Monthly Archives: December 2013
Peeking goat
Eeuwww… oysters.
Each year, in around July, the little town of Knysna (high up along the Western Cape's east coast) has a huge oyster festival that runs for about 10 days. Between 60,000 and 70,000 people navigate their way to the area to participate in sports events, drink wine, eat oysters, attend live music acts, and drink wine (did I mention that already?).
So, if you are a fan of the oyster, and if you love a big ol' party, then consider visiting Knysna in July - you're sure to enjoy it! Only, book accommodation now already... it's not a particularly big town. ;)
Open gardens, closed gates
It's sad (though understandable I guess) that the gardens aren't open all year round. Wouldn't it be awesome to buy rights to quietly while away hours reading (or coding, in my case) under large oak trees on expansive green lawns bordered by colorful flowers?
I suppose that's quite idealistic, but a nice idea still - don't you think?
Summer beach days
While sitting at Caprice I commented to a friend that the bank of mist hovering over the ocean, just off the beach front, reminded me of San Francisco. I remember setting out on a warm and sunny day to take a trip from Santa Cruz up to Half Moon Bay (both towns are a few miles south of San Francisco on the North American west coast).
The weather along that entire coast line was exactly the same as the weather that we had at Camps Bay today - it was hot and sunny 100 meters away from the coast line, but misty with a cold sea breeze on the beach itself.
Fairview Wine and Cheese farm
Kerry-Anne and I had lunch here with my mom, dad, and sister - so here's my brief review: The service was good, the setting and decor (inside and out) was lovely, the cheese platter that we shared was awesome (fantastic, in fact). The chicken pie that I had wasn't very good (it seemed to have been reheated in the microwave) and Kerry-Anne's melon-and-feta prawn special was... awful, in our opinion (the tastes were, well, dissonant). My mother said the quiche was great - and I have to admit, it looked pretty good.
So - my recommendation is: Given that they make their own cheeses, and the cheese really is splendid, eat lots of it. Also, as long as you're not driving, drink lots of their wine - it's pretty darn fantastic. :)
There’s something fishy about this art
This large pond forms part of the park's biodiversity garden - which itself is host do dozens of indigenous plant species. Right alongside the garden area are benches and large open grassy areas where you're welcome to lay open your blanked and unpack your picnic basket. The trees are unfortunately not yet large enough to provide lots of shade, so I'd probably advise an early morning or evening picnic - outside of core sunburn hours. :)
The park is right next to the Green Point stadium, very close to the Green Point lighthouse. Entrance is free and the gates are open every day from 07h00 until 19h00.
SUP Three Anchor Bay?
Stand Up Paddling, or SUP for short, has become really popular in Cape Town. We often have calm, flat seas in summer- the kind of conditions perfect for standing on a board and paddling about.
Imagine the tranquility of standing out in the quiet ocean, too far from shore to be disturbed by the crowds, watching the sun set and the coastline turn dark while the ocean water laps at your board.
I live a little too far from the ocean to take up ocean sports, but I think I'll make it a mission to vacation at the coast and hire a paddle board. Soon. :)
Camps Bay beach silhouettes
A million tiny flowers
Please, get on the path. Now.
La Perla in Sea Point
La Perla is locally fairly well acclaimed - and assuming that our dishes were the norm, I can only imagine that folk like the restaurant for it's location and atmosphere. It's probably one of the nicest venues on Sea Point beach road, and the atmosphere is an interesting mixture of hip and young with classically stylish, and although La Perla appeared snooty from the outside (can a restaurant appear snooty?), the staff were surprisingly warm and welcoming.
Definitely visit La Perla for afternoon drinks, but I'd probably choose an alternative restaurant for lunch or dinner.
Garage with a view
Lazy afternoon beach days
Many years ago, before people were aware of the danger of sun exposure, my dad used to spend many hours in the sun, sans sunblock - of course. He's in his 70s now and has to regularly visit his dermatologist regularly to have patches of skin cancer removed. Given the lesson I've learned from him, and all the attention the media has given to the relationship between sun exposure and skin cancer, I'm super cautious with the sun and find it surprising that so many people don't take it seriously.
Sure, my dad won't die from skin cancer, but it has to be darn annoying to have to get those patches treated every few months. Rather cover up, use sun block, don't tan too much, and save yourself a tremendous amount of discomfort later in life.
*This photo was taken on the blue flag Camps Bay beach.
Walking the Woodstock sidewalks
Many Capetonians don't know this, but for some reason (unlike the well-known District Six area) Woodstock escaped the apartheid era's segregation laws. Somehow it remained an area where Caucasian, African, Coloured and Asians could live side-by-side.
Naturally, given the apartheid times and industrialisation the area became run down and dilapidated. Crime increased, and the Woodstock became an undesirable area. In the late 1990s the government started an urban renewal program to uplift the area. Now, 15 years on, while the streets and many buildings are still terribly run down, many businesses have opened in the area, young people have started buying and renovating homes, and much of Cape Town's middle- and upper-class have started frequenting places like The Old Biscuit Mill and The Woodstock Foundry.
While I certainly wouldn't suggest you wander at times when the streets are quiet, take some time to walk the Woodstock streets on a Saturday morning - there are plenty of interesting and unusual things to see.
FHM 2014 Calendar models 3#3
FHM 2014 Calendar models 2#3
FHM 2014 Calendar models 1#3
2014 FHM calendar launch party
I really wasn't feeling up to it after a long day at the office, but given that I love taking photos of people, I knew that I'd probably enjoy the evening I hence convinced myself to go out and be part of the fun and admire the beautiful woman that comprise the 2014 calendar.
I arrived at The Office (where the event was being held), and was presented with a drink (and interesting flavoured beer, though, I can't remember the brand) and ushered upstairs where the party was erupting.
I spent the next two hours taking photos of the models (who, as you can suspect, really love having their pictures taken) and mingling among the excitable guests, most of whom were packed like a shoal of sardines on the outside balcony.
I'll post a few more pictures and give you my impression of the models and the event in one or two follow-up posts.
EDIT: Here are links to more photos from launch party. Enjoy. :)
Photos 1 - Photos 2 - Photos 3
The breakfast assembly line
A happy crowd of gingerbread ppls
Woodstock’s Neighbourgoods Market
Even though their Facebook page lists the market as opening at 09h00, it was already well-occupied by early shoppers at 08h45. So, if you're averse to crowds, try getting there at 08h30. Two hours later, you'll be glad you did. ;)
Red truck red truck
The golden hour
Seaside walkways
Remembering Madiba
Our original post from 2007.
A final sunset
Farewell beloved Madiba.
Father and son
Old man walking
Sunset over Sea Point
Love indigenous
If you're not familiar with Cape Town, then perhaps you wouldn't recognise that green hill as being Signal Hill - although if you've ever visited here I can't imagine you'd mistake the one in the background for anything other than Lion's Head. Kinda pretty, don't you think?