Welcome to my site.

I recently photographed the wedding of Jaco & Junko at The Barn at Monchique in Hout Bay.

The Barn @ Monchique is available for special events and functions. Nestled below Constantia Nek and completely private and secure it is ideal for events and weddings.

This was my first visit to Monchique and I really liked taking photographs here as the river makes for some great picture opportunities and I would love to do a trash-the-dress photo session here.

Junko and Jaco reside in Japan and flew out to South Africa for a second wedding so their family and friends could join in their celebration.

Junko could not speak english but Jaco’s japanese rocks and between the three of us we managed to work out the formal photographs and I think the results are proof of this.

Should you require a photographer based in the Southern Suburbs or Atlantic Seaboard to photograph your upcoming wedding please get in touch with me as I definitely have a package that will suit your needs.

Here’s looking forward to the busy wedding season, I’m almost fully booked and it’s bound to be a blast making great photos at some of the best wedding venues the Western Cape and Southern Cape has to offer.

Feel free to comment or mail me for a quote.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Ralph H
072 220 2840
+27 72 220 2840
myphotographer@gmail.com

An exploration along the peninsula coastline to enjoy some of the most inspiring scenery South Africa has to offer, with the main feature being the spectacular Cape Point and the historical Cape of Good Hope.

Featuring:

	The Atlantic Seaboard: This curvy stretch of coastline, also informally known as the millionaire’s mile, stretches along Sea Point, Bantry Bay, Clifton and Camps Bay where some of the best beaches of Cape Town can be enjoyed. The road we follow hugs the coastline with the formidable Table Mountain and the 12 Apostles mountain range close on our one side and the vast South Atlantic on the other. We pass the trendy café’s in Camps Bay which are very popular venues to enjoy sundowners while viewing the magnificent sunsets over the Atlantic ocean.
	Picturesque Hout Bay literally translated meaning “Wood Bay”, where the early Dutch Settlers collected timber to repair their ships after sailing along the rough seas of the Cape Coast. Our tour includes an optional stop at Mariner’s Wharf, the original Waterfront of Cape Town, for a boat cruise to Duiker Island, home of the Cape Fur Seal, largest of all fur seals.
	Traveling through the quaint holiday and residential villages of Kommetjie and Scarborough, we enter the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, rich in historical significance and offering an abundance of natural beauty. This is home to more than 2200 plant species and various birds and mammals, including antelope, baboon, ostrich, land based- and seabirds. The impressive views of the vast Oceans towards the South and West, the Hottentots Holland Mountains across False Bay to the East and the Cape Peninsula to the North, can be seen from the lighthouse at Cape Point which is situated on the highest sea cliffs in South Africa. Our next stop is the Cape of Good Hope, the most south-westerly point on the African continent. Your exact location when standing at this point? 18º East and 34º South.
	A visit to the Boulders Beach introduces you to the charming Penguin Colony, all of them dressed in their “tuxedo outfits”.
	Simons Town’s long and illustrious naval heritage is visible everywhere in this town; including the statue of “Able-seaman” Just Nuisance, the only dog ever to be officially enlisted as a member of the Royal Navy.
	In the long shadows of the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain lies Kirstenbosch , the flagship of South African Botanical Gardens, with more than 9000 species of plants. This exquisite garden will leave a lasting impression of “the fairest Cape of them all”.
	Suggested Lunch options are : Restaurant / light snack at Cape Point or Simons Town Source: 34 South Tours

Welcome to my blog.

Chapman’s Peak opened last week so I took a trip round the mountain with the family to the World of Birds in Hout Bay .

My 3 year old son loves the birds and animals here and my daughter who is turning one in December also enjoys checking out the colourful birds and noisy monkey’s.

There’s so much to photograph here and it’s really possible to lose track of time.

Lucky enough it’s not too far from where I live so once a month I try and get back.

Enjoy the pictures.

Ralph 072 220 2840
+27 72 220 2840
myphotographer@gmail.com

Letzte Etappe: ans Kap – Montag, 19.10.

Leider beginnt jetzt die letzte Etappe meiner Reise, ich bin schon jetzt ein bisschen wehmütig. Von Hermanus gehts nach Kapstadt rein, links und rechts, kilometerlang die bunten aber armseligen Townships hinter einem Bauzaun, Menschen laufen neben der und über die Autobahn. Diese krassen Verhältnisse deprimieren mich immer wieder.

Zebra Crossing

Ich komme im Zebra Crossing an (82 New Church St). Mein Zimmer ist simpel aber ok. Immerhin zwei dicke Sessel. An der Rezeption ist Susan, die leider ein bisschen maulfaul ist. An der Bar trinke ich erstmal ein Black Label, inzwischen ist es schon dunkel. Das Auto kann ich nicht vorm Hostel lassen, zu unsicher. Einen bewachten Parkplatz gibts aber nebenan gegenüber dem “Backpack” (74 New Church St), 20 Rand die Nacht.

Zebra Crossing, 82 New Church St, Cape Town

Long Street

Das Zebra Crossing liegt nur 5 Min. von der Long Street entfernt – DIE Ausgehmeile für Traveller und eher junge Leute, das gediegene Publikum besucht lieber die V&A Waterfront. Die Long Street ist ein quirliges Sammelsurium von Klamotten- und Plattenläden, Jugendherbergen, Kneipen, Bars, Restaurants, Clubs. Überall ist was los. An den Ecken stehen überall zwielichtige Typen, die einen wegen Drogen anquatschen (Marihuana, Kokain, Speed, “Magische Pilze”). Bettler/-innen gibts auch viele. Die Stimmung ist locker und partymäßig. Alle paar Meter stehen städtische Securityguards oder Parkwächter in leuchtenden Warnwesten. Dieses Aufgebot erzeugt immer noch bei mir mir ein mulmiges Gefühl. Die stehen ja auch nicht umsonst da.

Long Street

Ich esse im “Royal Eatery” einen indischen Chickenburger und lerne Stefan, einen Schweizer Ingenieur kennen, der hier nach seinem beruflichen Einsatz noch ein paar Tage dranhängt. Wir quatschen und trinken Wein, und noch mehr Wein, gegen Mitternacht wanke ich ins Hostel zurück.

Von Fotoscheu kann bei den Kapstädtern keine Rede sein

Schönste Stadt der Welt? – Dienstag, 20.10.

Leider war wohl das letzte Glas Wein gestern abend schlecht, jedenfalls dröhnt mein Kopf. Immerhin gibts im Zebra Crossing für 25 Rand ein Früstück mit Semmel, Crossaint und sehr gutem Kaffee.

Tafelberg (von der V&A Waterfront)

Kapstadt entdecken

Dann mache ich mich auf, die Stadt zu entdecken. Mein erster Eindruck ist der einer europäischen und ein bisschen amerikanischen Metropole, mit einem Schuss Afrika. Der Tafelberg gibt ein schönes Panorama. Insgesamt kann ich schon verstehen, warum sich hier auch viele Europäer niederlassen. Kapstadt wird im Reiseführer übrigens gerne als einer der schönsten Städte der Welt beschrieben. Nun ja, über Geschmack lässt sich nicht streiten, jedenfalls haut mich die Stadt nicht völlig von den Socken. Der Verkehr nervt jedenfalls gewaltig, um die Ampelphasen zu überwinden braucht man schon olympische Sprinterqualitäten.

Diese Skulptur trägt den Titel "Africa". Sehr treffend, wenn man drüber nachdenkt.

Die Straßen sind belebt durch die unterschiedlichsten Menschen, und man kann auch tagsüber sicher herumspazieren. Ich biege von der Long Street in die Whale Stree ein und schau mir das Kap-Malayenviertel an mit seinen bunten Hausfassaden und Moscheen.

Kap-Malayenviertel

So langsam klappere ich alle Sehenswürdigkeiten der Innenstadt ab, bis ich zum Vergnügungs-, Shopping- und Hafenviertel “Victoria & Alfred Waterfront” (V&A Waterfront) komme. Die Waterfront hat ein bisschen was von Disneyland, alles etwas künstlich und aufgesetzt, sehr ordentlich, aber wenig authentisch.

V&A Waterfront

Endlich wieder Weißbier

Am Eingang zur Waterfront, beim Clock Tower, ist ein Münchner Paulaner Bräuhaus mit Biergarten. Weißbier, wie ich das vermisst habe! Und sogar billiger als in München! Ich kann’s mir nicht verkneifen, und setze mich an die Theke im Biergarten, wo Schwarze im Dirndl oder in Lederhosen bedienen. Es gibt sogar Brezn und Schweinsbraten. Als dann noch die bayerische Trachtenkapelle “Kennst Du die Berge in Kufstein” spielt, verdufte ich. Man kann es auch übertreiben.

Ich möchte diesen Teppich nicht kaufen! Gute Reise!

Über Kapstadt

Gegen halb fünf bin ich im Hostel zurück und ringe mit mir, ob ich noch auf den Tafelberg soll. Da ich schon zwei Weißbier getrunken habe, will ich auch nicht mehr mit dem Auto fahren, zumal der Verkehr in Kapstadt wirklich ätzend ist. Ich raffe mich auf, und mit dem Taxi gehts zur Talstation, wo eine Gondel hochfährt.

Auf den Tafelberg

Gegen halb sechs bin ich oben, und bin total begeistert. Die Aussicht über Kapstadt, die Berge, das Meer ist absolut grandios. An den anderen Berggipfeln schweben sanft die Wolken vorbei, alles wirkt malerisch. Das darf man wirklich nicht versäumen! Auf dem Tafelberg sind einige Wanderwege ausgezeichnet und die Landschaft ist beeindruckend. Es weht allerdings oben ein warmer, aber sehr heftiger Wind, zum Glück habe ich meine Regenjacke dabei. Ich schlendere über eineinhalb Stunden oben herum, kurz vor 7 nehme ich eine der letzten Gondeln runter. Schade, dass ich den Sonnenuntergang nicht oben beobachten kann, erst im November werden die Fahrzeiten ausgedehnt. Trotzdem, so schön hatte ich es mir vorher gar nicht ausgemalt, und bin immer noch vom Anblick begeistert.

auf dem Tafelberg

Abends sitze ich dann nur noch im gemütlichen Fernsehraum und schreibe Tagebuch.

Kap der Guten Hoffnung – Mittwoch, 21.10.

Robben Island

Heute war ein schöner und gemütlicher Tag, obwohl er erstmal schlecht gestartet ist. Ich musste schon früh raus, da ich für 8:30 ein Ticket nach Robben Island habe, der Gefängnisinsel, auf der einst Nelson Mandela einsaß. Der Kartenkauf (180 R, ein Happen Geld für S.A.) am Vortag ging problemlos, aber in der Hochsaison muss man angeblich die Karten zwei Wochen im voraus reservieren. Auf der Insel führen ehemalige politische Gefangene durch die Anlagen. Irgendwie gehört Robben Island zum Pflichtprogramm in Cape Town, aber um ehrlich zu sein, so richtige Lust hatte ich nicht. Wie das eben mit so Pflichtterminen ist.

Eck-Café

Ich kämpfe mich also mit dem Auto durch den Berufsverkehr zur Waterfront, das Linksfahren macht mir inzwischen nicht mehr viel aus, aber der Verkehr ist trotzdem nervig, suche einen Parkplatz, verlaufe mich und hetze zur Ablegestelle (Mandela Gateway, beim Clock Tower). Es weht ein heftiger Wind, geradezu ein Orkan. Komme gerade noch rechtzeitig an, da wird gerade durchgegeben, dass heute alle Fähren wegen des Sturms gecancelt wurden.

Jack-Ass

Pinguine

Meine Enttäuschung hält sich in Grenzen, statt dessen beschliesse ich, den Tag mit einem schönen Ausflug zu begehen. Zunächst fahre ich ca. 40 km Richtung Süden nach Simon’s Town, zum Boulder Beach, wo eine Pinguin-Kolonie ist. Wegen des immer noch starken Windes haben sich die putzigen Vögel hinter und unter Steinen verkrochen, trotzdem kommt man dicht an sie ran, sie sind auch gar nicht scheu. Es sind Kappinguine, werden aber auch Esel-Pinguine genannt, weil ihre Rufe sich wie die von Eseln anhören. Klingt ulkig. I-Ah, I-Ah.

Bitte recht freundlich!

Auf dem Weg von Kapstadt am Kap entlang sieht man auch, wo die ganzen Reichen wohnen. Die Autobahn sieht eher aus wie eine Parkallee, mit schönen gepflegten Baumgruppen und Blumen am Rand und in der Mitte. Prächtige Villen stehen an der Küstenstraße.

Ans Kap

Nachdem ich den Pinguinen “Mbuana” gesagt habe, fahre ich ans Kap der Guten Hoffnung, besser gesagt dem Kap-Nationalpark. Der “Park” ist gar nicht so klein, hinter dem Gate fährt man noch 15 km bis zum Kap. Die Landschaft ist mal wieder wunderschön.

Am Kap

Kurz vorm Kap läuft noch ne Herde Strauße übeer die Straße. Auch viele Paviane treiben sich rum. Der Sturm wird sogar noch schlimmer, manchmal kriege ich die Autotür kaum auf. Am Kap der Guten Hoffnung sind natürlich die ganzen Touristenbusse – eine Horde Chinesen hat gerade das Kap geentert.

Kap der guten Hoffnung - die Chinesen sind auch schon da

Aber es gibt auch viele abgelegene Stellen im Park. Auf einer kleinen Wanderung stoße ich wieder auf eine Pavianfaamilie. Der Oberboss stellt sich in den Weg und droht mir, ich warte ein bisschen. Dann beschliesst er aber, sich lieber mit einer seiner “Hofdamen” abzugeben. Während er zwei Minuten lang beschäftigt ist (richtig romantisch wirkt das nicht gerade…) schleiche ich mich am Weg vorbei.

Nicht jugendfrei

Ich bleibe bis zum frühen Abend im Kap-Nationalpark. Der Ausflug hat sich wirklich gelohnt. Die Landschaft ist wirklich eine Augenweide, und die Begenungen mit den Straußen und Pavianen war auch sehr witzig.

Abends hänge ich so ein bisschen im Hostel rum, und weiss nichts mit mir anzufangen. Leider kommt im “Zebra Crossing” keine richtige Stimmung auf; das Hostel wirkt insgesamt eher duster. In den anderen Hosteln war abends immer was los und man hat Leute getroffen, mit denen man ausgehen konnte. Alleine habe ich keine Lust, auf die “Vergnügungsmeile” zu gehen. Ich lasse mir im kleinen Restaurant einen Cheeseburger machen, trinke zwei Black Label und das war’s.

Kap-Nationalpark ... menschenleer

Seehunde – Donnerstag, 22.10.

Morgens kämpfe ich mich schon wieder durch den Berufsverkehr. Am Anfang meiner Reise habe ich ein österreichisches Pärchen kennengelernt, welches ich in Kapstadt nochmal treffen will. Kenne aber nur den Vornamen und das Hotel (“Icon Hotel”). Stelle mein Auto irgendwo ins Halteverbot mitten auf die Straße, und erkundige mich an der Rezeption. Offensichtlich sind Alex und Freundin schon hinreichend aufgefallen, und die Rezeptionistin erinnert sich an eine superblonde  Frau mit “komischem Namen”. Sind aber beide schon unterwegs, ich hinterlasse eine Nachricht.

Die südlichste Würstchenbude der Welt steht in Hout Bay

Peakman’s Drive, Hout Bay

Anschließend fahre ich Richtung Süden, nach Noordhoeck. von dort geht der Peakman’s Drive ab, eine atemberaubende Panoramastraße (mautpflichtig), Richtung Hout Bay im Norden. Man könnte auch die andere Richtung fahren, aber dann liegen die schönen Aussichtspunkte auf der falschen Seite.

Peakman's Drive

Als ich mittags in Hout Bay ankomme, habe ich mächtig Durst und fahr erstmal zum Spar Supermarkt. Dort bestürmt mich gleich ein Kongolese, der mein Auto waschen will – solche Dienstleistungen sind völlig normal hier. Ist jedenfalls ne gute Idee, meine Scheibe ist völlig verschmiert und verkleistert. Als ich aus dem Supermarkt komme, ist der Mann immer noch zugange, wäscht mein Auto von oben bis unten.

Hout Bay

Nun, ich mach noch einen kleinen Spaziergang um den Block, hebe Geld ab, schau mir Schaufenster an. Mei, nach ner Viertelstunde ist mein Auto immer noch nicht ganz fertig. Hat der eigentlich nichts anderes zu tun? Das Auto glänzt und blinkt inzwischen, dass sich Passanten Sonnenbrillen aufsetzen müssen. Ich geb dann noch mal extra Trinkgeld, obwohl ich eigentlich ja nur die Scheibe klar haben wollte – um das Auto am nächsten Tag sicher zum Flughafen zu bringen.

Sucht wohl schon länger einen Käufer

Nach einer Stärkung am Hafen (lekker Fisch!), gehts mit nem Bötchen raus nach Duiker Island, der Seehund-Insel (50 Rand).

Ja, wo sind denn die Robben?

Hunderte Tiere haben sich da versammelt. Sieht sehr putzig aus, aber die Viecher stinken erbärmlich.

Seehunde stinken!

Der letzte Abend

Abends treffe ich im Hostel noch eine leicht verwirrte, zur Vergesslichkeit neigende Engländerin mittleren Alters, die irgendwie ihren bisherigen Job losgeworden ist, und jetzt in Kapstadt im Kinderheim aushelfen will. Na prost Mahlzeit, auf die haben die Kinder gerade noch gewartet.

Cat & Moose Backpacker, Long Street (Empfehlung von Dona, leider war schon alles belegt)

Eigentlich wollte ich den letzten Abend nochmal so richtig losziehen, aber im Hostel sitzt nur noch John rum, pensionierter, aber quickfideler Amerikaner aus Oregon, der sich einmal im Jahr eine Auszeit von Heim und Frau gönnt, um die Welt zu entdecken. Wobei … “quickfidel” passt nicht richtig, John hat einen Sehnenriss am Bein, weil ihm in Lesotho ein durchgeknallter Bettler einen riesen Rohstock vor den Latz geknallt hat. Das ist nun drei Wochen her, seitdem hat er eine mächtige Beinschiene und humpelt durch die Gegend. Inzwischen kann er aber über sein Unglück lachen. Wir unterhalten uns noch bis spät abends über’s Alleinreisen, und überhaupt über Gott und die Welt. gegen zehn ruft dann auch noch Alex, der Österreicher an – hat meine Nachricht zu spät bekommen. Wir verabreden uns dann unverbindlich in heimatlichen Gefilden.

Sundowning am Tafelberg

Danach gehe ich auch nicht mehr raus. Ich denke darüber nach, was eigentlich das Schönste an der Reise war. Es waren letztendlich nicht die spektakuläre Landschaft oder andere sensationelle Sehenswürdigkeiten, sondern die vielen Menschen, die ich kennengelernt habe, die Freundlichkeit der Südafrikaner, und der anderen Reisenden. John war wieder so jemand, mit dem ich stundenlang quatschen konnte, und so machte es auch nichts, dass ich den letzten Abend in Südafrika nicht in einer tollen Bar oder Restaurant verbracht habe.

Abschied – Freitag, 23.10.

Letzter Bummel

Letzter Tag. Packe meine sieben Sachen und verstaue sie im Hostel. Danach schlendere ich durch die Stadt, bummle über die Fussgängerzone, kaufe hier und da Kleinigkeiten als Mitbringsel, schau mir noch ein paar Sehenswürdigkeiten an (z.B. Rathaus), aber eigentlich bin ich etwas melancholisch und habe keinen rechten Spaß.

Lunch zwischen Trödel

Gegen mittag verputze ich mal wieder einen Hamburger mit Straußenfleisch, und genehmige mir ein letztes Bier, ein Windhoek Lager, aus Namibia. Schmackhaft und doch leicht (4% Alc.).

Windhoek Lager: nach dem Reinheitsgebot gebraut!

Airport

Da mich Naomi vor Wochen vor dem Chaos aufgrund von Baumaßnahmen auf dem Kapstadter Flughafen gewarnt hat, mache ich mich sehr rechtzeitig auf, um das Auto zurück zu geben. Aber von Chaos bemerke ich nichts, die Rückgabe des Autos und des Navis klappt völlig reibungslos, und so habe ich noch 3 Stunden Zeit bis mein Flug geht.

Das Land hat mich begeistert, und doch ab und zu nachdenklich und deprimiert gemacht. Der Weg zur Rainbow Nation, einer Nation der echten Einheit und Schwarz-weiss-bunten Gemeinschaft ist noch ein langer Weg, zu groß sind noch die Gegensätze in den Lebensverhältnissen, zu separiert leben die Menschen.

Dennoch – jetzt geht eine sehr schöne, erlebnisreiche, spannende Reise zu Ende. Die freundlichen Südafrikaner, die Herzlichkeit, die schöne Landschaft, die Begegungen mit wilden Tieren werden wohl unvergesslich sein. Durch’s Alleinreisen habe ich viele neues an mir selbst entdeckt (z.B. dass ich doch, wenn’s drauf ankommt, kontaktfreudig sein kann). Meine Bedenken hinsichtlich Sicherheit haben sich am Schluss auch zerstreut (aber Vorsicht ist nie verkehrt!).

It's a long way home

Splash!

This photo was taken from the upstairs restaurant at the Brass Bell in Hout Bay at our annual staff lunch. The view is of False Bay.  It was a beautiful day and the excitement of the December holidays was almost tangible. I couldn’t resist snapping these two thrill seekers who were just standing on the wall of the tidal pool enjoying being sprayed on by the crashing waves. (Unfortunately the original photo with better resolution was on my hard drive that got stolen when my house was burgled.)

The Atlantic coast suburbs stretch from Green Point on the city’s doorstep, through Sea Point, Bantry Bay, Clifton, Camps Bay and onwards through Llandudno and Hout Bay to Kommetjie and Scarborough. This coastline includes some of the most expensive real estate in Africa through to remote seaside villages, much loved by the surfing set.

Green Point

Green Point, a once neglected area of high rise apartment blocks, restored townhouses and converted warehouses is now one of Cape Town’s most colourful communities. The suburb is on the edge of the city and has a vibrant nightlife. Green Point is a popular evening destination and is well served by a large selection of coffee shops, trendy restaurants, night clubs and shows popular among the gay community. It is within walking distance of the V&A Waterfront.

Sea Point

Like a city within a city, Sea Point, with its innumerable restaurants, bars and pubs bustles 24 hours a day. This is a truly cosmopolitan suburb that never sleeps. From the wide seafront promenade, busy main road, high rise apartment blocks and mountainside villa’s, Sea Point has it all.

Bantry Bay

Bantry Bay is located on the coastal road between Sea Point and Clifton,  centrally located for easy access to entertainment venues, world class shopping centres and restaurants. The homes in this suburb offer spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean and Robben Island. Bantry Bay is the start of the stretch of the Atlantic Coastline favoured by the mega wealthy.

Clifton

Clifton is probably one of the most desirable residential areas in Africa, with apartments and houses with multi million dollar price tags. The view, however, makes it all worthwhile and the wind free beaches which enjoy more protection from the prevailing south-easterly winds and longer sunshine than the False Bay Coast are popular with locals and visitors alike. The four adjoining beaches where you wind down stairways between the bungalows to white sands are breathtakingly beautiful.

Camps Bay

Camps Bay and Bakoven lies behind Table Mountain, nestled beneath Lions Head and the majestic Twelve Apostles, and boasts a magnificent palm fringed, sandy beach. The cosmopolitan beachfront is vibrant throughout the year and people throng the pavement cafes and restaurants enjoying the ambience. Not too many years ago this was a tiny seaside village, today Camps Bay is a playground of the wealthy with property prices to match.

Llandudno

This millionaires row continues along the rocky coast with a long stretch of undeveloped coastline to Llandudno. The village has a stunningly beautiful beach, much favoured by surfers, real estate in the village is likely to be beyond all but the most well heeled however. Some of Cape Town’s most exciting homes have been built in Llandudno with talented architects having incorporated huge granite boulders and glass walled swimming pools overlooking the bay into their designs.

Hout Bay

Not far from Llandudno, just over the rise called the Suikerbosie (sugar bush) Hill is Hout Bay, one of the fastest growing areas in Cape Town which has a thriving town centre and its own waterfront development, which predates the better-known V&A Waterfront in the city by several years. Hout Bay offers much for the visitor with boat cruises from the harbour, the World of Birds and a variety of restaurants to choose from.

World of Birds: www.worldofbirds.org.za

Chapman’s Peak Drive

From Hout Bay, what must surely be one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the world winds along Chapman’s Peak drive to Noordhoek. There are wonderful picnic spots and look-out points along the way and the view across to the Sentinel, guarding the entrance to Hout Bay, is unforgettable. A miracle of civil engineering even by today’s standards, the road is cut into an almost vertical cliff face, it is an unforgettable experience to drive the winding road and watch the waves crashing on the rocks below. [Watch the Video]

NB!!! – Chapman’s Peak Drive is a toll road, the toll for passenger vehicles is R20 per trip.

Noordhoek | Kommetjie | Scarborough

Beyond the green Noordhoek valley, the villages of Kommetjie and Scarborough are among the more isolated areas close to the Cape Point Nature Reserve. At Kommetjie, Long Beach is renowned among surfers as one of the worlds prime surf spots. Outer Kom (200 metres off the lighthouse) with waves up to five metres and Sunset Reef (approximately a kilometre of Long Beach) where waves of eight metres have been ridden are not for the faint hearted.

Source: Cape Town Atlantic Coast

]]> http://jessylipperts.wordpress.com/2009/09/05/hiking-silvermine-awesome-views-of-hout-bay-amp-noordhoek/ Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:07:48 +0000 jessylipperts http://jessylipperts.wordpress.com/2009/09/05/hiking-silvermine-awesome-views-of-hout-bay-amp-noordhoek/ http://brooksportandleisure.wordpress.com/2009/08/08/imizamo-yethu-sports-field-project-now-online/ Sat, 08 Aug 2009 11:13:28 +0000 Norman Brook http://brooksportandleisure.wordpress.com/2009/08/08/imizamo-yethu-sports-field-project-now-online/ http://foodcapital.wordpress.com/2009/08/03/chapmans-peak-hotel-restaurant/ Mon, 03 Aug 2009 07:07:49 +0000 the foodie http://foodcapital.wordpress.com/2009/08/03/chapmans-peak-hotel-restaurant/

It’s possibly one of the best-located restaurants in Cape Town, and even with Chapman’s Peak Drive closed so frequently (I get the sense it’s been closed more than it’s been open the last decade) it’s worth heading out to Hout Bay to sit on the terrace here. The faintest hint of sunshine and the place hums on a Sunday afternoon. A lot of Hout Bay locals (easily identified by the ‘Republic of Hout Bay’ stickers on their cars) are there. And the biker crowd too, though thankfully not the fully-leathered racing Kawasaki idiots, but the more genteel Triumph-riding kind. And then an assortment of families, the younger crowd and also the wealthier middle-aged daytrippers taking their Porche’s out for a spin (amazing how the Porche drivers always get out-front parking). All in all, it’s a pretty relaxed setting, so the mixed clientele works just fine.

They’re probably not there for the food, which is a surf ‘n turf mix that isn’t going to inspire much in anyone with a tip of culinary interest on their tongue. They have a decent list of steak options, but the steak I’ve tasted here has never been anything noteworthy. Their seafood is better, but quality is inconsistent across the dishes. Prawns are a winner. Battered linefish not-so-good. What really brings me back is their calamari. Served in a black frying pan accompanied by chips (or veg or rice – who the crap chooses rice with their calamari though?!), this dish is a classic. The tartare sauce is terrible, so best squeeze the lemon juice and get stuck in. This is not a dish approved by the Heart Foundation, so I also highly recommend you order a pint of Stella Artois to help wash the grease down.

Sadly the service is also always erratic here, and they seem to excel at employing too few people to deal with the busy Sunday afternoon shift. Our waitress last time was named Honey, which also raised a few eyebrows: normally referring to a waitress as “Honey” is something popular in very few places outside of Brackenfel. Either way, the service situation needs some work and this is important here since guests should be looking at the waves in the bay rather than for the waitress. Not a great restaurant, but a great Cape Town location. I’ll still come back – just for the calamari though.

www.chapmanspeakhotel.co.za

Super Tubes at Jeffery’s Bay

At times traveling can be stressful especially when things don’t go according to plan.  Although we were unable to go to Central America due to uncooperative airlines (click here to read about what went down) we looked at it as a blessing instead of a curse.  At first I was greatly disappointed at the thought of not going to Central America.  We were suppose to meet up with friends and I was really looking forward to practicing Spanish and tasting all the yummy foods, not to mention surfing some epic waves.  Kahi helped me to realize it was not the end of the world, we could always go another time and instead we could go to South Africa and spend more time exploring the neighboring countries.  Although our trip was delighted a couple more days in Cali it was well worth it and soon enough we were back at the airport on our way to South Africa.

I wasn’t sure what to expect of South Africa.  To tell you the truth I knew very little about the country and was a little nervous.  When talking to others about South Africa I’ve heard both really good and really scary things.  Someone actually told me that you couldn’t buckle your seat belt in the car because if you were car jacked and went to unbuckle yourself you may get shot because they would think you were pulling out a weapon.  Because of the spontaneity of our trip I didn’t get a chance to research the country to find out much about the area.   Traveling has taught us that you can’t believe everything you hear and the best thing is to talk with locals to find out the real deal.  There are many dangers in South Africa as well as in other places in the world, its all about knowing where not to go, what to look out for, and being aware of your surroundings

It was a long long journey to Cape Town.  First we flew from San Diego to DC, made a stop in Senegal to refuel, then on to Johannesburg and finally to Cape Town.  After picking up our bags and going through customs, which was a breeze, it was an hour cab ride to Hout Bay where we arranged to stay with our friend Darrel’s down hill skateboarding buddy Stu.  To fight jet lag we went out for a drink at Stu’s friends house down the street, it ended up backfiring  because we ended up staying out till around 3 in the morning.  Needless to say we slept almost the whole next day.  It was totally worth it though, these South Africans know how to party!

The area we were staying in was really nice and our room was more than we could have asked for.  The next morning I looked out the window and got my first glimpse of Africa during the day.  It was not quite what I was expecting.  I don’t know what I was expecting, maybe some crazy animals to be running around or a lion eating an antelope.  Haha!  Not quite.   It seemed like we were in a small town in Cali, big fancy houses surrounding a cute little town with small cafes, a grocery store, and a few shops.

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Stu was super cool, he showed us around town and took us on an amazing hike.  The mountains were beautiful with their steep and rugged faces.   I kept expecting to see a baboon or some other animal straight out of the Lion King.  No animals but the view of the ocean and town was unforgettable.  Fresh water springs were coming from the mountain side creating small waterfalls.  We watched curiously as Stu cupped his hand and started drinking the water, we hesitated but gave it a taste.  Best water ever!   So cold and as fresh as it gets.  As we were making our way down the mountain the sun began to set, what a spectacular site.

The surf was pumping and we were desperately trying to arrange a car so we could get to Jeffery’s Bay, the best right point break in the world.  Our friends Kohl and Sarah were also in South Africa surfing J-Bay at the time.  We’d getting calls about how good it was and that we needed to get over there ASAP.  Stu hooked it up and found us a car for the month through Best Beetle.  The next morning we were outta there and making our way east to J-Bay.

The roads in Cape Town were a little heck tick and we didn’t have a very detailed map, so Stu gave me some awesome directions to the N2 which would take us all the way to J-Bay

The drive to J-Bay is usually 8 hours but in our little putt-putt car it would take a little longer.  We had spent three days in Hout Bay and really hadn’t ventured very far.  After driving only a few blocks we passed by the township where the majority of the black/coloured community resides.  The change was so drastic that literaly on one side of the street are nice large houses surrounded by electric fences and barbbed wire, then right across the street are people living in make shift shacks mostly built out of corragated iron.  It was especially surpising to me because we arrived at night and did not notice it as we drove in.  As we continued our drive down the coast we realized that a similar situation existed in many of the towns along the way.  After 7 hours of driving we pulled into Plettenburgh Bay to have a drink with Kohl and Sarah our friends from Hawaii.  It was good seeing them and to hear about J-Bay and all the things to look forward to.

Town of Jeffery’s Bay on the horizon

The next morning we were back on the road making our way to J-Bay.  We wanted to get there early so we could find a good place to stay.  Somewhere close to the beach with a view of the surf and affordable too.  Sarah and Kohl told us about Lazee Bay B&B, a nice cozy bed and breakfast that’s only a short walk from the surf.  After checking out the town and a few accommodations we found ourselves at Lazee Bay.  Our room was amazing!!!  It was on the third floor of the house with a great view of the ocean.  Best part of all was it was only $15 per night for both of us.  This was great considering we were paying over $50 a night at the last couple places we stayed.

Lazee Bay and the view from our deck

A humble dinner in our room using the Alia board as a table

After our first surf session at Supers we were hooked.  We could get used to this place, real used to it.  Fast pealing right point break barrels (huge stand up ones) that go on for what seems like forever.  Only a couple days had passed when we decided to stay here for a month.  The Billabong Pro was coming to town in a week so we needed to secure a place to stay soon.  Lazee Bay had just been sold and we were told we’d have to move out in three days.  I was crushed.  I loved it there.

Super Tubes

Super Tubes

The Point

The next day we drove around town looking for a place to rent for a month.  Most places were booked for the contest and some were just too expensive or far from the beach.  We found a place that was a little further from the beach and quite affordable, both of us were pretty stoked on it but it didn’t have an ocean view.  On our way back to Lazee Bay we passed a house with a sign advertising self catering accommodation.  We called and asked if there were any rooms available starting July 3rd and they told us they had just finishing renovating a one bedroom one bath and that it should be finished by then.  The price was right, the room had its own kitchen and the view of the surf breaks was unbeatable.  We were sold.  Plus the guy who owns the house, Curt, is also from Hawaii.  Small world or what?  Strange how we keep running into people from Hawaii and the influences they have on our trip.

The view from our new home

A brai (or BBQ) with our new friends a the house

We are looking forward to kickin’ it in J-Bay for a while.  Staying in one spot makes traveling a heck of a lot easier.  When you move around a lot, like we did in South East Asia, you’re constantly looking for new places to stay, carrying your stuff, and getting on bus ride after bus ride.  This type of traveling is exhausting and although you get to see a lot in a short amount of time you never really get a good feel for the places you visit.  Moving into a house and staying in a small town would give us the opportunity to meet locals, settle down and really enjoy our time here.  Not to mention our chances of scoring epic surf would greatly increase.  Its difficult to score good surf when you spend a week at one spot then move on to the next.   What’s the rush anyway?  We have three extra months of traveling time since we had to cancel our Central America leg.  Why not hang out in J-Bay and rack up some tube time.

Walk in beer fridge at the local beer supplier. You can get a six pack for about $3

A traditional South African lunch from the Die Kospot of roasted potatoes, broccoli, rice, sweet potatoes, and roast beef

Tortilla chips and salsa from The Mexican that really sucked, their enchiladas were really really good though

Biltong!!!  Similar to our beef jerky is soooo yummy and very popular here

Well apparently they were rumoured to be interested in buying the Sentinel Mountain Peak in Hout Bay,Cape Town.The 320 metre high peak was to be auctioned yesterday but the proceedings were interrupted by a 100 or so protesters who claim the mountain belongs to the indigenous people.Police had to fire rubber bullets to disperse the crowd which included  King Khoebaha( say it slowly ..its funny!)-Cornelius,Head of the Royal House of the Khoi-San.Some Rastas (do they count as indigenous?)were also in on the action and they said they often go up the peak to get medicine!!..ya right..yes medicine..sure!! This is what all the fuss is all about..

The mountain was bought in 2005 for the bargain price of 60k Rand ( +-$8000) and  bidding started at 10 million Rand.A successful bid comes with naming rights as well…Mount Oprah? awesome :)

Many years later we are back in Hout Bay looking for some more shell elephants.

Chapmans Peak Drive

Approaching Hout Bay from Noordhoek we are getting ready to negotiate Chapmans Peak Drive - the most spectacular marine drive in South Africa with breathtaking views of the ocean and cliffs. But – horror of horrors – the drive is closed. It is too dangerous to allow cars up there. So, after fortunes have been spent to stop rock falls and put up barriers, it is still a no go road.

So, when we drove on Chapmans Peak Drive years ago, with no nets to catch falling rocks and no barriers to prevent one from plunging hundreds of meters down to your doom were we very brave or just plain stupid ?

Chapmans Peak History

Chapmans Peak Drive is named after John Chapman, a sailor who landed on the Hout Bay shore on 27 July 1607. It is 9km long and has about 114 curves skirting the cliffs along the Atlantic Coast line. It was built between 1915 and 1922 when the road was literally blasted into the sheer cliffs and is regarded as a major engineering feat.

Shell Elephant

This elephant is made primarily of cone shells – it was bought on the Hout Bay harbour.

Elephants are able to pull up to 11.5 liters of water into the trunk to be sprayed into the mouth for drinking or onto the back for bathing.

Chapmans Peak Drive Looking North to Table Mountain

FUN! FUN! FUN! On City Sightseeing's open top bus in Cape Town (Copyright Mark Wessels Photography)

By: majesstic

A winner was announced this week for the City Sightseeing Cape Town/MXit competition! A very excited Rikus van der Merwe won an apple iPhone as well as 6 tickets on City Sightseeing’s open top, double decker red bus. The prize was handed over by City Sightseeing Cape Town’s big boss Claus Tworeck on Wednesday morning at stop 1, in front of the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront.

Rikus and his friends check out his new iPhone on Cape Town's Red Bus (l - r) Jaco Griessel, Rikus van der Merwe, Divan Griessel, Paul Kilpert, Christo Kotze and Addo Louw. (Copyright Mark Wessels Photography)

After the congratulations and handshakes were over, Rikus and 5 of his friends piled onto the bus, (seats as close to the back on the top were chosen, naturally). They took the Blue Route which takes a turn through the mother city before heading on the very scenic drive past Kirstenbosch and around Table Mountain to Hout Bay, past Camps Bay – with spectacular views of the mountains and the sea – and back to the Waterfront. The excitement levels were sky high from the first minute and I was getting worried that the iPhone would fall over the railing of the open top bus with all the handing around between the friends.

Cruising round the mountain in the back row of City Sightseeing's open top bus... (Copyright Mark Wessels Photography)

My only previous contact with MXit was seeing my younger cousins spending hours glaring at the screens of their cell phones with fingers jabbing buttons faster than any lightning could wish to strike. On the bus I could ask the experts some questions about MXit – apparently it can be downloaded onto your cell phone enabling you to send text messages at almost no cost as often as you wish. The only snag is that you can only MXit (as they call it) with other MXit users.

Having a great time on City Sightseeing's open top bus at Hout Bay. (Copyright Mark Wessels Photography)

Rikus, our winner, is still in shock and could hardly believe his luck to have won an apple iPhone as well as the bus tickets! Loads of fun was had by everyone and comments such as “awesome”, “wonderbaar” (wonderful), “lieflik” (lovely), “dis nou iets nuuts” (this is a whole new experience) and “dis ‘n special gevoel om op dié bus te ry” ( it’s a really special feeling to ride on this bus) were heard all the way. One of the gang even said that he feels like a Pantene model with his hair blowing in the wind! The guys said that the only thing that could have made the day better would be if the rest of the gang got free iPhones too. Well guys, perhaps you can try your luck in the next competition.

WOW! Check the views from the open top bus at Camps Bay! (Copyright Mark Wessels Photography)

PS. On the topic – City Sightseeing Cape Town is currently running another competition on MXit with an iPhone up for grabs! The closing date is 17 July 2009. So check out the bandit on MXit > you also have a chance to win!

Visit our website: www.citysightseeing.co.za

Because I have not kept my collection in date order I will just select them randomly as we go and see where we end up….

So to start – little shell elephants from Hout Bay.

Hout Bay is situated on the Western side of the Cape Peninsula. Some people call it a suburb of Cape Town but residents who live in Hout Bay refer to it as ‘The Republic of Hout Bay’

Hout Bay History

Hout bay was named in 1653 after Jan Van Riebeeck recorded in his diary the Dutch word ‘Houtbayken’ – he said ‘The forests are the finest in the World and contain timber as long, thick and straight as one would wish’.  Timber was cut from the forests in this area and shipped around the mountain to Table Bay.

Hout Bay Harbour

The famous harbour at Hout Bay was a safe haven for ships long ago. Today you can take a ride in a glass bottomed boat and buy a huge assortment of fish straight off the fishing boats. At the harbour we found Mariners Wharf - a collection of curio shops, restaurants and a huge market full of curios from Africa.

Shell Elephants

These little elephants are made from a variety of shells stuck together. They stand about 6 cm high and are very fragile. Somehow they have survived years of dusting without getting broken – unlike some others I have ! The main body is made of a whole unbroken cowrie shell – the ears are broken pieces of cowrie shell and the legs are made from cone sea shells.

Elephant Fact

Elephants may live to be seventy years old or even more

While my parents were in Cape Town, we discussed the possibility of me staying in South Africa until August. Since I have family in the country and finding a job in the U.S. is nearly impossible, it seemed like a reasonable idea. For the past 2 weeks I have interviewed for jobs and internships and even got one along the way. But when the time came to change my airplane ticket, expedia.com would not let me. Now, clearly this was at attempt to pocket more cash in a worsening economy but I don’t have the dinero to lend to Expedia’s cause. Anyway, as an attempt to avoid buying an entirely new ticket home, my parents and I decided that coming home would be the best plan.

Somehow, don’t ask me details, I finagled an internship in New York. I will be interning at a casting agency. I’ll be helping to organize casting calls, head shots, recruiting men that appear to be basketball players (the movie focuses on bball), and some administrative stuff. I found a post on Craig’s List for the summer job and couldn’t resist applying. I’ve always been really interested in film, but I focused more on the critical writings on the finished product. I’m minoring in Rhetoric at Bates so I’ve taken some really wonderful classes on film – particularly through the lens of homosexuality and color. These courses have no doubt been some of the most influential classes I’ve taken in college. I love the idea of dissecting a medium that most people interact with. Everyone has a favorite movie; sometimes looking into the messages embedded within screenplays, direction, and soundtracks both clarifies and reflects some of societies largest patterns – marginalizing or otherwise. In any event, this internship seems like the perfect opportunity to understand film from a production point of view. Other perks include being close to familial New Yorkers and some of my best friends from Bates and at home will be roaming NY as well.

On Monday, I return to Chicago; on Friday, I start work in New York. Even though my summer plans have just literally fallen apart and somehow fused together again, I am equally excited for a summer in a new city with old friends.

Peace and then some,

Naima

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Source: Tigger2Charters

A Hout Bay, dans la pointe du Cap.

This is the blog of a 25-year-old bookmark. I proudly boast my own Hallmark serial number, 95 HBM 80-1. You’ll probably want to read all about me and my Travelling Companion (the TC) .

Today’s travel notes

Me and the TC have been in Cape Town, South Africa, for the last week. While we were there, we went up Table Mountain.

My impressions? “The purpose of evolution, believe it or not, is beauty.” (Joseph Brodsky.)

The TC is feeling philosophical at the moment. This is affecting me and all who travel with her. The top of Table Mountain is a good place for quiet reflection.

Travel tip

To boldly go where no man has gone before — that’s “marvellous”, as the TC’s father would say. This worm adds: Do split those infinitives and question other rules that may prevent you going where you need to go.

The book I’m in

World without End, by Ken Follett.

Dedication

For Peter and Kay, the TC’s parents, two travellers dauntless and generous.

The photos

Me and Peg on top of Table Mountain, near the cable car station and looking out over a fog-covered Atlantic seaboard:

On top of Table Mountain

We went up the mountain on a day when the city and coast were shrouded in fog. At first we thought the cable car would not be running. But as we drove up Kloof Nek Road we rose up over the fog bank into the bright sunlight.

Here’s a view from inside the cable car going up, seeing the other cable car coming down to meet us:

On top of Table Mountain

Below is a closer view of the top cable station as we approach it. Those last few metres are very steep. The cables creak and grind and the ground falls away on both sides to reveal a breathtaking view of Camps Bay as well as the city. When they’re not covered in mist, that is:

On top of Table Mountain

The top cable station is at an altitude of 1067 metres. Take a look at the cables that anchor the station. The man sitting on the wall next to the cables gives you some idea of scale:

On top of Table Mountain

Here’s another view of the cables with the back of the top cable station behind them:

On top of Table Mountain

The cable car going down, with the top cable station on the left and Lion’s Head (the round mountain top) on the right:

On top of Table Mountain

The cables leading downwards, with Lion’s Head (669 metres) on the left and Signal Hill (350 metres) on the right:

On top of Table Mountain

Dassies on a rock overlooking the Atlantic seaboard beyond Camps Bay:

On top of Table Mountain

What is a “dassie”, you may well ask? It’s a cute fat furry creature, about the size of a cat. And it’s the elephant’s closest living relative! You’ll see many of them sunning themselves on the rocks on top of the mountain, especially on the side that overlooks Camps Bay. They’re not too bothered by humans but if you get too close they disappear into a crevice. Here’s one that we saw on the city side of the mountain top, taking advantage of an empty bit of path at a viewing site:

On top of Table Mountain

Starting from the top cable station, we walked along the top of the front table with the Atlantic seaboard on our right. The vegetation up there is lovely:

On top of Table Mountain

The Cape Floral Kingdom is famous for its diversity, and Table Mountain in particular is home to many unique and lovely species.  There are only 6 floral kingdoms in the world, and the Cape Floral Kingdom is the smallest but richest. The vegetation is called the “fynbos”, which means “fine bush”.

On top of Table Mountain

It really is flat on top of the mountain. Most of the plants are short, because the soil is shallow and the mountain-top climate is harsh. Still, even up there, you see some beauties like this protea overlooking an empty dam:

On top of Table Mountain

A closer view of the protea:

On top of Table Mountain

Another bit of fynbos that caught the TC’s eye:

On top of Table Mountain

Still overlooking the Atlantic side, here’s a view of Hout Bay:

On top of Table Mountain

Now you’re looking over the eastern side towards Fishhoek and Simon’s Town, except that they’re covered in fog today:

On top of Table Mountain

If you’re more energetic than the TC, you can walk up the mountain via Platteklip Gorge or one of the other gorges. You do need to be careful, especially if it’s misty. Every year a few tourists simply walk off the edge and fall to their deaths. The mountain seems friendly because it’s right in the middle of the city. But it’s a mountain after all. One of the gorges is named “Skeleton Gorge”, appropriately enough. Here’s a view of Platteklip Gorge, at the point where you would emerge if you walked up it:

On top of Table Mountain

Below is another view over the top of Platteklip Gorge. The TC’s sister Tracy crept to the edge and attached me and Peg to a meagre bush overhanging the precipice. It seems that that ruthless desire for adventure-by-proxy, with this worm as the proxy, runs in families!

On top of Table Mountain

Back to the mountain-top restaurant safe and sound, and a rock pigeon joined us for tea:

On top of Table Mountain

That’s all for today dudes.

I finally escaped the hotel room on Saturday and went to help Tony Staples and his family at a sand castle building contest in Hout Bay. Of course I have no experience in such endeavors but I decided to give it a shot.

After we finished I took my friend Brad to see the rock rabbits up the road. The same place I took MBM, Weezer, & Poppa when they were here. Unfortunately, there was only one little critter to be seen.

So, there you have it. I did a few more things throughout the day, but nothing exciting. I finished up with a BBQ at Brad’s apartment that was awesome. He’s a coonass, knows how to cook like a coonass, and the food tasted like it came from South Louisiana. Good stuff.

Now I’m off to Nigeria. Not good stuff.

A few months ago now (end of 2008), back when I was still working in the church, I got myself a Spiritual Director.

This is basically a guy, much older and wiser, who agrees to chat you through your spiritual journey every now and again. In the same way that you are told that every Psychologist needs to meet regularly with another Psychologist; I was told that as someone who leads others spiritually it was important to go to a Spiritual Director.

My particular SD has a beautiful old house in the ‘Republic of Hout Bay’. His study is actually in his roof, which you access from the outside via a rickety, wooden stair case. It’s an odd shaped room with a ceiling that slopes to the floor on one side and the musty smell of wood and old books sitting heavy in the air. He had his big swing windows open to the sunny day outside so that the smells of the garden drifted in to produce a very comforting aromatic concoction. Sitting on his comfy, leather bound couches he listened to me rant on about how fed up I was with narrow-minded, institutional church. I expected to just get put down afterwards, to basically be told to ‘shut up’ in a sweet spiritual-sounding way, like so others had before. I was waiting to see the normal reaction of desperate defensiveness contained under a thin veneer of forced propriety.

But not today.

He waited till I was done and then simply said, “Sean, you need to get out. I did, and it was great.”

He then went on to tell me about his journey and how he had left the Institutional church a few months prior because it felt like all the wrong things were important to them.

But hang on a minute, I’m the young, immature zealot who has this kind of reaction; you’re the old guy who tells me why I’m wrong and how I’ll grow out of this spiritual angst in time. He clearly hadn’t read the script.

Two feelings hit me at once:

Firstly, “I’m not crazy. Yay!”

Secondly, “How bad must things be if this guy is taking an honest look and saying that the Western Church has lost the plot?”

My mind, being built the way it is immediately jumps to thoughts of revolution. ‘Lets get in there and fix this thing’, but his advice to me was something much simpler, and ultimately much more helpful.

He told me to get a plant.

It took me a couple of seconds. I wasn’t really sure how to break it to him that he’d just lost his mind. It felt rude to mention it. So instead I politely nodded and told him as sincerely as I could muster that it was ‘an interesting idea’.

I did it though.

I now have a bowl with a few little cacti in it.

I didn’t get it at first, but I realised that he knew better than I did that I would be endlessly frustrated if I went in trying to change the church.

Its not my job.

I wouldn’t manage it.

I had tried.

But I could take care of these little plants. It felt good to actually affect something. I put some effort in and I saw these little things grow. It was soul nourishing to just shrink my life down and focus on something simple instead of trying to solve everyone else’s problems. I’m no longer working for the church, and my cacti are going strong, which I take to mean my therapy is working.

Lesson learnt: I’m not meant to kill myself trying to fix things that are beyond my control.

Constantia valley 15 Dec 08

Clever contributors to local talk radio have said that the reason why Chapman’s Peak Drive is still closed is that the company running the show is paid just as much whether the drive is open or closed. So the lazy buggers have little incentive to get a move on and clear the rockfalls, repair the catch fences and generally pull their finger out.

Whatever the reason for the seven-month closure, tourists doing a tour round the Cape Peninsula have to backtrack down Chapman’s Peak and go over Constantia Nek. One advantage of this is that it gives me the opportunity to trot out a few more superlatives.

For a while we follow the route of the 56 km Two Oceans Marathon (“the world’s most beautiful marathon” is what the organisers call it). I tried it once, and at the 26 km mark I hit the wall and had to run the last 30 km on sheer willpower. I can remember forcing myself to run every step of the way up the steep hill leading out of the Hout Bay valley, passing fatter Gautengers walking up, and then watching the same fatties running past me on the way down. What the hell, I finished the bloody thing in just under 5 hours 40 min and have the satisfaction of knowing that I ran every step of the way.

Back to the superlatives: for a few years in the 80’s the route used to go along Klaassens Road in Bishopscourt, and on this road four world records were broken. In 1988 Thompson Magawana went past the 30-mile mark in 2:37:31 for a new world record and past 50 km in 2:43:38 – also a world record. He won by more than 9 minutes in 3:03:44 to set a new record for the race, “certainly the most incredible ultra-distance performance ever seen in South Africa” according to Riel Hauman, author of Century of the Marathon: 1896-1996.

Magawana’s counterpart among the women was Frith van der Merwe, who also set world records for 30 miles (3:01:16) and 50 km (3:08:39) during her record-breaking 3:30:36 victory in 1989.

The amazing thing is that, some 20 years later, all six of those records still stand. If you don’t believe me google the names above or go to http://www.americanultra.org/stats/world_records.htm

Jan van Riebeeck and 90 settlers helped to get a garden going in Cape Town to supply the ships on their way to the east. He stayed exactly 10 years, and left on 6 April 1662. After he left there was a succession of leaders here, but none of them made any great impression until a man called Simon van der Stel came on the scene. This was a man of great vision who really helped to get things going, especially in the Stellenbosch district which became the leading wine producing region in South Africa.

After he got farming going there, and motivated his men to complete the Castle, he decided that he would like to have his own wine farm – but closer to the Castle where his office and residence was. So he had soil samples taken from all around the Cape Peninsula to find the best spot, and on page 28 TV Bulpin records the following in his excellent and “opinionated” Discovering South Africa: “Before he left for India, on 16 July 1685, the Lord of Mydrecht [Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede] showed the Dutch East India Company’s high appreciation of Simon van der Stel for his constancy, dedication and loyalty, and their desire for him to remain in the Cape as long as possible. He was granted the superbly situated piece of ground beyond the last farm then occupied at Wynberg. The Commander selected this handsome estate himself, carefully taking into account the variety of soils, altitudes and micro-climate, all factors of decisive influence in farming, and especially in viticulture. Title to the estate was granted on 13 July. The gratified Commander named it Constantia, presumably in honour of the young daughter of Commissioner Rijkloff van Goens who had that name, or simply that the name meant ‘constancy’.”

That sounds pretty authoritative, except that Phillida Brooke Simons in Cape Dutch Houses and Other Old Favourites says on page 59 that Constantia was named “possibly after the granddaughter of Commissioner van Goens”, and Ed Coomb & Peter Slingsby in their book Beard Shaver’s Bush: Place Names in the Cape say on page 25 that Constantia was named after the daughter of Baron van Rheede (who they claim was a commissioner). It seems that they are mixing him up with Van Goens who was the commissioner (Van Rheede was a member of the governing body of the Dutch East India Company and was on an official visit to the Cape).

So we seem to have two votes in favour of a daughter, and one (from Phillida) for a granddaughter. I’m one of the few lucky people who can claim to have spent some time with both TV Bulpin and Phillida Brooke Simons. Both impressed me with their knowledge; but if I have to choose who is more likely to be correct I’d go with Phillida. She is a noted historical researcher, and gives a bibliography at the end of her book, while TV does not (and can’t argue with me because, sadly, he passed away on 3 October 1999).

After Van der Stel died in 1712 his farm was cut into three, and then further sub-divided. The portion containing his manor house was named Groot Constantia. In 1791 the then owner, Hendrik Cloete, employed an architect Louis Michel Thibault to design a capacious double-storeyed wine cellar, and a sculptor Anton Anreith to adorn its pediment in stucco relief. Phillida says in her book: “It shows the young Ganymede, a cup-bearer to the gods, surrounded by frolicking cherubs, all fashioned in irrepressible rococo style.”

What she doesn’t tell you is why one of the cherubs is unmistakably female, while all the others are male – probably because she hasn’t heard the following little-known story. A trusted source told me that in the 1950’s her father was in charge of the maintenance at Groot Constantia, and that one day his workers were giving the pediment a thorough brushing prior to repainting it. Unfortunately the vigorous brushing dislodged the male appendage of one of the cherubs and it ended up smashed to pieces on the ground below. In South Africa we have a saying, ‘n boer maak ‘n plan (a farmer makes a plan). Mr Manley the maintenance man realised that it would be extremely difficult to stick all the pieces together again, and that it would be much easier to do a little amateur resculpting of the empty space left between the cherub’s legs, and turn it into a female. The cherub in question is just to the right of the lower centre of the pediment, proudly pushing out her pudendum for all to see.

Today’s quote

Sure God created man before woman, but then again you always make a rough draft before creating the final masterpiece. – Robert Bloch

There’s a great brunch to be had at Kitima.  This restaurant in Hout Bay is owned by a Thai family, and serves Thai food, as well as sushi and dim sum.

Chris, Lisa and Jenne at Kitima

We ate here for the first time in October, and we were so impressed with the food and the service.  We always leave incredibly full!