Foo Bar Café in George

Foo Bar

For a trendy spot at which almost nothing is predictable, Foo Bar in George is a definite winner. It is located between the SPAR and Virgin Active in the Heatherpark Centre, just off CJ Langenhoven, tucked away discreetly in the far corner. But, on entering, it is immediately a delight to the senses.

It is light and airy, as the doors are all opened up onto the sheltered patio, allowing the sunlight and fresh air to drift inside. The décor is funky and eclectic, juxtaposing some crazy prints with classically simple black-and-white features, but giving neither the upper hand. Oversized scatter cushions may bear embroidered wording (like “be nice or leave”) or some of South Africa’s most in-demand animal prints. Chairs are upholstered in similarly cool textiles. Continued

6 Essential Activities in South Africa

Go on safari

There are a few things that every tourist simply has to try if they want to have a real experience of South Africa. These are available across most of the provinces and define, to an extent, the African encounter. Of course, even if you only manage to squeeze a few of these into your vacation itinerary, they will be well worth the experience.

The African Safari

South Africa is home to an astounding array of fauna and flora. The best way to appreciate the abundance and beauty is on an authentic safari. This usually includes a slow drive through the bushveld in an open 4 x 4 vehicle that allows uninterrupted views of the surrounds. In game parks, wild animals can be spotted from the vehicles. South Africa boasts the Big 5 – lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalos. Many of the parks and reserves invite visitors to view all five of these (as well as a huge array of other animals) on a safari. Of course, safaris are not restricted to driving – bush walks and horse riding are also on offer at various reserves. Continued

A Coffee Lover’s Guide to Cape Town

Cappuccino anyone?

An ardent lover of coffee, I will always seek out the side-walk cafes, the little nooks with real espresso machines and run in the opposite direction of burnt filter coffee. As a traveller, I fully understand your pain if you land up at a hotel with only lukewarm filter coffee on offer, so when coming to Cape Town, know that you are in good hands and this is where you should go…

Origin

In Cape Town’s foreshore up the sloping roads of trendy De Waterkant is where you’ll find Origin Coffee. Just a walk past the door and a whiff of the heavenly aromas and you will be sold. Pick the beans you most desire and have them whip up an espresso dream. Enjoy it with fresh daily savoury and sweet snacks. It also houses a superb tea room behind glass doors where you can get a demonstration on how to make the perfect tea from many varieties. Continued

Tales From the Township

Red Location Museum

Lyn and Peter Haller own a tour company in Port Elizabeth called Umzantsi Afrika. As such, they offer a number of fantastic tours that expose the art, culture, history and heritage of Nelson Mandela Bay. The Township Tour is a very special experience; both for those that lived through the Apartheid era and for those that did not.

Lyn Haller is a registered tour guide, qualified through THETA (ex-SATOUR). Her passion for the historical homes and buildings of Port Elizabeth makes her keen knowledge of the area and its exciting beginnings even more engaging. Peter Haller is fluent in German, English and Austrian and is also a THETA-qualified tour guide. He is particularly interested in culture, nature and fossils, or geology. Continued

Discovering the Riches of the Bay

South End Museum

Port Elizabeth is part of Nelson Mandela Bay and is popular for its stunning swimming beaches. In fact, every summer, its guesthouses and hotels are brimming with visitors from all over the country, who have come to indulge in the pretty surrounds and warm waters of the glittering Indian Ocean. Still, it has plenty more to offer than long, lazy days spent on the pristine white sands.

The Historical City Tour on offer by Umzantsi Afrika Tours is made successful by the experience, knowledge and passion of the tour guides, Lyn and Peter Haller. Lyn has been qualified through THETA (SATOUR) and is a registered tour guide with a particular passion for the historical homes and buildings of the Eastern Cape. Peter is Austrian, but fluent in German, which allows him to offer a very special experience to German and Austrian visitors that would benefit more from tours being conducted in their mother tongue. Of course, he is completely fluent in English too. He is also a registered tour guide through THETA. His interests lie especially in culture, nature and fossils. Continued

Drinking Responsibly – Drink ‘Green’ Wine Whilst You Travel

Stellar Organic Winery

Choosing our food responsibly is the whole thrust of the burgeoning local food market scene.

We’ve gone from being a solely supermarket-dependent nation, to one where people can make ethical decisions about where they get their food (those who have access to food markets).

The story behind food – where it comes from, who grows it, how it’s grown and how it gets to market has become important to a growing group of people who care about what they eat, and how their food is produced.

But how do local wines fit into the picture?

When are they ethically produced? How can we make sure we’re ‘drinking responsibly’ when faced with a variety of labels promising anything from organic to light weight bottles that are better for the environment? Continued

Meandering from Muizenberg to Simons Town (Southern Cape)

Muizenberg Beachfront

The strip of land hugging the coastline between the shores of Muizenberg and Simons Town is some of the most visually beautiful land in Cape Town. There are a few ways to explore this: rent a car, a scooter, and bicycle or use the Metrorail train which runs along the coast.

If you are coming from the CBD then head towards Cape Town Central and book a ticket along the Simons Town line. They are cheap and have stations at the heart of every suburb you wish to explore.

In the summer months a steam train runs on Sundays which is loads of fun for the family and train enthusiasts – prices can be a little steep in comparison at R220 for adults and R150 for kids aged (3-12) But this may prove a once in a lifetime experience as the coaches date from 1922 -1938 and even has a lounge car with a cash bar. Continued

Boys’ Weekend in Johannesburg (for the active)

Obstacles in the Trees

There is so much to see and do in Johannesburg, Gauteng, that guys planning a fun weekend will have to prioritise and, maybe, make more than one weekend of it to fit it all in. In this piece, we will explore some of the options for a group of friends that wants to stay active during their time without the girls in their lives. This means fun and adventure, and will require a bit of fitness.

Acrobranch

This is an obstacle course that is situated in the trees of James and Ethel Grey Park in Illovo. Awesome activities will test your strength, endurance and agility. The adult course includes ziplines, monkey bridges, regular bridges, and jumps that require swinging from a rope (aptly known as Tarzan Jumps). Acrobranch is open every day from 09h00 to 17h00 and has braai facilities so that you and the boys can fire up a real South African fire and enjoy meat straight off the grid after a day of fun in the trees. Continued

Top 5 Spots for Bird Watching in South Africa

It’s a birds life!

South Africa is ranked 25^th in the world when it comes to size. But it isn’t area alone that is responsible for the over 900 listed species of birds you are likely to see.

Most of the country lies in rather temperate climes, some of it in the subtropics, and the huge diversity of habitat means that birds rather like it here. Whilst you can safely spot them in just about any green space, there are several ‘hot spots’ that you cannot afford to miss.

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

The lilac breasted roller’s beauty is often displayed on marketing brochures for the Kruger National Park, despite there being lion and other Big 5 mammals that easily rank ‘up there’ on people’s lists of things to see before they die. With over 507 species of bird in the Kruger, even if twenty percent of these sightings are considered rare, you will sometimes find that you have more luck with birds than with mammals. Die hards recommend the northern parts of the reserve as undoubtedly the best on the continent, and a number of the camps have their own hides. For information about the Kruger’s annual 24-hour Birding Big Day, contact SANParks. Continued

Baynesfield Museum In Richmond

Baynesfield Estate Museum

A few weeks ago my family and I went to Richmond for the weekend and on the way home stopped in at Baynesfield Museum.  Set in beautiful grounds, with a Victorian house as its centerpiece, the Museum is a fascinating place with various buildings and sheds housing all sorts of different things. The estate was founded by Joseph Baynes in 1863 and after he died in 1925, leaving no heirs, the estate was left in trust for all South Africans to enjoy.

Baynes House, built in 1882 from Pietermaritzburg red brick, has a sweeping set of 20 stairs leading up to the verandah and front door – it really is beautiful and one can imagine sitting on that verandah enjoying a gin and tonic in the afternoon! The Camelia bushes on each side of the staircase were planted by Joseph Baynes and his wife second wife Sarah, and they still flower to this day. The house still has many of the original pieces of furniture – it really is well worth a visit. Continued

Boys’ Weekend in Johannesburg

World of Beer

With the stresses and strains on the shoulders of so many these days, it is important to break away from the treadmill of life and have a real break. A boys’ weekend may be just what you need to get your mind off your worries, and Johannesburg has plenty to offer a group of guys looking for adventure.

Beer It Up at World of Beer

Most men do not need too much encouragement, but South African Breweries (SAB) has established the World of Beer to make this golden refreshment even more delicious and enjoyable. Situated in Newtown, this facility is dedicated to the world-class South African beers, the beer-making process, and the culture that surrounds it. The historical process is best enjoyed in the form of a 3D film, which takes you through the ages of Egyptian, Mesopotamian, African and European beer-making processes and how these have evolved and supported the modern South African methods. The modern design is impressive and the two complimentary beers per person make for the ideal way to round off the experience. There is a shop for branded South African beer accessories. Continued

Top picnic spots in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban

Where will you picnic?

South Africans are picnic devotees. If you want to find us on a hot, summer’s day, look no further than a green lawn and a shady tree. Add picnic blanket, basket and an array of food and drink, and we’re happy.

Our major cities might be concrete-filled but look closer and you’ll find green lungs that are perfect for down time and picnics. Here are our top spots in three major cities:

CAPE TOWN

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
It doesn’t come better than this – the perfect spot at the foot of the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Families head here when the sun comes out to drape the available lawns on the slopes of the gorgeous gardens with picnic blankets, so get there early. Enjoy streams, trees, accompanied by a floral kingdom of note. Continued

Boys’ Weekend in KwaZulu Natal

Exciting Shark Diving

Boys’ weekends are not given nearly enough attention. These are great ways for dads, sons, brothers and friends to get away from the stresses and strains of city living and enjoy some real male bonding time, which (they may be surprised to learn) involves more than cold beers, hot braai and rugby.

We have put together some ideas for a fun and exciting boys’ weekend in KwaZulu Natal that promises something that you will always remember, and that the girls with approve of.

Shark Cage Diving

Plunge into the warm Indian Ocean waters to view the many shark species that call this home, protected only by the strong iron bars of a shark diving cage. So prolific are sharks off the KZN coast, that it is estimated that you will see between five and 20 of these magnificent hunters. Most shark cage diving expeditions begin with a talk and full safety briefing. Then, you and your mates will head out on the boat and the adventure begins. Some of the common species to be spotted include the Zambezi, Blacktip, Spinner and Dusky sharks. Continued

Family Time in Pretoria

Take a train ride

Pretoria is one of South Africa’s three capital cities, and is steeped in history and heritage. It is only about 55 kilometres from the energetic core of Johannesburg, making it a central destination that combines convenience with a deep sense of heritage and culture. It is a popular holiday hotspot as well as a very busy corporate destination.

Families that visit Pretoria are guaranteed of having plenty to see and do. Those with children (or the young at heart) are invited to enjoy some of the following recommended attractions:

Take a Train

The Centurion Society of Model Engineers (CSME) has mini locomotives that are always a huge hit for little ones. These powerful trains go over hills and lakes, through tunnels and along the gorgeous Gauteng landscape. There are perfect picnic spots here too, so that families can relax and enjoy the South African sunshine together. Continued

A Visit to the Minerva Museum and Private Nature Reserve

The Minerva Museum

Many of you might, like me, not know very much about the Minerva Museum and Private Nature Reserve or for that matter have even heard of them. To put you in the picture, the museum is a Natural Heritage Site and is part of the private nature reserve at the very top of a hill overlooking the Byrne Valley in Richmond, KwaZulu Natal.

The museum is a fascinating place. The owner, Malcom Anderson has been collecting treasures for over 50 years … the oldest item on display is a jaw harp which he got when he was nine! The museum has a large collection of old cars – all of these are under cover just outside the large shed that is home to the museum. On display is woodworking equipment, typewriters, a candy floss machine, agricultural machinery, an old washing machine, a potato sorter, water pumps, engines of all sorts, telephones, a rather large aeroplane engine, an iron lung … and that’s just part of the collection! Continued