First my apologies as this is not a blog as much as it is a collection of images from my recent visit to Cape Town (or as it is known in the aviation world - CPT). I had the pleasure of visiting this jewel of South Africa during the 69th IATA Annual General Meeting which gathers hundreds of airline CEOs, suppliers and global media.

Dubai Airports sponsors the media centre, which allows me to access and maintain good working relationships with the leading aviation journalists from around the world. Our CEO Paul Griffiths is also a regular participant as an industry leader...in this instance he contributed to a panel on future airport development.
The IATA AGM also allows me the opportunity to catch up with some very good friends and former colleagues from my IATA days. On one such evening I joined a good friend Graham Newton (who edits several industry magazines and has recently written a book) at a local restaurant where we had the opportunity to sample some of the local cuisine.

Graham and I opted for the crocodile and springbok (paired with a fantastic local pinot noir), since we had both sampled ostrich at the event's welcome dinner earlier in the week. All three were very tasty. Below is the springbox appetizer.

On another evening, a very good friend of mine (who you may recognise from my Geneva blog) Simon Ralph and I listened to a very talented local guitarist wail away over drinks and dinner.

Following a very productive and eventful meeting I took a personal day to take in some of the sights. It started with the requisite cable car ride up Table Mountain which offers some breathtaking views of the city and the rugged Atlantic Ocean coast below.

Next it was off to the coast for a look at seaside resorts and stunning scenery.

Then onto the vineyards. South Africa offers up fantastic wines, blends and varietals at very affordable prices.

And the vistas are incredible...as you can see here.

In all, while I understand there are security issues in South Africa, the tourist areas are well populated, busy and safe. Prices are very reasonable. And even in the southern 'winter' temperatures were up in the high teens.

(Save for my first day when it hailed and I had my first experience with sideways rain.)

I would highly recommend it as a destination and hope some day to return.