Pat and I were a bit late getting started on our Blue Route day out, and just missed one bus, but we sat on the benches provided at Bus Stop No 1, by the City Sightseeing kiosk, having a natter, and eating some delectable freshly cooked spring rolls that Pat had bought [causing us to miss the bus, heheh], and another bus soon came along. We clambered up the stairs to the top deck to sit in the sun, plugging in our free head sets ready for the informative commentary that is provided in a number of different languages. These are updated from time to time. The newer buses are a pleasure too, and we found the stairs easier to negotiate as well, important if you are not so sprightly! I meant to ask if they have the facility to lower the entrance floor as many modern buses have, but forgot.

Pat had not done the Blue Tour before and she was really enchanted with it and kept exclaiming about how wonderful it was and how much you could see from the top of the bus, what wonderful vistas and panoramic views one could see, and what value it was at half price. She has lived in Cape Town for a long time but as she said, the bus gives one a whole new perspective on everything, as well as the commentary providing so much information, some of which she was not aware of. And Pat is right. It was also enjoyable going with someone who knew the area but had only ever seen it all in daylight from a car or on foot. Neither of us can praise the Cape Town CitySightseeing bus tours enough. And I just love the Blue Route to be honest. There really is so much to see and do along this route, which means if you cannot get off at all the stops on one day you can do it another Friday. Just remember that this offer only runs from 1 May 2012 to 15 October 2012.

The bus took us through part of the Waterfront and then along part of the same route as the Red Route, up Long Street with all its fascinating curio shops and restaurants and then on up to the stop opposite the huge entrance to the wonderful Mount Nelson Hotel, Bus Stop 7. If you want to stop for a swish morning tea before continuing your journey this is where to get off. From here on the two bus routes deviate, with the Red turning left and the Blue continuing on up and around the mountain with views out over the bay and then the flat lands out towards the mountains at Somerset West and Stellenbosch, past the Table Mountain Park and the university, along the back of Table Mountain before heading up towards Kirstenbosch.

Pat wanted to pop into Kirstenbosch when the bus stopped at the upper gateway, Stop No 20. We were unable to stay long. I wanted her to experience the Wine Tour, and we agreed that we will do the trip again at the reasonable half price offer. Well worth it. If you do stop off here, and are tempted by the plants in the small nursery, or things in the shop, remember that you have to carry your purchases if you get off anywhere else! If you are not getting off at Constantia Nek, there is a tea room and loos so you can refresh yourself here. I use a small backpack myself as these leave your hands free. There is an entrance fee over and above your Blue Route day ticket.

Missed part 1 of this blog? Read it here. Read part 3 of Corinna and Pat’s Bus Tour here.

Hi, I’m Corinna Turner. Cape Town and environs are so beautiful and varied, and have so much to offer. By going places and writing about them I feel I can share a little bit with those who are not fortunate enough to live here. More importantly I feel that there is a lot that local people don’t know about their city and environs. Cape Town City Sightseeing tours are one of the things that many Capetonians have not thought to try out, and I would like to change that. I am also known as Cape Winds Virtual Services you can find out more at www.capewindsvirtual.weebly.com