Cape Town – One of the best things I have done is forge a bond with Cape Town Tourism. The people there are as dedicated as I am to seeking out the best of what our city has to offer, and sharing that with locals and visitors.
This has significantly increased the potential pool of Fun Finder experiences, and it was through them that I learned about VoiceMap.
VoiceMap is a free smartphone app which does exactly what its name suggests: using your phone’s GPS, it gives you a map of a route to walk with a voice narrating as you do so. Developed and designed right here in Cape Town, the content is global, which you have to admit is pretty darn amazing.
There are several routes available in Cape Town, from the Company’s Garden and Green Point Park, to the design district and street art in the East City, with new ones being added all the time.
Some of them are free to download, some carry a small charge, and the app is backed up by a comprehensive website where you can, among other things, read the transcripts of the walks and listen to the audio.
Each route will give you a distance to be covered and the estimated time it will take, which is based on a brisk walker who is not stopping to smell the roses/coffee/ ocean breeze.
However, the commentary can be paused and resumed at any point as you explore the different areas and attractions at your leisure, which is my recommendation.
Cape Town Tourism recognises the trend of travellers looking for activities that are more personal than prescribed, “experiences that are authentic and in tune with the local culture, and its people, to create a genuine connection and some thought-provoking memories to take home”.
In line with this, it is promoting the idea of encouraging visitors to “travel like a local” and Capetonians to “live like a tourist”.
And so it came to pass, a large group of us (all locals from what I could gather) boarded the train at platform two from Cape Town station and disembarked an hour later at False Bay station to plug in our ear buds for the launch of Muizenberg Like A Local with VoiceMap.
This particular walk is in partnership with Cape Town Tourism, and is a free download.
It’s narrated by Coleen van Staden, a Muizenberg resident of more than 30 years, which is part of the beauty of the app: the stories are personal, intimate, knowledgeable, interesting, and accessible.
You can’t look this kind of stuff up on the internet. Well, you can look up VoiceMap, but you know what I mean.
Our journey began at the Masque Theatre where we were given a little tour backstage.
Van Staden asked us: “Can you guess what it was before it was a theatre? A bowling alley. In 1957, Muizenberg attorney Bertie Stern purchased the building because of his love of theatre and because of his vision for a theatre in Muizenberg.
“The Masque opened in 1959 and has had legends walk its boards. Not many people know that the original and iconic Cape Town musical Kat and the Kings by Taliep Petersen and David Kramer had its debut run here in 1997 before taking the West End by storm.”
From there we were directed to turn left, then left again, to visit SoBeit Studio. “This ugly building hides a treasure trove, called the SoBeit Studio. The SoBeit people describe it as ‘Mayhem Space’, but see it for yourself, if it’s a weekday. Go up the stairs, and be enchanted, delighted and amazed,” said Van Staden.
Indeed you will be, from the unicorn to the flying skeleton. That is supposed to sound crazy, and hopefully will encourage you to visit.
There’s quite a fair walk down Albertyn Road, and my favourite bit was the Albertyn Road Reading Project: “It was started by mosaic artist Sue Beattie,” said Van Staden.
“Sue volunteers at a charity book shop every week and could not bear the thought of unsold books going off to be pulped. Like book euthanasia. So she brings them home and pops them on her wall, and has wall library every Tuesday.”
It wasn’t a Tuesday but there were books out there, and as a bibliophile I could not resist taking one. It does mean I have to go back to make a donation, however.
I adored the quirky shops in Palmer Road, including Joolz Vintage Café which Van Staden – who was with us on the walk – said she has never seen open. Ever. Which is a pity because I so badly wanted to be inside there.
There is also a place called Landy’s Place which looks equally cool, but I have no idea what it does and Google has never heard of it.
Eventually you’ll wind your way down towards the famous beachfront with its colourful bathing huts and surfers.
On the way you’ll pass the oldest shop in Muizenberg, The Majestic, which is filled with wonderful memorabilia and is the home of the best soft serve choc 99 in Cape Town, and Gary’s Surf School, where you are virtually guaranteed to stand up during your first lesson.
The tour ends at Muizenberg station from whence you may continue your journey by train if you wish – VoiceMap has a Simon’s Town tour (just saying) or head back to Cape Town.
For more information, go to voicemap.me, look for it in your app store (Android and iPhone), and definitely visit www.capetown.travel
Weekend Argus