Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town - Our Mother City

The Cosmopolitan Heart of the Western Cape

South Africa

Clock Tower in V&A Waterfront with the Design 2014 Yellow!

As citizens, we are immensely proud that Cape Town has been voted THE NUMBER 1 City to visit during 2014 by the New York Times. Being a Capetonian has so many advantages, that we sometimes forget how truly blessed we are to be living in this incredible, diverse city.

We have it all!

Table Mountain - this natural wonder of the world greets all visitors and is a must see

Amazing beaches:.
Muizenberg, St James, Sea Point, Camps Bay, Llandudno, Sandy Bay, Blouberg to name a few.

Hundreds of Restaurants - it's a foodie's dream.

One of the best Waterfronts in the World - V&A Waterfront

Scenery, scenery and more scenery - make sure you have your camera handy!

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens - one of the best in the world

The Summer Stage at Kirstenbosch with stunning mountain backdrop

And the Sunday Summer Concerts are very much part of the Kirstenbosch scene!

Bring a picnic and sit on the lawns - booking essential.

Museums, showcasing our heritage.

Arts and Crafts and Sunday Markets

Pavement Cafes in the CBD and various seaside suburbs.

World Class Shopping

Theatre is alive and well - choose from a wide variety of shows throughout the year.

Wine Estates within our city limits in Constantia and Kommetijie

Outdoor extreme sports such as Tandem Sky Diving, landing on the lawns at Sea Point

Sea Cruises for Whale Watching or Sunset Romance

And the list goes on - whether you are into culture, history, photography, food, exercise, theatre, mingling with the locals or just behaving like normal, excited tourist - do visit our city!!

1. Messages for Mandela at the V&A

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

Accommodation in Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

See article, courtesy of the New York Times, below

"A place to meditate on freedom,
and the creative life that followed.

 When Nelson Mandela was incarcerated at Robben Island prison, he found inspiration in Cape Town. “We often looked across Table Bay at the magnificent silhouette of Table Mountain,” he said in a speech. “To us on Robben Island, Table Mountain was a beacon of hope. It represented the mainland to which we knew we would one day return.”

Cape Town’s importance to Mandela, who made his first address there as a free man, will doubtless draw many visitors in the wake of his death. The country has transformed itself since Mandela’s imprisonment, but there’s still much to be done. Many in Cape Town have been grappling with that challenge, including its creative class, which has been examining whether inspired design can solve some of the issues stemming from years of inequality.

The city formally takes up that issue this year during its turn as World Design Capital. Cape Town is celebrating design in all its forms, putting on fashion shows by students and established designers alike, hosting architecture open houses, welcoming the public into artists’ studios and folding the annual visual arts spectacular Design Indaba conference in February into the design capital program. Also part of the lineup are locals seeking to rejuvenate impoverished black-majority townships: The Maboneng Lalela Project turns township homes into galleries and performance spaces; Foodpods constructs sustainable farms, giving residents access to healthy produce; and the Langa Quarter project seeks to make the precinct a cultural tourism destination.

Cape Town is again reinventing itself, and the world is invited to its renaissance. — SARAH KHAN

For your safety in our city, please read my "Safety in Cape Town - Security Tips for Tourists" Blog.

http://www.travelsnippets.co.za/2013/12/safety-in-cape-town-security-tips-for.html

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

 

Cape Town, South Africa - for Adventure Seekers - 10 Reasons to visit

Cape Town is many things to many people and yet is loved by all who visit or live in this amazing city.

For the young at heart or those seeking something different from the city in the way of adventure sports, we can recommend the following:

10 Reasons to visit Cape Town for an Adventure Holiday!

1 - Tandem Skydiving

2 - Kite Surfing off Blouberg Beach

3 - Hiking up Table Mountain and surrounds

4- Game Fishing from Simonstown

5 - Shark Cage Diving

6 - Abseiling off Table Mountain

7 -  Tandem Paragliding

8 - Horse riding while Wine Tasting

9 - Diving around the coast of Cape Town

10 - Rock Climbing

Have fun in trying something new!

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

10 Reasons to visit Cape Town, South Africa

Table Mountain from Blouberg Beach

Cape Town is different things to different people - no matter what your interests are in life, you will love Cape Town with it's hugely diverse cultures, it's outstanding natural beauty, the huge variety of culinary experiences, the nightlife, the shopping .......I could go on!

My Favourites:

1 - Table Mountain - our very own Wonder of Nature - it's a must visit whether you hike up or take the scenic route in the cable car!

2 - The V&A Waterfront - this vibey spot is loved by all Capetonians and offers visitors to our shores great restaraunts, world-class shopping, harbour cruises, the Big Wheel and an exciting people watching spot.

3 - Cape Point - it's a beautiful drive and the point is awesome in all weathers.

4 - Blouberg Beach - this remains my favourite for the outstanding views of Table Mountain and the space to take long walks.

5 - Kirstenbosch - the great floral kingdom of the Cape is showcased here and is a must visit.

6 - Theatre on the Bay - a cosy, intimate theatre which offers a variety of shows throughout the year

7 - Kalk Bay for it's quirky shops and interesting harbour.

8 - Boulders, Simonstown to visit the penguins who are such fascinating birds one can watch them for hours.

9 - City Centre for it's Museums, the Fork (Tapas) Restaurant, Grand Daddy Rooftop for drinks, Green Market Square for gifts.

10 - Sea Point Promenade for some exercise and fresh sea air after all the glorious food.

There are countless other reasons why I love my home city - come and see what your favourites will be!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

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Cape Town - Walk to Kleinplaas Dam, Red Hill, Simonstown

As Capetonians, we are very lucky to live in a city that truly has it all. Cosmopolitan, vibey, stunningly beautiful and with so much to do no matter what you favourite pastime may be.

NB: Please take care when hiking - go in a group or contact a local hiking club for up-to-date Safety Information.

For those who enjoy a ramble in the winter sunshine, try the lovely, easy walk up to Kleinplaas Dam.
Built in 1964 to supply water to Simonstown, the wall was extended in 1970. It was built on the site of the Klein Plaats farm hence the name "small" dam. With lovely shining white beaches, its an ideal stop for a picnic or paddle. You can continue your hike from the dam - there are various paths and you are likely to see the odd horse being ridden along here or taking a welcome drink from the dam!

Accessible from Red Hill, Simonstown, you will first pass the deserted Red Hill Village which was forcefully abandoned when Simonstown was declared a "Whites Only" area under the apartheid government. Apparently the residents of this village removed doors and windows when they left - and who can blame them? It has been the site of a Land Claim and payments of approx. R14,000.00 were received by previous residents in 1989. Originally, a small farming village, the broken down ruins must hold many stories and memories of tears and laughter. It's a peaceful, quiet spot - an ideal place for a growing family to run free as birds. Sadly, only the ruins remain, a remnant of our chequered history.

This walk offers many spectacular vistas, amazing rock formations and even the odd cave or two. In springtime, the fynbos will be blooming and offer different scenes yet again.

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

South Africa - Morning Drive via Canola Fields to Genadendal and Greyton

Morning Drive via Canola Fields to:

 Genadendal & Greyton

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

The Canola (Rape Seed) fields in the Overberg region of South Africa are a sight to behold and this can be combined with a trip to Genadendal, the first & oldest Mission Station in South Africa, then on to Greyton for breakfast or lunch.

The route is via the N2 to Bot River, then head for the wheat & canola fields on the R43 to Villiersdorp. Turn again at the sign to Greyton.

Canola, otherwise known as Grape Seed, is bright yellow and makes for a spectacular show when in flower. Drive slowly through this region to enjoy the fields of contrasting colours (during August) then head towards Genadendal for a wander around this tiny village. The Moravian Church holds a special service annually in August to celebrate their youth and they decorate it beautifully with huge flower arrangements. The choir and brass band were practising whilst we were there and sounded fantastic! Although there are a number of other churches in the village, the Moravian Church has the largest congregation. The Genadendal Church Square buildings were declared National Monuments in 1980.
 

Unfortunately, the Museums were closed on the Saturday that we visited but the wander around the buildings was peaceful, the architecture interesting and the locals friendly. This Mission Station has had a long history since 1738 and at one point it was the largest settlement after Cape Town. However, the Communal Reserve Act of 1909 prevented inhabitants from obtaining property rights and this caused stagnation of the town until recently. Nelson Mandela named his official residence in Cape Town, Genadendal in 1995 and an effort is being made to create local jobs. The place has a happy vibe and the residents appear to be happy people.

If you walk through the gate of Pear Tree, you will find a memorial garden, graveyard and hundreds of beautiful white daisies (August) 

 

Greyton is a mere 5 kms away and is a great pit stop with many restaurants to choose from. The roads are lined with oak trees, cute cottages abound, shops are interesting and the Saturday Morning market is a must. We arrived too late for this – make sure you get there before 12.00 noon! It is also a great hiking area with overnight hikes as well as day hikes in the Greyton Nature Reserve. We have done walks in this reserve previously – winter time is best as it gets pretty hot during summer. Wild flowers are in abundance during spring. You can also do horse-riding in Greyton so it is a great place for week-end trips of outdoor fun and relaxation.

Numerous accommodation options are available in the area – Greyton Lodge offers music on Friday evenings to get you in the mood for a relaxing week-end stay!

You can also choose to attend a Cookery course at the Ladle Cookery School. Half day, full day or week-end courses are on offer.

The Oak & Vigne Café is very popular as is the Vanilla Cafe right opposite!

We sat on couches just meant for meaningful conversations whilst enjoying the various breakfast options.

Different Breakfast Options

A cute cottage!

A relaxing drive will take you back to Cape Town well before sundown!

Until Next August!

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

                For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

                                      www.bradclin.com