Cape Town Will Blow You Away
The wind is legendary in Cape Town especially during the summer months (November - February). The south-easterly wind that roars in during this time of year is called the "Cape Doctor". This past weekend the "Cape Doctor" didn't just sweep away the pestilence and pollution hanging over the city, it also damaged houses, boats, and uprooted trees. Gusts reached over 100 mph (165kmph).
Cape Town is a city where trees grow at the weirdest angles (see photo) and people regularly hold on to lampposts to avoid being blown across the street. When Table Mountain has its table cloth of cloud, you know it's going to be a windy day (a regular feature). You won't be surprised to know that surfing is extremely popular in Cape Town, and kiteboarding (or kite surfing) is really taking off. South Africa's first wind farm was switched on a few years ago and, surprise surprise, the Darling Wind Farm lies just outside of Cape Town.
Cape Town Will Blow You Away originally appeared on About.com Africa Travel on Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 at 11:31:59.
