The weather is warm and summer is almost upon us. Typical daytime temperatures for Cape Town in November are early 20’C with sunny days and cool evenings. The weather warms up progressively with February and March being the hottest months. Cape Town has a distinctly Mediterranean climate.
Today was the South African Toy Run®. Not unique to South Africa but similar in concept to other Toy Runs. Locals gathered in 19 centres across the country to drive in convoy and donate toys for underprivileged children.
The topic on every one’s lips here continues to be the murder of Anni Dewani, wife of Shrien Dewani. Most of us have had calls from friends and relatives abroad who have been swayed by the negative publicity this sad event has generated. It’s turning into a media mess of accusations and slurs.
Dr Danny Jordaan said before the 2010 Soccer World Cup, “South Africa has hosted more than 150 major events since 1994, including the Rugby World Cup, Cricket World Cup and the Indian Premier League, after India was deemed unsafe … and there was not a single incident.” Soccer World Cup 2010 attracted half a million visitors who came and left without incident. I do not believe the derogatory comments in the press about South Africa and it’s people are justified or warranted.
The usual top five must-sees in Cape Town are:-
1. Table Mountain Park and cable car
2. Robben Island and V and A Waterfront
3. The Cape Peninsula and Cape Point
4. Kirstenbosh Botanical Gardens
5. The Winelands
It’s what all our B and B guests come to see. That is apart from soccer during the Soccer World Cup. Needless to say these excursions are very popular. A word of advice. Book trips like Robben Island and Table Mountain in advance if you can at webtickets. That way you can avoid the queues and hopefully make sure you get to see them. One more word of advice. Check the weather before you head out. If the weather is wet and windy, phone first. Both Robben Island ferry and Table Mountain cable car do not run in bad weather
One of Cape Town’s not to miss experiences is the glorious sunsets. A stroll along Sea Point Promenade is a perfect way to observe the fiery skyline. Or you could find a place anywhere along the coastal road to stop and sip a cocktail with the setting sun as an accompaniment. Just be aware that the new drink driving laws are being enforced with a vengeance.
The association with crime and South Africa has been brought up again with the murder of Anni Dewani, wife of Shrien Dewani, in Cape Town. A few posts back I said that crime almost always occurs in hot spots and that plain common sense should keep you safe.
The international media have had a field day with the story. UK journalists had a go at our national police commissioner Bheki Cele. “Can you assure us no other tourists will get killed?” was apparently asked of him.
I do think it incumbent on tourists to observe basic safety protocol. Surely that should apply no matter where you travel? With regard to this story there are a good few things I would never have done. I am fairly certain that the 5 star hotel where they were staying would also have offered good advice.
I would not go to a hot spot at 11.00pm at night. I would only travel to a hot spot with an approved driver or tour guide. I would never go to a hot spot with a stranger. I would know exactly where I was going and would in all likelyhood have known that the restaurant they were looking for was closed. I know that I would never have been in that car, with that person, in that place, at that time. Never!
That’s not to say I have never been to a township or that I don’t go out. I have and I do. Locals are watching this case unfold. We would also like to know what happened. Visit our webiste for all the best safety and travel tips we have come across. Click here – health, safety, travel and money saving tips.
What to do at night in Cape Town? You will be utterly spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out in South Africa. On the whole, food is affordable and the standard of food is usually excellent. Service is good. Cusine ranges from seafood, Malay curries and international cuisine to steak houses. For kosher food try Avron’s in Sea Point and for halaal food try Biesmiellah in the Bo Kaap.
I like Osumo, Kauai and Wellness Warehouse Cafe for divine fresh salads and smoothies. Vegetarians are well catered for there. Have a look at the Eat Out and Dining Out websites for more ideas.
After that you could head down Long Street for anything from stand up comedy, live music to an all night boogie. Green Point and Camps Bay also have a good few clubs and cocktail bars. To get about call a Rikki cab. They are London style share-cabs that are well priced and safe. It’s safe to walk about the busy areas but I wouldn’t get drawn into conversations with people on the street trying to sell things to you. Just say no!
For something completely different, how about an evening cycle tour? Or maybe a moonlight hike up Lion’s Head. For the cycle tour which is a 13 kilometre route that starts at 16.00pm at Cape Grace visit the operator website – Bike and saddle. For the full moon hike, take a turn up Signal Hill and find a parking space early. It’s a popular walk and can get crazy full of people. Take some snacks or sandwiches and a bottle of wine and head up to watch the full moon rise.
It’s like Soccer World cup all over again here in Cape Town. The roads are closing and fans are flocking into our part of the world. If we can pull off Soccer World Cup, well one more game is a doddle. An on-line poll done by a local newspaper shows that South Africans are feeling optimistic. Sixty-six percent of us think we will beat the Americans. Let’s hope the makarapas and the rest of the fan gear is as stunning as it was for Soccer World Cup.
A makarapa for the ignorant, is a hard hat that is carved with great care to create relief designs on the hat. The colour of the hard hat and optional painted images allow fans to display their club colours. And of course a hard hat is handy if fans become a bit boisterous. The de rigeur accompaniment is a pair of bright plastic oversize glasses. Tres soccer chic!
And what would a game of soccer here be without the obligatory vuvuzela. Bring them on!
