It's a time warp walking into the Dutch Manor Antique Hotel. It's laced, etched and decorated in all things Dutch that pertain to the Cape and there's no perfect setting than at the mouth of one of the most historical areas of Cape Town - Bo Kaap.
It's easy to forget that you are here for a guided tour of the area, the hotel sends you into a trance - hard to believe it hasn't been standing as is for decades.
According to the hotel’s official website, it’s the only registered antique hotel in the country. Steeped in history and old-world charm, the hotel dates back to 1812, and boasts an illustrious and colourful past. There's even a huge antique cabinet worth R2.5-million - only 50 of them exist in the world.
The mood is jovial, appreciative, and we are all ready to walk the cobble streets of Bo Kaap with our guide Cyril Johnson.
I find myself disappointed in saying his story is a rag to riches, but plucked from walking the streets of this area to being sent to a tour guide course, taking care of little bits around the hotel, he is a far cry from Mitchells Plain where he lives. He is proud, knowledgeable and his personality is infectious.
After an emotional background introduction on how the hotel has taken Cyril from sleeping in the streets to how he, more importantly, has changed their lives and how through his tours is championing an initiative to help his other friends still on the streets.
He is nervous, we are close to 30 and he normally takes about eight at a time. But it is informative and you know you are part of something extradordinary.
We meander through the streets learning that the cobble stones were brought from Holland and about the very first mosque in South Africa.
We flirt in and out of shops with intoxicating masalas - it is the colourful history given to South Africa by the Cape Malays. And as Cyril so aptly told his boss when asked when she has a bad day “Don't take goodness for granted”.
Take the tour for it's history, but do it also for what he has achieved and what the hotel brings to our city. I for one, will definitely be back again, and again. - IOL
For bookings or enquiries visit www.dutchmanor.co.za or call 021 422 4767.