magical-cape-town-vacations

Cheetahs, Lions and Travel

2006-01-13T14:07:00.000Z

Well, we've finally returned from our annual trip to Cape Town. Take a look at some of what we got up to at www.south-africa-travelblog.com. I guarantee some wonderful pictures ...

Don't forget, www.tailor-made-south-africa-travel.com for all your South Africa travel plans and check out www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com for everything to do with Cape Town.

Food, Glorious Food

2005-11-04T10:16:00.000Z

And Let Wine be the Nectar of the Gods!

One of the best ways to understand another nation's culture and immerse yourself in a different way is through a country's cuisine. If you take a visit to South Africa you are in for a delicious trip.

South Africa takes the best of all the myriad influences history has foisted upon us to create a cuisine that is a unique polyglot of styles and cultures.

East meets West meets South…with a round trip North is the best way to describe the kind of food you will find in South Africa.

Throughout our history, the culinary styles of Europe, Asia and Africa itself have merged.

The original inhabitants of our beautiful land, the Khoisan, were mostly hunter-gatherers and food for them was more a means of survival than a pleasurable pastime. The arrival, from up north, of the Bantu people brought with it the craft of agriculture and modern staples such as maize, sweet potato, squash and various fruits.

The European influence, first by the Dutch and English, later followed by the French, the Germans and others, introduced the classical techniques of Western cookery as well as a massive variety of fruits, vegetables and even livestock, most of which thrived in South Africa's temperate climate.

Without the Malay and Indian influence such popular creations as bobotie and denningvleis would not exist.

The great thing about South African cuisine is that there is something for everyone. There is spice and heat; there's subtlety and elegance, simplicity and complexity.

In the bigger cities there are restaurants that will cater to any traveller's needs, from classical French to innovative fusion. And everywhere there's an abundance of fresh produce that will have any cook, professional or amateur, grinning with glee.

The braai - the local version of the barbecue - is possibly South Africa's favourite pastime. Not surprising when you consider just how inviting the sunny skies can be.On the braai you will almost always find the spiced sausage boerewors, a direct link to the sausage-making skills brought to South Africa from Germany, and plenty of meat, usually in the form of smoked and salted ribs (another German influence), enormous steaks and sosaties (spiced kebabs).

Also popular, especially in winter time, are bredies (stews) which can range from plain old Irish stew to richly spiced and headily fragrant curries. Uniquely South African is waterblommetjie bredie in which mutton or lamb is slowly braised with the flowering buds of the Cape Pondweed, found only in the dams of the Western Cape.

When cooked in the open-air, around the braai or on a hastily built fire and usually in a three-legged cast-iron pot, bredies become potjiekos (pot food). Because they need time, potjiekos is a terrific way to socialise, sitting around the fire, sipping drinks and chatting away as the food slowly cooks to succulence.

Game, which South Africa has in abundance, is popular and restaurants such as The Carnivore appeal to tourists and locals alike with their gut-busting feasts of warthog, eland, gemsbok, springbok, kudu and crocodile.

Though South Africa is very much a meat-eating country - every village, town and city has at least one steakhouse and vegetarian-only venues are scarce in all but the biggest centres - food from the sea remains a vitally important part of our cuisine.

With our coastline bordering two different oceans, seafood is abundant and treasures from the sea include several varieties of fish and shellfish not found anywhere else. Rock lobster, galjoen (the national fish), kabeljou, Cape salmon and perlemoen (abalone) are just some of the delicacies you will find but the most South African of all fishy food is snoek which you can have in many different guises, from pickled, smoked or dried to fresh on the braai.

Vegetables and fruit are grown in abundance. Thanks to the mild climate, almost all vegetables and fruit not native to South Africa have thrived while indigenous varieties such a naartjies, madumbes and morogo are equally popular.

Maize is the country's staple food. Fresh corn, known as mealies here, are boiled or cooked over the coals or added to bread; maize meal is used to make a filling porridge, known as pap or phutu, usually served with some sort of sauce or condiment.

Former President Nelson Mandela's favourite dish is Umngqusho, a mixture of samp (broken dried mealies), beans, butter, onions, potatoes, chillies and lemon.

From the basic to the fancy, the unique to the typical, the spicy to the bland, South Africa has food to suit any and every taste. Bon appetit!

A BRIEF SAMPLE OF UNIQUELY SOUTH AFRICAN FOOD:

Achaar - A heavily-spiced salad of pickled vegetables. Indian in origin.
Biltong - Salted and dried raw meat, usually beef but also made with game. Similar - but tastier - to America's beef jerky.

Bobotie - Like a shepherd's pie, only better. Spiced mince is topped with an egg custard and baked. A speciality of the Cape Malay community.

Boerewors - Spiced sausage, usually made of pork but lamb, beef or game can also be used. A must for any braai.

Chakalaka - A chilli-laced vegetable salad of Malay origin, served as an accompaniment to pap and meat.

Dennigvleis - A tamarind-flavoured meat stew of Malay origin.

Frikkadel - Mildly spiced meatballs of Dutch origin.

Koeksisters - Syrupy, sweet and very sticky plaited dough cakes. A traditional Afrikaner invention.

Mala - Intestines that are first boiled and then fried. A traditional African delicacy.

Madumbe - An indigenous variety of sweet potato.

Maroela - The fruit of the maroela tree, used to flavour Amarula cream liqueur. Elephants are also partial to the fruit.

Mashonzha - For the truly adventurous traveller only this is a speciality made with the mopani worm (similar to a caterpillar). For a gourmet version visit the world-famous Gramadoelas restaurant in Johannesburg. For the basic traditional version, Wandie's Place in Soweto is the place to go.

Mogudu - Spicy tripe stew.

Morogo - Wild spinach.

Naartjie - A native variety of the tangerine. Popular eaten as is but also used to flavour Van Der Hum liqueur.

Pens 'n Pootjies - Literally 'stomach and feet', this is an Afrikaner stew of tripe and pigs trotters.Serobe - A speciality of the Tswana people, this is a spiced mixture of tripe, lungs and intestines.

Snoek - A popular local fish prepared in many different ways. Often eaten smoked or dried, in its fresh form it is best enjoyed hot off the braai.

Be adventurous. Dive in and get those tastebuds tingling! If you want help with which restaurants to try, just go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/restaurants.html and www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/waterfront.html.

Both these pages will be able to give you some great places to eat some of these special dishes.

Surf in Safety in Muizenburg

2005-10-03T08:18:00.000Z

Great White Sharks have once again been spotted in the False Bay area of the Western Cape, Cape Town.

The South African Airforce could clearly see them whilst flying over the area and tried to warn the surfing community down on Muizenburg beach, but the surfers were already out of the water, due to the top class system operated by the town's businesses.

Dave Chudleigh, of the surf school, Surf Shack, at The Corner in Muizenberg, said the shark-spotters had already seen the Great Whites and had sounded the siren.

"The shark-spotter on Boyes Drive saw them and he's got a remote control which sets off the alarm. We make sure everyone gets out of the water," Chudleigh said.

The alarm sounds for about 30 seconds."The sharks were still quite a long way off, but because of the size of them and the direction that they were moving, the alarm was sounded. There is a red flag to indicate that the beach is closed.

"I went up about 20 minutes later and the sharks had already moved off. Then we say: 'Cool, you can go in again'," Chudleigh said.

The warning system, which is unique in the country, was introduced after Tyna Webb was killed by a Great White while swimming at Fish Hoek.

"It's working very well, but we're battling for money. "You know, everyone shouts that something must be done about shark attacks, and everyone shouts that there mustn't be any nets, which I agree with. But then when we go and get together a system that works, that protects people and doesn't damage the environment, we don't get a cent from the city council or the government.

"It freaks me out that Durban spends R1,5-million a year on shark nets, and we can deliver a fantastic service for R500 000 that doesn't kill marine animals. We've had some sponsorship, but we need new radios, but there is no money," Chudleigh said.

Moral of the story, if you like surfing and you're down in Cape Town, make sure you surf at Muizenburg - warmer Indian ocean waters and a shark-spotter to cover all eventualities.

Whilst you're there do make sure you go to Surf Shack - great people who really know their surfing, very friendly and are happy to accommodate the non-surfing folk in your party! We got to watch the cricket on the TV, whilst our sons surfed ...

For more information on the best beaches for surfing or swimming, visit www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/beaches.html, where you'll find out about wonderful animals other than sharks, such as swimming with dolphins and penguins ...

Virgin Flies High

2005-09-27T10:04:00.000Z

Just take a look at the range of flights that Virgin are now putting on over the winter period! No excuses now for not taking that flight and checking out the wonderful country of South Africa!

www.south-africa-travelblog.com has all the lowdown and more!

Check out the fantastic Special Offers on www.tailor-made-south-africa-travel.com/special-offers.html and those on www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/special-offers.html

One of the first things to do in Cape Town is get on down to The Cape Olive Fair - all the best olives and more, in the most delightful settings. Wander around with glass of wine in hand, sampling the wonderful array of food and wine on show. You are guaranteed to have a fantastic time ...

www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/special-offers.html

Don't forget that we can help you out with all of your holiday plans, from that first car or train journey to the airport, until your return home, everything taken care of to your own special requirements ...

www.tailor-made-south-africa-travel.com and www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com

Tailor Make your South Africa Travel

2005-06-27T07:43:00.000Z

Have you been wondering where to get the best deals for your forthcoming vacation to South Africa?

Your choice of the local travel agents? Online? Your best friend's recommendation?

Got those nagging doubts as to whether you've really got the best prices and what the hotel's going to be like?

We've found through experience that you can't beat the people who actually live in the country to be able to sniff out the best deals and give you the best service at the same time.

Somehow instinct for their fellow man leads them in the right direction, which in turn can take you exactly in the direction you also want to go.

But how do you reach these special people?

Research your destination thoroughly. Know in your mind what are your favourite things to do - for instance, do you like bungey jumping, or would you prefer to ease yourself into a spa bath, followed by a massage?

What do you want to achieve from your holiday? Get away from it all or the thrill and excitement that you miss at home?

Safaris, excitement, wellness, family holidays - whatever you heart desires is available to you in South Africa, just be careful how you plan and who you choose to make it all happen for you.

www.magical-cape-town-vacations/SATS is one of the best! Let them discover your favourite things to do, whilst you sit back and dream!

Shark Diving Still Big Business

2005-06-21T10:58:00.000Z

Would you believe it! Despite a number of killings and attacks off the coast of Cape Town over the last six to eight months, shark diving is still big business!

I must admit to it being the furthest thing from my mind when I visit South Africa, but then I suppose I've never gone in for huge thrills. Other folks though, seem to have to make it the biggest adrenelin rush possible, to take maximum pleasure (or should that be hell?) from the experience.

Push the limits of your nerve ... I think I'll stick to wine tasting!

However, www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com do cater for the adrenelin-junkies amongst us, just go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/contact.html and let us know what you want to see on your vacation in Cape Town and we'll be able to plan a trip especially for you and your pocket. Let us take the strain of planning , letting you getting on with the thrill seeking.

New Blog for Consideration?

2005-06-17T10:23:00.000Z

I've started it!

I have been encouraged to start writing a book, "All About Cape Town from a Visitors Point of View".

To see my first few ramblings, go to www.southafricatravel.typepad.com

Do let me know what you think of the title and also what you might like to see in the book. I want it to be helpful to visitors to Cape Town and although I do have a foot in each camp, so to speak, I might forget where I've put my feet!

Help keep me on the right track!

On another thought altogether ... the rain is falling in Cape Town. Water restrictions are still in place, but the dams are now beginning to fill up, so hopefully, we'll all be able to bath when we visit in December!

Not a pretty sight, seeing the Palmer family dirty, although I'm sure my eldest son wouldn't protest too much! Don't waste too much water, Capetonian's, before we get there.

Now, a little freebie for you ...

Go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com and fill out the form to receive your free special report on Nelson Mandela. Get it now before I change my mind and charge for it!

Flights to Cape Town

2005-06-15T12:02:00.000Z

I thought that it might be good to remind everyone that flights to Cape Town for the Christmas period are getting very booked up already!

If you are intending to go to South Africa, and you have dates in mind, why not check out the availability straight away, so that you'll know that you will be able to go when you want?

We personally have already experienced the loss of some great prices on flights both in July and in December, just because we had to get the date going out changed for one of the children.

Don't let this happen to you!

Go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/flights-cape-town.html and get us to check availability and prices right away!

Thinking about seeing other parts of the country?

Let us help you plan your itinary and take care of all the arrangements for you ... just let us know what interests you, give us some idea of the budget and we will tailor make your holiday of a lifetime.

Just contact us on www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/contact.html and we'll take care of the rest!

I just wanted to let you know of some exciting developments for www.magical-cape-town-vacations. I'm putting together a fantastic ebook all about the country and starting to write it via a blog, so that I can get your feedback. Watch out for announcements coming soon ...

Cape Town Blues and Flights to the Sunshine

2005-04-26T13:21:00.000Z

The Autumn cometh and so does the rain, but not enough of it. Yet. Keep saving water all you Cape Townians, it will get better, but you have to be patient.

Even the "swallows" are on their way back to the watery sunshine and summer of the Northern Hemisphere. Mum and Dad arrive back just in time to vote in our general election. Pity they can't vote for the "More Water" party - I'm sure that it would be a whole more interesting than the options we've got!

Book Flights for Christmas Now
We are finding that flights back after Christmas need to be booked now, as even at this early date, direct flights have all been snapped up.

Let us find those elusive flights for you and make sure that you've got the flights and accommodation booked to ensure your vacation is one of the best.
http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/travel-and-tourism.html

Not sure where to stay - tell what sort of thing you'd like and let us suggest our favourites, which we know would suit your style.

Find more information at http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/SATS
or go to our website at http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com

Looking forward to seeing you on our pages.

Stop Press News about Magical Cape Town Vacations

2005-03-23T12:21:00.000Z

We are very proud to announce that Magical Cape Town Vacations has been appointed the UK representative of Specialised African Tour Services.

To find out all about it go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/travel-and-tourism.html, where you'll find everything to help you plan your trip and have a fantastic time when you're there.

Just contact us at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/contact.html for any help you might like, when we'll be happy to assist.

We're really excited about being able to show more of you what a wonderful country South Africa is and in particular Cape Town, so don't forget to go and have a look round at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com.

Happy viewing!

London Taxis gone Blue

2005-03-16T13:08:00.000Z

Yes, it's happened! Those traditional London taxis have gone blue - the colour of the South African sky infact.

Not having kept up with anything to do with London, after all, who would want to - grey sky's, cold, traffic, people jostling and jolting you and all the while long, grim faces - I was totally amazed to see a glorious sight on my visit to London last week.

Bearing in mind that I've not been in London for years, imagine how I felt when on emerging from the dark, gloomy interior of the underground, I was greeted by the sight of this fantastic blue taxi bearing the words, "Think of South Kensington with over 200 beaches" - made the visit to London.

I would take issue with the number, because I'm sure there are more beaches! And what beaches! Catch up with a few of them at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/beaches.html.

On the subject of new pages, you'll be pleased to know I've made getting to Cape Town even easier! Go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations/flights-cape-town.html for the best prices, the best routes and fastest ways to get there and when you get there get the very best in car hire at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/car-rental-quote.html.

No excuses now for not getting the most out of your precious vacation time. Your hard earned money needs to work for you to get the best time in Cape Town, so let Specialised African Tour Services go to work for you to get you the best.

On the taxis there are a number of other sayings too, so let us know at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com when you spot them and what they are and we'll come up with a prize, just a little something you might enjoy to brighten up your day and help you dream of Cape Town!

Wine Wonders on Magical Cape Town Vacations

2005-03-08T11:52:00.000Z

Thought you might be interested in the new page I've just put up on the website. The wine route is a big draw to Cape Town and many visitors come to the Western Cape just to experience the incredible variety of wine estates and grape varieties grown here.

www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/ is no exception!

Go and take a look at some of the wonderful estates that make up the Cape Town Wine Route at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/wineroute.html. I'm sure you'll love the pictures, as you can sit and dream of the beautiful blue skys and warm breazes that accompany the chilled glass of white wine you've just poured!

You'll find great tips on how to plan your wine trip to Stellenbosch to get the most out of your day and to buy some tremendous wine from the cellar door, so get all the best information at http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/wineroute.html

Update on Houdini the Hippo

Houdini the Hippo, who if you remember, made a bid for freedom before Christmas, has made a very successful relocation to the Eastern Cape.

He has settled in so well, that he's made friends with the ladies already and is now beginning to establish his own herd.

Great story with a very happy ending! We'll let you know his progress ...

Nelson Mandela - Towering Man of the People

2005-02-25T14:32:00.000Z

Nelson Mandela is still to this day a very powerful figure in world politics. Not necessarily these days in the Government itself, but as a symbol of hope over struggle, this man commands a respect not often given to other retired leaders.

Nelson Mandela's name, searched on Google throws up 961,000 references to him in just 81 seconds. People are still facinated by this man, by his life and his incredible charisma and how this one person could have changed the history of one country so dramatically, to give it the chance of survival in the 21st century.

On visiting Cape Town, one of the many attractions which people queue up to experience is Robben Island. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on Robben Island during the winter of 1964. Conditions were harsh on the island, where Mandela was forced to spend 18 of his 27 years of incarceration. Tokyo Sexwale, a former prisoner on the island wrote these eloquent words which sum up the bleakness experienced by everyone who spent time there:

"Deep into the icy waters of the Atlantic

Somewhere around the Cape of Storms

Encaged by rocky beaches all around

Assaulted by piercing winds from the Benguelo

Like an abandoned Ship

Lies the Island of the Damned"

Today, a tour round Robben Island is one of the most rewarding attractions on offer in Cape Town. Whisked by modern ferries across the expanse of water in around half an hour, you get the chance to explore the infamous maximum security prison, interact with ex-political prisoners and get a feel of what it would have been like to live there, just as Mandela did.

A little known fact about the island is it's abundance of marine, bird and wildlife. African penguins have been re-introduced after extinction in the 1800's and have established a breeding colony. 132 different bird species, as well as 23 species of mammals makes this island a haven for those people interested in the environment.

References to Nelson Mandela's life in Cape Town don't stop there. Take the Footsteps to Freedom tour. This city walking tour takes you on a guided stroll through historic Cape Town, telling the story of the city's early Dutch and British settlers, slavery in the Cape, the rise and fall of apartheid and South Africa's new democracy.

What a great way to learn the layout of the city and at the same time really live in the shoes of people who change history.

If you want to take the Nelson Mandela tour one step further to its conclusion in the Western Cape, why not visit the new Mandela House Museum out at Drakenstein. Drakenstein is about an hour and a half drive out of Cape Town, on the road between Paarl and Franschhoek. The drive itself is a thing of beauty, through the winelands to the mountains beyond.

The museum is the old Victor Verster prison in which Mandela spent the last few years of his incarceration before his release in 1990. At the moment, the only way to visit is by prearranged appointment only, but will be developed as a National Heritage site. Visit now whilst you still have the chance of peace to reflect and contemplate reconciliation, human rights and justice.

To find out more about Nelson Mandela, go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/nelsonmandela.html or to see more of this article go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/nelson-mandela.html

What a great man!

Site Map Brings Order to Chaos

2005-02-08T13:11:00.000Z

As promised yesterday, at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com I have now added a site map, which I hope will allow you to find immediately what you want on the site.

www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/sitemap.html also has a Google search bar for your added convenience - so go take a look and let me know what you want adding!

Alexa Ranking High - So Where's Google?

2005-02-07T17:46:00.000Z

Thought I'd let you all know my new Alexa ranking. Each week it keeps going up, because of the traffic I'm getting, but Google so far don't seem to want to know! So where are you Google?

Here's the Alexa ranking button which reads: 323,546 That's out of the millions of website out there!

So come on Google, come and visit http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com and then have a look at our travel resources, which you'll find at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/travel-resources.html .

Looking forward to showing you the rest of the site tomorrow!

New Pages to Excite the Hoardes

2005-02-04T13:24:00.000Z

I've put up a number of new pages on www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com. That's where I've been closetted for the last few days!

The people in Cape Town, like most ex British outposts, like to discuss the weather, almost as much as us Brits at home. I've put a new page all about the type of weather you are likely to experience in Cape Town and also what to wear and what to do at different times of the year. Go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/weather.html to find out what the latest weather conditions are.

Food is also a subject very close to our hearts and having been brought up in the hotel industry, it's very important to us that it's top quality. Here's our guide to the best restaurants in Cape Town, www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/restaurants.html.

We would also love you to link to our site and we have a couple of pages that would be great for you to look at if you're a webmaster. www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/travel-resources.html and www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/links.html will give you lots of information about linking to our site.

Just a quick note that Nelson Mandela is in London today in talks with the British Government. Find out all about Nelson at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/nelsonmandela.html

Well, if you manage to get through all that and are still with us, congratulations! Why not sign up to our newsletter at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/newsletter.html and we can keep you up-dated on a monthly basis?

Have a happy day.

Where to Find Some of the Best Beaches in the World

2005-02-01T13:12:00.000Z

We think that Cape Town has some of the best beaches in the world.

You can choose beaches which are on the Indian Ocean, with warm water, or those on the colder Atlantic Ocean. Neither coast is very distant from the other, so travelling between the two is easy by road or rail.

Most of the beaches, which stretch around the coastline are long with white sand. On some of the beaches like Muizenberg you'll find lifeguards, so they are safe to surf from.

Other beaches, like Boulders Beach, you'll find plenty of animals. On Boulders beach it's the African Penguins that live there. Beware, they can be rather smelly and they do bite if you get too close to them, but don't let that stop you diving into the water to swim with them. The penguins appear very tolerant of their fellow human sunbathers and are quite happy to live harmoniously with us! Let's face it, where else can you get an experience like this?

Seals and fish life abound, which in turn brings the bird life. Whilst sitting on the back verandah of the house we constantly see the more common birds such as Turns, Black-Backed Seagulls, Cormorants, but great excitement happens when the African Pelicans come to visit. Huge jumbo jets of birds, serenely floating along like the QE2 in full sail!

The African Pelicans seem to like to come to visit during the evening time at dusk, staying all night on the sand bank just across the water. It's almost as if they come for an overnight or weekend stay. Obviously like the Hilton to them.

Other visitors that we love to see on our lagoon are the Egrets, Herons and Oyster Catchers. Wonderful wading birds, all with their own characteristics, which you could sit and watch all day long, just wading up and down, dancing their flirty dances to attract the fish, or at least confuse the fish sufficiently for the bird to suddenly dip its head and peck the fish straight out of the water and into it's gullet.

Beaches with facilities, life and people, beaches without anything except for the birdlife. The choice is yours. Often you can find beaches not far away from the hubbub and find not one soul upon it, real desert island stuff.

Spectacular scenery is also the norm for Cape Town beaches. Just think of the bay of Cape Town with it's flat-topped mountain in the background. The whole of the bay is infact, one long sandy beach, stetching for miles around Table Bay.

Next time you're thinking about taking a beach holiday, take a look at Cape Town - you'll not be disappointed.

Sunblock, Sun Hat and Beach Towel

2005-01-27T13:03:00.000Z

I've just written another page for the website, www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com.

You can either get to it from www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/beaches.html or you can go direct to the page at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/sunblock.html.

The page has a facinating article on it all about the care of your skin in sunny climes and who better to write about it than the Aussies. Great advice and clear information about UVA and UVB and everything to do with sun damage.

So, before you hit the beaches, get on down to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/sunblock.html for all the lowdown.

Cape Town Gets Our Vote

2005-01-25T13:57:00.000Z

Having been home for three weeks now, we are beset by cold weather. Oh how much easier life would be in Cape Town, South Africa!

They might be having major difficulties with their water right now, but this is due to wonderful warm weather.

The gardens are becoming a bit brown and dry, but residents are doing all they can to keep their flowers alive! Mum and Dad are even pumping the rinsing water out of their washing machine to add a bit more to the garden. Pumping water out of the bath, which has been saved from showering with the plug in, has been going on since early December.

www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com can give you all the low down on the weather, the sort of clothes to take on your vacation and what to see for the best Cape Town Vacation ever.

Lion Cub Flys to Cape Town Economy Class

2005-01-21T11:01:00.000Z

Perhaps it's because I stated yesterday that I liked animal stories in my blogs, but yet another one has come to light, this time about a seven week old lion cub called Bai, which is 'Lion' in Cameroonian (yes, it really is spelt like that!), born in a zoo in Cameroon.

Bai, who is the size of a Labrador puppy, wighing about six kilos was rejected by her mother at birth, along with two siblings. Bai was the only one to survive when their mother refused to feed or care for the cubs, but she was not in good health.

She had a leg injury and dietary problems, but she responded well to a special milk feed.

With the help of the Cameroon Wildlife Aid Fund and flown by British Airways down to Cape Town, Paul Hart brought the female cub back to his Drakenstein Lion Park near Paarl.

Because Bai needed feeding constantly, she had to fly with Paul, sitting next to him in a box. Can you imagine what other passengers thought?

Bai is now settling into the park well getting into everything with her lively personality, sleeping in Paul's bed at night and being baby-sat by Paul's dogs.

www.magical-cape-town-vacations have been told that Bai will be on display to the public at Drakenstein Lion Park for short periods to start with, between about 1pm and 3pm, so if you'd like to see the little cutie, take a drive up to Paarl, she won't disappoint!

Baboons Run Amok

2005-01-20T13:22:00.000Z

As regular visitors to my blogs will know, I love the animal stories that come up in the news. Here's yet another on in my occasional series!

Baboons in De Hoop Nature Reserve, about three hours east of Cape Town, ran amok through a campsite at the weekend, looking for food.

Due to the dry weather and lack of food, a large baboon male, ran around terrorising people.

People are rather apt to forget that they are visitors to the animal kingdom and are then suprised when the animals want a piece of the action. Leaving food or leftovers around is bound to attract the wrong guests for tea, so just take care when you're out in the wild.

www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com recommends that you think safety first when encountering animals in the wild - that's your safety first, which in turn is their safety!

By the way, the hippo who escaped out of the vlei near Muizenburg is now very happily living in the Eastern Cape, with no angry, older male for company!

Wine Estate Handles the Water

2005-01-19T09:58:00.000Z

Helicopters with water bombs were deployed over a famous wine estate in Stellenbosch yesterday, as bush fires threatened the wonderful thatched roof.

The biggest drawback to all the great weather that the Western Cape area is having, is that there's not enough rain. Can we ship some out from the UK?

I've been writing about the wine route on www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com, and I'll let you know all about our favourite estates very shortly. The trouble is there's so many fantastic ones, it's hard to find the best, but we've done a lot of research to come up with the best!

Also coming, more information on the weather. In the meantime, sign up to our newsletter at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/newsletter.html and get our article, Why Visit Magical Cape Town?, absolutely free.

Helen

Ezine Article Star

2005-01-17T11:57:00.001Z

Just a very quick blog to say that I've had one of my very first articles published by EzineArticles.com

If you'd like to take a look at the article, please go to http://EzineArticles.com/?id=9497. If you take a look, please rate the article at the bottom of the page and let us know what you thought about it.

Needless to say that it has connections with www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com!

Cobra Strikes in Last months of Ratanga

2005-01-17T10:53:00.000Z

Living up to its billing as being a deadly snake, the Cobra rollercoaster ride at Ratanga Junction suddenly came to a halt high above the ground in a strong Southeaster wind on Friday.

Riders were left screaming and fearing for their lives, giving them more than they bargained for on the nail-biting ride.

The ride couldn't have chosen a better position to stop in, as it was just seconds from swinging the riders upside down. Instead, it left them dangling their feet into thin air. Many were crying and screaming in fear as the wind gusted strongly, shaking them in their suspended seats.

Fortunately, all bar one 14 year old boy who suffered minor neck injuries and was taken to hospital, everyone walked away unharmed, other than having survived the biggest thrill ride of their lives!

The park is due for closure after Easter, as the land it's situated on has been sold to developers. The rides are to be dismantled and sold, so if you'd like to experience the largest rollercoaster ride in Africa, get along quick to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/hotels.html to find out how to get there.

www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/lastminutetravel.html will show you how to get there fast!

Mandela Buries Last Remaining Son

As http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.blogspot.com/ reported back in early December, Nelson Mandela's only remaining son finally gave up the struggle with Aids that has blighted his life in recent months.

Nelson had to bury yet another member of his family at the weekend in his childhood village and Makgatho now lies next to his mother and brother.

Aids ravages one in nine South Africans and Nelson Mandela has bravely told the world of his son's suffering. Once again this towering leader flies in the face of stubborn African taboos surrounding this pandemic.

Too many people want to act like the Ostrich and bury their heads in the sand, not least President Thabo Mbeki, Mandela's successor, who has faced criticism for not providing life-prolonging drugs to sufferers quickly enough.

About 3000 people gathered for Saturdays funeral, with a small army of volunteers stirring large metal cooking pots over wood fires, preparing stew for the huge funeral banquet.
Find out all about Nelson Mandela's early life and times at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/nelsonmandela.html

Loads more pages coming to http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/, including weather and restaurants. Keep in touch!

Until tomorrow ...

Helen

Blogarama

Fires Rage On Road To The Point

2005-01-14T08:49:00.000Z

Fires, which have been burning on the hillsides above Muizenburg and Kalk Bay have just about been brought under control by the helicopters water bombing.

www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/beaches.html details very well the closeness of the wonderful fynbos to the towns, which has been destroyed in the fires.

The slopes of Table Mountain are very suscepible to fire at the moment, due to the incredibly dry weather and the water restrictions that are currently in operation in the Cape Town area. www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/tablemountain.html gives you the low down on Table Mountain.

Warm winds are predicted for the weekend, which could well fan little break-outs of fire, so do be extra careful. Be aware of braai coals (barbeques) and discarded cigarette butts.

One of the wonderful things about travelling around Cape Town, is the number of Braai pits in wonderful locations, so instead of just picnicing in the usual manner, take your barbequing equipment, find a great spot with fantastic views and braai to your heart's content!

Wish I was there this weekend ...
Helen

Spice Up Your Life - Live Longer on Curry

2005-01-13T09:40:00.000Z

Just to prove that we are what we eat, evidence is showing that by eating curry rich in the distinctive yellow spice turmeric can help prevent cancers, has come to light at a convention in Cape Town.

It's not only cancer, but a number of other diseases. There are clinical trials on-going at the University of California with curcumin, an active component of turmeric, for dementia and Alzheimer's.

Thankfully, with all the wonderful Cape Malay restaurants which abound in Cape Town, you'll never have to go far for a great curry. Visit www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/waterfront.html to find one of the best currys around.

Fastest Travel to Cape Town Not Necessarily the Best

Not many people would choose to travel to Cape Town in anything other than an aircraft, www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/flights.html, but three Londoner's chose a red double decker bus for the 6,000 (24,000 km) mile trip.

Doing it 'differently' was what it was all about for the young men, all in their 20's. They bought the bus with the idea of giving it to the South African charity, Hope for Africa when they completed their journey. Along the route they also worked for Aids-related charities, offering whatever expertise they had.

The bus, a still-in service 1961 London bus which cost £10,000, was stripped out inside to create a lounge downstairs and a sleeping area upstairs.

Along the way, low bridges had their moments and a broomstick was used for low-hanging branches and cables. Their trip took them from London, through France, across Europe to Turkey, to the Middle East and down the east coast of Africa to Durban and then onwards on the last leg of the journey to Cape Town.

Just to prove that any trip to Cape Town is possible, go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/tours.html to arrange your next trip. Hopefully no broomsticks needed!

See you tomorrow ...
Helen

Waterfront Runs into Difficulties

2005-01-12T10:08:00.000Z

Isn't it just marvelous? Just when you think things are going swimmingly, something comes along to wreck your plans.

The Waterfront development company has just run into one of these problems. 15 years ago, agreements were reached that building on the land could take place, but suddenly the City of Cape Town has halted R1-billion in developments because it says the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Company is not following the correct approval procedures.
Perhaps they've got cold feet about the success?

http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/ predicts that when a sufficient amount of money is handed over, the City Council will somehow find it in their hearts to honor the original agreement.

The Waterfront is one of those spectacular areas that could still be developed and not lose its magic. Take a peek at what the Waterfront already offers at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/waterfront.html.

Beaches Worthwhile

As promised, I started to put up the page www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/beaches.html yesterday afternoon.

I've still got a lot to add to this so keep checking back, as some of our favourite beaches have still not got online yet. Mind you, I think there are so many beaches that could rank among our favourites, that I could be writing forever!

Are some of these beaches amongst your favourites? Contact us at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/contact.html and let us know yours.

Short blog today, as I want to put more information up on the website for you, so until tomorrow ...

Helen

Gun Fails after 200 Years

2005-01-11T09:07:00.000Z

The famous Noonday gun, which is fired every day, failed to go off on Friday, despite having a back-up.

The Noonday Gun, fired every day except Sundays, was introduced to give ships in Table Bay an accurate time signal by which to set their clocks. The two guns in use are among the oldest in the world and were originally at the Castle in the city centre.

To find out all about the Castle and its history go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/castle.html. It's facinating to think that the walls of the Castle were once lapped by the tides, but are now based rather more inland!

In 1902, the sound of the gun was deemed too loud and the cannons were moved to Lion Battery on Signal Hill, where they stand today.

One of the magical things to hear when you're down in the Waterfront at midday, is to hear that boom, but it must have been very disconcerting for one Hout Bay resident to have climbed Signal Hill to witness the gun being fired, only to hear a click!

The SA Navy, responsible for the firing of the cannon, reported that it was a technical difficulty. Let's hope all is well from now on.

Tygerberg Zoo Announces Imminent Parenthood
Just to prove that the wonderful weather and fantastic food definitely aid health, a couple of Aldabra tortoises in their mid-40s could become parents for the first time after 16 eggs were laid, but zoo staff will have to wait until around Easter to see if they'll hatch.

It's the first time that the Aldabra tortoises have laid eggs in South Africa. They're among the largest tortoises in the world and are an endangered species.

Zoo director, John Spence says that Aldabra tortoises almost never lay eggs in captivity, anywhere in the world. They only do so in the wild on the Indian Ocean islands where they are indigenous.

The eggs are now safetly protected in an incubator after Mum trod on one. Let's hope there will be the patter of tiny feet soon.

A snippet of forthcoming web pages

As promised, here's a little excerpt from the forthcoming pages on the incredible beaches of the Western Cape and Cape Town in particular. The page will be up and running from later today. Catch it at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/beaches.html, but make sure you don't get too much sand in your swimming costume!

Discover your own treasured beach with our guide to the best beaches Cape Town has to offer.

Beaches abound all over the Western Cape. Most of them have long stretches of fine, white sand, gently sloping into either the cold Atlantic sea or the warmer (noticeably degrees warmer) Indian Ocean.

Each has its own characteristics and distinct recreational facilities, such as surfing from Muizenburg on the Indian Ocean to Kite surfing along the Northern Suburbs beaches from Milnerton right down to Bloubergstrand.

Along the way, you'll find delightful spots, such as Clifton, Llandudno, Hout Bay, Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay, Simon's Town and St James.

On driving into St James, you will begin to see why Cecil Rhodes decided to retire to this delightful little nook with its bright, colourful bathing huts and small sandy beach, just itching to occupy even the smallest child in the pursuit of sand castles decorated with the prettiest shells.
Cecil Rhodes's cottage is now a museum open to the public, housing many of his personal possessions and beautiful period furniture.

Thats it for today. Tomorrow tune in for more terrific places to visit in Cape Town, but if you can't wait, head on over to http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/ to soak up some of those rays!

Helen

Blogarama

Elton John Hits Cape Town by Storm

2005-01-10T11:38:00.000Z

Everyone who's anyone comes to Cape Town. Elton John and his partner David Furnish were guests of honor at a charity dinner held in aid of HIV/Aids projects in South Africa on Saturday evening.

The dinner was held at Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West, (see where Somerset West is in relation to Cape Town on our map, www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/map.html).

Elton John sang a couple of songs to the assembled guests, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu; property magnate, Pam Golding; Michael Vaughan, English Cricket captain; Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Dumani Mandela. For a profile of Dumani's father, Nelson Mandela, go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/nelsonmandela.html.

In all, R7-million was raised, which will go to help alliviate some of the country's suffering Aids Victims.

Get a Great Look Round Cape Town Online

www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com is rapidly becoming one of the most sort out websites on Cape Town today.

From its Home Page, you can access valuable pages, such as Travel, www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/travel.html giving you the the How's and Why-for's of Getting Around Cape Town.

Take a visit to The Waterfront, www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/waterfront.html, for all the goings on in that magical place. Your World at the Water's Edge, Cape Town's spectacular Waterfront offers visitors a unique experience encapsulating the colours and rhythms at the tip of South Africa. Dine on take-away or caviar, boat by wind, steam or engines, and don't forget the streetlife!

Contact us, www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/contactus.html, and let us know what you think. Your opinions are valuable to us and we dearly want to give you the sort of website you'll enjoy visiting time and again.

Tomorrow, I promise, I will give you a sneak preview of some of the new pages up and coming for the website. Housekeeping has taken up more of my time than anticipated in the last couple of days, but I can't keep away from the computer any more, because I'm so excited to be able to share with you all the wonderful things there are to do and see in Cape Town.

Don't delay any longer - go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com and start your journey to one of the most wonderful places on Earth!

Until tomorrow ...
Helen

Return from Magical Cape Town Vacation

2005-01-07T13:34:00.000Z

How do you top the Best? Not easy, but thanks to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com we have just returned from our best ever Cape Town Vacation.

Go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/flights.html for the best ways to get there fast ... and whilst you're there check out www.magical-cape-town-vacations/hotels.html for the best places to stay.

One last thing to do at this point is to book a car rental through www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/carrental.html and you are well on your way to the best ever vacation!
Why is this the best?

I looked at this trip as the first one, because it's very easy to just get into the mode of "been there, done that" which really doesn't help the first time visitor to research what's best for them on a vacation to Cape Town.

Well, we've discovered so much to see and do and visit. We can guide you on the 'must see's' and the 'don't bother's'. Keep checking the website at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com over the coming days and weeks for new pages that will get you itching to visit immediately.
Return here frequently too, as I'll be giving you sneak previews of what's happening on the websites new pages.

Tomorrow ... Stunning Beaches, where's the best including sundowner picnics with chilled white wine -sparkling or not, Oyster Catchers and Pelicans!

If you'd like to be notified when a new blog comes in, add our blog to your desktop. If you go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/news.html, you can click on the MyYahoo button about halfway down the page, and this will then add it to your desktop!

Until tomorrows beaches ...

Take Care
Helen

Elusive Hippo Capture

2004-12-10T08:00:00.000Z

Well, the run-away hippo has at last been captured. A couple of weeks ago, it was the elephant seal in Blaaubergstrand, this week the long running saga of the escaped hippo has finally come to an end.

The hippo got the chance at freedom back in February 2004, when a section of the perimeter fence was destroyed by theives who made off with an excavator from the Cape Flats Waste Water Treatment Works. The hippo then made it's home in Zeekoevlei.

The capture of the hippo has proved incredibly difficult and a number of man-hours have been devoted to getting the animal back into safety. It took a total of six darts to finally get him under control and he's now sleeping off the effects.

Clashes with the old, dominant male at the Rondevlei Nature Reserve prompted his escape, so Hippo will be found a new home at a game reserve in the Eastern Cape.

All's well that end's well!

To keep up with all the news, as it happens, go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/news.html. We'll keep you in touch with the most important happenings in Cape Town and the Western Cape.

Final Countdown to Departure

Today's the day! We're finally off! Watch out Cape Town, we're on our way. You'll benefit from all our experiences over the coming weeks and I promise that we won't forget to keep you up-to-date with all our happenings, good or bad.

Make sure you add this blog to your favourites at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com

See you again very soon, from Cape Town.

Gravy lights up that Festive Table

2004-12-09T09:58:00.000Z

Woolworth's have reported that one of their products, a gravy especially prepared to go with your festive meal, is in danger of bursting into flames when placed in your microwave!

Don't go there! Get down to the Waterfront, www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/waterfront.html for your festive meal and let someone else take the strain of all that preparation!

If you want Woolworth's to do it all for you, you'll find one of their stores in the Waterfront too, but be careful on what you microwave. To find the location of the Woolworth's store, or to find a great restaurant, go to www.waterfront.co.za for more information.

First one out there!

Our family's like the Queen's. We all fly on different aircraft! Seriously, Michael has already gone! Jetted off to Jo'burg for business, leaving wifey to pack and remove rest of said family to Cape Town on Friday evening.

Needless to say that flights were booked via this great website, www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/flights.html. All done quickly and painlessly (apart from affording them!) over the internet. Great search engine to find the quickest, cheapest and most accommodating flights. Go and have a look, you won't be disappointed with the service.

We're staying on Woodbridge Island, which is just outside of Cape Town itself, right on the sandy beach which stretches for miles. If you want to book accommodation, take a look at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/hotels.html. Scroll down and find Leisure Isle - the views are magnificent!

Any time of year is great to visit Cape Town, so go and read all the information on www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com first, then start planning. A world in one country is the advertisers way of putting things - and this time they're not kidding!

Hordes Decend on Cape Town

2004-12-08T09:34:00.000Z

People must have been looking at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com and voting with their feet!

Double digit growth in figures have been reported at Cape Town International Airport for the coming vacation period, bringing more flights than ever into the Western Cape. For great, up-to-the-minute flights to Cape Town, go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/flights.html. There are still flights to be had. Like everything, it's about knowing the best place to find the information, but I can guarantee you'll find it here.

Whilst you're there, why not visit www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/hotels.html, for that extra special place to stay? The clear, concise maps and information let you know exactly where the hotel, self-catering, guest house or B & B is situated and exactly what's on offer.

If you're wondering what else to see whilst visiting, get all the low-down on the best things to do and see in Cape Town at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/tours.html. Every conceivable, and some not even thought of, are possible! Again, good information about opening times, things to do, how to get the most out of your holiday.

Want to know more about Nelson Mandela? www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/nelsonmandela.html has even got that covered! And of course Table Mountain! www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/tablemountain.html

My favourite page on the website is www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/waterfront.html. All about the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, it shows you the wonderful sights and sounds that make up the Waterfront. You could spend days just in this one place, and still not have seen everything!

What about getting about? It's easy to get the flight, but getting around Cape Town you really need a car. www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/carrental.html covers all the things to look for to successfully hire a car for your vacation.

Well, on that note, have a fantastic vacation in Cape Town. I am sure that Magical Cape Town Vacations will be able to help you have an even better time!

Don't forget to contact us with your Personal Best at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/aboutus.html - we'd really love to hear from you!

Mandela Junior in Hospital

2004-12-07T18:10:00.000Z

Nelson Madela's son is ill in hospital. Nelson's eldest surviving son, Makgatho, is currently in a Jo'burg hospital with his father at his side.

The family have been rather mysterious about it all, but then I suppose that they've had so much intrusion into their lives, that at a time like this they want to close ranks.

Learn more about Nelson Mandela at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/nelsonmandela.html.

Everyone Falls in Love With Cape Town

Diaan Lawrenson has fallen in love with the Mother City. For those of us who don't know Diaan, she's a big star in one of South Africa's TV shows. Born and bred in Jo'burg, Diaan is in Cape Town working on a theatre production.

Lawrenson feels the city has crept into her heart. "I absolutely love Cape Town," she said.

"The sights in Cape Town are breathtaking and I've tried to see everything so I've been all over the place."

"I live 15m away from the beach, and that has been a bonus certainly, but it's the cultural experiences I enjoy most. The small curio shops in town."

"The nightlife like G-Spot and the Galaxy. A salome at Wemblies (the Athlone roadhouse). Those are things you cannot get anywhere else."

Lawrenson has one of the most recognisable faces on the box, but for the last couple of months she has been driving Is Ja! - on at the Kalk Bay Theatre and starring Jody Abrahams - as producer.Cape Town's atmosphere was quite a change from Jo'burg's hustle and bustle.

"At first the laid-back atmosphere makes you feel anxious, like not much is being accomplished. But once you get into the groove, the scenery, the vibe and the people creep under your skin."

"Afterwards you wonder how you could've lived without it," she said.

Want to know more about the places Diaan fell in love with? Visit www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com to find out ...

Pinging Your Blog

2004-12-06T23:35:00.000Z

Well, it's amazing what you can learn in just a few short minutes - it's knowing where to look first off!

I'm very lucky because I'm building my website www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com with the aid of Nitro Incubator. They're having a webcast tomorrow night, 7th December to give away all their secrets.

If you want to get on it, and I sincerely suggest that one of the best things you'd ever do is to get on this webcast, go to http://www.dotcom-homework.com/The_Human_Touch_To_Profits_Online-issue18.html for how to get onto the webcast.

But hurry because time is running out so fast. Do it now - click on the link above, read all about it and get onto the webcast.

To return to my first paragraph, I didn't know how to get this blog pinged, so I went to my special membership site with Nitro Incubator, got a free download of a fantastic book all about RSS feeds and hey presto, all done in the blink of an eye.

Make sure you go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/news.html to find out what's happening down your way in Cape Town and to see how I've built a website in 6 short weeks, all with the help of Nitro Incubator.

Get on that webcast now at http://www.dotcom-homework.com/The_Human_Touch_To_Profits_Online-issue18.html. What have you got to lose - it's free ...

Steak your Claim to the Best

2004-12-06T17:15:00.000Z

Just in time for our visit, Cape Town's restaurants are tweaking their menus. As both food and wine are very close to our hearts here at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com, this comes as very welcome news!

Somewhere new to visit is Belthazar, an exclusive wine and steak bar at the V & A Waterfront in Cape Town. It's just been awarded the Best Steak House in Greater Cape Town and its situation couldn't be better right in one of our favourite places, see www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/waterfront.html.

We've not visited this one yet, but it'll definitely be on the list this Christmas! The promotional blurb says that it serves 600 of the Capes finest wines, 100 of which are served by the glass.

The glasses are also special, as they are Riedel crystal glasses, designed to enhance specific wine styles. Its claim to fame is that it's the largest 'wine by the glass' wine bar in the world! That's got to be one to check out and we'll let you know what we think.

More on Table Fires

Obviously people have not been taking note of my blog on the hard work the Firefighters are having to do to keep the fires out in the city.

Last week I reported that firefighters were doing a fantastic job of keeping the fires deliberately started by cigarette ends under control. Yesterday, there was a fire on Devil's Peak, which had to be put out by two helicopters water-bombing it.

Although the fire authorities were not sure how the fire started, no doubt it wasn't helped by people leaving litter around.

It must have been a terrific sight watching the helicopters pick up the water, then empty it all over Devil's Peak. Thank goodness though that the city's got the expertise to be able to deal with such emergencies, otherwise Cape Town would be a poorer place for it.

For more information on Table Mountain, of which Devil's Peak is a part, go to http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/tablemountain.html

With that, I'll sign off for today, hoping and praying that the city will be in one piece for the end of the week and the arrival of our holiday!

Changing the Face of Cape Town

2004-12-03T19:30:00.000Z

I see plans are afoot to tidy up and re-house a massive area on the N2 freeway into Cape Town. Not before time, I might add.

As a visitor to Cape Town, I can safetly say that the area directly outside the airport on the route into town is a disgrace. It's been left for far too long and now the situation must be dire.

At the moment, the first thing anyone sees, apart from the mountain, is acres and acres of poverty, filth and degradation. This cannot be a good advert either for the city or for the people.

For visitors who have no notion of South Africa or Africa this can come as a huge shock and colours their views immediately. Their whole trip gets off on the wrong foot. We've had friends who have experienced just this thing. Unfortunately, some people are unable to get over this, due to their shallow-minded opinions, but bad opinions don't help anyone, least of all the poor.

Opinions are like tummy buttons, everybody has one and doesn't everyone like to tell you their opinion!

For the people living in this area regeneration must be a frightening thing, but if they can get into their minds that their lives will improve because of it, then it will benefit both them and the city.

I applaude the city planners who have found the finance and the resolve to attend to this matter. Let's just hope that the people involved appreciate this bold step forward and look after their new environment, instead of allowing it to go to the dogs! The city is for everyone to look after, not just the few and in so doing, feel a sense of community and belonging.

Go and discover your city, get one of the new Cape Town Passes and find out for yourselves what wonderful things go on. More often than not, when you live in a fantastic place, you don't appreciate its beauty, so nows the time. You have the opportunity to find out what brings in considerable income to your lovely world, time to enjoy it over the holiday - just don't look too hard at the sights along the N2 ... just yet!

Fire Up Love, Not Burn the Bush

2004-12-02T16:56:00.000Z

I noticed an article about discarded cigarette ends setting fire to bush, most notably in the City Bowl area of Cape Town.

One of the wonderful things about Cape Town is its areas of green. It's what sets the city apart from other cities of the world that don't have the same expanses of open space.

Why, oh why do people have to be so careless and untidy in such a beautiful place.

Please take care with your rubbish and give the firefighters a break from petty vandalism and destruction. You never know, you might need them in a major crisis, when they'll be otherwise occupied fighting bush fires.

Fly To Cape Town - Don't Get Stuck in Heathrow!

Be careful who you chose to fly to Cape Town with. Low-cost flights with Civair have caused total consternation to about 500 people planning to travel to South Africa and Cape Town in particular.

The cost of flights at this time of year are horrendously high and Civair were trying to do the right thing by challenging the 'big boys' costs, but by not being operational in time, they have made a complete mess of things. People expecting to spend the holiday period with their friends and family are left stranded in Heathrow and believe me, Heathrow is not the place to be at any time of the year!

Try to use reputable airlines which are offering the lowest prices. Do your research in plenty of time. If you want a good reliable search, go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/flights.html for more advice on the best, quickest and cheapest way to get to Cape Town.

We booked back in June to get the flight dates we wanted and even then were unable to return in time to get the children back into school on the first day. However, I don't think the children will worry too much! My difficulty is getting them on the flight to come home at all.

Not something I wish to think about right now, as we are now into an hourly count-down to going ... let alone coming home again!

Light Up Your Life ...

2004-12-01T18:45:00.000Z

The festive lights have been switched on in Cape Town in a fanfare of epic proportions. 50,000 people turned out to party with a free open-air concert, lazer and light show and a parade that makes most street parties look tame!

Based on previous years light extravaganzas in the city, this must rate very highly! But we're all set now for a Christmas to remember!

For Reality TV Look no further than Sport

Frans Cronje, Hansie Cronje's brother is all set to make a movie about the inspirational, but disgraced former South African cricket captain. Even in death, controversy seems to dog this man.

Whilst the family are all set to make one movie, another is also in the pipeline from a different source, still raking over the coals of a drama that shook the cricketing world four years ago.

It just goes to show that if you make a mistake in public life, you'll never be allowed to get over it. Unfortunately, Hansie never got the opportunity to redeem himself, dying in a plane crash, before he could show the world just what kind of man he was.

Hansie Cronje was majestic on the cricket field, an inspiration to his men and to thousands of children around the world who admired his abilities with bat and ball. To fall so spectacularly from grace was cruel, but we all make mistakes. Most of us don't make them in public.

Hansie was probably one of the reasons that my children avidly watch and support South African cricket rather than England, as I suppose everyone likes to support winners, but Hansie also had contacts with our home town here in UK and as with anything South African, in our household it has rather more sway than most other things.

I hope that the films will be true to the story that lies beneath, but somehow life is never thought dramatic enough! We wait to see ...

Prince Harry's Capetonian Girl Friend

2004-11-30T21:05:00.000Z

Even the highest people in the land fall in love with Cape Town! Our papers, and now the world's, seem to be full of Prince Harry's 'new' girlfriend.

The fact that he's been seeing her, unbeknowing to the rest of us, since the Spring, seems to have passed the press by!

However, like everyone who visits 'the fairest cape', even Harry has fallen for its charms!

Obviously has good taste!

Visit www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com to find out where he ought to take Chelsey for all those romantic trysts.

Amazing where you bump into South African Connections

Taking my second son to the local Fracture Clinic to get his dislocated thumb checked out, which he did three weeks ago, we were seen by a very nice lady doctor who said that things in the thumb department were going very well.

Lawrence, desperate to find out if he was going to be able to play tennis in a tournament coming up in Cape Town on the 13th December, asked when he could start playing again. Having found out where he was considering playing, the Doctor immediately envied our up-coming trip.

Her husband comes from Pretoria and she admitted that she far prefers the Cape! The weather being more her style.

Who can blame her! Another one with good taste. Check out todays weather -

I, for one, can't wait to get there - grey, damp days definitely don't suit!

Waterfront Prepares for Visit ...

2004-11-29T17:40:00.000Z

The Waterfront must be privy to my thoughts. Having just written (and not yet finished) an article for the website on Friday, I made mention to the family that one of the very best things about the Waterfront was the parking, which I must mention on the website, http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/waterfront.html.

What do I read today, but that they're preparing more parking - just for us! Well, not specifically for us, but definitely for the influx of seasonal visitors stopping over Christmas.

Obviously more work has gone on since we last visited and tons of rubble has been deposited onto some of the car parks. I am extremely pleased to hear that they are clearing this, as not providing sufficient parking is going to be like shooting yourself in the foot, at the busiest time of the year.

The range of parking is generally very good with underground, covered parking as well as free parking on outside areas. You do have to pay to park in the undercover areas, but you do get the added security of barriers and attendants. Having said that we've almost always parked out on the outside areas with no trouble at all.

If you want less hassle, take a taxi, then you'll definitely get the best of both worlds - a fantastic trip to 'The World at the Waters Edge' and no parking worries!

To find out more about the Waterfront and a small taster of the wonderful things you can see and do there, do visit http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com, you won't be disappointed.

Convention ... Holiday While You Work!

2004-11-26T17:35:00.000Z

Reading through the news articles from Cape Town today, I was reminded of the amazing convention centre that's been newly built, right down by the Waterfront. It's been operational now for a couple of years.

What brought it to mind was that when they were building it year on year, we used to travel past it to get to the Waterfront. Every time I passed it, I wondered how on earth it was ever going to become an integral part of Cape Town, but now I see the light!

What better place on earth ... than to take your company's convention to Cape Town. Holiday while you work!

The best bit about Cape Town for us Europeans, is that there's no jet lag on getting there, terrific all year round good weather (very important to us Brits because of the grey conditions we usually work under), incredible scenery right outside your bedroom window - Table Mountain appears to be right outside your door and so much to see and do, you'll never fit it all in!

Just think what work you'll get out of your employees if you take them to places like Cape Town. They'll love you forever!

For more ideas on taking your company to Cape Town, visit http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/tours.html. Whilst you're there, take a look at the rest of the site - there's tons of information that might help you plan your next convention.

Till next time, have a great day.

Cricketing Misery for English

2004-11-25T17:10:00.000Z

As I seemed to be ahead of the game yesterday with my Blog, I thought that I would bring you up-to-date with what's happening.

As I suggested, the English would far rather play their cricket in South Africa (and who can blame them). They've cancelled their flight to Zimbabwe and are holed up in a very swish Jo'burg hotel.

I think they've already voted with their feet for extra practice in South Africa - well, we've got to have some advantages over those fantastic bowlers and batsmen you have up your sleeve over there!

Mind you, we fairly squashed South Africa at Rugby last week, so I guess there are some compensating factors.

Makes a change!

Wine Woes of the English

2004-11-24T18:35:00.000Z

Having just spotted this article in South African Wine News, I just had to share it with you.

Wine is a subject very dear to this family's heart! (A glass of red a day is good for you, so they say!), but how do you go about getting it out of the bottle?

Britain says 'Put a cork in it!'
"The British are showing an uncharacteristic resistance to change where wine is concerned. They cancelled doorstep deliveries of milk in glass bottles, preferring to collect it in cardboard Tetrapaks from supermarkets.

They happily switched to drinking their beer from cans rather than bottles, and even buy ready mixed Pimm's No.1 Cup rather than preparing it themselves!

But they've dug in their heels over wine, preferring traditional cork closures says the first independent survey of UK consumer's attitudes to wine closures. "

Personally, I don't have a problem what sort of cork they put in it. Perhaps the difficulty is that we Brit's can't get the cork out fast enough and the modern corks are slightly more difficult to remove.

To get a better idea of the fantastic range of different wine estates and the type of closures they have, go to http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/tours.html

You can drink to your hearts content in Wine heaven in the magical Cape!

Cheers!

Cricket Lovers warm-up For England Advance

2004-11-24T17:24:00.000Z

Well, I noticed today that South Africa are warming up their bowling arms in advance of England's tour to South Africa's sunny shores.

Ntini is on the rampage, taking wickets all over the place, whilst England are left without coverage by the BBC and some of the national papers on their tour to Zimbabwe.

What I'd like to know is what the Zimbabwean government thinks it'll hope to achieve by not allowing those reporters in. Could it be they're afraid someone will dig too close to the truth?

I am sure that England will be so glad to get to South Africa. The cricket authorities are really helping their cause for success in the coming tour to South Africa, but then they seem to have strange ideas at the best of times.

Personally speaking, loyalties are split in our family - the adults all want England to do well, the children are keen to see South Africa triumph! Could this be because they like watching winners, rather than losers?

Elephant Seal Avoids Rush Hour Traffic

2004-11-23T16:45:00.000Z

Read a great story this morning, published in the Cape Times about an Elephant Seal deciding that breakfast was not interesting enough in the Bay and a quick trip to Blaaubergstrand to check out the restaurants and cafes was a good idea!

Fortunately, he'd chosen an early sitting, so rush hour traffic was not too difficult to deal with. Unfortunately, he checked out after 30 minutes, as nothing took his fancy!

Just goes to show that the wild life in Cape Town is second to none. Sharks one week, Elephant Seals the next and African Penguins always. If you want to know more about the fantastic wild life right on your doorstep, go to http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/tours.html to find out what you can see and where.

Tourist Attractions

2004-11-23T01:35:00.000Z

Looking at the website http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/news, I noticed that various tourist attractions in and around Cape Town are participating in a fantastic new City Pass that gets you into various attractions free!

The Cape Town Pass 1, 2, 3 and 6 day tickets give tourists free entrance to both larger and smaller attractions in Cape Town, the Peninsula, Constantia Valley and the Winelands - providing a value packed and convenient service to both international and local tourists. It is not a loyalty card, it gives free entrance. Where in the world do you get a horse ride on the beach, township dinner and wine tasting, vineyard tour, guided walk or a champagne cruise for free with a city pass?

I reckon that's worth looking into, so watch this spot as I research for you how it works and where you can get one.

For other great ideas on the best things to see in and around Cape Town, go to http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com

1st Post for Magical-Cape-Town-Vacations

2004-11-17T12:09:00.000Z

Well, at last, I'm able to express myself without too much restriction! Not, you understand, to cause any offence, but just to tell you how much I love my new website.

http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com has come into being because me and my family love Cape Town so much and we want to share our passion for a part of the world that can be rather misunderstood at times.

If you want to visit a place with great weather, fantastic beaches, terrific sightseeing, food and wine galore then this is the place to go.

By visiting http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/flight.html, you'll find the best ways to get there. How easy it is and what you'll find on getting there.

Did you know that Table Mountain has a large number of animals and flowers on its craggy top? http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/tablemountain.html will fill you in on everything to do with Table Mountain, even its weather!

Do hope you'll visit often ...