A taste of Cape Town

The ocean, the mountains, the vegetation, the busy harbour, the waterfront restaurants and shops... It sounds like I am enjoying a trip to Cape Town.

Cape Town's Table Mountain and the Waterfront 

The 12 Apostles in Cape Town

To be honest, I am nowhere near Cape Town. I am sitting in Barcelona which is thousands of kilometres away from Cape Town and Spring is not in the air here. Cape Town is welcoming the arrival of Spring. Barcelona is bidding farewell to Summer. Officially, Autumn is here. As much as it is Spring in the Southern hemisphere, it is Autumn in the Northern hemisphere. 

Barcelona's port is said to be the busiest in Western Europe

I still remember and even cherish the idea that it is Spring in the Southern hemisphere - even though I am not there! But before the sunshine starts to recede and the trees lose their leaves etc, I thought I better share the some little reminders of Cape Town that I have had during the Summer. 

Succulents and fynbos type plants grow in Barcelona

Barcelona's Castle looks onto the sea

Barcelona's Waterfront complex near the port

Barcelona is like Cape Town in some ways.This city is built around a range of mountains right next to the sea. The vegetation here is similar to Cape Town's - dry plants and succulents grow all over. There is a castle right near the ocean, which offers good views over the Mediterranean Sea. There is a busy harbour with countless ships - cargo and passenger ships - coming in and out each day. There is a waterfront development - like Cape Town's V & A Waterfront but definitely not as nice - in front of the old port. There are many city beaches with gentle waves and clear waters - which are definitely not as cold as Cape Town's Atlantic Ocean. It is a city which is alive and has a very touristy feel - which is a good and a bad thing. There is always a big party atmosphere here. The world comes here looking for a good time!! Cape Town is a more mature place with a quieter atmosphere but a more welcoming one I would say. And as for Cape Town, it is far more breath taking. Barcelona has not got all the natural beauty of Cape Town. Barcelona is far more developed and does not have as many untouched natural spaces. Barcelona or Cape Town ? Cape Town...

Barcelona is built around mountain ranges