1 Day Pass - Metrorail Hop On, Hop Off , Cape Town - Simon's Town

We have this nifty thing called a Tourist Pass, or a Day Pass. It basically is a railway ticket taking the passenger from Cape Town to Simon's Town with the option of Hop On - Hop Off as many times as one could want, within practical limitations only.

On October 16, 2016, my wife and I did just this. Firstly, we drove down to the V&A Waterfront to park safely. We did this as we planned to end our Sunday there with a great coffee at our favourite haunt. We have arrived early as our train was scheduled for 09:23. Little did we know what awaited for us. With hindsight, we should have parked near Cape Town Station.


Our MyCiti bus from the Waterfront Station toThibault arrived fifteen minutes late and the driver rushed things a bit too much. He closed the mechanical doors on me, which injured me and he also did not allow the passenger behind me to disembark. As this is just a repeat of many similar mishaps with that bus service, rather make use of alternative transport.


The IRT or Integrated Rapid Transport is an excellent idea but badly executed by an incapable administration which is badly managed. Instead, make use of Cape Town's top rated taxi service, Excite. Over the years, they had served us well and using them just slipped my mind - I had a suspected light stroke recently. Hail Excite by calling them on  021 448 4444. Excite do not charge arm and a leg and they are renowned for professionalism. I can attest to that as I have been their patron for a decade now. Be mindful when using some other cab services, though!


Upon our arrival at Cape Town Station, our train had already departed and we had to sacrifice another hour of our day, but that is only the fault of MyCiti.


We then collected our tickets at Cape Town Station and met two young ladies, Analo and Thokoza, who decided to sit with us. Before long, we were in conversation while the train rolled neatly out of the station.

Oscar Armoed is a busker who then started playing the most beautiful instrumental music on his Marchiano guitar. "Remembering the Alhambra" and other classical numbers. Also Oscar joined the conversation. Now the new circle of friends had another follower. And I can recommend Oscar as the musician at your next corporate event or private dinner, to provide lovely, soothing live music.

This is where Metrorail works for me. We have this thing in South Africa called "Ubuntu" (ooh-booon-tooh) which means "I am, because we are." It is our national pride, this spirit of being through being there for others. Before long, Piff Hinkelstein joined the conversation which by then had everything to do with playing the guitar.

We traveled through the leafy Southern Suburbs and saw various kinds of architecture, including beautiful old Victorian homes. Then the scenery expanded to reveal the mountains at Constantia and the Muizenberg mountains. Looking back towards Cape Town, the backdrop of Table Mountain throned dramatically over Kirstenbosch.

At Muizenberg, we decided to get off the train and take a walk along the scenic coast towards St James Beach. We chatted with locals, one of our new friends posed on the rocks and we enjoyed the floral beauty. As our day was interrupted, we could not spend a few minutes at the Muizenberg Music Festival which was a few hundred metres into the opposite direction. During my next journey, I will go discover Muizenberg and other villages on foot and bring you pictures with stories. There is so much to experience, from surfing at the world-famous Surfer's Corner to lovely houses and mansions designed by the renowned Sir Herbert Baker.

Piff went his own way at Muizenberg and Oscar remained on the train to Simon's Town. We were joined by a friendly medical doctor from Kensington who walked with us all the way to St James Beach with its colourful changing rooms, the tidal pool and the rocks from where whales can be watched so easily when in season.

From St James, we boarded the next train and proceeded to Simon'st Town. Sadly, we had to skip Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek this time around. Next time, we possibly stay over and give a fuller report. The yellow train snaked its way around the cliffs and inlets, and it always is amazing to look down sometimes from a window to see nothing but ocean underneath. Nobody wants the journey to end!

But end it does as "the train ain't goin' no further."

We were met by the friendly driver, John, of HGTS Tours in a Ford Ikon that was very clean. What is important to note, is that the car's seats are comfortable. Ingress and egress being so easy, as the roof line is high enough not to call for bending one's neck, the Ikon will serve the more mature tourist's needs very well. HGTS do a variety of tours and they are conveniently located within the Simon's Town Railway Station buildings. After the sumptuous lunch at Harbourview Restaurant, HGTS collected us and delivered us in style.

After our arrival back in Cape Town, we simply could not resist a cup of aromatic Arabica coffee at our favourite haunt, La Playa Cafe!



Time to do as trains do - make tracks!