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Cape Town: A Stunning Landscape

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The Mud House
“The red bedroom in The Mud House, chosen by the BBC as the only South African house in its TV show about spectacular homes around the world. Owner and friend Leoni Smit (an artist and interior decorator) has created a truly spectacular home. This red bedroom is my favorite.”
Churchhaven
“This is the West Coast at its best, a beautifully decorated holiday cottage in Churchhaven on the Langebaan lagoon. Just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town and across the lagoon from bustling Langebaan. Here, time stands still. No shops, no hotels, no electricity. A real getaway.”
The Karoo
The Karoo, about three hours from Cape Town. The hardened arid landscape surrounds you for hours while driving on the main road to Joburg. I love the sense of space, the endless roads ahead and the mountains to the south in this semidesert.”
Carne
Carne is one of my favorite restaurants in Cape Town. It is a meat eater’s paradise, where all the meat is organic and comes from owner Giorgio Neva’s farm in the Karoo. The décor is a trendy mix of marble, wood, steel, and Phillipe Starck’s ‘ghost’ chairs.”
Grand Daddy Hotel
“The owners of the Grand Daddy Hotel in Cape Town put seven American Airstream trailers on top of the hotel’s roof. They then had each trailer designed by a different artist and opened a rooftop bar and outdoor cinema. This might be the best way to spend a night in this city.”
Table Mountain
Table Mountain, my backyard. On my mountain bike, it takes me three minutes from my studio, and I can spend hours cycling the trails on the mountain high above the city.”
Clifton Beach
Clifton Beach, protected from the howling summer winds, is one of the most spectacular—and most expensive—pieces of real estate in Africa.”
Constantia Valley
“This is the Constantia Valley in autumn. Take a 15-minute ride from Cape Town, and you’ll find yourself in the most breathtaking vineyards, especially in the months of May and June. One of my favorite restaurants, La Colombe, is there as well.”

Photographer Robbert Koene was born and bred in the Netherlands, but he eventually made his way to Southern Africa, seduced by the sunny skies that are so conducive to fashion photography. Koene started out in fashion, but the geography and culture of South Africa made landscapes and portraits irresistible. Here, he shares his thoughts about some of his favorite images of his adopted country, where he has lived since 1985.

—Photos and Words by Robbert Koene

Spill It: Tell Us What You Think!

Gerrie Knipe
Beautiful photo.I would like to ask permission to paint it.
4/23/2012 6:20:51 AM

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