Popular Posts

27 August 2019

South Africa - Activities in Cape Town





Kalk Bay, Cape Town

WATCH THE SUNRISE FROM THE TOP OF LION’S HEAD
Hike up Lion’s Head to catch the sunrise to see majestic Table Mountain bathed in golden light. It makes for a striking image. Take a head torch to light the way and go with a group of friends. You could also up the adventure level by trying a full moon hike.



GET A BIRD’S EYE VIEW
The aerial view of Cape Town is hard to beat. Book a tandem paragliding experience from Cape Xtreme Adventure Tours and take in the beauty of the city while getting your blood pumping.

MOVIE NIGHT UNDER THE STARS
An outdoor movie welcomes you to experience cinematic delights, tantalising treats, and breathtaking scenery under a canopy of stars. From October, the Galileo Open Air Cinema shows a line-up of romantic comedies, cult classics, and musicals at some of Cape Town’s prettiest open-air venues.

HIKING TABLE MOUNTAIN
Spring offers some of the best weather for hiking, with plenty of sunshine but moderate temperatures. Grab your backpack, friends, sunscreen, and insect repellent, and head to one of Table Mountain’s glorious hikes.
Table Mountain Cape Town

 
SCENIC HELICOPTER FLIGHTS
This unrivalled experience offers a once-in-a-lifetime trip over the Cape Peninsula. There are few better ways to take in the beauty of the area. Book with City Helicopters.

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL PARK’S WEEK
Pack a picnic, grab your family and friends, and head out to one of the SANParks offering a week’s free entrance. For the entire week each year, locals will be able to get in touch with nature to experience all that the parks have to offer. Cape PointTable Mountain National Park, and the West Coast National Park are highlights in the Western Cape. The 2019 dates are 8-15 September.

West Coast National Park, South Africa,


WINE TASTING
Sip and swirl the top-class wine in Constantia, where some of South Africa’s oldest wine producing estates can be found, including the popular Groot Constantia. A little further afield you’ll find more wine routes, including Durbanville and the Helderberg. Each has something unique to taste, so make a day out of it!

Vergelegen Somerset west, South Africa
 
VISIT A MARKET
There is an abundance of vibrant markets in Cape Town, and there are many fantastic food markets too. Markets are the best way to shop for gifts, crafts, and trinkets, and they also make for a fun way to dine out. Some are only open on the weekends or evenings, so please check beforehand.

HOP ON HOP OFF CITY SIGHTSEEING BUS
Hop on and step off the iconic City Sightseeing double-decker red buses to feast on the sights, Cape Town’s top attractions and sounds of the city. There are 17 bus stops in and around the city with a route duration of approximately 2 hours.



VISIT A MUSEUM

Museum visits are a fun, educational, and laid-back way to enjoy a spring day. Explore Cape Town’s treasured museums to learn more about Cape Town’s rich heritage, history, and more.

WHALE WATCHING

Between August and November, it’s peak whale season in Cape TownHermanus is the whale capital of the Western Cape, but you can spot them from almost anywhere with a sea view.
Hermanus
 WINE, DINE, AND ENJOY SOME LOCAL ART AT FIRST THURSDAYS
First Thursdays has become a must-attend event in Cape Town. It takes place on the first Thursday of every month. The city comes alive at night, and art galleries and shops stay open till late. Sample some free wine, walk the city streets, make new friends and soak up the creative vibe of Cape Town.

ICE CREAM DATES

We all scream for ice cream! Nothing says “hello summer” in Cape Town like flavourful scoops of handmade ice cream. Cape Town’s ice cream scene is so big you could live off of it for a week or more without ever having to visit the same place twice.

  
BEACH DAYS
Cape Town has glittering coastlines with the most beautiful beaches to suit every mood and moment. Whether you’re after buzzing beachside bars, secluded coves, safe swimming beaches, or a romantic spot for a sunset picnic, Cape Town’s beaches have got you covered!
Muizenberg Beach Huts, Cape Town

ST JAMES CATWALK

Here’s something that the locals tend to keep a secret. The St James catwalk is a relaxed and scenic walk along the False Bay coast. It’s very popular with locals, especially over the weekend. The walk starts alongside Surfer’s Corner beach in Muizenberg and makes its way past several other beaches and rock pools, before it comes to an end at Danger Beach in St James. Expect to see birdlife along the way, and even whales and dolphins if you’re lucky!



EXPLORE CAPE TOWN’S TRAIL RUNS

Trail running is very popular in Cape Town, and it’s no wonder why. Hugging the City Bowl are mountains, forests, streams and waterfalls (which only run during spring). There are multitudes of established hiking and mountain biking trails, most of which are shared with trail runners.

SUNDOWNERS TO END THE DAY IN STYLE

Cape Towns’ sunsets are gorgeous. What better way to enjoy the longer, warmer evenings than sundowners, overlooking the stunning views of the city?
Camps Bay is an ideal spot for sundowners! Cape Town South Africa
 TAKE A STREET ART TOUR
Cape Town is becoming a mecca for graffiti and street art. Artists from around the world have work up on the walls. The Woodstock Street Art Tour give visitors a chance to see an eclectic mix of art. The host has an in-depth, personal knowledge of the work, which makes for a really fascinating day out.

TREAT YOURSELF TO A LAUGH

Capetonians are known for their sense of humour, so make sure you seek out some of the top-class comedy shows while you’re here. It’s a great window into the culture and diversity of the city, and a great way to wind down at the end of a long day.

HAVE A MORNING GROOVE AT SECRET SUNRISE

Secret Sunrise is aptly named: the venue is only revealed a few hours before the event takes place. Take a set of headphones, switch on your music, and express yourself through dance and movement as the sun rises. Imagine a party, a silent disco, a yoga session, and a meditation session all wrapped up in one—first thing in the morning!

CHECK OUT ON OF CAPE TOWN’S MUSIC FESTIVALS

from one of the amazing music festivals the city has to offer: it’s sure to put a spring in your step.
As the days get warmer and the rainy days become few and far between, Cape Town’s buzzing festival scene comes back to life after a sleepy winter.


TAKE A SCENIC SPRING DRIVE

Cape Town has some truly spectacular drives, including the famous Chapman’s Peak. But there are many more stunning drives to do! Consider renting a car and checking out the ocean vistas and aerial views of the gorgeous Cape Town coastline.
ENJOY LIVE MUSIC AT THE WATERFRONT
There’s always a great free show happening at the Amphitheatre at the V&A Waterfront. Local musos strut their stuff and put on a show for all to enjoy, and the best part? It’s free!


GO SEE THE PENGUINS
Penguin watching is a whole lot of fun. These endearing and comical flightless birds are full of character. Visit Boulders beach or Stony Point to get up close and personal with these lovely creatures.


 VISIT CAPE POINT
Replete with scenic views, deserted landscapes, and diverse wildlife, Cape Point is one of South Africa’s most magnificent attractions. Cape Point is well equipped to offer even the seasoned local with a never-ending list of family-friendly activities.

Cape of Good Hope, Cape Town South Africa



STROLL THE SEA POINT PROMENADE

One of the many pleasures of Cape Town life is a leisurely afternoon on the Sea Point Promenade. It brings together cyclists, dog-walkers, joggers, skaters, walkers, and everyone in between. The Prom starts at Mouille Point near the Waterfront, and runs along the water’s edge through Sea Point.
Sea Point Promenade

GET ADVENTUROUS

Cape Town’s sunny days are a clarion call for adventurous types. Whether you’re into shark diving, shooting ranges, quad biking, or jumping out of planes, Cape Town has plenty of adventure activities to offer.
Cape Town has so much to offer - it is one place that needs to be on everybody's bucket list!
                                  
Table Mountain from the V&A Waterfront


Text Courtesy of Cape Town Travel
Photography: Judelle Drake of Bradclin Photography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa
 











30 July 2019

Thailand - Pattaya


We overlooked these "Lego" Buildings - Pattaya Thailand


When driving in Thailand, check for Buddhist holidays! We found this out to our cost when we drove from Kanchanaburi (Bridge over River Kwai) to Pattaya. It was OK until we reached the outskirts of Bangkok .....as always getting past this city takes forever but we had no idea what awaited us on the highway south. A 4 lane highway with a speed limit of 120 kms was slowed down to a crawl of less than 10 kms per hour. Bumper to bumper with even the shoulder lane being used, the traffic was insane and crawling along. The trip took 5.5 hours!!

Jomtiem Beach Pattaya Thailand

Pattaya beach offers virtually no parking so we headed off to swim at Jomtiem Beach. This beach is 6 km long, much quieter than Pattaya beach, the swimming areas are cordoned off and the water is blissfully warm! The beach chairs were not very upmarket but as we only wanted a long walk and some swimming, this was not an issue. Although the humidity was high (as always!) it was a fairly cool day so I was most surprised to see how sunburned I got from the walk.

Giving my sunburned body a rest the rest day seemed like a good idea so we headed off to the coll, air-conditioned comfort of Terminal 21. This shopping centre is a must visit. Each floor has a different theme and the shops and decor is stunning. London, Paris, Italy, Tokyo and San Francisco are all represented. The top floor has an immense food court which was bustling with customers.

Big Buddha Pattaya Thailand

The Big Buddha is worth a visit...please be respectful.
An 18 meter tall gold painted statue of the Buddha graces the top of Big Buddha Hill Pattaya. This magnificent image is in the centre of Wat Phra Yai (Big Buddha Temple) – Pattaya’s most important Buddhist temple.
Wat Phra Yai was built in the 1940s, when Pattaya was just a small fishing village. The Buddha statue was constructed in 1977.

One cannot leave Pattaya without a visit to the Floating Market!
Pattaya Floating Market - Thailand


Get the feel of a traditional Thai floating market watching vendors wearing rice hats paddling slowly down the water at Pattaya floating market, a large place with entertainment, shopping and dining.
Take a walk around the market on the wooden walkways or see the market from the water taking a boat ride in a longtail boat or amphibious boat. Most of the market is under cover, except for the wooden bridges crossing the water.

The floating market consists of four sections, each one representing the culture and architecture of one of the four regions in Thailand. In each of the four sections you can see wooden houses built in the style of each region, Central, North, North East and South.
Pattaya Floating Market


We opted to walk all around; there are hundreds of colourful stalls selling all sorts of goods plus rather delicious looking foods.The vendors in the water were interesting as some looked bored, others were busy selling food, and some were dozing! A fun experience all round.








We were determined to get a parking spot at Pattaya beach so we headed off at 07.30 one morning.
We nabbed one of the last remaining spots - yeah! We had to brave the school run of motor cycles to get to the beach unscathed. This beach is great, decent beach chairs and a very long beach. The boats line the beach and hordes of tourists were lining up for the excursion of the day. The beachfront road  is lined with very posh hotels, many shops and restaurants. Feeling like a was just about to enter a "Miss Wet T-Shirt" competition due to the extreme humidity, we decided to partially hide inside a lovely breakfast spot. At 160 Baht it was excellent value and I dried off somewhat, enough to brave the pavements again after this hearty breakfast.

A Hard Days Night in Pattaya Beach Thailand


Pattaya Floating Market - Thailand






Pattaya Floating Market Thailand




Temple of the Big Buddha Pattaya Thailand
Jomtiem Beach Pattaya Thailand

Water Sports available - Jomteim Beach Pattaya Thailand
Busy Main Beach Road Pattaya Thailand

Swimming Areas Jomtiem Beach Pattaya Thailand


Family Marts are all over Thailand


Love the hair! Pattaya Thailand
Thailand King is everywhere



For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa
www.bradclin.com

Please share - if you did not enjoy this post .....Shhh - but please still share!
Thanks!
A long stairway flanked by two golden colored naga snakes leads to the main statue. From up there, the view is unfortunately not so clear.

See more at : https://www.thailandee.com/en/visit-thailand/pattaya-big-buddha-pattaya-145
Copyright © Thailandee.com
Located on Khao Phra Tamnak the small hill between South Pattaya and Jomtien, the Big Buddha (or Phra Yai in Thai) wwas builtin 1977 when the city was still a quiet little fishing village. Called Phra

See more at : https://www.thailandee.com/en/visit-thailand/pattaya-big-buddha-pattaya-145
Copyright © Thailandee.com
Located on Khao Phra Tamnak the small hill between South Pattaya and Jomtien, the Big Buddha (or Phra Yai in Thai) wwas builtin 1977 when the city was still a quiet little fishing village. Called Phra

See more at : https://www.thailandee.com/en/visit-thailand/pattaya-big-buddha-pattaya-145
Copyright © Thailandee.com
Located on Khao Phra Tamnak the small hill between South Pattaya and Jomtien, the Big Buddha (or Phra Yai in Thai) wwas builtin 1977 when the city was still a quiet little fishing village. Called Phra

See more at : https://www.thailandee.com/en/visit-thailand/pattaya-big-buddha-pattaya-145
Copyright © Thailandee.com

Thailand - Bridge over River Kwai

Tending the graves Kanchanaburi War Cemetery Thailand

Bridge over the River Kwai Kanchanaburi Thailand


One cannot leave Bangkok in a hurry! The city just goes on and on but we did eventually get beyond the city limits on our way to the "Good Times" Resort in Kanchanaburi. The trip by road took 3 hours and traffic was well behaved. Once out of the city we passed rice paddies, sugar cane fields, and cows wandering alongside the road! On arrival in Kanchanaburi, we were really spoilt with a river facing room, private balcony and futon style bed. Have you ever tried to get in and out of such a low bed with bad knees? It's worthy of a "laugh a minute" video!



This spot is full of WW2 history so off we headed to view the bridge. We were lucky enough to be on the bridge when a train came past so we vowed to take a ride before leaving this town. The sad story of the Thailand-Burma Railway is depicted in the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and the Death Railway Museum. So many lives were lost in the construction of this railway - how these folk could work in the searing heat and high humidity, I cannot imagine. It's a tear-jerking experience visiting both the cemetery and the museum. The cemetery is huge, beautifully maintained and shows the many lives lost during this period - British, Indian, Dutch and Australian.




To lighten the sombre mood, we headed off to find the Monkey Pod Tree. The GPS got us lost so we meandered past temples, cows, monks, strange chickens, a huge horse farm until we eventually found the big tree. It's huge - the biggest tree I have ever seen - 20 m high and 25 m wide, it offers shade up to 50m. Thankfully, this tree is protected and well looked after. The warning sign in both English and Thai says "Do Not Scrape the Tree"  and "Do not sit Down"

 And then, our train trip! We took the train from River Kwai to Nam Tok and back again. Riding on the Death Railway was an incredible experience. The sheer rock face in parts brought home the horrendous tasks that faced the prisoners of war during WW2. The track had a major overhaul in 2016, some 70 years after it was built. The area along the route is mainly agricultural - sugar cane, tapioca and whatever else grows locally. A highly recommended trip.

Thai Vendor Kanchanaburi Thailand


 We chatted to this very friendly lady who was selling books on the Death Railway. She did not push us to buy anything but was happy to chat while we waited for the train to Nam Tok.





 
The beautiful River Kwai in Kanchanaburi Thailand


Kanchanabuii Thailand

The Giant Monkey Pod Tree


The beautiful views from the train Konchanaburi to Nam Tok


For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa
www.bradclin.com

Please share - if you did not enjoy this post .....Shhh - but please still share!
Thanks!

Thailand - Bangkok




Canals - Bangkok
Bangkok - what can one say? It's a city that everybody should visit at least once.
It's a blend of old and new, strange smells, street food vendors, traffic and extreme heat!


Siamotif Hotel on a Bangkok Canal!

Our first adventure (if one can call it that) was a trip into from the river into the canals.
Some of the houses were very basic, others quite posh but all built in water. This was an interesting trip for us given that we have explored the "backwaters" in Alleppy, India. Those backwaters in India were truly alive and totally fascinating - there seemed to be more life around than in Bangkok but perhaps folk were all out at work. There are many tourist boats around so it's a popular spot to visit.

Electrical Wires everywhere!

Next up was a city tour - the city is a mixture of old and new with very ornate government buildings & temples plus old city grime. Scooters and tuk-tuks are everywhere, as is usual in the East, yellow T-Shirts were very much in evidence in support of the new king. Street sweepers are very much in evidence so the streets are clean yet look mucky due to the old pavements. Chinatown drove me out very fast due to horrid biting flies! Never experienced that anywhere else thank goodness.

Bangkok

At the traffic lights near our hotel there was a sign " Beware of Snatch Thief" aimed at scooter passengers. We clung to our camera's but all was OK, thank goodness. I just loved the scooter guys laden with boxes, doing deliveries.

While having our supper at a restaurant on the canal below our hotel, we saw a young lady selling fish food. I don't think I would like to eat fish caught there as the smell of the water was rather off putting. This young lady left her young son to look after the stall while she took the baby home. While everybody appears to have some sort of basic income, poverty is real and sad here. Traditions are very evident in Thailand and we watched a chap praying at the bridge before scattering his fish food purchase to the fish. Rather special to watch.
Chao Praya River Bangkok

The Chao Praya River is very much part of the city so we headed off on foot to catch a boat ride to see the sights from the river. Passing through the grounds of Thammasat University where students were about their studies, we spotted their slogan - "Where we learn to love the people" That's different!

It's a lovely ride on the river offering views of temples, modern buildings, fancy hotels and the back of China Town. Unfortunately, the ticket office gave us incorrect information which led to an argument and extremely aggressive behaviour from the Thai staff. It was very unpleasant and not in the spirit of "The Land of Smiles" As they also forced us to get off the boat on the other side of the river, we were stranded and had to catch a taxi who also ripped us off with a huge fare.

A rather sad ending to our stay in Bangkok so I can't say that I fell in love with the city...but an interesting sojourn nonetheless.

 
Street Sweepers are everywhere - Bangkok is clean in the most part.
Riding the Canals Bangkok

Transport - Bangkok!

Dejected in Bangkok!!



For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

Please share - if you did not enjoy this post .....Shhh - but please still share!
Thanks!

23 June 2019

Singapore - the Jewel of the East

 Singapore - a City for All

The Iconic Marina Sands Hotel
Singapore is such a modern city with amazing architecture. There is much to do - choose what you like best and start exploring! We were unable to explore every corner of this city in the short space of time that we had - here are some snippets of this interesting city.

Singapore River Cruise:

Bum Boats Singapore

While Singapore is an island, transport is mainly land-based. The bus, rail, and taxi make up the three main public transport modes in Singapore. Before the development of land infrastructure in early Singapore, boats and river transport played a key role in the transportation of goods and passengers.






The Singapore River itself was the centre of trade since the founding of modern Singapore. Boat Quay was the commercial centre where barge lighters or bumboats would transport cargo and goods upstream to the warehouses at Clarke Quay.

Clarke Quay
Bumboats have been in use from the 1600s in Europe although the ones in Singapore have adapted design variations from the original European-style lighters. Commonly known as twakows and tongkangs in Singapore, they were once extensively used for transport purposes along the Singapore River, Rochor and Kallang Rivers, and also along the coast of the mainland and other nearby islands.

Today, these beautifully preserved boats take tourists on the Singapore River to see the sights both during the day and for the lights at night.


 Clarke Quay is a historical riverside quay in Singapore, located within the Singapore River Planning Area. The quay is situated upstream from the mouth of the Singapore River and Boat Quay.
The first quay was built in 1823 at Boat Quay, where major companies first set up in Singapore. ... The Singapore River was the heart of the town, and up to the 1840s, all shipping activities were concentrated at its mouth and along the crescent-shaped Boat Quay.

A trip on a Bum Boat is a must do! Doing this trip both day time and nighttime to get the different aspects is first prize. Starting at Clarke Quay and winding upriver towards Boat Quay, Merlin Park Jetty and the impressive Marina Sands. We went to the top of the Marina Sands for glorious views and expensive drinks! The entire roof is not open to the public - only guests are allowed in the swimming pool area.

Singapore Botanical Gardens:
 
Singapore Gardens - Orchids

The first botanical garden was set up by Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore and a keen naturalist, in 1822 on Government Hill at Fort Canning, mainly to introduce into cultivation economic crops. It closed in 1829 and, in 1859, at the present Tanglin site a new garden was developed by an Agri-Horticultural Society, and later handed over to the government in 1874.



The Gardens has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. The Gardens is the first and only tropical botanic garden on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Today, the Gardens is an important botanical institute

Of special interest to us was this Giant Cola Tree. The Former South Africa President was received in March 1997 when a VIP Orchid was named in his honour. A wonderful tribute to an incredible man.

 The more than 150-year-old Singapore Botanic Gardens is a star visitor attraction for the sophisticated traveller and the local resident. The Gardens possess an array of botanical and horticultural attractions with a rich history and a wonderful plant collection of worldwide significance.  
Sculpture of Chopin overlooking the Symphony Stage


Since 1859, orchids have been closely associated with the Gardens. The products of the Gardens' orchid breeding programme, which began in 1928, deserve a place where they can be displayed in their full splendour. The very design of these orchids is, one could say, 'hand-crafted' by the Gardens' horticultural staff, dedicated to bringing out the finest in any hybrid cross.
With over 1000 species and 2000 hybrids on display, the splendour of these gorgeous blooms is absolutely a sight to behold at the National Orchid Garden.


Little India: 
Little India Singapore

Originally settled by Indian labourers in the late 18th century, Little India has transformed from a district of racehorse tracks and lime pits to a neighbourhood where traditional establishments and century-old temples merge seamlessly with boutique museums and budding art spaces.
Take a walk through this 200-year-old enclave, and be inspired by vibrant culture, traditional aesthetics and the myriad artistic activities on offer.


We were transported back to our visit in India - the smells, the bustle, the many Indians, the colourful shops - all add to an exciting visit to this area of Singapore..

Little India Singapore

The Sri Veeramakaliamman temple was built by Indian pioneers in the mid-19th century, this place of worship is dedicated to the ferocious goddess Kali, and is one of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples.








China Town:
Chinatown's maze of narrow roads includes Chinatown Food Street, with its restaurants serving traditional fare like Hainanese chicken rice, noodles and satay. Souvenir shops and indie boutiques dot the area, offering clothes, crafts and antiques, while Club Street is full of trendy wine bars. Cultural institutions here include the 1827 Sri Mariamman Temple and the ornate Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum.






Such a fun place to visit!
Shopping, food, wall art and a great street vibe.








  
Gardens by the Bay: 
Floral Fantasy - Gardens by the Bay
Guided by its vision to be a world of gardens for all to own, enjoy and cherish, Gardens by the Bay has earned numerous awards and accolades including the World Building of the Year in 2012, the President’s Design Award (Singapore) in 2013, the Outstanding Achievement Award by the Themed Entertainment Association in 2014, the Largest Glass Greenhouse (Flower Dome) in the Guinness World Records for 2015, and the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2016. These achievements are testament to the ongoing excellence of the Gardens and spur the team towards attaining greater success.

Floral Fantasy is the latest thematic attraction at Gardens by the Bay. Flowers, artistry and technology come together to create a dream-like, fantastical experience for visitors. It comprises four diverse garden landscapes, each showcasing a different concept, as well as a 4D ride.

   

Step into the Flower Dome and stand in awe of nature. Spectacular and innovative, it is the largest glass greenhouse in the world as listed in the 2015 Guinness World Records! Be amazed by changing display of flowers and plants from the Mediterranean and semi-arid regions.

 






Cloud Forest:
Explore the tropical highlands amidst orchids, pitcher plants and ferns from the cool-moist Tropical Montane region. Be amazed as you encounter the world's tallest indoor waterfall at 30 metres and descend through the surreal mist-filled Cloud Walk and Treetop Walk.




 
Cloud Forest






Supertree Grove and OCBC Skyway
Of the 18 Supertrees in Gardens by the Bay, 12 of them can be found here at Supertree Grove, with the tallest one measuring up to 16 storeys in height.


Make a trip to the top of one of these towering Supertrees and be awed by splendid views of the Gardens and the surrounding Marina Bay area.


What's more, get an up-close look at the technical marvels of the Gardens' futuristic attraction by strolling along OCBC Skyway, which connects 2 of these towering Supertrees. This 128-metre long aerial walkway is an experience not to be missed, giving visitors glorious photo-taking opportunities to capture the scenic beauty of the surrounding flora.





 Singapore is a shoppers paradise if that's what rocks your boat
Chinatown, Little India, Central at Clarke Quay and the famous Orchard Road.
Go crazy .....


   


For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa
www.bradclin.com

Please share - if you did not enjoy this post .....Shhh - but please still share!
Thanks!