The co-ordinates for Cape Town are 33.9 Latitude and 18.43 Longitude. South Africa is + 2 hours GMT. We don’t have time zones or daylight saving.
The sunrise and sunset times here vary by about two hours from winter to summer. Sunset in summer is around 20.00 pm and in winter it’s around 18.00 pm.
Buenos Aries and Sydney are two large cities that are about the same latitude as us. Stockholm and Budapest are two cities that are at a similar longitude as us. Since we are in the southern hemisphere we are heading toward the middle of winter. But our winters are mild relative to some parts of the world. We have a Mediterranean climate and a cold day here is about 10’C.
Go to – My Holidays and Trips – at the top of this page to read about other places we have visited. Or just click on – this link.
Three weeks ago I was wondering if we would ever get rain. Today I am wondering if it will ever stop raining.
Winters here in Cape Town start late and can be seriously damp. We live in the Cape of Storms and every year we have a couple of hectic gales that lash and bash our city. In the picture is an old building and I recall a few years back coming up the road to find the roof in the middle of the road.
Luckily we never get the very worst of it as Green Point is somewhat sheltered by the mountain. When it blows on the foreshore trucks are felled and ladies skirts blow up around their ears. The foreshore is a 2 km strip of reclaimed land. The original city stopped at the castle but between 1930 and 1940 they created the harbour and area where the convention centre now stands.
Here are some foods you should consider trying while in South Africa. First up is a Pepperdew. It’s a tomato come chilli hybrid that we eat on pizza, in salads or mixed into a dip. It has a slight bite from the chilli mixed with the sweetness of tomatoes.
Other foods to try if you get the chance are a Potjie (little pot) which is a whole meal slow cooked in a cast iron pot on a fire. Maybe consider ostrich meat which is very low in fat? Try it as a steak or sausage.
Rusks are a sort of not too sweet, chunky biscuit that we dunk in tea and eat soggy. It’s not rude to do that here and it tastes a lot nicer that it sounds.
We call a barbecue a braai. A braai is a weekend institution and most weekends on a sunny day the aroma of meat on a fire pervades the suburbs.
A bredie is a stew and we have one called Waterblommetjie Bredie. Little waterflower stew. They taste much like green beans.
You could also try pap or umngqusho and gravy. I can’t pronounce umngqusho, it’s full of clicks in Xhosa. Just say nush and people will understand you. Pap is usually served crumbly and similar to polenta. Umsgqusho is a sticky bean and corn side dish that we eat as others do mash potato. I buy it ready-made in a can at the local supermarket. Happy tasting!
The night life in Cape Town pretty much happens down Long Street.
By day, Long Street, which as it happens is a very long street, is a bevy of cafes, trendy boutiques, curios, vintage and antique shops.
But at night, Long Street really comes alive. Clubs, pubs, restaurants and bars all vie for business.
One of my favourites is Zula Bar and their C.O.M.E. or Comedy on Monday Evenings. You can learn so much about the collective culture of people from stand up comedy. Find out who the line up is on their web page.
The Waterfront, Green Point, Waterkant area and sections of the city also have nocturnal activities. From the usual to the unusual. Drum cafes, jazz bars, art classes, theatre, ballet, art film houses, circuses and cocktail bars. Trawl the Time Out on-line guide. Cape Town is a featured city. Click here Time Out Cape Town.
OK today’s blog is a shameless attempt to promote our B and B as well as Green Point. Find us here – Cape Coast Views. It’s also an attempt to put myself and blog in context. The picture is taken from our B and B. In light of yesterday’s comments, our guests will be able to walk to the stadium.
This blog is mainly about what goes on in this small space and is intended for visitors to Green Point and the neighbouring suburbs. You can see how close we are to all the action. One can do mountains, beaches, night life, boat rides, whale watches and a whole lot of stuff without having to move too far away from here.
The traditional Big Five must-sees in Cape Town are: – Robben Island; Table Mountain; Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Point and The Winelands.
If you are on a short visit and don’t have time to do it all then a city break is probably the best way to take in as much as possible. Find our B and B at www.capecoastviews.co.za
