South Africa Travel Part I: KLIA to Cape Town Airport

January 24, 2017 by admin
Filed under: South Africa Travel

South Africa Travel Part I: KLIA to Cape Town Airport

About South Africa

Map showing the location of South Africa

South Africa is in the southern part of the continent of Africa. She is a nation of 55 million people comprising 80.2% Black, 8.8% Coloured, 8.4% White and 2.5% Asians(2014) according to Wikipedia. The people are of diverse origins, races, cultures, languages and religions.

South Africa is now a well-known tourist country that attracts tens of millions of visitors from all over the world every year, as it has many interesting places.

Day 1 Saturday, 26 Nov 2016

Air Flight from Malaysia to Mauritius

Malaysian Tour Group

On Saturday, 26 Nov 2016 my wife and I joined a Malaysian tour group of 26 to go to South Africa for a tour of some of the places there. The trip was known as “8D6N South Africa Tour”.

Malaysian tourists going for an 8D6N South Africa Tour

Golden Destinations Tour Leader, Pek Yee

The group was headed by a Malaysian tour leader of Golden Destinations Company in Kuala Lumpur, Pek Yee.

At 1.35 p.m.(Malaysian time) we boarded an Air Mauritius plane at Kuala Lumpur International Airport(KLIA) in Sepang and flew off to Mauritius in Indian Ocean via Singapore.

Pek Yee, the leader of the Malaysian Tour Group

Mauritius International Airport

After travelling a long distance of 5 800 km in 9 hours including the stopover time in Singapore, we arrived at the Mauritius international airport which is known as Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam(SSR) International Airport. [SSR(1900-1985) was the first Chief Minister and Prime Minister of Mauritius.]

Air Mauritius bringing Malaysian tour group from KLIA to South Africa

SSR International Airport, Mauritius

This Air Mauritius plane flew the tour group from KLIA to Mauritius via Singapore

Holiday Inn, Mauritius

We stayed at Holiday Inn which is near the airport for a night before we would fly off again to Cape Town the following morning. The hotel staff were helpful and friendly.

Malaysian Tour Group stayed here for a night in Mauritius before continuing their to South Africa in the morning

Friendly and helpful staff of Holiday Inn, Mauritius

Day 2 Sunday, 27 Nov 2016

Air Flight from Mauritius to Cape Town

The following early morning we left the hotel for the airport. At 8.45 a.m.(Mauritius time) we flew off again to continue our journey to South Africa.

Our plane, Air Mauritius, took 6 hours to fly from Mauritius to Cape Town International Airport in South Africa. The distance between them is 4 100 km.

This Air Mauritius plane flew the tour group from Mauritius to South Africa

Cape Town International Airport

On arrival at the Cape Town International Airport, everybody was feeling tired but was ready for the exciting tour in South Africa.

Tour group feeling tired after a long journey but ready for the South Africa tour

Pictures of Nelson Mandela

As we were waiting for our Cape Town tour guide, Cindy, in the arrival hall, we noticed a row of several large pictures of the first President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela(1918-2013), on a long wall. They were displayed there in memory of him as a great statesman, anti-apartheid activist, political prisoner for 27 years and the first President of South Africa(1994-1999).

Pictures of Nelson Mandela in airport arrival hall

A picture of Nelson Mandela congratulating the S. Africa rugby team captain for winning the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final

Cape Town Tour Guide, Cindy

Soon the tour guide, Cindy, came and brought all of us to Cape Town’s well-known iconic landmark, Table Mountain.

The tour guide of Cape Town is called Cindy.

Shantytowns

As we were travelling by coach from the airport to the city we saw some shantytowns. These places are inhabited by Black who are poverty-stricken and mostly unemployed. Some are involved in gang activities. As they are very poor, their houses are small and made of “tin”, wood and cardboard.

Shantytown where poor people who are mostly black stay

Apartheid Rule(1948-1994)

During the South Africa apartheid rule from 1948 till 1994, non-White living in White areas in the cities were forced to move out to the outskirts where they settled in shantytowns.

Houses for the Black

In 1994 when the first black President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela(1918-2013) was elected the apartheid law was abolished. The new government started to build new houses for the Black. Millions of Black people have benefited from the housing program. But those who are poor and unemployed have to continue living in these areas that have no basic amenities.

Poverty-stricken and unemployed non-whites live in shantytowns in South Africa

Soon we reached Table Mountain which forms the backdrop of the city of Cape Town. Besides, it is an iconic landmark of the city that beckons millions of tourist from all over the world to visit it, annually.

(continue reading in South Africa Part II)

Written by Choo Chaw

Home / Next

Home

South Africa Travel Part I: Air Flight from KLIA to Cape Town, Cape Town Shantytowns

South Africa Travel Part II: Table Mountain, Malay Quarter, Castle of Good Hope. A & V Waterfront

South Africa Travel Part III: Hermanus, Cheetah Outreach, Stellenbosch, Jewel Africa

South Africa Travel Part IV: Duiker Island of Seals, Cape Point, Boulders

South Africa Travel Part V: Cape Town to Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park(Game Drives)

South Africa Travel Part VI: Sun City, Union Buildings, Vootrekker Monument

South Africa Travel Part VII: Kruger Museum, Church Square, Melrose Museum, Carnivore Restaurant

South Africa Travel Final Part: Gold Reef City: Gold Mine Museum