Just over a month ago I attended World Travel Market Africa at the CTICC in Cape Town. One of the exhibitors was City Sightseeing Tours and they offered all delegates a free canal cruise on presentation of our delegate badges. There are canals linking the V&A Waterfront with the Cape Town International Convention Centre and it is on these that City Sightseeing has started regular cruises to link the two areas as well as hotels like the One and Only, City Lodge and the Westin in front of the CTICC.
I decided to slip out for lunch on the first day of the exhibition and head down to the V&A Waterfront making use of the boat. The boats depart from both the CTICC and the Waterfront sides every 20 minutes so I didn’t have to wait long. Both spots are also stops on the Hop on – Hop off bus tours so could be combined with their tours of Cape Town. The cruise gives one a very different view of the Waterfront and it’s surroundings than what you get from the road. Luxury apartments flanked the canals just about all the way and I kept wondering what it must be like living here… or what you have to earn to afford it. There is commentary available but as I wasn’t on the bus tour I didn’t have ear phones. Not that it was an issue. I made sure I sat right in front and was chatting with the skippers all the way and they answered all the questions I had. As I mentioned the drop-off spot is at the One and Only Hotel and from there its a quick walk to the craft market and the rest of what the V&A Waterfront has to offer. Wish I had time to do the Hop on – Hop off tour while in town as well, but that will have to wait till another time.
Disclosure: I went on the canal cruise as a delegate attending the World Travel Market Africa exhibition and received no remuneration, wasn’t asked to write a positive post and keep full editorial control.
I like the idea of touring CT from the water.