Visiting Cape Town had been on my bucket list for a long time. I’d watched countless YouTube reels showcasing the city's stunning landscapes and vibrant culture. So, I finally decided to make it happen and planned my trip for May 2025, booking my flight tickets well in advance using air miles. Later, my friend Kushagra joined me, and we ended up having an unforgettable trip together.
Alternatively, you can apply directly for an e-visa on the South African e-visa portal. The portal is a bit buggy, you get logged out every three minutes... but with a bit of patience (about 30 minutes), you can easily complete the application form.
I initially applied for an e-visa online and it got approved. But when Kushagra decided to join me, we had to prepone our travel dates by two days. I tried applying for a new e-visa but it was rejected since I already had an active e-visa. So, I visited the VFS center and applied for an offline sticker visa. Meanwhile, Kushagra applied for the e-visa and got his approval in just a few days.
I booked the Marriott Crystal Towers using 42,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. The cash rate for this hotel was around ₹16,500 per night. The property was elegant and well-located, offering a great start to our stay in Cape Town.
May 6th to May 7th:
I initially booked the AC Hotel Cape Town Waterfront using 95,500 Marriott points for a 5-night stay (under the "Pay for 4 nights, stay for 5" promotion, from May 6th to 11th). Although I was upgraded to a Junior Suite, I didn’t like the room. Several things were not in order, and overall, the experience didn’t meet expectations. At the restaurant, while having breakfast, I noticed some flies hovering over the food, that was the final deal breaker.
I spoke to the hotel staff and requested a revision, asking them to charge me points for just one night and refund the rest. They kindly agreed.
May 7th to May 12th:
I moved back to Marriott Crystal Towers (booked using 96500 Marriott Points), and this turned out to be the best decision of the trip. The property was fantastic - great location, beautiful interiors, and above all, incredible service.
A special mention goes to Suraj Maharaj, the F&B Manager. An absolute gem of a person! Since I’m a vegetarian, he arranged for the chef to prepare customized Indian breakfast dishes just for me. He even went out of his way to take us on a scenic drive on May 6th to Yzerfontein beach to catch the sunset, followed by drinks and dinner at Die Vaatjie Taphuis - a cozy spot in Velddrif, part of the Admiral Island and Port Owen estate. We had a fantastic time.
As a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member, I received complimentary lounge access. One of the lounge managers, Pawan, an Indian gentleman, was incredibly hospitable. I may not remember everyone's names, but the entire F&B team went above and beyond to make our stay memorable.
If I ever visit Cape Town again, I won’t think twice - Marriott Crystal Towers will be my first choice.
I checked several platforms - Skyscanner, LoungeKey (available with my Yes Private Card), and Amex Travel India. The lowest quote I found for an 8-day rental was around ₹17,000. However, I managed to snag a better deal through Amex Travel US - a Toyota Corolla for 8 days at just ₹11,600, with Alamo as the rental provider.
After arriving at Cape Town International Airport, we followed the signs to the car rental zone, where offices for nearly all major car rental companies are located. We found the Alamo office easily. After a friendly chat and some classic sweet-talking (thanks to our charm master Kushagra 😄), we were upgraded for free to a Toyota Urban Cruiser.
And what a car! It was practically brand new - just about 6,000 km on the odometer.
Good news for Indian travelers: you don’t need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent or drive a car in South Africa. A valid Indian driving license works just fine.
Since my entire itinerary was on a single PNR, my luggage was checked through from Kolkata all the way to Cape Town. My next flight, ET 687, was scheduled to depart at 2:30 AM, with boarding starting at 1:30 AM. I cleared security and immigration via the e-Gate as I’m enrolled in the Fast Track Immigration service, and boarded the flight at 1:50 AM.
Although food was offered on board, I skipped it to catch some sleep. I had a comfortable nap for a couple of hours. We landed at Addis Ababa (ADD) Airport at 6:25 AM local time. With just an hour between flights, I quickly cleared the transfer security check and headed straight to the gate to board ET 845.
Onboard ET 845, we were welcomed with drinks and later served lunch before arriving in Cape Town - no breakfast was offered. The flight duration was approximately 6 hours and 40 minutes. I slept for a few more hours and woke up just in time to enjoy the breathtaking aerial views of Cape Town and the surrounding ocean. The scenery was simply unforgettable.
We landed at Cape Town International Airport at 1:30 PM (local time). After clearing immigration and collecting my luggage, I met Kushagra, who had arrived earlier at 11 AM flying Qatar Airways Business Class.
Our next stop was the car rental office, where we picked up our vehicle and drove straight to the Marriott Crystal Tower. We reached the hotel around 3 PM, marking almost 24 hours of travel time from India. (South Africa is 3 hours and 30 minutes behind Indian Standard Time.)
After a short rest, we visited the hotel lounge at 6:30 PM for happy hour snacks and drinks. This was when we first met Pawan, the lounge manager - an incredibly humble and welcoming person. Although both of us had planned to try local food during the trip, he kindly prepared Indian-style rice for us. There's something comforting about Indian food, and it felt like a warm welcome to our Cape Town adventure.
Canal Walk Mall was massive and had a great variety of shops. I bought a few things to take back home and returned to the hotel around 3 PM. Later in the afternoon, we headed to Lagoon Beach, a nearby coastal spot, to enjoy the sunset. I tried capturing some time-lapse videos, but the beach was quite crowded. Still, the ocean breeze and the view were refreshing.
After sunset, we headed back to the hotel and spent the evening unwinding in the lounge. It was a relaxed and refreshing day, spent enjoying the local atmosphere and coastal charm.
We returned to the hotel by 2 PM. As planned, Mr. Suraj Maharaj joined us for a road trip. The three of us - Suraj, Kushagra, and I - headed toward Yzerfontein, a peaceful coastal town with significantly fewer tourists. The roads were incredibly straight, stretching out like lines drawn with a ruler - perfect for a scenic drive.
After watching the sunset at Yzerfontein, we continued to Port Owen Drive. The natural beauty along the way was stunning. We had dinner at Die Vaatjie Taphuis, located in Velddrif, and then drove to our new hotel: the AC Hotel Cape Town Waterfront, where we checked in around 11 PM. We had already shifted our car and luggage to Suraj’s home earlier in the day to ease the transition.
Although I was upgraded to a Junior Suite, the hotel didn’t quite meet expectations. The towels were off-white and had an unpleasant odor, and overall, the room lacked the finesse and comfort of Marriott Crystal Towers. Tired from the long day, we decided to sleep and reconsider our stay in the morning.
Without hesitation, I decided to cancel our stay and return to Marriott Crystal Towers. Kushagra, ever the negotiator, stepped in and spoke to the hotel staff, explaining our concerns. He successfully convinced them to refund the points for the remaining three nights.
I immediately rebooked the Marriott Crystal Towers and messaged both Pawan and Suraj to let them know, jokingly saying, “We’re coming back!”
Before checking out, the hotel gave us complimentary tickets for a water taxi ride to the V&A Waterfront. We stored our luggage in the car and hopped on the boat. The ride was smooth and scenic - definitely an experience worth trying.
We spent a few enjoyable hours at the V&A Waterfront. The area was lively with music, street performances, and plenty of tourists. I absolutely loved the atmosphere.
Afterward, we picked up our car and luggage and headed to Sea Point, another charming coastal area. From there, we made our way back to Signal Hill, this time to catch the sunset. The view in the evening was completely different from what we saw in the morning. The golden hour glow over Cape Town, with the city lights gradually turning on, was simply magical.
We met a group of friendly locals flying drones and struck up a great conversation. They offered us some Coke, and we shared some laughs before saying our goodbyes. Around 9 PM, we headed to Hard Rock Café for dinner. I had some delicious vegetarian nachos, while Kushagra - an avid collector of Hard Rock merchandise - picked up a few souvenirs and made some new friends.
Finally, we returned to Marriott Crystal Towers at 11 PM. I was given the same room as before, and it felt like coming home. We were relieved and happy to be back in a hotel that truly felt like a five-star experience.
After a few relaxing hours in Wellington, we drove to Franschhoek. We explored the local market area, which had some amazing restaurants, but since we were running short on time before sunset, we decided to find a good vantage point. We drove up a nearby hill road and discovered a perfect sunset spot. Sitting roadside with a Coke Zero in hand, watching the sun dip below the horizon - it was quiet, peaceful, and just the two of us. No crowd, no noise, just nature and serenity.
After sunset, we drove back to the hotel, reaching around 10 PM.
The clouds were passing below us, making it feel like we were walking through the sky. It was cold, windy, and paragliding had been suspended for the day due to the weather. After soaking in the view, we headed toward Clifton Beach. It was beautiful but crowded, and since I’m not a fan of crowded places, we quickly moved on to one of the most unforgettable parts of our trip: Chapman's Peak Drive.
We paid a toll of about 61 ZAR and began the drive - an absolutely jaw-dropping experience. On one side, the mountains; on the other, the vast South Atlantic Ocean. Every turn was postcard-perfect. Honestly, it’s the most beautiful road I’ve ever driven on.
We spent the rest of the day enjoying the views, watching people party and chill around, and caught yet another magical sunset - this time with our trusty Coke Zero again.
Later, we drove to the V&A Waterfront to experience its night vibes - live music, dancing, street performances, and a cheerful crowd. The energy was amazing. After dinner at Hard Rock Café, we returned to the hotel around 11 PM.
At the Cape of Good Hope, the entry fee was around ₹2150 per person. We spent the whole day there. Took the cable tram part of the way to the old lighthouse and walked the rest. It was extremely windy, kids were literally being blown around! The view from the top was surreal - breathtaking and otherworldly. There were multiple viewpoints connected by stairs, and each one offered a new perspective of the coastline.
After that, we drove to Maclear Beach and the Cape Point, where we were treated to another stunning Atlantic Ocean view. Kushagra, being a professional photographer, clicked photos of two people there and later struck up a conversation with them. They turned out to be Indian. While I was sitting in the car (it was drizzling), one of them looked at me and said,
"You’re Sumanta, right? From TechnoFino?"
We had a long, fun conversation - small world!
In the evening, we returned to the city but... guess what... we couldn’t resist another quick trip to Signal Hill. There were a few people partying and even shooting music videos. It was almost 10 PM... my last night in Cape Town. We soaked in the moment and then returned to the hotel.
I left Cape Town with my heart full of memories and my phone full of photos - around 4000 photos and videos to be exact!
My Ethiopian Airlines flight (a Boeing 787-9 with a 1-2-1 seating configuration) departed at 1:20 PM. The food was good, and I got a couple of hours of sleep before landing in Addis Ababa at 9:20 PM. My connecting flight to Mumbai was at 12:20 AM. I went to the Ethiopian Airlines lounge, but it was overcrowded, so I found a seat near the entrance and waited.
We were the last ones to board the bus to the aircraft. The plane was an old Boeing 777-200 with a 2-3-2 configuration. Luckily, the seat next to me was empty, so I slept well and arrived in Mumbai at 8 AM, 30 minutes earlier than scheduled.
At immigration, the e-gate didn’t work for me again (just like on my last trip), so I had to go through manual immigration. Then I took the transfer route, cleared security, and spent the next 2.5 hours sitting in a quiet corner near the Amex Lounge - didn’t use either the Amex or Adani lounge this time.
Finally, I boarded my last leg: Air India 2471 Business Class to Kolkata and landed at 3 PM, officially ending my unforgettable Cape Town journey.
I’m not the kind of traveler who sticks to a strict day-by-day itinerary. I prefer listing out a few places and exploring at my own pace. If I fall in love with a place, I don’t hesitate to go back.
I don’t rush. I don’t check off boxes. I travel to relax, breathe, and feel.
After all, "life mein kuch na kuch toh chhutega hi."
We can’t do everything in one trip, and we don’t need to.
First Things First: The Visa
As Indian citizens, we do need a visa to enter South Africa. The good news? The visa itself is free for Indians. But there's a catch: if you apply offline, you must go through VFS Global for processing. While the South African government doesn’t charge a visa fee, VFS will charge their processing fees.Alternatively, you can apply directly for an e-visa on the South African e-visa portal. The portal is a bit buggy, you get logged out every three minutes... but with a bit of patience (about 30 minutes), you can easily complete the application form.
I initially applied for an e-visa online and it got approved. But when Kushagra decided to join me, we had to prepone our travel dates by two days. I tried applying for a new e-visa but it was rejected since I already had an active e-visa. So, I visited the VFS center and applied for an offline sticker visa. Meanwhile, Kushagra applied for the e-visa and got his approval in just a few days.
Documents Required:
- Valid Passport
- Copies of previous visas (if any)
- Bank statement (must be stamped offline by your bank)
- Flight tickets (return)
- Hotel Booking
- Day by day itinerary & Cover letter
Visa Processing Times:
- E-Visa: Typically takes 7 to 20 days
- Offline Visa via VFS: Usually processed within 7 working days
Flights
Kolkata to Cape Town
I redeemed 80,000 Air Canada miles for a Business Class ticket from Kolkata to Cape Town:- CCU to DEL – Air India Business (A321, 2-2-2 configuration)
- DEL to ADD – Ethiopian Airlines Business (B787-8, 2-2-2 configuration)
- ADD to CPT – Ethiopian Airlines Business (B787-9, 2-2-2 configuration)
Cape Town to Kolkata
I used 110,000 Turkish Airlines miles to book my return in Business Class:- CPT to ADD – Ethiopian Airlines Business (B787-9, 1-2-1 configuration)
- ADD to BOM – Ethiopian Airlines Business (B777-200, 2-3-2 configuration)
- BOM to CCU – Air India Business (A320, 2-2-2 configuration)
Hotels
May 4th to May 6th:I booked the Marriott Crystal Towers using 42,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. The cash rate for this hotel was around ₹16,500 per night. The property was elegant and well-located, offering a great start to our stay in Cape Town.
May 6th to May 7th:
I initially booked the AC Hotel Cape Town Waterfront using 95,500 Marriott points for a 5-night stay (under the "Pay for 4 nights, stay for 5" promotion, from May 6th to 11th). Although I was upgraded to a Junior Suite, I didn’t like the room. Several things were not in order, and overall, the experience didn’t meet expectations. At the restaurant, while having breakfast, I noticed some flies hovering over the food, that was the final deal breaker.
I spoke to the hotel staff and requested a revision, asking them to charge me points for just one night and refund the rest. They kindly agreed.
May 7th to May 12th:
I moved back to Marriott Crystal Towers (booked using 96500 Marriott Points), and this turned out to be the best decision of the trip. The property was fantastic - great location, beautiful interiors, and above all, incredible service.
A special mention goes to Suraj Maharaj, the F&B Manager. An absolute gem of a person! Since I’m a vegetarian, he arranged for the chef to prepare customized Indian breakfast dishes just for me. He even went out of his way to take us on a scenic drive on May 6th to Yzerfontein beach to catch the sunset, followed by drinks and dinner at Die Vaatjie Taphuis - a cozy spot in Velddrif, part of the Admiral Island and Port Owen estate. We had a fantastic time.
As a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member, I received complimentary lounge access. One of the lounge managers, Pawan, an Indian gentleman, was incredibly hospitable. I may not remember everyone's names, but the entire F&B team went above and beyond to make our stay memorable.
If I ever visit Cape Town again, I won’t think twice - Marriott Crystal Towers will be my first choice.

Car Rental
From Bhavye’s experience, I learned that renting a car is one of the best ways to explore Cape Town. So, I began researching affordable car rental options online. I was initially looking to rent a Toyota Corolla or a similar model.I checked several platforms - Skyscanner, LoungeKey (available with my Yes Private Card), and Amex Travel India. The lowest quote I found for an 8-day rental was around ₹17,000. However, I managed to snag a better deal through Amex Travel US - a Toyota Corolla for 8 days at just ₹11,600, with Alamo as the rental provider.
After arriving at Cape Town International Airport, we followed the signs to the car rental zone, where offices for nearly all major car rental companies are located. We found the Alamo office easily. After a friendly chat and some classic sweet-talking (thanks to our charm master Kushagra 😄), we were upgraded for free to a Toyota Urban Cruiser.
And what a car! It was practically brand new - just about 6,000 km on the odometer.
Good news for Indian travelers: you don’t need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent or drive a car in South Africa. A valid Indian driving license works just fine.
- Car Rental Cost: ₹11,600
- Fuel Expense: ₹7,900
Day 0 & 1: The Journey Begins (3rd & 4th May)
I began my journey from Kolkata Airport on May 3, 2025. My flight, AI 2708, was originally scheduled to depart at 8:30 PM but was delayed by 1 hour and 26 minutes. We finally took off at 9:56 PM and reached Delhi at 12:25 AM on May 4, around 1 hour and 20 minutes behind schedule. Dinner was served at 40,000 feet onboard the Air India flight, and the food was quite good.
Since my entire itinerary was on a single PNR, my luggage was checked through from Kolkata all the way to Cape Town. My next flight, ET 687, was scheduled to depart at 2:30 AM, with boarding starting at 1:30 AM. I cleared security and immigration via the e-Gate as I’m enrolled in the Fast Track Immigration service, and boarded the flight at 1:50 AM.
Although food was offered on board, I skipped it to catch some sleep. I had a comfortable nap for a couple of hours. We landed at Addis Ababa (ADD) Airport at 6:25 AM local time. With just an hour between flights, I quickly cleared the transfer security check and headed straight to the gate to board ET 845.
Onboard ET 845, we were welcomed with drinks and later served lunch before arriving in Cape Town - no breakfast was offered. The flight duration was approximately 6 hours and 40 minutes. I slept for a few more hours and woke up just in time to enjoy the breathtaking aerial views of Cape Town and the surrounding ocean. The scenery was simply unforgettable.

We landed at Cape Town International Airport at 1:30 PM (local time). After clearing immigration and collecting my luggage, I met Kushagra, who had arrived earlier at 11 AM flying Qatar Airways Business Class.
Our next stop was the car rental office, where we picked up our vehicle and drove straight to the Marriott Crystal Tower. We reached the hotel around 3 PM, marking almost 24 hours of travel time from India. (South Africa is 3 hours and 30 minutes behind Indian Standard Time.)
After a short rest, we visited the hotel lounge at 6:30 PM for happy hour snacks and drinks. This was when we first met Pawan, the lounge manager - an incredibly humble and welcoming person. Although both of us had planned to try local food during the trip, he kindly prepared Indian-style rice for us. There's something comforting about Indian food, and it felt like a warm welcome to our Cape Town adventure.

Day 2: Exploring Local Markets and the Coastline (5th May)
On 5th May, I planned a relaxed day: a visit to a local shopping mall in the morning followed by a quiet afternoon at the beach to watch the sunset. After breakfast, we headed to Canal Walk Mall, one of the largest shopping complexes in Cape Town. But before leaving the hotel, we had an extended chat at the restaurant with Mr. Suraj Maharaj, the F&B Manager at Marriott Crystal Towers. A truly warm and hospitable person, he arranged a specially prepared Indian breakfast for us and invited us to hang out with him the following afternoon.Canal Walk Mall was massive and had a great variety of shops. I bought a few things to take back home and returned to the hotel around 3 PM. Later in the afternoon, we headed to Lagoon Beach, a nearby coastal spot, to enjoy the sunset. I tried capturing some time-lapse videos, but the beach was quite crowded. Still, the ocean breeze and the view were refreshing.


After sunset, we headed back to the hotel and spent the evening unwinding in the lounge. It was a relaxed and refreshing day, spent enjoying the local atmosphere and coastal charm.
Day 3: Signal Hill and a Scenic Road Trip (6th May)
After breakfast on 6th May, we visited Signal Hill, blessed with clear skies and fantastic visibility. The view from the top was simply breathtaking. We saw several people paragliding - it was mesmerizing to watch them glide across the sky. The panoramic views of Cape Town were spectacular, and we decided we must return in the evening on another day to catch the sunset and experience the city’s night lights from up there.We returned to the hotel by 2 PM. As planned, Mr. Suraj Maharaj joined us for a road trip. The three of us - Suraj, Kushagra, and I - headed toward Yzerfontein, a peaceful coastal town with significantly fewer tourists. The roads were incredibly straight, stretching out like lines drawn with a ruler - perfect for a scenic drive.
After watching the sunset at Yzerfontein, we continued to Port Owen Drive. The natural beauty along the way was stunning. We had dinner at Die Vaatjie Taphuis, located in Velddrif, and then drove to our new hotel: the AC Hotel Cape Town Waterfront, where we checked in around 11 PM. We had already shifted our car and luggage to Suraj’s home earlier in the day to ease the transition.

Although I was upgraded to a Junior Suite, the hotel didn’t quite meet expectations. The towels were off-white and had an unpleasant odor, and overall, the room lacked the finesse and comfort of Marriott Crystal Towers. Tired from the long day, we decided to sleep and reconsider our stay in the morning.
Day 4: Disappointment, Change of Plans, and Sunset Bliss (7th May)
On 7th May, our plan was to visit Table Mountain, Clifton Beach, and Sea Point. However, during breakfast at the AC Hotel, I noticed flies hovering over the buffet - particularly around the cut fruits and pastries. That was the final deal breaker for me.
Without hesitation, I decided to cancel our stay and return to Marriott Crystal Towers. Kushagra, ever the negotiator, stepped in and spoke to the hotel staff, explaining our concerns. He successfully convinced them to refund the points for the remaining three nights.
I immediately rebooked the Marriott Crystal Towers and messaged both Pawan and Suraj to let them know, jokingly saying, “We’re coming back!”
Before checking out, the hotel gave us complimentary tickets for a water taxi ride to the V&A Waterfront. We stored our luggage in the car and hopped on the boat. The ride was smooth and scenic - definitely an experience worth trying.
We spent a few enjoyable hours at the V&A Waterfront. The area was lively with music, street performances, and plenty of tourists. I absolutely loved the atmosphere.



Afterward, we picked up our car and luggage and headed to Sea Point, another charming coastal area. From there, we made our way back to Signal Hill, this time to catch the sunset. The view in the evening was completely different from what we saw in the morning. The golden hour glow over Cape Town, with the city lights gradually turning on, was simply magical.





We met a group of friendly locals flying drones and struck up a great conversation. They offered us some Coke, and we shared some laughs before saying our goodbyes. Around 9 PM, we headed to Hard Rock Café for dinner. I had some delicious vegetarian nachos, while Kushagra - an avid collector of Hard Rock merchandise - picked up a few souvenirs and made some new friends.
Finally, we returned to Marriott Crystal Towers at 11 PM. I was given the same room as before, and it felt like coming home. We were relieved and happy to be back in a hotel that truly felt like a five-star experience.
Day 5: Winelands, Winding Roads & a Sunset to Remember (8th May)
After breakfast, we headed out to explore Stellenbosch. The drive from Cape Town to Stellenbosch was absolutely stunning - full of natural beauty, colorful trees, and breathtaking landscapes. We spent some time around Stellenbosch University and its surroundings before continuing to Wellington, enjoying the scenic drive and the peaceful countryside.

After a few relaxing hours in Wellington, we drove to Franschhoek. We explored the local market area, which had some amazing restaurants, but since we were running short on time before sunset, we decided to find a good vantage point. We drove up a nearby hill road and discovered a perfect sunset spot. Sitting roadside with a Coke Zero in hand, watching the sun dip below the horizon - it was quiet, peaceful, and just the two of us. No crowd, no noise, just nature and serenity.
After sunset, we drove back to the hotel, reaching around 10 PM.

Day 6: Cloudy Heights, Ocean Roads & Waterfront Nights (9th May)
We had plans to visit Table Mountain, so after breakfast, we drove to the cable car point. Unfortunately, the weather was cloudy, so we decided not to go up. We spent some time there browsing for souvenirs like fridge magnets for Kushagra, then... surprise... we headed back to Signal Hill. Yes, again! Kushagra loves that place, and honestly, I do too.

The clouds were passing below us, making it feel like we were walking through the sky. It was cold, windy, and paragliding had been suspended for the day due to the weather. After soaking in the view, we headed toward Clifton Beach. It was beautiful but crowded, and since I’m not a fan of crowded places, we quickly moved on to one of the most unforgettable parts of our trip: Chapman's Peak Drive.
We paid a toll of about 61 ZAR and began the drive - an absolutely jaw-dropping experience. On one side, the mountains; on the other, the vast South Atlantic Ocean. Every turn was postcard-perfect. Honestly, it’s the most beautiful road I’ve ever driven on.



We spent the rest of the day enjoying the views, watching people party and chill around, and caught yet another magical sunset - this time with our trusty Coke Zero again.
Later, we drove to the V&A Waterfront to experience its night vibes - live music, dancing, street performances, and a cheerful crowd. The energy was amazing. After dinner at Hard Rock Café, we returned to the hotel around 11 PM.


Day 7: Southern Tip Adventures & A Surprise Friendly Moment (10th May)
We had an early breakfast and headed to the Cape of Good Hope. On the way, we stopped at Boulders Beach, hoping to see penguins, but no luck. I didn’t feel like paying the entry fee just to maybe see a few penguins, so we moved on.
At the Cape of Good Hope, the entry fee was around ₹2150 per person. We spent the whole day there. Took the cable tram part of the way to the old lighthouse and walked the rest. It was extremely windy, kids were literally being blown around! The view from the top was surreal - breathtaking and otherworldly. There were multiple viewpoints connected by stairs, and each one offered a new perspective of the coastline.



After that, we drove to Maclear Beach and the Cape Point, where we were treated to another stunning Atlantic Ocean view. Kushagra, being a professional photographer, clicked photos of two people there and later struck up a conversation with them. They turned out to be Indian. While I was sitting in the car (it was drizzling), one of them looked at me and said,
"You’re Sumanta, right? From TechnoFino?"
We had a long, fun conversation - small world!

In the evening, we returned to the city but... guess what... we couldn’t resist another quick trip to Signal Hill. There were a few people partying and even shooting music videos. It was almost 10 PM... my last night in Cape Town. We soaked in the moment and then returned to the hotel.
Day 8: Farewell Cape Town (11th May)
After breakfast, at around 10:30 AM, Kushagra dropped me at Cape Town International Airport (CPT). It was time to head back to India. His flight was scheduled for the next day, so he returned to the hotel after dropping me off.I left Cape Town with my heart full of memories and my phone full of photos - around 4000 photos and videos to be exact!

My Ethiopian Airlines flight (a Boeing 787-9 with a 1-2-1 seating configuration) departed at 1:20 PM. The food was good, and I got a couple of hours of sleep before landing in Addis Ababa at 9:20 PM. My connecting flight to Mumbai was at 12:20 AM. I went to the Ethiopian Airlines lounge, but it was overcrowded, so I found a seat near the entrance and waited.
Day 9: Last Leg Home & Unexpected Airport Rush (12th May)
At 12:05 AM, the information board still showed the flight as “on time,” but there was no boarding announcement. I asked the lounge manager, who casually told me, “Boarding started as scheduled.” I rushed to the gate and found they were about to close it. A fellow traveler was in the same boat - shocked by the lack of announcement.We were the last ones to board the bus to the aircraft. The plane was an old Boeing 777-200 with a 2-3-2 configuration. Luckily, the seat next to me was empty, so I slept well and arrived in Mumbai at 8 AM, 30 minutes earlier than scheduled.
At immigration, the e-gate didn’t work for me again (just like on my last trip), so I had to go through manual immigration. Then I took the transfer route, cleared security, and spent the next 2.5 hours sitting in a quiet corner near the Amex Lounge - didn’t use either the Amex or Adani lounge this time.
Finally, I boarded my last leg: Air India 2471 Business Class to Kolkata and landed at 3 PM, officially ending my unforgettable Cape Town journey.
I’m not the kind of traveler who sticks to a strict day-by-day itinerary. I prefer listing out a few places and exploring at my own pace. If I fall in love with a place, I don’t hesitate to go back.
I don’t rush. I don’t check off boxes. I travel to relax, breathe, and feel.
After all, "life mein kuch na kuch toh chhutega hi."
We can’t do everything in one trip, and we don’t need to.
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