After my recent trip to Cape Town someone asked me, Would you live in Cape Town? I answered immediately. Without a second’s hesitation, I said, “No!”

Cape Town is unreservedly South Africa’s most beautiful city!

Wholeheartedly, I agree. Cape Town is clean, visually pleasing; the government go out of their way to attract tourists; the people of Cape Town, the locals respect their government; the taxis are well behaved, road users stop at red traffic lights and are polite. Okay, perhaps the reason for such a well run province – the Western Cape – is because the ANC (African National Congress) does not dominate. The majority of the Western Cape are not black and so the DA (Democratic Alliance) are in power, which apparently says it all.

However, when Cape Town experiences a cold front, it suddenly turns atrocious. The dreadful winters feel like they are as long lasting as the UK’s winters. And I would not know what to do with myself in a place that only offered cold oceans. Even a 20mm dry suit wouldn’t get me into such icy waters. And I don’t think I could survive without surfing, not again.

Did you know that Cape Town is ninth on the list of The Most Dangerous Cities In The World? (Highest Murder Rates in the World by City) as stated by World Atlas – with a murder rate of 65.53 per 100,000 people.

While I presented my case, the reasons I would chose not to live in Cape Town, despite it’s exceptional beauty, I discovered it’s a dangerous city. Durban didn’t even make the list. She’s not one of the fifty cities with the highest murder rates of this world. I love you, Durban!

I’ve visited Cape Town many times, and had never once been disappointed except a bit p’d-off when the weather prevented me from being creative with my photographic shots. Despite the weather-ly limitations,  I experienced something for the first time.

I hiked up Table Mountain! About a quarter of the way up, the mist rolled in and we couldn’t see a thing. By the time we reached the top – one hour and forty-five minutes later (the board at the bottom informed us it would take two and a half hours) – the mist was thicker than a sea otter’s fur (I feel another did-you-know clawing it’s way to the surface… Did you know that sea otters have the densest fur out of all the animals on this precious Earth?). Everybody without their dog decided to do what we were doing: fat, thin, fit, sluggish, shirtless, trail runners, children – and everyone chatted to everyone. One elderly woman did it three times a week. Are you mental?

Each future visit to Cape Town (at least once a year) shall most definitely involve a climb up Table Mountain. What a fitness thrill!