I recently had the express pleasure of visiting what I like to call the New York of Africa: Cape Town. I was on a three day work visit and although the trip there was filled with turbulence and nausea clarity was bestowed upon my Cape Town perception once I set foot on Cape Townian soil.

It is a gargantuan city with true metropolitan, big city life people. I stuck out like a tourist in the jungle, decked out in dirty sneakers and a fanta- stained jacket. We were hosted at “De Waterkant” which is a quaint neighbourhood of Dutch colonial style semi-detached apartments.

The apartments were fully furnished and being that I’m a fan of electricity and a mosquito free environment they were very much to my liking.

Unfortunately during my visit the Table Mountain cable carts were closed for renovations and being that I was at work, I did not get to do the tourist site seeing thing. What I did get to do though is dine. Breakfast was always engulfed at a place called Cape Quarter.

This restaurant was a five-minute walk from our place of residence De Waterkant. Here I chose from an array of cold morning buffet to a satisfying full English breakfast. The other places where I wolfed down food like a famished ogre were Primi’s at the waterfront and Stregas where I discovered the wonder that is jam jars and teapots. These are colourful, fruity cocktails served in jam jars and teapots.

On the morning of our departure we were pleasantly surprised with fresh chocolate muffins served with fresh cream. After one bite out of the warm, spongy muffin, I concluded that my life was complete; I could die a happy person. Unfortunately time escaped us and during all the hustle of making sure I didn’t forget to pack anything, that lone muffin was all I had.

Despite the fact that my Cape Town adventure was ridiculously brief and confined the only thing I regret is not having had more of those delectable muffins. While I mourn my muffin and try to shed the five kilogram roll of fat that has replaced what once was my waist courtesy of Cape Town’s divine restaurants, I am hopeful that a more culturally enriching visit to the big city will present itself in the near future.