The Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, South Africa

The Bo-Kaap reflects the diversity of people of Cape Town, the first European-influenced settlement in today's South Africa. It perfectly shows the influences of the East and the West at the Cape of the Good Hope - many residents of the area are descendents of convicts, slaves and political exiles from South East Asia and Indonesia who came here in the early days of the Mother City. In its early days the Bo-Kaap was home to people from all different cultural and religious backgrounds, but today the area is reffered to be the home of the Muslim population of Cape Town.

The Bo-Kaap is situated above the Central Business District of Cape Town (maybe a 2min walk away from Longstreet). It is also known as the Malay Quarter, Signal Hill, Schotsche Kloof or Slaamse Burt (Slams goes back to the word Islam - Muslim people regard it as an insult of their faith).
The Bo-Kaap is a very small residential area. It is less than 2km in extent and maybe half a kilometre at its widest point.

The Cape Cuisine - a very Cape Townian experience
A multi-ethnic cuisine emerged, and one can only imagine the aromas emanating from kitchens producing highly spiced dishes from Dutch, Italian, Portuguese and especially oriental recipes handed down for generations. The Malay influence comes through in the curries, chilies and extensive use of spices such as ginger, cinnamon and turmeric. More Malay magic comes through the use of fruit cooked with meat, marrying sweet and savoury flavours, with hints of spice, curry and other seasonings. The food has a nuance of seductive spiciness, true testament to the culinary capabilities of Malay women world wide. A great example for the Cape Cuisine is the Bobotie - a light textured curry flavored meat loaf smothered in a golden savory egg topping. Yummy!

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