nature Reserve has a stunning trail on the cards for the hiker who’s around for a good time, but not a long time. The hike is approximately 3 hours in total and spawns natural beauty at its finest. Bring a friend, tell a partner or go solo. Whatever your plan of action, the serenity of this trail is unmatched.
- Location: Kogelberg office, turn off the R44
Workshops at Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren, the iconic Cape Dutch farm situated in the Drakenstein Valley is known for its vineyards, orchards, flora, wine and first-prize food grown and harvested on the land itself. The breathtaking mountain range that serves as a backdrop to the gem is as bespoke as the energy Babylonstoren encapsulates. Now beyond the hotel, spa, gardens, restaurants and bakery, Babylostoren also offers all kinds of workshops for those looking to learn something new, in the setting artists dream about. From flower crown workshops to a farm-to-table masterclass, their workshops offer a range of the most wholesome lessons.
NAC Helicopters
If you’re going to tour Cape Town, why not see it from the best seats possible? The NAC Helicopters offer various birds-eye-view tours of the city on a private chopper flight. Tours include the Hopper Tour, Atlantic Tour, Three Bays Tour, Cape Point Tour and Robben Island Tour.
Dinner at La Colombe
La Colombe restaurant as a bucket list favorite comes as little surprise. It was named one of the best restaurants in the world, after all just last year, and has been granted that title before. Situated at the bottom of the slopes of the Cape Peninsula, La Colombe Constantia thrives upon the grounds of the Silvermist organic wine estate. The restaurant boasts a treehouse-like aesthetic where some of the most creative and drool-worthy dishes steal the show. However, there is more than just one restaurant the La Colombe group has on offer to get thrilled about, although they go by various names. The most recent additions see the V&A Waterfront spoilt with offerings.
- Location: Silvermist Wine Estate, Main Road, Constantia Nek
- Website: La Colombe
Ride horseback on the beaches
If trotting along the beach on horseback with a fresh ocean breeze accompanying your journey sounds like the perfect bucket list note, then get ready to saddle up! The Noordhoek Beach Rides are one of the best outrides in the Cape, starting at Komeetjie and connected to Noordhoek via Long Beach. It’s linked to the Cape Town area via Chapman’s Peak Drive which boasts some of the most tantalizing views in the world. You can travel along the unspoiled stretch of beach whether you’re a complete novice or an expert. The rides also extend from hour-long trips to multi-day experiences.
Snorkeling with seals
If you’ve always wanted to take a dive and experience the thrill of snorkelling, why not join the ocean’s puppies? Snorkeling with the Cape fur seals is a great way to experience aquatic life, learn more about our oceans and try something out of your comfort zone. Join Cape Town Bucket List Ocean Adventures to guide you along the oceanic path where you’ll be trained, given the gear and taken by boat by professionals for the experience at Druiker Island Hout Bay.
Eat Cake at Pajamas + Jam
One of the best spots to devour fabulous cake delicacies is at Strand’s Pajamas + Jam. A store filled with numerous treasures, sweet soul food and aesthetics, it’s the perfect spot for a cheat day, or cheat year. You can also find treats for your home or wardrobe at their store. And if you thought it couldn’t get tastier, they also have an online store, but a pre-warning – it will have your mouth watering onto your keyboard.
Cape Town Cycle Tour
The Cape Town Cycle Tour, also known as the Argus Tour, is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year in Cape Town for both onlookers and cyclists. It’s an epic two-wheeled race that covers 109 km. If you’re looking to push those mental and physical pedals and try something extraordinary, meander over to the Cape Town Cycle Tour’s website for more information!
Website: Cape Town Cycle Tour
street art festival
Watching our city’s most epic and larger than life murals in their creation? Definitely a must-do for anyone who can’t walk past street art without saying, ‘wow’. Luckily for those with an art experience in mind for a must-do activity, The 6th edition of the International Public Art Festival is right around the corner at the end of February. You can learn more about the artists’ massive celebration here.
G&T Adventures
We know that we love wine in the Cape, but how about we spice up that bucket list with a little G&T to treat the taste buds? Whether you fancy your gin on the rocks, with tonic or part of a cocktail masterpiece, Cape Town’s got it locked down and loaded. Here are five of the best spots worth checking out in Cape Town.
roller derby
One of the more unique bucket list wishes, The Cape Town Rollergirls Roller Derby League offers Flat Track Roller Derby, a full-contact sport, played between two teams of women on quad-roller-skates in an anti-clockwise race on a flat oval track. They also offer recreational roller skating in Cape Town. Even if you’d just like to learn how to rollerskate, Cape Town Rollergirls is a great start to get rolling.
Also read:
Game of Thrones star calls Cape Town “favorite place in the world” on epic road trip
Picture: @ryanwarneke | Instagram