“You know all of those things that you always wanted to do? You should go and do them,” my sister said to me when I asked her if I should do the internship at JENMAN Safaris. I told her how much money I would need to go and live there, that I don’t know anyone there and that I have no idea how the culture and the people will be like.
“You know how you are always talking about seeing the world, travelling somewhere else than Europe, and experiencing things you have never experienced before and maybe never experience again? Now, this is your chance, if you don’t take it someone else will.” She was right. It was about that time to see the world, to find new friends, to make memories that will last forever… to let my dreams come true. I have never been more excited and nervous at the same time about entering an airplane. Hamburg, Germany à London, United Kingdom à Johannesburg, South Africa à and then, finally: Cape Town.
The first thing I saw when leaving the airport: the sun. Palm trees. The ocean and the beach. Table Mountain and the Lions Head… Even though I hadn’t been there for more than an hour: it was love at first sight! This city is breathtaking and so unique. I can’t remember when last I was so happy about been somewhere new: “Is this real? Am I dreaming?”
I wasn’t dreaming. This was my reality for the next three month. I didn’t know how the next three month would turn out yet, but I had that feeling that it would be an unforgettable experience.
I could write a story of over a hundred pages about my experience here because in a city like this, you can do something different every day and you still wouldn’t have done everything possible. I had a little to-do-list of things that I wanted to do in Cape Town. At first there were only 10 things on my list and then I added a few things everyday and the list ended up containing more than 50 things to do, including restaurants and bars I wanted to visit while being in Cape Town. Those of you, who live in Cape Town or have been here before, know what places are a must visit, those who don’t.
Here are some examples:
- Table Mountain (if someone would ask me what my highlight in Cape Town was I would say Table Mountain without hesitation, it is such a unique experience)
- Watch the sunset in Camps Bay
- Lions Head, it is a lot of fun to climb it
- Botanical Garden of Kirstenbosch
- West Coast National Park and Langebaan
- Whale Watching in Hermanus
- Cape Point
- Boulders Beach to see the Penguins
- Visit the little cabins in Muizenberg and go surfing if you like it
- Robben Island (for those who are interested in history)
- Mzoli’s in Gugulethu to experience a local braai and party
- Drive through the Chapman’s Peak Drive to enjoy the beautiful view
- Go to a Rugby Game in Newlands and/or a soccer game in Green Point Stadium
- Do some wine tasting in Stellenbosch
- Visit South African Markets like the Bay Harbour Market or the Old Biscuit Mill Market, or both
- Do a guided Graffiti Tour in Woodstock
- Go on the Garden Route and if you are adventurous: do the bungee jump from the Bloukrans Bridge
- Do a day trip to a private Game Reserve to see the beautiful animals
- Book a Safari with Jenman African Safaris to experience the best of Africa
- And so on and so on..
See, this list is never ending.
But it was not only the above list that made me enjoy my stay. It was a great pleasure that I had the chance to do an internship at Jenman African Safaris in the Marketing and Product department. I learned a lot of things that will definitely help me to achieve my future career goals and I got to know a lot of lovely people that I will always remember. Time was flying; I can’t believe how fast 3 months went by. It is never easy to stay somewhere for a period of time and having to say good bye, because you get so used to all the new people, places and your life there. I am going to miss this place a lot, it is my personal happy place…
Even though I have to leave Cape Town, I will not say good bye for good. Cape Town will definitely see me again one day.
Thanks for bringing me to Cape Town, JENMAN!
