If you are looking for something a little different this weekend, head out to Contermanskloof Wine Farm in Durbanville for the Flamjangled Tea Party… When trying to find more information for this event I was whisked into an Alice in Wonderland type of daydream when I came upon their website, which promises “A melting pot of musical mayhem, artistic tomfoolery and absolute hilarity”.
Live music, themed areas, performance art, dressing up and over the top theatrics can be expected amongst other slightly non ‘normal’ entertainment, at this 2 day ode to everything fun and fanciful. There will even be a world record breaking attempt for the largest coupled waltz so make sure your partner is close at hand, or if you are the adventurous type, just find someone there :)
‘The Tea Garden’ opens early on Saturday and goes on into the evening, ‘The Munged Bean Shebeen’ and ‘Out of Site Café’ will be hosting artists with the names of Kool and his Wang, A Kettle Called Black and Katie Cup – none of who I’ve heard of before but strangely, talents I would like to experience.
There are camping facilities for those who would like to stay the night, a place to swim should you get hot (which is highly likely given the heat we have been experiencing here) and numerous food stalls and other fun places to poke around in. The message I got from researching this event was come and have some fun, reconnecting with your inner child and living out your most playful childhood fantasies - I have no exuses not to go, hope you will too.
Candice Winterboer focuses on travel, surfing, running, dark chocolate and uncovering gems hidden in the Cape outdoors.
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If adrenalin sports are what you are after then you are in for a treat this weekend with the Pro X-Games being held near Cape Town. World class sports men and women will be competing on Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th in events which include BMX, FMX, Skateboarding, Mountain Biking and Supercross. An expo area will showcase relevant brands and the latest equipment and sporting wear for all the sports showcased.
Half-pipes, dirt tracks and rails will be testing the competitors who will be competing for some fabulous prizes and the title of Pro X-Games champion. The venue this year is at Zone 7 which is up the West Coast, just a short trip from Cape Town. There are camping facilities offered for those who would like to stay for the weekend and make the most of the different events and live music on offer.
The semi-finals are on Saturday with the finals on Sunday. Tickets allow you entrance to the event grounds and the Expo area as well as all the events. This is something which shouldn’t me missed if you are into adrenalin sports and the lifestyle which accompanies them.
Candice Winterboer focuses on travel, surfing, running, dark chocolate and uncovering gems hidden in the Cape outdoors.
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Every week on Wednesday evenings at 18:00, you will see people making their way to the roof of the Grand Daddy hotel on Long Street. Climbing the rather dingy stairs to the roof you do have a moment where you wonder what you are getting yourself into, especially as the stairs narrow and the carpet becomes fake grass…
Popping out of the roof door you are rewarded with spectacular views over the city, finding yourself in a ‘trailer park’ complete with shiny silver trailers from the 60’s lining the edge of the roof which serve as ‘rooms’ to the hotel. A makeshift stage occupies a section of the roof which allows the South African musicians to be seen by everyone present.
There is ample seating and 2 bars make sure that you don’t go thirsty, especially on really hot evenings like last night. We had ventured to the roof to watch an acapella band called D7 perform, a real treat in the fading sunlight, sipping Champaign and checking out the other people who also seem to have found themselves in the rather surreal setting.
This is a free activity and I would strongly advise that you make your way to the roof of the Grand Daddy hotel to watch whoever is playing, the artist is guaranteed to be great and the experience is well worth it.
Candice Winterboer focuses on travel, surfing, running, dark chocolate and uncovering gems hidden in the Cape outdoors.
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I love markets which, if you’ve been reading Have the Last Word for a while you would know – if not then check out these awesome fresh produce and farmers markets which I’ve written about before. Last week I heard a little rumour that there was a new market being launched right in town, on Kloof Street in fact which is almost walking distance from where I live – needless to say I took my basket and scurried off to check it out.
Set up at the Jan van Riebeeck school right next to the Lifestyle Centre, the little market is quaint and has a lot of potential. Fresh vegetables and fruit stalls - all dirt cheap meant that I left with a huge bag full of organic goodies as well as tasted my way through the need to have lunch PLUS I indulged in a fantastic coffee with a free cookie :)
The market is small in comparison to the other better established ones around the Cape but I think given a few months it could grow into something quite wonderful, and right in the heart of the city. If you would like to check it out then come down to Kloof Street on the second Saturday of every month from 9am – 2pm.
Candice Winterboer focuses on travel, surfing, running, dark chocolate and uncovering gems hidden in the Cape outdoors.
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If you are a visitor to the Cape, even if you are a local but enjoy the experience of going up Table Mountain in the rotating cable car, then you should take advantage of the special which is running until February 28th.
The special allows you to get to the top of this universally recognized landmark, after 6pm for just half-price. This means that you can catch sunset over the Atlantic Ocean, with a glass of wine or bubbly in your hand and a picnic basket full of delicious snacks. Make sure you take your camera because the scenery is spectacular.
The sun is setting just after 7:30pm at the moment so if you get to the top just after 6pm then make sure you explore the view points along the top on both the city and Atlantic seaboard side. The days at this time of year are still mostly clear and warm with very little wind although be aware that you will need something to keep you warm once the sun has gone down.
The special price for this gem is R80 return for adults and R40 for kids. The last car comes down at 8:30pm so you have a decent amount of time up there to make the most of this special price and the experience. Check out the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway website for more information.
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Candice Winterboer focuses on travel, surfing, running, dark chocolate and uncovering gems hidden in the Cape outdoors.
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If you enjoy the performing arts then you are in for a treat! Infecting the City has started; it’s a collaboration between various artists to bring live performances, art installations and choreographed pieces to the streets of Cape Town. These performances take place at various public spaces throughout the city and follow the theme of “Human Rite” - the theory of which is to “grapple with the knots, scars and wounds of the Cape Town CBD”.
Areas such as Church Square, Green Market Square, the Golden Acre and Adderley Street are just a few of the venues which are being utilized to bring these free performances to the public. Well known artists have been called upon to interpret the theme with the aim to heal past wounds and indiscretions in the city, through the power of public performance and art.
Have a look at the website to find out where you can catch some of these performances and take part in this creative and awe inspiring initiative – don’t leave the city ‘uninfected’ :)
Candice Winterboer focuses on travel, surfing, running, dark chocolate and uncovering gems hidden in the Cape outdoors.
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If you enjoy live music and you don’t mind roughing it for a couple of days then I’d strongly recommend that you try and catch the Up the Creek music festival which runs from February 5th to 7th. I headed to this festival last Friday – a highlight on my calendar, having secured tickets from last year already since the numbers of ‘Creekers’ are limited to 2,000 - ensuring that everyone has a great time and that the facilities are not over extended.
Arriving mid afternoon we set up camp and had hardly cracked our first beverage when we were off to see who was playing and get into the festival mood. Up the Creek is known as one of the more laid back festivals with an older crowd, most of which have been attending for the past 20 years, and who are now bringing their families to join in the fun (the festival is family friendly).
Saturday had us up early and ready with our flotation devices – the campsite is situated on the Breede River and being a music festival a stage was set up on the banks so that while we lounged around in the river, basically on anything which could float, fantastic artists took to the stage to provide us with a soundtrack to a pretty idyllic way of spending the day.
I would encourage anyone visiting the Western Cape in February to make a trip to this festival, even if it is just for the day – at just over 2 hours from Cape Town (less from Franshoek) you can enjoy fantastic South African music from the comfort of a lilo in a refreshingly cool river, sipping on a cocktail :)
Candice Winterboer focuses on travel, surfing, running, dark chocolate and uncovering gems hidden in the Cape outdoors.
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Last week it was a friend’s 30th birthday and we decided to celebrate somewhere new, so we headed out to Moyo in Blouberg. Moyo is a franchise with its sister restaurant at Spier wine farm, neither of which I’ve ever been to but heard great things about.
The restaurant has a laid back atmosphere with tables at the bar where you can actually sit with your feet in water, a great change to the regular bar stools. The décor is all tastefully African with gigantic mosaics adorning the walls and featured on the ceiling with fantastical lightshades made from natural materials adding texture and depth.
The food is traditionally African and includes Tagines of all descriptions, meat to suit the carnivores among us and vegetarian options which were really tasty and took care of our ravenous hunger. We watched the sun set over the ocean as we were finishing our starters, throwing Table Mountain into incredible profile which you just don’t quite get from the city because you are too close.
Another surprising thing about Moyo is that before your meal someone comes around and offers you a washing bowl to wash your hands in, making you feel quite, well for lack of a better word, royal… There are also ladies walking around with paint to adorn your face with traditional patterns supposedly highlighting your beauty (some of us need it more than others :) and a fantastic singing group which adds such a unique element to your dinner - serenading each table in deep African voices.
If you are after something out of the ordinary then I would suggest heading to Moyo for an African treat with an amazing view.
Candice Winterboer focuses on travel, surfing, running, dark chocolate and uncovering gems hidden in the Cape outdoors.
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A little while ago I mentioned that I would like to try my hand at Stand-up Paddle Boarding – I finally managed to organise a lesson with the team at Ocean Riders and I can honestly say that I haven’t had so much fun learning a new skill in ages, which is why I would like to encourage all of you out there that love being outside and near water, to give this a try.
A very flat Clifton 4th greeted us at 9am which I was very grateful for because the swell was huge the day before. Greg and Chris Bertish, names which come up often in the surfing industry here in Cape Town, met us on the beach with all our equipment laid out and ready to go. Each of us (we had a group of 7) were allocated a board, paddle and neoprene vest to keep us warm in the chilly Clifton water after which a thorough explanation was given regarding how to stand on the board, safety in the water, how to paddle and carrying something which is longer than a car (well to me anyway).
Once we were all clear on the theory behind paddle boarding we made our way to the water and set off to learn our new skill. Now it seems rather easy when you watch someone paddling around but in reality learning how to balance on a flat plank in the ocean which is never perfectly still, can be quite challenging to get right.
For two hours we stood, we fell, we laughed and we raced from one end of the bay to the other. We even explored kelp beds and watched as another person on a paddle board was trying to catch some waves. Once you have your balance it isn’t long before you become quite comfortable on the board and can appreciate being out on the water looking back on the shore – a totally point of view when compared to being in the water or on the beach.
We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and can proudly say that by the end of the lesson every single one of us was quite comfortable - I do think that the fact we had such great teachers on hand to give us tips not only on shore but in the water too, contributed to the positive learning experience we all had.
If you would like a lesson (individual or group) make sure you give the guys at Ocean Riders a call, they are extremely professional and are trusted in the industry.
Candice Winterboer focuses on travel, surfing, running, dark chocolate and uncovering gems hidden in the Cape outdoors.
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The summit of Lion’s Head, not really a hidden gem considering you can see it no matter where you are standing in the city of Cape Town, but that to get there takes a bit of effort and in most cases, sweat…
Climbing to the top of Lion’s Head is a real treat, even if it involves scaling chain ladders and feeling like your lungs want to pop (depending on how fit you are), the views from the top make it all worth while! We usually head to the top with a bag full of food and some form of liquid refreshment to toast our efforts at making it to the summit.
Climbing from almost the moment you step your foot out of your car, you slowly round Lion’s head, taking in views of Table mountain from the city side as well as the 12 Apostles. Once you reach the Atlantic seaboard side you have spectacular views over the Clifton’s and Camps Bay and around to Sea Point and Mouille Point, back to the city. Take your time up this part of the path, you can even stop and watch as the paragliders launch themselves off of the launching pad which overlooks Camps Bay.
Once you get to the chain ladders it isn’t much longer to the top but the rest of the way is very steep and involves boulder hopping. The top does surprise you somewhat as you reach it since most of us trudge uphill with our heads down so when suddenly the ground evens out, you are forced to look up and are awarded with a full 360 degree view around the Peninsula – well worth the effort and most definitely worth carrying a bottle of champagne up to watch the sunset.
Note: At full moon you can go up just before sunset and stay to watch the moon rise which is usually bright enough for your walk down without any torches, it can get quite busy though so be prepared.
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Candice Winterboer focuses on travel, surfing, running, dark chocolate and uncovering gems hidden in the Cape outdoors.
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Candice focuses on travel, surfing, running, dark chocolate and uncovering gems hidden in the Cape outdoors.
Steve Bolnick is recognized as one of southern Africa’s outstanding safari guides. He grew-up with a deep love for the African bush and has spent the past 29 years living and guiding in southern Africa.
Lisa Griggs writes about the hidden vineyards and the undiscovered cultivars in the Western Cape.
Nicky Coenen looks for the secret hideaways and hidden gems in Cape Town and surrounds.
Steve Robertson tracks the off the beaten track action happening around Cape Town.
Fred Roed looks for the undiscovered coffee spots in the Western Cape and rates them.
Peter has worked in the wine and spirits industry for over 40 years and is an appreciator of fine things.