Virtual Africa

Table Mountain has been nominated to become one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and the World (that’s us) has until 7 July 2009 to cast their votes.

Unlike party political elections, voter intimidation is totally acceptable when it comes to the Wonders – and we’re getting into the act.

So, here’s how it’s going to go down:

If you’ve been to Table Mountain before, it’s a bit of a no-brainer and no intimidation will be necessary, simply click here to vote and then enjoy the virtual tour of the mountain below.

If you confirm that you’ve done so in the comment section, we’ll send you on a 5 star holiday to an island paradise.(**There are some Terms and conditions to this prize, but you really don’t need to scroll down to read it. Do that after you’ve voted.)

If you haven’t been to Table Mountain before, read the rest of this post, explore the virtual tour and then vote.

The virtual tour is fully interactive and has numerous informative video’s for your enjoyment.

Off course Table Mountain should be one of the New 7 Natural Wonders of the world!
As a matter of fact, they should have called the competition the 6 New Natural Wonders of the World, seeing that the number 1 spot is such a sure thing.

That would have allowed other mountains like Everest and Kilimanjaro to say “Well, they’ve made up there minds – we’re not even going to take part in this”, and spared them the embarrassment of being whipped by a stocky city dweller who has her head in the clouds most of the time.
Let’s get the most obvious reasons out of the way then:

Number 1: Table Mountain is MAGNIFICENT!

I mean look at it!

Number 2: Table Mountain is Accessible.

Not only is it beautiful and unique, but quite a few people get to enjoy its beauty every day.

What’s the point in making Aldabera Atoll in the Seychelles a Natural Wonder if only 0.00000000000000001 % of the world population will ever be able to enjoy it?

Don’t get me wrong, it’s on my list of places to visit before I die, but I’ll be one of only a few people who would have had the privilege to visit this island paradise in the middle of nowhere.

Table Mountain, on the other hand, receives more than 800 000 visitors a year, via the Cable Car alone – not to mention the millions of people enjoying the view from every part of Cape Town, every day.

Number 3: Table Mountain has some SERIOUS eco-credentials

It is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom (read more on this) – which is a World Heritage Site.
That’s right, you heard it:  WORLD Heritage Site , like in 7 New wonders of the WORLD.
It has more floral species than the whole of Britain!
(Loch Ness , cry your heart out.)

Number 4: It’s the mother of all lungs.
New Yorkers are always going on about how Central Park forms the ‘lungs’ of their city – and you have to give it to them, it is a great spot. It really is.You can just escape the the chaos of the city: sit on a park bench and watch the people walk by, go to a concert, go ice skating in winter or visit the animals in the New York Zoo.
But the reality is that Central Park has a bumper sticker somewhere on the upper West side, which reads:

“When I grow up I want to be Table Mountain”.

Table Mountain is the mother of all ‘urban lungs’.

I know of spots you can reach within 15 minutes of the City Centre, where you can’t see a building or hear a car. Honestly: 15 minutes from the city centre and you can drink cold water from a mountain stream.
Brilliant!!
Bottom line: New York got Frederick Law Olmsted to design their lung. Cape Town got God to do the job!

(I know Central Park is not in the running – the point is not that Table Mountain is better than Central Park, it’s that Central Park is great!! And Table Mountain is UNBELIEVABLE.A Natural Wonder ‘co-existing’ with an urban community!!One of a kind! Truly unique. Deserves your vote. If you phone now ……..got it?)

OK, with that settled then, there are just two things left to do :

1. Go here to vote for Table Mountain as one of the 7 New Wonders of the World.
2. Go here to explore the fullscreen virtual tour of the mountain.

We created the virtual tour with embedded video on request from the guys at SmartGuide.
We used our pictures and embedded their videos to create a complete ‘users guide to Table Mountain’.
Check it out – and explore the mountain like never before.

Also, if you know a teacher – send them the link, it’s a great tool to show kids what the mountain is about. (and kids can vote too ….. nudge-nudge-wink-wink)

But what ever you do : DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!!!

(** Terms and conditions: the holiday will be a virtual one – obviously. But our technology is so good, you’ll feel as if you’re there…..)

Related posts:

1. The Cape Floral Kingdom: South African World Heritage Site (#2 of 8 ) In this second installment in our Virtual Africa series on the South African World Heritage Sites, we take a brief look...
2. Why South African World Heritage Sites are of importance to you. Ok, I have to admit it in a public space: I, Tinus le Roux, grew up in Camps Bay, Cape Town, at the foot of...
3. Highest definition picture ever taken of Cape Town – how we did it. When you work in the virtual tour business, you have the privilege to witness technological advances almost daily. But every once in a while these...
4. 8 South African World Heritage Sites: a Virtual Tour There are a thousand reasons why I am proud and privileged to be a South African – and recently I found 8 more to add...
5. South African Google Earth layer goes live. South African Tourism Google Earth layer has gone live. The layer has been publicly available for just over a month, but now it has been...