Cape Town a World Top 10 Party City

Lonely Planet has created a new guide, the “1000 Ultimate Experiences” and South Africa can feel proud as Cape Town has been awarded a place of honour in the world’s top 10 party cities. Other countries in the top 10 are Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Montreal, Canada and Thessaloniki, Greece.

But what makes Cape Town such a unique place and especially fabulous for a party? Well, Lonely Planet only hints at the possibilities when they suggest one could “luxuriate on some of the world’s best beaches by day and kick back under the moonlight at suave cocktail bars by night”.

Whilst on holiday in Cape Town or if you are lucky enough to reside here, as I am, we are fortunate enough to have a myriad of fantastic places to visit and things to do during the day. Spend a lazy day on one of our beautiful beaches, take a walk through Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens or indulge in a decadent lunch and some wine at one of the many wine estates in the area … Continued

Smitswinkel Bay Photographs

Photographs taken of Smitswinkel Bay on the False Bay Coast in the Cape. Smitswinkel Bay (or Smitswinkelbaai) is practically inaccessible and right next to the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Reached only by foot, it is worth the effort to get there. The bay here is popular for snorkelling, diving and fishing and the water is calm and great for swimming. Views are fantastic as the mountains are virtually to the back of the beach and one overlooks False Bay. Smitswinkel Bay lies just past Simonstown on the False Bay Coast … Continued

Which two oceans, mum?

Two Oceans Aquarium

It’s a pretty valid question when asked by a four-year old en route to the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, but it had me stumbling for a moment as, with my indicator stuck, my head craned round to see oncoming traffic, and my other finger reaching for the air conditioning that needed a mighty overhaul if you consider the angst with which it was emitting tepid air, my brain and mouth couldn’t get in synch to wrap around the rather meaty ‘Indian and Atlantic, love’.

Just as well it isn’t the Pacific Ocean that meets the Indian or the Atlantic, or my child would have spent at least ten minutes talking about specifics. The Two Oceans Aquarium based at the V&A Waterfront is probably the only major tourist attraction to which Capetonians actually go. Continued

Two Oceans Aquarium photographs

Todays photographs are a collection of photographs taken at the Two Oceans Aquarium. The Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town is without doubt one of the most exciting attractions in the city, particularly if you have children. Called the Two Oceans Aquarium because the vast Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet here, or almost here at the southern tip of the continent, the delightful underwater nature reserve displays over 3000 living sea animals, including sharks, fish, turtles, and penguins on display … Continued

Cape Town City Ballet celebrates 75 years in Cape Town

Sunday 22 November 2009 is a special day for ballet in Cape Town as Cape Town City Ballet (CTCB) celebrates 75 years on ballet. This is South Africa’s premier ballet company and where better to commemorate this milestone but at the newly refurbished Artscape.

The evening will be commemorated with a once off gala performance from both past and present stars of the ballet. With a most fitting title the Happy Birthday Ballet will take the audience through the CTCB’s history. From the early beginnings at the UCT Ballet Company, through the days of CAPAB Ballet right until the Cape Town City Ballet as it is today. Continued

Whats up at The Grand Daddy?

The Pink Flamingo

Is it too early in the week to be thinking about the weekend? We think not! So let’s get up to date with the next two weeks of funky, fun events that are happening at The Grand Daddy Hotel. In case you are unfamiliar with this hotel, The Grand Daddy is one of the places to be in Cape Town.

Not only are the staff warm and hospitable, but the penthouse trailer park, that is home to a collection of 7 vintage Airstream caravans all with the backdrop of Table Mountain, is a unique and inspiring venue that will be host to all of these events. And if you are concerned that the weather may be a bit dodge don’t worry the events will just move a few floors down and will be hosted in the Daddy Cool Bar (an equally cool place to find yourself in!). Continued

Dining at Jardine Restaurant at 185 on Bree

185 Bree Street

Friends were visiting from Mpumalanga last week and invited me to join them for dinner at Jardine.  Included on the S. Pellegrino Worlds Best 100 Restaurants list for 2009, dining at Jardine is not something to be missed.  Owner and Executive Chef George has worked all over the world and since opening Jardine in 2006 has established the restaurant into one of the leading fine dining restaurants this country has to offer …

Situated at 185 Bree Street (on the corner of Bree and Bloem) in Cape Town Central, Jardine is located in a building that over the past century has also been home to a butchery, chocolatier, jewellery shop, radio station and most recently Cape Towns branch of the Church of Scientology!  After renovations, the restaurant now seats 70 covers upstairs (some on a wrap around balcony) and the ground level of the restaurant serves as a bar area – perfect for enjoying a pre dinner cocktail or an ABF before heading home! Continued

African Drumming at The Tafelberg Restaurant & Bar

The only interactive show in Cape Town dedicated purely to drumming, this sounds like a great way to spend a Wednesday evening! This exciting event runs every Wednesday from 20h30 to 22h30 (doors open at 20h00). The Drum Mania band opens with a short performance of a simple rhythm and most people join in! Newcomers are then shown the basic technique of playing djembe including good seating posture. The more experienced players attending use this time to warm-up their hands or they just relax at the bar with a beer! Continued

Photograph of iconic Table Mountain on International Day of Climate Action by Dave Estment

Did you know that 24 October was the International Day of Climate Action? The intention of this day, organised by 350.org, was to lift public awareness on the need for an international climate treaty to reach 350. 350.org called upon people from every corner of the globe to find an iconic place in their community and incorporate the number 350 with this place and take a photograph. Once all the images are collected they will be delivered to world leaders and the media to show how unified the climate movement is … Continued

The grand opening of the Cape Quarter’s Square

Cape Quarter

This is one of Cape Town’s best kept secrets because it has something for everyone, health, beauty, fashion, lifestyle and food all in one unique venue with typical Cape Malay architecture. This is a place that epitomises cool and if you want to be with the who’s who then you should make your way to the Cape Quarter …

This is such a fantastic space that is brought together with the central piazza which in itself is a meeting place for friends and family before they explore the Cape Quarter’s wonderful opportunities and hidden treasures. The Cape Quarter Piazza can be found at 72 Waterkant Street, Green Point … Continued

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

There’s a secret little world of fantasy and fairy tale, which unfolds every Saturday morning in Constantia, Cape Town. And if you have not treated your children to a visit to the Rainbow Puppet Theatre, at the Michael Oak Waldorf school, then you are missing out! Continued

Groot Constantia Christmas Gift and Garden Fair

I hadn’t managed to get to the Christmas Gift and Garden Fair during the evening this week so popped in during lunch time on its last day.  Held at Groot Constantia, the setting itself would have been good enough if the fair had not lived up to expectation.  But it did not fail to deliver!

For a small R20 entry fee (all proceeds go to The Red Cross Children’s Hospital, and in particular will be used to buy lifesaving equipment for the new Operating Theatre Complex) I gained access to the ‘hall’ and strolled along the rows of exhibitors.  On sale were all sorts of lovely things, perfect for Christmas shopping … Continued

Open Gardens at The Cellars-Hohenort

Cellars-Hohenort

I took myself off to the Open Gardens at The Cellars-Hohenort yesterday afternoon.  I must admit the weather was already a bit windy so I was in two minds about going but I’m very pleased I did.  The gardens are spectacular and are acknowledged as some of the finest hotel gardens in the world and voted by Garden Design, a top American magazine, as one of the top 30 hotel gardens in the world.

On arrival at the hotel I was met by five ducks and it looked as if they were out for an afternoon waddle, just to keep tabs on their estate!  Close behind them was their ‘minder’ who needed to round them up and take them ‘home’ but clearly this was not part of the equation for the ducks at they scattered to hide in the thick foliage! Continued