Table Mountain (South Africa)

My experience of Table Top Mountain

I had just touched down in Cape Town International Airport and it was a beautiful hot clear day. I was scared, terrified infact knowing that in a matter of two hours I will be going in a cable car up to the very top of table mountain. As I hate heights it was one thing I wasn't looking forward to I was dreading it. We dropped our luggage off at the hotel and got on our coach and started to head towards the cable car entrance. Going up to this wasn't easy as I imagined as it was twisting and turning road and we were close to the edge of the road. The views while going up to the entrance were amazing looking over at the hole of Cape Town it was perfect. I just wanted to try and imagine what it would look like from the top because I was already blown away. So it was that time, that time to get off the coach and get ready to board the cable car. I was already 360 metres above sea level so I was terrified about going into a cable car with about 40 more people. After a quick stop at the toilet ( which weren't very clean) I was ready to get my ticket and go to the top.

As my college booked the tickets online and got us all on for children we only had to pay 85 rand which about 8 pounds in our money. Adult prices are 195 rand which is about 19 pounds. You might think this is a bit expensive but it really is worth every single penny. It is one of the most amazing views I think I will ever see in my life. Also booking online is cheaper than paying on the day. I had my ticket now and was ready to board the cable car. Before we were to do this though we had our picture taken as if we were in a cable car going up to the mountain. I think this was to make a bit more money from us but it is something to remember the visit by. Luckily there wasn't much of a queue to get onto the cable car so the group of 35 and some other people joined us and we were on our way up. I was starting to shake by now holding my friends hand tight as possible I managed to take a sneak peak of the view and wow! It was beautiful, in fact words can't describe it. It is one of those things that you just have to see.

As we were going up in the cable car the floor revolves so that you get a view from every angle. I was beginning to feel more at ease by now. Before I knew it after about 2 minutes if that we were at the top and it was time to walk around. I stepped out the cable car and onto the pathway we had 2 hours to walk around and to go and visit the little restaurant and gift shop for any presents that we wanted to take back home. At this point in my life I felt like I was on top of the world, I was managing to look across the hole of Cape Town from way above in the sky it was perfect. Nothing could fault the view at all. We started to walk around and went a little higher on the footpath, suddenly a big gust of wind come and blew my hate off. At this moment in my life I honestly thought I was going to die I thought I was going to be blown off too. So my hat blew off and was heading towards going off the mountain. I screamed like it was me being blown off. Luckily enough somebody caught it and it was back in a safe place, my bag! It was so windy up there even though it was a beautiful day and the table cloth wasn't there it was windy. The paths can be a bit steep the further you go. If you are lucky you may see some wildlife I saw a lizard while I was at the top.

After walking around and being able to see Robben Island and the world cup stadium we decided to go and visit the gift shop. They sell everything from sticks of rock to clothes and jewellery. They can be a bit expensive but they are definitely worth it as something to remember your visit by. When I went into the restaurant to get some refreshments and ice cream they had sold out and it was rather busy but the staff were apologetic and couldn't help me enough to get what I wanted.

Remember to do the following!!

-Take sun cream it might be windy but I burned my legs this day!

-Take a jacket, or cardigan or something long-sleeved just in case it gets a bit chilly up there

-Remember your camera! The views that you will see that day will be ones you will never forget so capture the moment.

-Food and water and lots of water! The shop can be expensive and can run out of stock quickly so just to be on the safe side take a packed lunch. There are benches and tables all around.

-Before you plan on going to the cable car ensure that it is open because sometimes if it is too windy then it is closed. The cable cars often have maintenance to ensure that they are working properly and the service can be improved.

Overall, table top mountain is one of the places I will never forget in my life. It has stunning views of the whole of Cape Town it is a beautiful and clean place with friendly staff around to make sure your having a good time. Be careful of the wind though you want to make sure you have your hat by the end of it. Also as it is a top tourist attraction in Cape Town don't hesitate to go thinking that it might be too busy there is plenty of room to walk around. I know this might sound silly also but I think my time at the top of the mountain has made my fear of heights almost disappear because something so amazing like the views I seen that day. Cape Town is a gorgeous place and the mountain is only just part of this.