I've never visited Marvel, but I think that I'll make a concerted effort to do so in the not too distant future. :)
Author Archives: Paul
Ballerinas on Table Mountain
A penny for your thoughts
Imagine living a life in which you were constantly either trying to find food or dodging predators.
A lizard in camo
View from the top
If you know Cape Town, you'd recognise Lion's Head on the left, Signal Hill in the middle, and Robben Island in the ocean above. Besides for the upper cable station, the three remaining photos below are of Devil's Peak, Table Bay, and the Twelve Apostles mountain range.
We're so lucky to have such a large mountain bordering on our City Center - becoming part of normal city life.
The 65-passenger Table Mountain cable car
It's difficult for me to imagine that a cable car of this size is able to fit 65 people. Once everyone's inside there's not a lot of place to move around, but fortunately there's enough space so that it doesn't feel as though you're a sardine in a tin!
We took a ride, but where did we go?
South African music
We grew up following international artists and bands, so for me it's strange to see how South Africans today clamber after and support South African music; not due to blind patriotism and not because the music has a cultural significance, the artists have simply become so good at what they do that today they compare with, and sometimes exceed, their international peers.
If you have some time to watch, and listen, take a look at the page that I put together with a few South African music videos. Safe as Houses by aKing is a special favourite of mine. :)
Royale’s eccentric decor
Even though the view from up top on the balcony is great - for some reason I still prefer sitting downstairs, and prefer visiting in the afternoon - before it gets very busy. Royale's service has always been good, vibrant and cheery; and while it remains such the restaurant will always be one of my favourites.
In terms of a recommendation - I'd certainly recommend the Sweet Petunia burger; a 150g beef patty covered with grilled mushroom, fresh rocket, and drizzled with homemade mustard mayonnaise. And, to drink, I'd recommend the divine Fresh Banana and Peanut Butter milkshake. It's killer. :)
Salmon burgers?
I noted this sign at, what is in my opinion, the best burger restaurant in Cape Town - Royal Eatery. And, that said, I guess if someone's going to pull off a salmon burger, it's probably going to be Royale. :)
The iron beak of the Red-winged Starling
Granted, I'm interpreting the bird's nature based on external appearance (which is just silly, really) but it is true that Red-winged Starlings aren't push-overs - they can be quite fierce, actually. These birds are well-known to attack pets and humans wandering too close to their nests... which are unfortunately often located in the roofs of our homes - uncomfortable close to where we normally do wonder. :)
Unfortunately, Starlings are often considered pests (and are dealt with as such) since Starlings like to nest in roofs and tend to spread lice and other creepy-crawlies. It's sad actually - I kinda like those devilishly-dark-sometimes-fierce birds.
Breakfast at Beleza in Cape Town
I especially love the open-air feel when they open the large windows on the deck and how the morning sun streams in on cool Spring mornings. Also, seems as though mostly university students work at the restaurant, so the atmosphere is a young and vibrant one - which is definitely a great way to start the day!
Our volunteers are always on call
The institute is entirely supported by members, donors and sponsors, and is run by (about 980) volunteers - unpaid volunteers. Consider supporting the NSRI by becoming a member - it costs only R100 per year!
Fez Club
The Fez Club, as you may know, is a super-popular restaurant and live entertainment venue in Cape Town, similar to that of the legendary Madame Zingara (the portable restaurant that's located at Century City, just outside of the city center, until the end of 2011).
Now, thinking of Madame Zingara; we haven't seen her in a long long while - I think we'll have to pay her visit as soon as Kerry-Anne's recovered from her hip op.
Cape Town streets at night
Not Signal Hill
Spinning parachutes
From the booking process, to the briefing, to the actual jump - we're pretty happy to recommend Downhill Adventures. The had Kerry-Anne kitted up in a matter of minutes; bundled her into the plane; and had her free-falling about 20 minutes thereafter.
Parachutes and airplanes
Have you jumped? If not, you really should consider it when visiting Cape Town - the view from up there is remarkable (or so Kerry-Anne tells me) and the rush is unlike any other!
For reference, the entire experience took about 45 minutes (from walking in the door, to walking out after the jump) and the cost was a R1750. Downhill Adventures will also video the experience for another few hundred Rand, depending on the option that you choose.
Skydiving in tandem
After putting off the jump for several years she eventually decided to give it a go and had LessFuss (who are awesome) book the jump with Downhill Adventures.
The guy walking up behind Kerry-Anne was the German who she had attached to her back for the tandem jump. For reference, jumpers are attached to each other with four clasps that (luckily) make it fairly impossible for them to get separated.
Wine estate information – a useful summary
The province's wine districts (map) are divided into a few regions: Constantia, Durbanville, Paarl, Wellington, Worcester, Robertson, Stellenbosch, the Swartland, Tulbach and the Breedekloof area. If you'd like to visit the wine estates in these areas take a look at these useful tables with contact details and information for dozens of wine farms across the province.
On the lawn at DeHugenot Estate
What's awesome about the experience is that (as you can see) the tables are spread fairly far apart so that you're able to enjoy the company of those at your table without the intrusion of other guests in close proximity.
Lunch in the country – DeHuguenot Estate
Even though the food is fine-dining, the main and desert was enough to leave me full and not wanting for anything else. Lunch wasn't cheap, nor was it outrageously expensive. The (particularly-awesome) Chalmar Beef Sirloin cost R120 and Banana Split dessert cost R40.
If you'd like a delectable lunch and good service in the countryside, then DeHugenot Estate is certainly worthy of a visit.
Yellow weaver bird
I've watched this weaver build its nest over the past few days and, perhaps it's premature to say so, but I think it looks a little more secure than the previous one. That said, I sure hope that the little piece of grass that you can see wrapping over the thorn above the nest isn't the only thing keeping it in place!
School photos
I use to hate having official photos taken at school. I'm not sure if it's common practice internationally, but here in South Africa it's the norm to have photos taken each year. Perhaps it was relevant in previous years before high-end digital cameras became such common place - but now, I wonder if it's still as necessary.
Does anyone perhaps know the schoolgirl in the photo? I have her photo. :)
Waterfront kerbstones
Slippery green stuff
Besides unfortunate people slipping, and landing on their bums, many a vehicle has seen its end by being dragged into the water, unable to gain enough traction to stop from slipping down the incline.
Unlike others, I'm always extremely over-careful when walking on this kind of surface. ;)
The V&A Waterfront’s Robinson drydock
Dockyard cranes
The blue building to the right of the photo is the well-known Blue Shed craft market at the V&A Waterfront, and the brown structure that you're able to see to the left of the photo is the Two Oceans Aquarium - which certainly should be included on any visitor's V&A Waterfront excursion.
Yachts of the yacht basin
For reference, this yacht basin is the one that the Cape Grace and One and Only hotels at the V&A Waterfront back on to.
Coca-Cola’s red-crate robot
I think the robot is pretty awesome, but can you imagine how much the company must be paying the V&A Waterfront to advertise their brand with such a huge 3D billboard?
Did you know that the Coca-Cola company is 125 years old and that soft-drink was originally sold as a medicine?! Isn't that just crazy?!