South Africa News, Travel and fun Blog

Not so long ago the sun bronzed our skins and all Capetonians spent time on the lovely Cape Town beaches. Now when you wake up at 6 in the morning, its still dark outside, the nights are chilly and your toes feel like they are freezing off!

Yes, it’s that time of the year again- wintertime!

Many a traveller will ask “What exactly can I do in Cape Town when it’s cold and rainy outside?”.

Well, this Capetonian can vouch that there’s no need to worry! You will have more than enough things to do in and around Cape Town even when the rain is pouring outside.

Here’s some tips:

Shark Cage Diving
You can start by going Shark cage diving! Yes you heard right! Sharks tend to move around, but according to Shark experts, winter is definitely the best time to visit the icy waters. Are you brave enough?

Ten Pin Bowling in Cape Town
Some indoor fun to heat up your hands and feet! Ten Pin Bowling offers fun for both young and old. Best of all it’s cheap to do and you can still go for a nice cuppa hot chocolate afterwards. There are bowling alleys in Claremont (only 12km from Cape Town), Goodwood and Tygervalley (Bellville).

Two Oceans Aquarium
Take a trip down to the V&A Waterfront, but instead of shopping take a turn and head over to the Two Oceans Aquarium. The Aquarium offers visitors a view of more than “3000 living sea animals, including sharks, fishes, seals, turtles and penguins”- definitely a must see! Open every day of the year from 09h30 until 18h00.

Salsa Dancing in Cape Town
Have you ever wanted to learn Salsa Dancing? Well Cape Town gives you this opportunity. Saturdays marks the time for salsa dancing! Come on, be daring and give it a try- 7 Bree Street, Foreshore, Cape Town CBD

Indoor Rock climbing
CityROCK is known as South Africa’s largest 21st century indoor rock-climbing gym and is situated in Observatory, on the corner of Collingwood and Anson Street. One of the advantages of CityROCK is that they welcome kids from the age of 5 and up. Perfect for a family outing on a rainy day in Cape Town!

Win some money
Travel to GrandWest casino and experience an entertainment extravaganza! GrandWest Casino offers fun for the whole family. Ranging from fun for the kids to winning big for adults- GrandWest is a must visit!

Indoor Karting in Kenilworth
Feed your need for speed at the Indoor Karting track in Kenilworth. Expect to find a fully tarred 310 meter track and karts for both kids and adults. Come be a sport and join the fun today!

Ice-skating
There’s nothing better than ice-skating in the winter. Come to the Olympic sized ice rink in GrandWest and have a blast. Be sure to bring your mittens as it might be just a tad cold!

Here in Cape Town we can definitely feel the seasons-change in the air! The evenings are chilly and mornings definitely have a bite to them.

However, weather has never stopped any Cape Tonian from having fun and enjoying this beautiful city to the max!

It’s that time of the year again where we celebrate cheeses of all kinds- yes; it’s the South African Cheese Festival again! From the 25^th to the 28^th of April you have the chance to enjoy the delectable tastes of a range of different South African cheeses from all over the country.

If you love cheese, then this festival is a must! Guests get the chance to experience new varieties of South African cheeses, harmonising with South African delicacies like tantalizing wines, olives, and of course freshly baked bread- like only our ancestors could create.

There are only a limited number of tickets selling for R75 at Computicket. Be sure to book your tickets as soon as possible! Included in the fee is a nice shopping bag to put your goodies in, the festival program, tastings, and demonstrations by top chefs and food experts.

The festival will be held at the Bien Donné farm, a mere 55 km from Cape Town CBD. The gates will be open from 10:00 to 18:00 from Friday to Sunday and from 10:00 to 17:00 on Monday 28 April.

Don’t miss this - Be there!

Each year since 2001, local Cape Town radio station 567 Cape Talk have put on this literally star-studded event on Clifton 4th, arguably the most beautiful beach in the Mother City.

While the live band may not consist of household names, their excellent renditions of golden oldies from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s were performed with class and energy this past Saturday night. The temperatures soared to the high-30s on the day and the South Easter which had been fanning veld-fires across the Peninsular for the past 2 weeks dropped, creating a balmy evening on the soft sandy beach.

Young and old, black and white, locals and foreigners all congregated en masse from late afternoon to find themselves a space on the sand, enjoy a sunset picnic and cool off in the icy water. Meanwhile, the band got themselves together and ran through a few practice numbers, giving a melodic hint of what was to follow.

The yachts and catamarans of a local marine club dropped anchor in the bay, creating an off-shore event of their own as their lights reflected on the darkening waves below and echoed the emerging stars above.

The event, sponsored by BP Garages, is in aid of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI). One of their helicopters did a fly-by before the entertainment kicked off at 18h00, with the crowd standing to salute the work of the men and women who save numerous lives in Cape Town each year.

The MC for the night, Aiden Thomas, introduced a marimba band to start the night’s entertainment. The group warmed up the crowds with some traditional African tunes before the main band got many dancing on the sand under the stars with hit after hit, beautifully performed and accompanied by stringed, wind, brass and percussion instruments.

The spectacular sunset stole the crowd’s attention for a few breath-taking minutes, then candles and glow sticks (sold by the NSRI) took on the job of lighting up the relaxed revelers. As no alcohol was allowed, the event was extremely mellow, with no unpleasant incidents to mar the family-friendly fun.

The night drew to a close on schedule at 20h30. We left the beach with happy memories, vowing to return to next year’s Moonstruck.

For a relaxed, free evening with fantastic music and a great Cape Town vibe, look out for Moonstruck 2009 which will be, as always, in the month of February, a perfect way to get into the mood for Valentine’s Day.

South African rock lovers are gearing up for one of the biggest live music events to hit the country EVER – My Coke Fest 2007.

Set to rock Jo’burg and Cape Town in April / May (1 event in each city) the 12 hour event (from midday to midnight) has a spectacular line-up of renowned local and international bands.

Headlining the show is the legendary Guns and Roses who appear in South Africa for the first time ever as part of their 2007 Chinese Democracy World Tour. The tour incorporates Japan, Thailand, South America, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand as well as South Africa.

Front man Axl Rose says: “I’ve been fortunate enough to play in some of the most historic buildings and stadiums around the world but performing in South Africa will truly be an honour - I can’t wait to see South Africa. This is a dream come true”.

Other international acts dominating the stage are the luminous Evanescence with their distinctive sound and Amy Lee’s haunting voice; 3 Doors Down, Hoobastank and Staind. So whether you like your rock laidback or hard core there’s something for everyone.

Not to be intimidated by these imported acts is some of South Africa’s best homegrown talent – the cream of the rock crop - including Arno Cartsens’s Springbok Nude Girls and the Parlatones who have recently signed an international record deal with a top lable. Jo’burg will enjoy the likes of Cassette and Evolver while Cape Town will be rocking to the awesome sounds of The Dirty Skirts, Love Jones and Taxi Violence.

This is a lineup of epic proportions and South Africa is already getting in the mood with the featured bands receiving loads of airplay across all the airwaves, especially sponsors 5FM.

If you’re in South Africa this autumn make a point of getting to one of these phenomenal events – it’s the stuff memories are made of.

If you thought Cape Town was all about wine and wine only, here’s a well-kept secret – the Cape Olive Route! Yes, the Cape produces many of the world’s finest wines, and has a rich heritage of viticulture dating back to the French Huguenots’ arrival in South Africa. And yes, olives are a new-comer to the area, having only been introduced here 80 years ago. But with the change in South Africans’ diet including the increasing popularity of Mediterranean foods, fuelled by television’s international celebrity chef programmes and the mushrooming of delicatessens all over South Africa, the demand for locally grown olives and their by-products has soared.

To date there is not an official Cape Olive Route, but with delightfully appointed farms dotted all around the Western Cape we’ve taken the liberty of drawing up our own itinerary – a culinary meander if you like, for olive-lovers who live in or are visiting Cape Town.

Stellenbosch is a good place to begin your excursion. This historic town is home to the Universtity of Stellenbosch and is brim-full of students during the term time, lending it a lively air. Plenty of good pubs are to be found here, while culture vultures can enjoy visiting galleries. But the main aim of this trip is to find olives, so before you get stuck in ‘Stellies’, head for the Eikendal Vineyards - your your first olive stop. Next drive across to Saxenberg Wine Farm near Kuils River, then back to Somerset West where the famous Morgenster Estate, specialising in olives and related products, is situated. These three establishments can be woven in to a trip around the wine route, and really, there can be few combinations to delight a foodie’s heart more than fruit of the vine and fruit of the grove…

If you want to make a day of it, try the following route: Head off to Riebeek Kasteel and visit the Olive Boutique in the town and the Kloovenburg Estate – home of one of the top 15 olive oils in the world. Their selection of olive-based products will amaze you! The town itself is delightfully bohemian with a winning blend of artists, eccentrics and excellent chefs calling this village home. The vineyards grow between the houses and the church and pub co-habit side by side quite comfortably. At a mere one hours drive out of Cape Town this makes a good day trip.
 
To become completely steeped in the atmosphere of a Cape olive farm, however, you can stay at the Wild Olive Farm between Tulbagh and Ceres. This working wine and olive farm has delightful self catering accommodation in a sprinkling of charming cottages, as well as a lovely camping site. Not only will you enjoy seeing the olive groves being farmed and harvested, you can also fish, swim and canoe on any of the three dams. The views of vines and mountains are exquisite.

If you love olives but don’t want to venture too far out of town, Melissa’s Food Shop is a great deli with branches all over Cape Town. The Olive Station in Muizenberg serves Lebanese dishes and sells olives and olive produce on site.

Lastly, here are four more fabulous olive establishments you may wish to add to your own version of the Cape Olive Route!

•  Drakenstein Olives, Paarl (on De Hoop Farm)
•  Hildebrand Estate, Wellington
•  The Cape Olive Trust (at the foot of the Drakenstein Mountains)
• Blackpear Olives, Paarl

While Cape Town’s beach-loving community has been actively supporting the Shark Spotter programme (where watchers sit on the mountainside along the coast and alert life guards when sharks are in the vicinity so that the water can be evacuated) the Two Ocean Aquarium are setting free sharks around the corner near Cape Aghulhas.

Swimmers and surfers need not fear… these are not the great whites recently associated with the spate of attacks in recent years along the False Bay coast which has left some unfortunate victims minus limbs, and in one case, dead.

This is a far happier tale – Cape Town’s own Sharks’ Tale – with two ‘raggies’ (ragged tooth sharks) named Bella and Billy being released back into their natural environment to join three of their predecessors from the Aquarium. Their journey involves a long swim up the east coast towards KwaZulu-Natal, believed to be the annual migration route of the species.

The event is part of the Save Our Seas programme, which involves in-depth studies into the life cycle of the sharks that swim in these waters.

The raggies are sedated then placed in a holding pool where they are tagged with an ultra-sonic device: Two holes are drilled through the dorsal fin of each shark and plates are attached on either side for a pop-up archival transmitting satellite tag to be attached between prior to the release.

Information gathered would include the sharks’ location, and the depth and temperature of the waters through which they swim.

The sharks, both of which were originally caught at Struisbaai, have been part of a group that has entertained the public for eleven years. During this time they have contributed greatly to the knowledge of the behaviour of their species.

Shark species are under threat of extinction if they continue to be slaughtered, according to experts. A key principal of the programme has been to help alter negative perceptions about sharks by educating the public.

Another way in which we can learn more about sharks is by encountering them in their own environment. Shark cage diving, when properly carried out by reputable tour companies, offer invaluable and fascinating encounters with various shark species in and around the Cape waters.

Grand Prix fans in South Africa are getting ‘revved up’ up in anticipation of a 1 billion rand (£70 million) race circuit planned for Cape Town.

South African Grand Prix (Pty) Ltd unveiled plans to build the circuit alongside the Cape Town International Airport. CEO Mr. David Gant confirmed that the project already has the support of both municipal and provincial government. However, the estimated 58 hectares of land required have yet to be released.

He added that once the land was made available the company was confident that a viable license application would be presented.

Grant also stated that government would not have to find the funds needed as it would be underwritten by overseas developers.

The course is planned to comprise a 5.7km circuit with a grandstand able to accommodate 17, 500 spectators. Both racing cars and motorcycles would be able to race on the circuit. Adjacent commercial and industrial parks linked to the course are also included in the plans, with job creation a positive spin-off.

Although South Africa hosted F1 Grand Prix events in the past (from the 1960s to the 1990s) financial constraints led to the country being dropped from the F1 calendar.

If the proposed building of the course goes ahead Cape Town will host Africa’s future F1 Grand Prix races – a real coup for the popular city!

So you’re in Cape Town on a whistle-stop tour and want to try squeeze as much of the Mother City as possible into your 48 hours?

You could spend a year in this beautiful city and still not have seen and experienced all it has to offer, but let’s see what we can do to make sure you don’t miss out on the ‘Must Sees’ - especially for first-timers.

The idea of this itinerary is to whet your appetite so that you return as soon as possible to do Cape Town full justice!

On landing at Cape Town International Airport, let’s for argument’s sake assume your flight lands at 8 a.m., you need to retrieve your luggage, collect your hire car, and head directly to the Table Mountain Cable Way, above Cape Town’s city centre. Leave the bulk of your luggage and simply take a back pack with money, a camera, sunblock and a warm top. Your early arrival should ensure that you don’t need to queue for very long. The ride up in the revolving cable car offers your first real look at the sprawling city and surrounds – with a unique 360 degree perspective. Once you arrive at the top you can enjoy breakfast at the restaurant, taking the time to fill in postcards bragging to your friends that you are having your first meal in the Cape on top of one of the world’s most famous and imposing landmark mountains!

Don’t linger too long over that second cup of coffee – you need to be down by midday to go into the CBD for a spot of shopping and exploring. Depending on your personal tastes you may enjoy browsing and gift-buying at the famous Green Market Square (open daily in the week and on Saturday mornings), or you might prefer to take in an exhibition at one of the local art galleries and museums. The main Cape Town Iziko Museum is set in the heart of the historical Cape Company Gardens which in themselves provide a lovely setting for a stroll.

Next, head to the Victoria & Albert Waterfront for a luscious lunch at one of the many eateries overlooking the harbour. More shops beckon and you could spend all day exercising your credit card, but leave enough time for a late afternoon drive around the Atlantic Seaboard. Enjoy sundowners at trendy Camps Bay or beautiful Clifton – both have exquisite white beaches lapped by aquamarine waters, and numerous pavement cafes overlooking them.

This area is ideal for booking your first night’s accommodation as there are numerous luxury self catering apartments, villas and guest houses – be sure you’ve booked ahead to avoid disappointment. Once you’ve checked in and freshened up, head out for a dinner and some gambling fun at Grand West Casino – a 15 minute drive from the CBD. If you prefer to dance, there are some great little clubs in town, or you could head back to the Waterfront and enjoy a movie or attend the Theatre on the Bay right in Camps Bay which almost always has an excellent production on the go. Once again, plan and book in advance. Local newspapers and Time Out magazine will have details on what’s on entertainment-wise.

No matter how tired you are when you finally fall into bed, set the alarm clock so that you’re on the road early. If you’re really enthusiastic you may even catch the sunrise! In any event, take a leisurely drive, against the daily traffic, to Hout Bay. Here you can enjoy a delicious breakfast and perhaps browse around the harbour-side shops and market. Then get your camera ready for a spectacular drive – over Chapman’s Peak which surely offers the most breath-taking sea and mountain views anywhere. At the end of the pass is Noordhoek. If you’ve planned ahead you can go for an hour’s horse ride along the wide expanse of the beautiful beach. Make sure you’re back behind the wheel in time to take the winding coastal road past Kommetjie, via Scarborough. Here you can enjoy a delectable lunch followed by a walk up to the viewing point of the tip of the African continent.

Later, drive on into Simon’s Town and be fascinated by the Jackass Penguin Colony at Boulders and Seaforth Beaches. The recently built Penguin Centre offers a mine of information on these curious and cute sea birds.

Next, head along the coastal road out of Muizenberg, along Strandfontein to Stellenbosch in the heart of the Cape Wine Route. Book in at Spier Wine Estate and dine at the wildly unusual and exquisite Moya, Spier’s own restaurant. Moya often has live music, dance or theatre productions. Find out in advance and book! We guarantee a good night’s sleep will follow…

Okay, so we’re cheating and are adding a couple more hours, but really, can you blame us? You can’t leave before cramming in a visit to at least two of the local wine estates before driving back to Cape Town International Airport in time to bid the city a sad farewell.

As the plane takes off and you get a final glimpse of Cape Town we know you’ll be promising to be back as soon as you possibly can.

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 Booking accommodation online can carry a certain amount of risk. For your peace of mind it’s great to know that Icon Villas and Vistas is affiliated to Cape Town Tourism and registered with the Estate Agency Affairs Board.

As the Web site says, Icon Villas and Vistas offers a large portfolio of self catering accommodation in Cape Town, perfectly suited for you - whatever your style, taste or budget.

Planning a vacation or business trip to Cape Town, South Africa? Your luxury accommodation search just became a whole lot easier!

Instead of trawling the Web for Cape Town apartments and holiday villas, head directly for www.fzp.co.za.

At this easy-to-use, eye-catching site you’ll find listings for a hand-picked selection of stunning luxury self-catering accommodations in and around Cape Town.

The site covers the Cape Peninsular, the Winelands and part of the Overberg region, and features top locations in all the up-market suburbs.

Enquiries and reservations can be made online by completing a user-friendly enquiry form on the home page.

The site also boasts useful travel information such as Cape Town car hire and tour links.