Here
are the winners of the 2012 Eat Out DStv Food Network Restaurant Awards:
Fresh at Paul Cluver Wine Estate
Monday, November 26, 2012
Winners of the 2012 Eat Out DStv Food Network Restaurants Awards.
Fresh at Paul Cluver Wine Estate
Friday, August 24, 2012
Wild flowers on the West Coast!!!
It's that time of the year again when spring time is near and already there are reports of wild flowers springing up on the West Coast.
From Cape Town to Clanwilliam and everywhere in between, the incredible biodiversity attracts locals and tourists alike to the splendor of nature at its best. Within an hour from Cape Town you could be enveloped by the spectacle.
Things kick off with the 95th annual Daring Wild Flower Show held on the third weekend in September will run for the 14th to the 16th.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Coast_National_Park
http://www.bokkom.co.za/flowers/index.php
http://www.darlingwildflowers.co.za/
http://www.clanwilliam.info/info/infoflowers.htm
http://www.clanwilliamflowerfestival.co.za/
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Franschhoek
World renowned for its spectacular beauty, superb Cape wines and world class restaurants, Franschhoek is is a definite must-visit destination on any trip to the Western Cape.
Founded in 1688 by French Huguenots, it is a scenic gem which nestles in a rich and fertile valley between magnificent towering mountains right in the heart of the Cape Winelands.
Numerous vineyards, including some of the oldest and most famous, are producing glorious wines. It is a connoisseurs delight too with award winning and widely acclaimed restaurants.
Founded in 1688 by French Huguenots, it is a scenic gem which nestles in a rich and fertile valley between magnificent towering mountains right in the heart of the Cape Winelands.
Numerous vineyards, including some of the oldest and most famous, are producing glorious wines. It is a connoisseurs delight too with award winning and widely acclaimed restaurants.
Prince Albert
Prince Albert is the Western Cape winner and a national finalist for "Town of the Year 2012"!!!
Situated just two kilometers from the foot of the Swartberg Pass, Prince Albert is the perfect base for exploring the wonders of the Swartberg including Gamkaskloof (The Hell) and Meiringspoort.
Major attractions include hiking, mountain biking, birding and botanical excursions. The climate is superb with a high sunshine index and spectacular night skies.
What makes Prince Albert such a gem though is its beautifully preserved Cape Dutch, Karoo and Victorian buildings, many of which are national monuments, if fact it has more national monuments that any other town in South Africa.
Prince Albert is also known for its sun-ripened fresh and dried fruit, especially apricots and figs. Karoo lamb, olives, olive oil and homemade cheeses are local delicacies.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Wilgewandel Holiday Farm.
After spending some time at the Cango Caves it was time for lunch and I wasn't particularly partial to the excessive pricing at the facilities on site.
My travelling partner suggested we stop in at the Wilgewandel Holiday Farm immediately below the Cango Caves. They run a large self service restaurant with a substantial menu and facilities that more than adequately cater for large groups.
There are facilities for children but note that many activities are charged for. Still, it was a great breakaway from the caves and a good place to chat and dine in tranquil surroundings.
The Cango Caves
Located 30km from Oudtshoorn, the
Cango Caves are a series of dripstone caverns that open into vast halls of
towering stalagmite formations.
Not all of the caves are open to
the public – there is more than one section to the caves that took millions of
years to form one of the world’s great natural wonders – but the main sections
are available for amazing exploratory subterranean walks that include fumbling
around on all fours in an effort to see all that is viewable.
In totality, the extensive system
of tunnels and chambers in the Cango Caves stretch for over 4 kilometres, but
the section open to visitors, about a quarter of this, takes place as part of
supervised tours, including an “adventure tour”, which takes about an hour and
a half.
The Cango Caves aer well worth
the visit and proved very interesting to young and old alike. The tours were
well organized and the insights and anecdotes provided rounded out a pleasant
subterranean outing.
Calitzdorp Spa
I recently had the unexpected opportunity to drop in on the Calitzdorp Spa while meandering through the Klein Karoo near Oudtshoorn. The Spa is something of an oasis in the semi arid region.
The Spa turned out to be an ideal place to rest up and relax after tiring road trip with a two large swimming pools as well as naturally heated pools and Roman baths.
We chose a mountain cottage and were pleasantly surprised to see Springbok grazing nearby. The surroundings are tranquil with a river running nearby, a bird hide and nearby hiking trail.
Although the accommodation was basic it was matched by the competitive low pricing. Given the available facilities I'd recommend a stop. It was within easy range of the Cango Caves which is also well worth the visit.
Situated along Route 62, itself a wonderful driving route it is also around two hours away from the Garden Route via the Outeniqua Pass. If you're exploring the Western Cape, along either route, this is definitely a place to consider visiting.
Situated along Route 62, itself a wonderful driving route it is also around two hours away from the Garden Route via the Outeniqua Pass. If you're exploring the Western Cape, along either route, this is definitely a place to consider visiting.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Stellenbosch Wine Route
The Stellenbosch Wine Route was the first wine route in the Cape and was established in 1971. It is synonymous with a variety of high quality, award winning red and white wines.
Stellenbosch was founded in 1679 by Dutch settlers. The region's cool climate and fertile soil combined with the planting of suitable varieties of grapes laid the foundation for great wine making.
The Wine Route comprises 44 cellars which are situated along the four main roads leading to Stellenbosch. Each cellar entrance is clearly sign posted with the official Wine Route logo.
Most of the cellars offer cellar tours, wine tasting as well as lunches in their shaded gardens and restaurants. Of course there will be plenty of wine to choose from.
This is a picturesque route with views of Cape Dutch style homesteads, vineyards covering rolling hills and valleys with a gorgeous mountain backdrop.
If you're after the spectacular views the Cape has to offer you could explore the Fruit Route. From Stellenbosch, start with the Helshoogte Pass to the Berg River Valley, over the Franshhoek Pass to the upper Riviersonderend Valley, then over the Viljoen's Pass to Elgin and finally back to Stellenbosch down the Sir Lowry's Pass.
For the wine lovers on that drive you'd be hard pressed to pass Franschhoek!!!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
The Cape Wine Routes.
If there's one very good reason to visit the Cape it has to be the wide range of wine routes available to explore!!! Traditionally the Cape Winelands refers to the Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek and Wellington cellars.
There are however a good few newer wine routes within easy driving distance from Cape Town. These include Constantia, Durbanville, Darling and Walker Bay wine routes.
What I will look to do in the next few weeks is explore some of the Cape Wine Routes to entice you to come and visit to do some tasting!!!
There are however a good few newer wine routes within easy driving distance from Cape Town. These include Constantia, Durbanville, Darling and Walker Bay wine routes.
What I will look to do in the next few weeks is explore some of the Cape Wine Routes to entice you to come and visit to do some tasting!!!
http://www.aboutcapetown.com/wineroutes.htm
http://www.wine.co.za/
On the Stellenbosch Wine Route
Stellenbosch Winelands
Photo courtesy of Virtual Tourist and africaholidaysandsafaris.com
Monday, March 5, 2012
Cape Point, the Cape of Storms.
Cape Point is found at the very tip of the Cape Peninsula, 60km South West of Cape Town. It is in the southern part of the Table Mountain National Park, a Natural World Heritage Site.
The extent of the park is 7750 hectares and contains various flora and fauna and includes buck, baboons and even Cape Mountain Zebra as well as 250 species of birds.
The natural vegetation of the area, fynbos, comprises the smallest but richest of the world's six floral kingdoms.
Also at Cape Point is a lighthouse built in 1859 and is accessed either by walking or the Flying Dutchman Funicular. The Two Oceans Restaurant will cater for your dining needs.
Kirstenbosch Gardens
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is set on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain and was established in 1913 to promote, conserve and display the extraordinarily diverse flora of Southern Africa.
Kirstenbosch displays a wide variety of unique Cape Flora as well as plant life from other diverse regions of Southern Africa. There are over 7000 species in a garden that spans 36 hectares in a 528 hectare estate.
Apart from visiting the garden there are concerts and art exhibitions held at the garden too. There are facilities where visitors can dine as well gift shops and plant sale areas.
Kirstenbosch is definitely well worth a visit and you would well be advised to plan to stay a while. The gardens are open Monday to Sunday from 08h00 to 18h00/19h00 depending on the season.
Photos courtesy of local tourism and gardening websites.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Atlantic Railways.
Atlantic Railways does day trips using a stream locomotive from Cape Town Station to Simons Town. Part of the trip, from Muizenburg to Simons Town in particular, provides stunning views of both mountain and sea and really shouldn't be missed.
Local photographer Shane Swartz provided some pictures.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Interested in Birding?
Many have a keen interest in birding and there are numerous birding locations in close proximity to Chesney's Place. The closest is the Rietvlei Wetlands reserve only minutes away.
Rietvlei
Photo by The City of Cape Town
The West Coast National Park is another with a host of interesting bird species north of Blouberg and Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held captive.
Other birding sites around the Cape Peninsula include:
Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
Boulders Beach Coastal Park
False Bay Coastal Park
Rondevlei Nature Reserve
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Table Mountain
Views from Table Mountain, one of the "New 7 Wonders of Nature".
A visit to Table Mountain, recently voted as one of "The New 7 Wonders of Nature", is a must for visitors to the Mother City. The views are absolutely spectacular and allows you to see virtually every part of the Cape Peninsula.
The Cableway is reliable and the accommodates passengers standing on a revolving platform giving everyone a 360 degree view while ascending and descending the mountain.
There are also numerous paths which can also be used to access the top of Table Mountain. On the mountain there are various opportunities for visitors to relax and enjoy a mean or refreshments.
Camps Bay
Lions Head with Cape Town Stadium at the base of Signal Hill
Robben Island
Devil's Peak
A view along The Twelve Apostles
Cape Point in the far distance
Monday, January 23, 2012
The Queen Mary 2 arrives in Cape Town!!!
Cunard's flagship Queen Mary 2, the largest, longest, tallest, widest and most expensive liner ever built makes her third call at Cape Town tomorrow, Tuesday 24 January.
Queen Mary 2 will arrive in the Mother City from Walvis Bay at 8am and sails again on Thursday, 26 January at 6pm. Queen Mary 2 will berth on Eastern Mole, Duncan Dock.
Queen Mary 2 off Cape Town 25 March 2010. Picture by Ian Shiffman
The Grand Lobby on board Queen Mary 2
After sailing on Thursday the liner will head for her next port of call at Durban, where she arrives at 6am on Saturday 28 January, departing later the same day at 6pm. In Durban Queen Mary 2 will berth at O/P Shed on the T-Jetty.
She will not be open to the public at either port.
Extract from Ports & Ships.
She will not be open to the public at either port.
Extract from Ports & Ships.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Nearby attractions.
There are attractions within minutes of Chesney's Place for those not looking to travel very far. Here are a few links to attractions in Blouberg.
http://www.edenonthebaymall.co.za/about.htm
http://www.sa-venues.com/attractionswc/bloubergstrand.php
http://www.uncoverthecape.co.za/local-attractions/beaches/big-bay/index.htm
Wining and dining close by.
There are numerous restaurants and bars located within walking distance of Chesney's Place. Most are easily accessed by walking down towards the beach and turning left parallel to the beach road towards the traffic circle.
In the vicinity of the traffic circle you have News Cafe', Pakalolo's, The Grill & Butchers, Ocean Basket and in close proximity up the road from News Cafe', Cattle Baron. Take outs include Steers and KFC.
Included below are links to places in the area where you can wine and dine.
http://www.bloubergstrand.co.za/bloubergstrand-restaurants-cocktail-bars.htm
http://www.wininganddining.co.za/western-cape/cape-town/bloubergstrand
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