Gorgeous! My new physical therapist is from Cape Town and we got to talking about traveling, hiking, Bellingham, etc. and he went in his office and loaned this book to me. I didn't know too much about the architecture, regions, and history of the city specifically. It's also been fun to talk to him about it.
Thanks to this book, I know a lot more about the landscape of Cape Town and its environs. The pictures really *really* make me want to go to the Constantia region now, and of course hike Table Mountain and drive out to the Cape of Good Hope. Mountains + water + rolling hills are so my jam, and I don't think I knew just how much this region offers in that regard.
The one caveat I'd say is this is much more of a photography, landscape, and architecture book than a people-based one. There are tidbits of history and a few dates, but nothing in-depth. It did inspire me to add in-depth bios of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu to my to-reads list. I do love a book that pings my curiosity for more information.
Overall, this book was a really nice way to take a mental/visual vacation. It's been hard to know how reading travel books or watching travel docs will land during the grounded time of COVID. But I think there's value in being able to explore, learn, see novel and gorgeous vistas (even if 2D), etc.
I also appreciated being able to learn a bit more about my physical therapist and have this point of connection -- which is more valuable than ever in these socially distanced times! So that was a big bonus and I thought it was sweet that he thought to lend it out.
Finally, it made me want to move Cape Town up on my travel bucket list.