31 December, New Year's Eve

Woke a few times during the night and then again at 8am. Sunny. I watched CNN as one of the few English TV news services - later I found a South African station. Relations between US and Russia are being tested. Ceasefire in Syria looking rather shaky.

The V&A Waterfront was a lovely place to stroll, shop or eat

Breakfast in the hotel was a bit haphazard. Service doesn't always materialise. I had fresh fruit salad, yogurt, boiled egg and toast. Coffee not very hot. We plan to do Table Mountain today.


Later. We took a Uber cab to the Table Mountain cable car station. It looked popular. We found that the waiting time in the hot sun for tickets was 2 hours! So we abandoned that idea and got a taxi to the V&A Waterfront. A very lively shopping centre and restaurant venue. We picked up a map and then took a ride on the Big Wheel. It went round several times and we enjoyed the views over the sea, the park and the vineyards.

New Year's Eve party at Harald's Bar on the 11th floor

Then we visited the African Trading Post with many local products. I bought postcards and stamps. We ate lunch at Cape Town Fish Market. Calamari and fishcakes for me plus a Spier Sauvignon Blanc. Then we got a taxi to the hotel - 40 Rand. Prices here are very reasonable.

DJ Shilo played lots of 70s and 80s music which got everyone dancing

Back in our room we rested and showered before getting ready for the hotel's New Year's Eve celebration. Drinks and canapes at Harald's Bar on the 11th floor. We opted for the Shiraz.

It turned out to be a great evening with lots of dancing and wine.