Closed for refurbishment, the new, modern Flying Dutchman funicular opens for business in time for Easter 2010. The funicular not only saves a long walk, up many steps, to see the lighthouse and take in the magnificent view, it also offers the opportunity for a Flying Dutchman-themed adventure for children and adults. In addition, the funicular saves time for visitors on busy itineraries and is also wheelchair-friendly.
For more information check out the Cape Point website.
Who was the original Flying Dutchman?
It was a ship that sailed the seas around Cape Point back in the 1600s, captained by one "pale and bald" Hendrik van der Decken of the Dutch East India Company (also employers of Jan van Ribeeck).
Van Der Decken was an experienced sailor who had rounded the Cape of Storms many a time. Until the fateful day he left Batavia for Holland, setting sail on Good Friday, 1641.
There are a number of stories about what went wrong for Van der Decken - some say that when he approached the base of Africa he came head to head with the treacherous Cape gales and swore he would round the Cape, even if he had to sail until Doomsday...
Other versions of the story include reports of priceless treasures on board, of piracy and of mutinous plots. Others say that plague broke out on board and no port would take the ship in... what is known is that The Flying Dutchman never arrived at her destination, and that from that day to this there have been claims by numerous numerous crewmen that they have seen the ghost ship in the waters around Cape Point...
1 Response to Cape Point''s Flying Dutchman Funicular Re-opens in time for Easter
What is the fee for the funicular at Cape Point?
By Carl Darnell (4 years ago)