Cape Point

Cape Point, a World Heritage Site, is 65km South West of Cape Town. A spectacular reserve featuring sheer cliffs with a rugged coast line.
This protected 7750 hectares is home to a rich collection of fauna and flora, this is a nature lover's paradise.

It was this area which was given the name of Cape of Storms from Bartolomeu Dias in 1488. The point is a graveyard for many a ship. It was this graveyard hike which we visited yesterday - The Thomas Tucker Shipwreck trail, situated at Olifantsbos (Elephants Bush).

An easy walk which passes along the coast, passing the debris of those ships which have not successfully navigated the Cape of Storms.

It then turns inland, up a slight rise, from where you can take in the views of the bay and beach from above. The entire walk only took us an hour and 15 minutes, bearing in mind we do walk rather faster than average.

After our walk, we crossed over the peninsula to Borjiesrif to have lunch on the rocks. It started to rain, so we ended our picnic snuggled in the back of the Jeep, and watched the sea.

Cape Point is really a great place to spend a day, but be sure to spend some time discovering the trails and roads off the main road, you will certainly be rewarded by fantastic views and walks.

Kirstenbosch Gardens

I have posted my trips to Kirstenbosch Gardens before but I just can not stop myself from sharing this beautiful garden with you.

Sadly you will see in the last pictures, just 2 of the many plants which are either no longer found in the wild or threatened by extinction. Let us not forget to support projects and organizations that try to maintain your country's indigenous  flora - because the loss of any species (flora or fauna) is a tragedy which we will all mourn one day.

 

This spider below spins a Golden Web - it made me think of the tale of Rumpelstiltskin.

 Sad pictures showing the cost of development.

Shosholoza Meyl

When Keith told me he'd booked us a weekend away on the Shosholoza Meyl, I jumped for joy. I had never been on a sleeper train and had grown up listening to stories from my Mom and Dad about train holidays, dining carts and old world charm.

We started our trip by catching the morning commuter train through to Cape Town. Once at the Cape Town station, we found the correct platform and sat in eager anticipation for our trip to begin.

The train left on time and we started the 26 hour trip to Johannesburg. We were lucky (shrewd) enough to make "friends" with the train manager and secured a 4 berth cabin for the entire trip. While I am sure there are many couples who wouldn't mind being in a 2 berth cabin, Keith and I have been married long enough to enjoy a little more space.

Travelling slowly through the suburbs of Cape Town and then heading out of town and through the wine country was amazing. The only problem was, that within 30 minutes of being aboard, my eye lids started to feel like lead! It turns out that train travel is the strongest sleeping pill known to man. You simply can not help being lulled into sleep, with the occasional bleary eyed glance out the window to inspect the passing stations and sidings.

 The Shosholoza Meyl offers dedicated safe passenger train travel services in South Africa on Tourist Class basic sleeper trains and Premier Classe deluxe sleeper trains. 

During the day, sleeper compartments convert into suites with hot and cold water from a basin stowed underneath the fold-up table. Communal toilets and showers are available at the end of each coach. The toilets are cleaned regularly and the showers are spacious, I really enjoyed showering and looking out the window watching the sun setting over the Karoo.

 Bedding can be purchased on board from the attendant at R40 p/person. Bringing your own bedding is advised. We did take our sleeping bags, but also opted for the bedding - which was very clean. They come at 6pm and make your bed.

The food on the train is acceptable, certainly not gourmet, but I could not fault it. Keith thoroughly enjoyed the beef curry with rice and sambles, which despite the low price (R30), was made from top quality slow cooked beef with no fat or gristle. I had the fried hake with chips and salads (R35). I have certainly had better, but would not hesitate to order it again and did in fact finished the entire generous portion.

Coffee and tea is brought to your cabin at 7am.

Security and service on the train is top class. Refuse bags are provided to each cabin and collected regularly. The staff are helpful, friendly and willing, we did not meet one staff member who did not seem to be enjoying their job.

Train travel is certainly not for those who have tight schedules, but if you're looking for a wonderfully relaxing way to travel around South Africa, with the added advantage of seeing the countryside I would highly recommend the Shosholoza Meyl.

 The price is very reasonable, Cape Town - Johannesburg was R480 (on Tourist) per person and occasionally they offer special discounted rates. There is a Premier Class from Johannesburg - Cape Town but this is not always available and you will need to check before booking. We travelled Tourist class and as you can see from my account were more than happy with the accommodation and service.

Click here for more information on the Shosholoza Meyl.

Meat-free Day in Cape Town

Cape Town is the first African city, and one of seven progressive cities in the world, to officially endorse a Meat-free Day a week for the sake of animal welfare, human health and climate change.

The City’s Health Committee unanimously backed a call by the Compassion in World Farming organisation for Capetonians to pick one day of the week where they eliminate red meat from their diet and eat more fruit, vegetables and grains instead. (source City of Cape Town)


 When I heard this initiative announced on the radio, I believed that this was one of the most progressive health ideas our leaders have come up with. After the debarcle when  'Manto' Tshabalala-Msimang announced beetroot and garlic were more effective treatment of AIDS than antiretroviral medicines, heath advice from government have been met with much scepticism.

I have featured Meatless Monday before and I strongly endorse it, even though I can't always make it on a Monday, we still have at least one meatless meal per week. This not only make sense for our health, the environment but also on my purse!

 I have not been at a loss for ideas, which I often find when it comes to meaty meals. I really try to be more imaginative on the meatless days and I enjoy the challenge.

This weeks meal is so simple to make but will impress the fussiest carnivore.

Sweet and Sour Fish with Egg Fried Rice

Hake fillets (skin on and sliced into 1½" pieces)
1 Cup All purpose Flour (seasoned with Salt and White Pepper)
2 Eggs Beated
Oil for Deep Frying

Pre-heat the oil to about 185ºC (Medium Hot)
Dry the fish.
Dip the fish into the flour and then into the egg and then again into the flour.
Deep fry for 3-5 minutes until golden and cooked through.
Drain on kitchen paper.
Serve with Egg Fried Rice and sweet and sour sauce.

Egg Fried Rice

2 Cups Cooked Rice
2 Eggs Beaten (add the Soya Sauce below)
5ml Dark Soya Sauce
Onion cut into wedges and separated
½ cup of Cooked peas (optional)
Oil

Pre-heat your wok to smoking
Place 15 ml Oil in the wok.
Add the egg and allow to cook, omelette style.
Once the egg is crispy and cooked through on both sides remove from the wok - cut into small pieces.
Fry the onion pieces until they have some colour, but are still slightly crunchy.
Add the rice, the cut up egg, the peas and stir fry until the rice is hot.

Serve the fish with this sweet and sour sauce and egg fried rice.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

1 Cup Rice or Apple Cider Vinegar
1½ Cups of Sugar
2" Piece of Ginger, peeled and cut into fine dice
1 Green chilli left whole
½ teaspoon of Sea Salt
50g Tomato Paste
1 Star Anise (optional)
½ Red Pepper (seeded) sliced into thin strips

Boil the above at a simmer for about 1 hour, until reduced and thickened.
Strain and serve hot.

Tourist in your own City

I love being on holiday. I love the weeks before you leave, the planning, the packing, the excitement about leaving everything familiar and heading out to enjoy the unknown.

Obviously, like most working stiffs, I don't get to have as many exotic holidays as I would like. Usually it's only once or twice a year and one of those is Christmas with my folks (fun but not exotic). Yesterday I went on holiday, only for a few hours and less than 20kms from my house, it was wonderful to pretend I was one of the thousands of tourists that are in Cape Town enjoying the best we have to offer - both in hospitality and weather.

We started at the V&A Waterfront (as all self respecting tourist should) and walked into town and then down the Fan Mile, though the Cape Town Stadium complex and back to the Waterfront. It's only a 5.5km walk, but I took my camera and stopped to photographed all the things that only a tourist would.

Here is my walk in pictures....

The Two Oceans Aquarium.

I was thinking of spending the night here...but Keith said he thought the room service at home was much better!

The canals around the marina are really beautiful.

The Wheel of Excellence with Table Mountain in the background.

 

The CTICC and the main intersection of Coen Steytler and Buitengracht, busy as always.

 

 Click here to see this same street on a game day...you won't believe the difference.

 

Prestwich Memorial on the corner of Buitengracht and Somerset Road in Green Point. During the construction of a multi-million rand building in nearby Prestwich Street in 2003, excavations revealed thousands of centuries-old skeletons and after some heated public debate it was decided to build a dedicated memorial in which these human remains could be housed with dignity.

The colourful kiosks that have been erected for the World Cup, along Somerset Road. I was very impressed with the drinking fountains which are all along the fan mile. I don't suppose they will be there for much longer after the fans have left.

Walking under the Green Point circle, into the Cape Town Stadium complex. We couldn't get too close to the actual stadium, but that's to be expected. There was a very strong police and security presence, which I hope makes the overseas tourist feel very safe.

There are beautiful mosaic works on the walks to the stadium entrance.

A grand old lady of Cape Town, the Somerset Hospital, with the mountain keeping a watchful eye over everything.

A quick glance back at the Cape Town Stadium entrance and the security checkpoints.

At last, this tourist's heaven ..Lunch at Anat at the Waterfront.

A falafel for me

And a Shawarma for Keith.

Hoerikwaggo hike

This weekend Keith and I joined 10 other hikers to do 2 days of the Hoerikwaggo hike.

 We started at Silvermine, at 8.30am on Saturday morning. It was really cold and misty, but once the mist lifted it turned into a beautiful day.

Our first stop was the lookout at Silvermine, overlooking Houtbay and Chapman's Peak drive.

We then descended Blackburn ravine,

 past the manganese mine then north through unspoilt fynbos with stunning views of the Cape Peninsula,

 and Constantiaberg, we then climbed Vlakkenberg to Constantia Nek.

 
 This first day is a about 17kms, of hiking.

We overnighted at the Orange Kloof forest, a beautiful, rustic but luxurious camp with hot water showers, open fires, and fully equipped kitchen.

After a good night's sleep we headed out at 8.15am Sunday morning, ascending Table Mountain via Orange Kloof

up to the Woodhead and Hely Hutchinson Dams.

 We then continued to climb up through to Echo Valley, ending at the Cable station.

The second day was only about 9.5kms, with 90% up hill - so get ready for aching thighs and calves. The most rewarding part is the being presented with your ticket to take the cable car trip down the mountain.


The hike is guided and both the guides are well informed. I learnt so much about the flora on the mountain as well as the history of many places such as Hout Bay, the manganese mines and Chapmans Peak, to name only a few.

One interesting and very useful tip for anyone walking on the mountain, when you come to a plant that looks like this

DO NOT TOUCH! It is called the blister bush, Table Mountain's answer to poison ivy. It causes bad blistering of the skin (and what I've been told results in a 7 year itch!) if you come in contact with it.  The effect is triggered by sunlight: in theory, if you do come into contact with it and cover the site of contact immediately, there will be no blistering. Let me know if you are brave enough to put this to the test! The plant is a member of the carrot family. The leaves look remarkably like celery leaves

I would highly recommend this hike for those to want to get out on an overnight hike, yet still have the luxury of portage, hot showers and comfortable beds at the end of a hard day's hike, without having to leave the city.