Friday, December 18, 2009

Cape Town in High Resolution


Jess of Hame Cottages kindly shared one of the most detailed photos I have ever seen of Cape Town. Even though our accommodation in Cape Town's southern suburbs is on the other side of the mountain from the Cape Town city centre, all those who live in close proximity to Table Mountain are intimately connected. And besides, most of our establishments are only 10 to 15 minutes drive from the city centre.



I am not posting that photo here, as it would take hours to download, but am providing a link to the photo, which is on VirtualAfrica.co.za. According to their site, this is how they did it:


This photo by VirtualAfrica.co.za is absolutely stunning, and allows one to see the intimate details of life in Cape Town's city centre. Upon seeing that high resolution photo, I decided to post some other photos to this blog of what is arguably the most beautiful city in the world, along with a couple from elsewhere in the Cape. Note especially the photo with panoramic view of Green Point and the new Cape Town Stadium, which was built for next year's Soccer World Cup. I cannot imagine a better way to motivate someone to visit Cape Town, South Africa, whether it be for the 2010 FIFA World Cup or any other time. Enjoy!








Monday, December 7, 2009

The Party on Long Street

Well, the 2010 South Africa World Cup draw is now over, and Cape Town prepares for the flood of tourists who will come to South Africa's mother city in advance of the FIFA 2010 World Cup. If you missed it, FIFA has a number of videos on its website, and here are a selection of photos from the party on Long Street.


Oh, and before I forget, these are the matches that are scheduled to be played in Cape Town, and you can follow this link to see the other matches, though their venues will not be as stunning as the Mother City's.
  • 11 June - Uruguay vs. France (Group A)
  • 14 June - Italy vs. Paraguay (Group F)
  • 18 June - England vs. Algeria (Group C)
  • 21 June - Portugal vs. North Korea (Group G)
  • 24 June - Cameroon vs. Netherlands (Group E)

Thursday, December 3, 2009

What's on in Cape Town

Thank you to WhatsOninCapeTown.com about the various goings on in Cape Town, South Africa

during the month of December. Below are a few of those events, but you can visit WhatsoninCapeTown.com for more:
Continuing Events

To 10 January - MUSICAL: CATS - The musical spectacular based on the poems from T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats.
Venue: Artscape Opera House (see map on WhatsoninCapeTown.com) Time: Tues - Fri @ 7.30pm,Sat @ 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sun @ 2pm & 6pm Cost: R 150 - R 375 Tel: 021 410 9800 Email: artscape@artscape.co.za www.artscape.co.za


To 20 December - WAVESCAPES SURF FILM FESTIVAL 2009 - An annual feast of surf and sea-themed films including a showing on a giant outdoor screen.
Venue: Clifton 4th Beach 11 Dec; Brass Bell, Kalk Bay 13 – 16 Dec; Labia Cinema, City Bowl 17 - 20 Dec Time: Clifton @ 9pm, Brass Bell @ 9pm, Labia @ 6pm & 8pm Cost: Clifton - Free, otherwise R 25 Tel: 076 505 4874 www.wavescape.co.za/wavescapes-film-festival/record-15-films-for-wavescapes.html

To 30 December - THEATRE: THREE WISER MEN - Take a Muslim doctor, a Jewish linguist and the son of a Pentecostal preacher... three of Cape Town's favourite comedians; Riaad Moosa, Nik Rabinowitz and Marc Lottering are directed by another South African favourite, David Kramer.
Venue: Baxter Theatre, Main Rd, Rondebosch (10 mins from town - see map on
WhatsoninCapeTown.com) Time: Mon - Fri @ 8pm, Sats @ 6pm & 9pm Cost: R 75 - R 120
Tel: 021 685 7880 www.baxter.co.za

New Events

4 December - 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL DRAW PARTY - A street party with a big screen for a live broadcast of the draw (taking place down the road at the CTICC), which decides when and where the 32 qualifying teams for the 2010 FIFA World Cup will play their matches.
Venue: Long Street Time: 7am - late Cost: Free Tel: 021 410 5000 Email: info@cticc.co.za

5 December - MUSIC: FRESHLYGROUND - The enormously popular Afro-Fusion band performs in a line up with Lost Sock and Checked Zebra.
Venue: Dunes Restaurant, Beach Rd, Hout Bay (20 mins from town) Time: from 1pm Cost: R 150 Tel: 021 790 1876 Email: dunes@worldonline.co.za www.freshlyground.com

6 December - KIRSTENBOSCH SUMMER CONCERT: JESSE CLEGG - The soft rock artist performs.
Venue: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Time: 5.30pm Cost: R 75 Tel: 021 799 8783 www.sanbi.org

12 December - MUSIC: BOULEVARD BLUES - The unique and popular band performs jazz, soul and rock classics - perfect for a relaxed afternoon in a beautiful setting. Cash bar, braai food, safe children's play area.
Venue: Cape Farmhouse, 3km from Scarborough at the bottom of Red Hill Rd (50 mins from town) Time: 3.30pm Cost: R 50 Tel: 021 780 1246 Email: info@capefarmhouse.co.za
www.boulevardblues.co.za

12 December - LECTURE: THE FUTURE OF ASTRONOMY IN SOUTH AFRICA - A discussion facilitated by Professor Renée Kraan-Kortewegby of UCT. Guests then have the opportunity to view the night sky through various telescopes (weather permitting).
Venue: Main Building, South African Astronomical Observatory, Observatory Rd, Observatory (8 mins from town) Time: 8pm Cost: Free Tel: 021 447 0025 Email: enquiries@saao.ac.za
www.saao.ac.za

13 December - KIRSTENBOSCH CRAFT MARKET - 180 stalls of arts and crafts, food and delicacies as well as attractions for children.
Venue: grounds of the Kirstenbosch Stone Cottages, cnr Kirstenbosch Dr and Rhodes Ave, diagonally opposite the main entrance to Kirstenbosch Gardens Time: 9am - 3pm Cost: free
Tel: 021 799 8800

13 December - KIRSTENBOSCH SUMMER CONCERT: THE JONNY COOPER ORCHESTRA - The recreation of Glenn Miller's big band recalls the Swing era of the 1940s.
Venue: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Time: 5.30pm Cost: R 75 Tel: 021 799 8783 www.sanbi.org

Regular Weekly Events

Mondays - THE BARLEYCORN MUSIC CLUB - Cape Town's oldest music club provides a stage for up-and-coming Cape Town talent.
Venue: Rygersdal Sports Club, Erin Rd, Rondebosch (10 mins from town) Time: 8pm Cost: R 20
Tel: 082 493 1564 Email: info@barleycorn.org.za www.barleycorn.org.za

Thursdays - AFROBEAT DRUMMING CIRCLE - A passion for drumming brings people from diverse cultures together.
Venue: The Katalist, cnr Lower Main Rd & Scott Rd, Observatory (12 mins from town)
Time: 7pm to 9pm Cost: R 40 (plus R 10 for drum hire) Tel: 084 566 0531 Email: info@afrobeatdrumming.co.za www.afrobeatdrumming.co.za

Saturdays - NEIGHBOURHOOD GOODS MARKET - Hippy chic gathering of stalls of organic produce, wines and oils, flowers, clothes and crafts in a large elegant warehouse. Lots of delicious things to eat at communal tables. Get there early!
Venue: Old Biscuit Mill, 373 – 375 Albert Road, Woodstock (10 mins from town) Time: 9am to 2pm Cost: free Tel: 021 461 2573 Email: info@neighbourgoodsmarket.co.za
www.neighbourgoodsmarket.co.za

Saturdays & Sundays - THE SKY TONIGHT - An introduction to the current night sky and the constellations and planets that are visible this month.
Venue: Planetarium, Queen Victoria St (see map on WhatsoninCapeTown.com) Time: 1pm Cost: R 20 Tel: 021 481 3900 Email: info@iziko.org.za www.iziko.org.za/planetarium/cshows.html

Sundays - GREENPOINT MARKET - A friendly market with a relaxed atmosphere, with traders from across Africa selling carvings, paintings, jewellery etc.
Venue: cnr Beach Rd & Western Blvd, Green Point Time: 8am to 5pm Cost: free


Sundays - VINTAGE FAIR - Over 100 vendors offer a diverse range of vintage products in a great setting.
Venue: Old Biscuit Mill, 373–375 Albert Road, Woodstock (10 mins from town) Time: 9am to 4pm Cost: free Email: info@vintagefair.co.za www.vintagefair.co.za