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Having been born and bred in Cape Town, I’ve been fortunate enough to explore the incredible areas that lie beyond the city, from the Winelands and the start of the Karoo to the West Coast and East Coast of the Western Cape.
Each adventure offers something different. From the vast mountain ranges and picturesque wine farms to the white-sand beaches of either coast, we really are spoilt for choice when it comes to exploring very different landscapes so close to home base.
That’s why it has always been so difficult for me to answer the question: What is your favourite thing to do in and around Cape Town? The reality is that each mission you undertake is going to provide a very different vibe, given the variety on offer. It also depends on your mood, with one particular trip hitting the right notes the first time, but not necessarily the next.
While it is so difficult to decide, one trip that has always stuck with me was when I was in my early 20s. Langebaan, sitting on the gorgeous West Coast and roughly 130km from Cape Town, offers holidaymakers of all ages the chance to unwind with stunning beaches, great food, and a relaxing weekend away that only seaside town charm can offer.
We were so ready for this, so my mates and I set off from Cape Town early one Friday morning, with the plan being to hit the beach before the inevitable night out of fun at the now defunct Flamingos kicked off the weekend’s activities.
It was all going so smoothly until, yip, you guessed it… car trouble. As we were all so young, being stuck out in the middle of nowhere wasn’t the end of the world (it was an adventure in itself – and who knew I’d be able to write about 20 years later?!). What was the end of the world though was the fact that the beaches and Flamingos were within touching distance.
So near yet so far… but we weren’t going to let this ruin our weekend. No chance.
So what does one do when you can’t afford a tow truck and your insurance doesn’t offer roadside assistance? You call your dads for help.
Luckily for us, the owner of the car’s dad was kind enough to drive through and tow us back home. Sadly, the Flamingos dream was fading fast.
If only there was an option like Vouch back in the day, who would have advised on the right insurance and ensured safe travels. But alas. Thankfully, that’s no longer an issue in 2026.
Now you may be wondering if we ever got to Flamingos and to enjoy the splendours of Langebaan for our long weekend?
Thankfully, we did.
Once home, we switched cars (after a touch of pleading with other family members) and were back on the road. We may not have been able to hit the beach that Friday, but the Flamingos vibe made up for a day of high drama – a day which taught us the value of being properly prepared.
Memories of Andrew Hallett, Time Out South Africa
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