Page 144 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

142  C APE T OWN

Exploring the Waterfront Victoria Basin
Map 2 E3.
The V&A Waterfront is one of Cape Town’s most visited Located in Quay Four, at the
attractions. The multibillion-rand redevelopment scheme edge of the basin, the Quay Four
incorporates ideas from other ventures, such as San Tavern offers superb views of
Francisco’s harbour project. Easily accessible, with frequent the harbour and its constant
boat traffic. Nearby, the
bus services running to and from the city centre, it also Amphitheatre regularly stages
provides ample covered and open-air parking for vehicles. free recitals and concerts, from
There are many shops, more than 80 restaurants and some the Cape Town Philharmonic
of the city’s most luxurious hotels are here. Orchestra to African musicians.
Also in this area is the Cape
Wheel, a 40­m (131­ft) high
Ferris wheel with 30 air­
conditioned cabins. There are
great views across the Waterfront
and Table Mountain from the
top. In the Red Shed Craft
Workshop, visitors can observe
glass­blowers at work and buy
hand made pottery and ceram ics,
leathercraft, hand­painted
fabrics, jewellery and gifts.
Cape Wheel
V&A Waterfront. Tel 021 418 2502 .
Open 11am–10pm Mon, Tue &
Thu–Sun. & 7 ∑ capewheel.
co.za
Volvo Ocean round-the-world racers moor at the Waterfront = Red Shed Craft Workshop
Victoria Wharf. Tel 021 408 7600.
 Two Oceans Aquarium Alfred Basin (West Quay) Open 9am–9pm Mon–Sat,
Dock Rd. Map 2 D4. Tel 021 418 3823. Off Dock Rd. Map 2 E4. 7 10am–9pm Sun & public hols. 7
Open 9:30am–6pm daily. & 7 0 Alfred Basin forms a crucial part
= ∑ aquarium.co.za of the working harbour, as
One of the top attractions in Cape fishing boats chug to the
Town, this complex Robinson Graving
aims to introduce Dock for repair and
visitors to the incredible maintenance.
diversity of sealife that Alongside the dry
occurs in the ocean dock is the
around the Cape coast. Watershed craft
A world first is the market, one of
interesting exhibit of a South Africa’s The Cape Town Diamond Museum
complete river eco­ largest indoor
system that traces the markets, which sells Cape Town Diamond
course of a stream from handcrafted gifts, Museum
its mountain source toys, furniture and 1st Floor, Clock Tower Centre.
down to the open sea. art. The Iziko Map 2 E4. Tel 021 421 2488.
One of the most Maritime Centre Open 9am–9pm daily. & 8
fascinating features is holds a model ship ∑ capetowndiamondmuseum.org
the kelp forest, one of Victorian clock tower collec tion and Run by Shimansky, one of South
only three in the world. includes the John H Africa’s leading diamond jewellers,
It is housed in a ceiling­high glass Marsh Maritime Research this museum traces the evolution
tank that holds vari ous shoals of Centre, an important archive of of diamonds from their under­
line fish swimming among the photos of ships from the 1920s ground formation to a sparkling
waving fronds. Apart from to the 1960s. The SAS Somerset, gem. Exhibits document the
waterbirds such as oystercatchers, a former naval defence vessel, is Orange River diamond rush that
there is a resident colony of also part of the centre. started in 1867, and there are
African penguins and a touch replicas of famous South African
pool, which has children E Iziko Maritime Centre diamonds, such as the Cullinan
exploring delicate underwater Union Castle Building, Dock Rd. and the Taylor­Burton. Visitors can
creatures such as crabs, starfish Tel 021 405 2880. Open 10am–5pm also watch stones being cut and
and sea urchins. daily. Closed 1 May, 25 Dec. & polished in the workshop.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p384 and p399

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