magical-cape-town-vacations

Cheetahs, Lions and Travel

2006-01-13T14:07:00.000Z

Well, we've finally returned from our annual trip to Cape Town. Take a look at some of what we got up to at www.south-africa-travelblog.com. I guarantee some wonderful pictures ...

Don't forget, www.tailor-made-south-africa-travel.com for all your South Africa travel plans and check out www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com for everything to do with Cape Town.

Food, Glorious Food

2005-11-04T10:16:00.000Z

And Let Wine be the Nectar of the Gods!

One of the best ways to understand another nation's culture and immerse yourself in a different way is through a country's cuisine. If you take a visit to South Africa you are in for a delicious trip.

South Africa takes the best of all the myriad influences history has foisted upon us to create a cuisine that is a unique polyglot of styles and cultures.

East meets West meets South…with a round trip North is the best way to describe the kind of food you will find in South Africa.

Throughout our history, the culinary styles of Europe, Asia and Africa itself have merged.

The original inhabitants of our beautiful land, the Khoisan, were mostly hunter-gatherers and food for them was more a means of survival than a pleasurable pastime. The arrival, from up north, of the Bantu people brought with it the craft of agriculture and modern staples such as maize, sweet potato, squash and various fruits.

The European influence, first by the Dutch and English, later followed by the French, the Germans and others, introduced the classical techniques of Western cookery as well as a massive variety of fruits, vegetables and even livestock, most of which thrived in South Africa's temperate climate.

Without the Malay and Indian influence such popular creations as bobotie and denningvleis would not exist.

The great thing about South African cuisine is that there is something for everyone. There is spice and heat; there's subtlety and elegance, simplicity and complexity.

In the bigger cities there are restaurants that will cater to any traveller's needs, from classical French to innovative fusion. And everywhere there's an abundance of fresh produce that will have any cook, professional or amateur, grinning with glee.

The braai - the local version of the barbecue - is possibly South Africa's favourite pastime. Not surprising when you consider just how inviting the sunny skies can be.On the braai you will almost always find the spiced sausage boerewors, a direct link to the sausage-making skills brought to South Africa from Germany, and plenty of meat, usually in the form of smoked and salted ribs (another German influence), enormous steaks and sosaties (spiced kebabs).

Also popular, especially in winter time, are bredies (stews) which can range from plain old Irish stew to richly spiced and headily fragrant curries. Uniquely South African is waterblommetjie bredie in which mutton or lamb is slowly braised with the flowering buds of the Cape Pondweed, found only in the dams of the Western Cape.

When cooked in the open-air, around the braai or on a hastily built fire and usually in a three-legged cast-iron pot, bredies become potjiekos (pot food). Because they need time, potjiekos is a terrific way to socialise, sitting around the fire, sipping drinks and chatting away as the food slowly cooks to succulence.

Game, which South Africa has in abundance, is popular and restaurants such as The Carnivore appeal to tourists and locals alike with their gut-busting feasts of warthog, eland, gemsbok, springbok, kudu and crocodile.

Though South Africa is very much a meat-eating country - every village, town and city has at least one steakhouse and vegetarian-only venues are scarce in all but the biggest centres - food from the sea remains a vitally important part of our cuisine.

With our coastline bordering two different oceans, seafood is abundant and treasures from the sea include several varieties of fish and shellfish not found anywhere else. Rock lobster, galjoen (the national fish), kabeljou, Cape salmon and perlemoen (abalone) are just some of the delicacies you will find but the most South African of all fishy food is snoek which you can have in many different guises, from pickled, smoked or dried to fresh on the braai.

Vegetables and fruit are grown in abundance. Thanks to the mild climate, almost all vegetables and fruit not native to South Africa have thrived while indigenous varieties such a naartjies, madumbes and morogo are equally popular.

Maize is the country's staple food. Fresh corn, known as mealies here, are boiled or cooked over the coals or added to bread; maize meal is used to make a filling porridge, known as pap or phutu, usually served with some sort of sauce or condiment.

Former President Nelson Mandela's favourite dish is Umngqusho, a mixture of samp (broken dried mealies), beans, butter, onions, potatoes, chillies and lemon.

From the basic to the fancy, the unique to the typical, the spicy to the bland, South Africa has food to suit any and every taste. Bon appetit!

A BRIEF SAMPLE OF UNIQUELY SOUTH AFRICAN FOOD:

Achaar - A heavily-spiced salad of pickled vegetables. Indian in origin.
Biltong - Salted and dried raw meat, usually beef but also made with game. Similar - but tastier - to America's beef jerky.

Bobotie - Like a shepherd's pie, only better. Spiced mince is topped with an egg custard and baked. A speciality of the Cape Malay community.

Boerewors - Spiced sausage, usually made of pork but lamb, beef or game can also be used. A must for any braai.

Chakalaka - A chilli-laced vegetable salad of Malay origin, served as an accompaniment to pap and meat.

Dennigvleis - A tamarind-flavoured meat stew of Malay origin.

Frikkadel - Mildly spiced meatballs of Dutch origin.

Koeksisters - Syrupy, sweet and very sticky plaited dough cakes. A traditional Afrikaner invention.

Mala - Intestines that are first boiled and then fried. A traditional African delicacy.

Madumbe - An indigenous variety of sweet potato.

Maroela - The fruit of the maroela tree, used to flavour Amarula cream liqueur. Elephants are also partial to the fruit.

Mashonzha - For the truly adventurous traveller only this is a speciality made with the mopani worm (similar to a caterpillar). For a gourmet version visit the world-famous Gramadoelas restaurant in Johannesburg. For the basic traditional version, Wandie's Place in Soweto is the place to go.

Mogudu - Spicy tripe stew.

Morogo - Wild spinach.

Naartjie - A native variety of the tangerine. Popular eaten as is but also used to flavour Van Der Hum liqueur.

Pens 'n Pootjies - Literally 'stomach and feet', this is an Afrikaner stew of tripe and pigs trotters.Serobe - A speciality of the Tswana people, this is a spiced mixture of tripe, lungs and intestines.

Snoek - A popular local fish prepared in many different ways. Often eaten smoked or dried, in its fresh form it is best enjoyed hot off the braai.

Be adventurous. Dive in and get those tastebuds tingling! If you want help with which restaurants to try, just go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/restaurants.html and www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/waterfront.html.

Both these pages will be able to give you some great places to eat some of these special dishes.

Surf in Safety in Muizenburg

2005-10-03T08:18:00.000Z

Great White Sharks have once again been spotted in the False Bay area of the Western Cape, Cape Town.

The South African Airforce could clearly see them whilst flying over the area and tried to warn the surfing community down on Muizenburg beach, but the surfers were already out of the water, due to the top class system operated by the town's businesses.

Dave Chudleigh, of the surf school, Surf Shack, at The Corner in Muizenberg, said the shark-spotters had already seen the Great Whites and had sounded the siren.

"The shark-spotter on Boyes Drive saw them and he's got a remote control which sets off the alarm. We make sure everyone gets out of the water," Chudleigh said.

The alarm sounds for about 30 seconds."The sharks were still quite a long way off, but because of the size of them and the direction that they were moving, the alarm was sounded. There is a red flag to indicate that the beach is closed.

"I went up about 20 minutes later and the sharks had already moved off. Then we say: 'Cool, you can go in again'," Chudleigh said.

The warning system, which is unique in the country, was introduced after Tyna Webb was killed by a Great White while swimming at Fish Hoek.

"It's working very well, but we're battling for money. "You know, everyone shouts that something must be done about shark attacks, and everyone shouts that there mustn't be any nets, which I agree with. But then when we go and get together a system that works, that protects people and doesn't damage the environment, we don't get a cent from the city council or the government.

"It freaks me out that Durban spends R1,5-million a year on shark nets, and we can deliver a fantastic service for R500 000 that doesn't kill marine animals. We've had some sponsorship, but we need new radios, but there is no money," Chudleigh said.

Moral of the story, if you like surfing and you're down in Cape Town, make sure you surf at Muizenburg - warmer Indian ocean waters and a shark-spotter to cover all eventualities.

Whilst you're there do make sure you go to Surf Shack - great people who really know their surfing, very friendly and are happy to accommodate the non-surfing folk in your party! We got to watch the cricket on the TV, whilst our sons surfed ...

For more information on the best beaches for surfing or swimming, visit www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/beaches.html, where you'll find out about wonderful animals other than sharks, such as swimming with dolphins and penguins ...

Virgin Flies High

2005-09-27T10:04:00.000Z

Just take a look at the range of flights that Virgin are now putting on over the winter period! No excuses now for not taking that flight and checking out the wonderful country of South Africa!

www.south-africa-travelblog.com has all the lowdown and more!

Check out the fantastic Special Offers on www.tailor-made-south-africa-travel.com/special-offers.html and those on www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/special-offers.html

One of the first things to do in Cape Town is get on down to The Cape Olive Fair - all the best olives and more, in the most delightful settings. Wander around with glass of wine in hand, sampling the wonderful array of food and wine on show. You are guaranteed to have a fantastic time ...

www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/special-offers.html

Don't forget that we can help you out with all of your holiday plans, from that first car or train journey to the airport, until your return home, everything taken care of to your own special requirements ...

www.tailor-made-south-africa-travel.com and www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com

Tailor Make your South Africa Travel

2005-06-27T07:43:00.000Z

Have you been wondering where to get the best deals for your forthcoming vacation to South Africa?

Your choice of the local travel agents? Online? Your best friend's recommendation?

Got those nagging doubts as to whether you've really got the best prices and what the hotel's going to be like?

We've found through experience that you can't beat the people who actually live in the country to be able to sniff out the best deals and give you the best service at the same time.

Somehow instinct for their fellow man leads them in the right direction, which in turn can take you exactly in the direction you also want to go.

But how do you reach these special people?

Research your destination thoroughly. Know in your mind what are your favourite things to do - for instance, do you like bungey jumping, or would you prefer to ease yourself into a spa bath, followed by a massage?

What do you want to achieve from your holiday? Get away from it all or the thrill and excitement that you miss at home?

Safaris, excitement, wellness, family holidays - whatever you heart desires is available to you in South Africa, just be careful how you plan and who you choose to make it all happen for you.

www.magical-cape-town-vacations/SATS is one of the best! Let them discover your favourite things to do, whilst you sit back and dream!

Shark Diving Still Big Business

2005-06-21T10:58:00.000Z

Would you believe it! Despite a number of killings and attacks off the coast of Cape Town over the last six to eight months, shark diving is still big business!

I must admit to it being the furthest thing from my mind when I visit South Africa, but then I suppose I've never gone in for huge thrills. Other folks though, seem to have to make it the biggest adrenelin rush possible, to take maximum pleasure (or should that be hell?) from the experience.

Push the limits of your nerve ... I think I'll stick to wine tasting!

However, www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com do cater for the adrenelin-junkies amongst us, just go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/contact.html and let us know what you want to see on your vacation in Cape Town and we'll be able to plan a trip especially for you and your pocket. Let us take the strain of planning , letting you getting on with the thrill seeking.

New Blog for Consideration?

2005-06-17T10:23:00.000Z

I've started it!

I have been encouraged to start writing a book, "All About Cape Town from a Visitors Point of View".

To see my first few ramblings, go to www.southafricatravel.typepad.com

Do let me know what you think of the title and also what you might like to see in the book. I want it to be helpful to visitors to Cape Town and although I do have a foot in each camp, so to speak, I might forget where I've put my feet!

Help keep me on the right track!

On another thought altogether ... the rain is falling in Cape Town. Water restrictions are still in place, but the dams are now beginning to fill up, so hopefully, we'll all be able to bath when we visit in December!

Not a pretty sight, seeing the Palmer family dirty, although I'm sure my eldest son wouldn't protest too much! Don't waste too much water, Capetonian's, before we get there.

Now, a little freebie for you ...

Go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com and fill out the form to receive your free special report on Nelson Mandela. Get it now before I change my mind and charge for it!

Flights to Cape Town

2005-06-15T12:02:00.000Z

I thought that it might be good to remind everyone that flights to Cape Town for the Christmas period are getting very booked up already!

If you are intending to go to South Africa, and you have dates in mind, why not check out the availability straight away, so that you'll know that you will be able to go when you want?

We personally have already experienced the loss of some great prices on flights both in July and in December, just because we had to get the date going out changed for one of the children.

Don't let this happen to you!

Go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/flights-cape-town.html and get us to check availability and prices right away!

Thinking about seeing other parts of the country?

Let us help you plan your itinary and take care of all the arrangements for you ... just let us know what interests you, give us some idea of the budget and we will tailor make your holiday of a lifetime.

Just contact us on www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/contact.html and we'll take care of the rest!

I just wanted to let you know of some exciting developments for www.magical-cape-town-vacations. I'm putting together a fantastic ebook all about the country and starting to write it via a blog, so that I can get your feedback. Watch out for announcements coming soon ...

Cape Town Blues and Flights to the Sunshine

2005-04-26T13:21:00.000Z

The Autumn cometh and so does the rain, but not enough of it. Yet. Keep saving water all you Cape Townians, it will get better, but you have to be patient.

Even the "swallows" are on their way back to the watery sunshine and summer of the Northern Hemisphere. Mum and Dad arrive back just in time to vote in our general election. Pity they can't vote for the "More Water" party - I'm sure that it would be a whole more interesting than the options we've got!

Book Flights for Christmas Now
We are finding that flights back after Christmas need to be booked now, as even at this early date, direct flights have all been snapped up.

Let us find those elusive flights for you and make sure that you've got the flights and accommodation booked to ensure your vacation is one of the best.
http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/travel-and-tourism.html

Not sure where to stay - tell what sort of thing you'd like and let us suggest our favourites, which we know would suit your style.

Find more information at http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/SATS
or go to our website at http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com

Looking forward to seeing you on our pages.

Stop Press News about Magical Cape Town Vacations

2005-03-23T12:21:00.000Z

We are very proud to announce that Magical Cape Town Vacations has been appointed the UK representative of Specialised African Tour Services.

To find out all about it go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/travel-and-tourism.html, where you'll find everything to help you plan your trip and have a fantastic time when you're there.

Just contact us at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/contact.html for any help you might like, when we'll be happy to assist.

We're really excited about being able to show more of you what a wonderful country South Africa is and in particular Cape Town, so don't forget to go and have a look round at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com.

Happy viewing!

London Taxis gone Blue

2005-03-16T13:08:00.000Z

Yes, it's happened! Those traditional London taxis have gone blue - the colour of the South African sky infact.

Not having kept up with anything to do with London, after all, who would want to - grey sky's, cold, traffic, people jostling and jolting you and all the while long, grim faces - I was totally amazed to see a glorious sight on my visit to London last week.

Bearing in mind that I've not been in London for years, imagine how I felt when on emerging from the dark, gloomy interior of the underground, I was greeted by the sight of this fantastic blue taxi bearing the words, "Think of South Kensington with over 200 beaches" - made the visit to London.

I would take issue with the number, because I'm sure there are more beaches! And what beaches! Catch up with a few of them at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/beaches.html.

On the subject of new pages, you'll be pleased to know I've made getting to Cape Town even easier! Go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations/flights-cape-town.html for the best prices, the best routes and fastest ways to get there and when you get there get the very best in car hire at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/car-rental-quote.html.

No excuses now for not getting the most out of your precious vacation time. Your hard earned money needs to work for you to get the best time in Cape Town, so let Specialised African Tour Services go to work for you to get you the best.

On the taxis there are a number of other sayings too, so let us know at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com when you spot them and what they are and we'll come up with a prize, just a little something you might enjoy to brighten up your day and help you dream of Cape Town!

Wine Wonders on Magical Cape Town Vacations

2005-03-08T11:52:00.000Z

Thought you might be interested in the new page I've just put up on the website. The wine route is a big draw to Cape Town and many visitors come to the Western Cape just to experience the incredible variety of wine estates and grape varieties grown here.

www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/ is no exception!

Go and take a look at some of the wonderful estates that make up the Cape Town Wine Route at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/wineroute.html. I'm sure you'll love the pictures, as you can sit and dream of the beautiful blue skys and warm breazes that accompany the chilled glass of white wine you've just poured!

You'll find great tips on how to plan your wine trip to Stellenbosch to get the most out of your day and to buy some tremendous wine from the cellar door, so get all the best information at http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/wineroute.html

Update on Houdini the Hippo

Houdini the Hippo, who if you remember, made a bid for freedom before Christmas, has made a very successful relocation to the Eastern Cape.

He has settled in so well, that he's made friends with the ladies already and is now beginning to establish his own herd.

Great story with a very happy ending! We'll let you know his progress ...

Nelson Mandela - Towering Man of the People

2005-02-25T14:32:00.000Z

Nelson Mandela is still to this day a very powerful figure in world politics. Not necessarily these days in the Government itself, but as a symbol of hope over struggle, this man commands a respect not often given to other retired leaders.

Nelson Mandela's name, searched on Google throws up 961,000 references to him in just 81 seconds. People are still facinated by this man, by his life and his incredible charisma and how this one person could have changed the history of one country so dramatically, to give it the chance of survival in the 21st century.

On visiting Cape Town, one of the many attractions which people queue up to experience is Robben Island. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on Robben Island during the winter of 1964. Conditions were harsh on the island, where Mandela was forced to spend 18 of his 27 years of incarceration. Tokyo Sexwale, a former prisoner on the island wrote these eloquent words which sum up the bleakness experienced by everyone who spent time there:

"Deep into the icy waters of the Atlantic

Somewhere around the Cape of Storms

Encaged by rocky beaches all around

Assaulted by piercing winds from the Benguelo

Like an abandoned Ship

Lies the Island of the Damned"

Today, a tour round Robben Island is one of the most rewarding attractions on offer in Cape Town. Whisked by modern ferries across the expanse of water in around half an hour, you get the chance to explore the infamous maximum security prison, interact with ex-political prisoners and get a feel of what it would have been like to live there, just as Mandela did.

A little known fact about the island is it's abundance of marine, bird and wildlife. African penguins have been re-introduced after extinction in the 1800's and have established a breeding colony. 132 different bird species, as well as 23 species of mammals makes this island a haven for those people interested in the environment.

References to Nelson Mandela's life in Cape Town don't stop there. Take the Footsteps to Freedom tour. This city walking tour takes you on a guided stroll through historic Cape Town, telling the story of the city's early Dutch and British settlers, slavery in the Cape, the rise and fall of apartheid and South Africa's new democracy.

What a great way to learn the layout of the city and at the same time really live in the shoes of people who change history.

If you want to take the Nelson Mandela tour one step further to its conclusion in the Western Cape, why not visit the new Mandela House Museum out at Drakenstein. Drakenstein is about an hour and a half drive out of Cape Town, on the road between Paarl and Franschhoek. The drive itself is a thing of beauty, through the winelands to the mountains beyond.

The museum is the old Victor Verster prison in which Mandela spent the last few years of his incarceration before his release in 1990. At the moment, the only way to visit is by prearranged appointment only, but will be developed as a National Heritage site. Visit now whilst you still have the chance of peace to reflect and contemplate reconciliation, human rights and justice.

To find out more about Nelson Mandela, go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/nelsonmandela.html or to see more of this article go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/nelson-mandela.html

What a great man!

Site Map Brings Order to Chaos

2005-02-08T13:11:00.000Z

As promised yesterday, at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com I have now added a site map, which I hope will allow you to find immediately what you want on the site.

www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/sitemap.html also has a Google search bar for your added convenience - so go take a look and let me know what you want adding!

Alexa Ranking High - So Where's Google?

2005-02-07T17:46:00.000Z

Thought I'd let you all know my new Alexa ranking. Each week it keeps going up, because of the traffic I'm getting, but Google so far don't seem to want to know! So where are you Google?

Here's the Alexa ranking button which reads: 323,546 That's out of the millions of website out there!

So come on Google, come and visit http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com and then have a look at our travel resources, which you'll find at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/travel-resources.html .

Looking forward to showing you the rest of the site tomorrow!

New Pages to Excite the Hoardes

2005-02-04T13:24:00.000Z

I've put up a number of new pages on www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com. That's where I've been closetted for the last few days!

The people in Cape Town, like most ex British outposts, like to discuss the weather, almost as much as us Brits at home. I've put a new page all about the type of weather you are likely to experience in Cape Town and also what to wear and what to do at different times of the year. Go to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/weather.html to find out what the latest weather conditions are.

Food is also a subject very close to our hearts and having been brought up in the hotel industry, it's very important to us that it's top quality. Here's our guide to the best restaurants in Cape Town, www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/restaurants.html.

We would also love you to link to our site and we have a couple of pages that would be great for you to look at if you're a webmaster. www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/travel-resources.html and www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/links.html will give you lots of information about linking to our site.

Just a quick note that Nelson Mandela is in London today in talks with the British Government. Find out all about Nelson at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/nelsonmandela.html

Well, if you manage to get through all that and are still with us, congratulations! Why not sign up to our newsletter at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/newsletter.html and we can keep you up-dated on a monthly basis?

Have a happy day.

Where to Find Some of the Best Beaches in the World

2005-02-01T13:12:00.000Z

We think that Cape Town has some of the best beaches in the world.

You can choose beaches which are on the Indian Ocean, with warm water, or those on the colder Atlantic Ocean. Neither coast is very distant from the other, so travelling between the two is easy by road or rail.

Most of the beaches, which stretch around the coastline are long with white sand. On some of the beaches like Muizenberg you'll find lifeguards, so they are safe to surf from.

Other beaches, like Boulders Beach, you'll find plenty of animals. On Boulders beach it's the African Penguins that live there. Beware, they can be rather smelly and they do bite if you get too close to them, but don't let that stop you diving into the water to swim with them. The penguins appear very tolerant of their fellow human sunbathers and are quite happy to live harmoniously with us! Let's face it, where else can you get an experience like this?

Seals and fish life abound, which in turn brings the bird life. Whilst sitting on the back verandah of the house we constantly see the more common birds such as Turns, Black-Backed Seagulls, Cormorants, but great excitement happens when the African Pelicans come to visit. Huge jumbo jets of birds, serenely floating along like the QE2 in full sail!

The African Pelicans seem to like to come to visit during the evening time at dusk, staying all night on the sand bank just across the water. It's almost as if they come for an overnight or weekend stay. Obviously like the Hilton to them.

Other visitors that we love to see on our lagoon are the Egrets, Herons and Oyster Catchers. Wonderful wading birds, all with their own characteristics, which you could sit and watch all day long, just wading up and down, dancing their flirty dances to attract the fish, or at least confuse the fish sufficiently for the bird to suddenly dip its head and peck the fish straight out of the water and into it's gullet.

Beaches with facilities, life and people, beaches without anything except for the birdlife. The choice is yours. Often you can find beaches not far away from the hubbub and find not one soul upon it, real desert island stuff.

Spectacular scenery is also the norm for Cape Town beaches. Just think of the bay of Cape Town with it's flat-topped mountain in the background. The whole of the bay is infact, one long sandy beach, stetching for miles around Table Bay.

Next time you're thinking about taking a beach holiday, take a look at Cape Town - you'll not be disappointed.

Sunblock, Sun Hat and Beach Towel

2005-01-27T13:03:00.000Z

I've just written another page for the website, www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com.

You can either get to it from www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/beaches.html or you can go direct to the page at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/sunblock.html.

The page has a facinating article on it all about the care of your skin in sunny climes and who better to write about it than the Aussies. Great advice and clear information about UVA and UVB and everything to do with sun damage.

So, before you hit the beaches, get on down to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/sunblock.html for all the lowdown.

Cape Town Gets Our Vote

2005-01-25T13:57:00.000Z

Having been home for three weeks now, we are beset by cold weather. Oh how much easier life would be in Cape Town, South Africa!

They might be having major difficulties with their water right now, but this is due to wonderful warm weather.

The gardens are becoming a bit brown and dry, but residents are doing all they can to keep their flowers alive! Mum and Dad are even pumping the rinsing water out of their washing machine to add a bit more to the garden. Pumping water out of the bath, which has been saved from showering with the plug in, has been going on since early December.

www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com can give you all the low down on the weather, the sort of clothes to take on your vacation and what to see for the best Cape Town Vacation ever.

Lion Cub Flys to Cape Town Economy Class

2005-01-21T11:01:00.000Z

Perhaps it's because I stated yesterday that I liked animal stories in my blogs, but yet another one has come to light, this time about a seven week old lion cub called Bai, which is 'Lion' in Cameroonian (yes, it really is spelt like that!), born in a zoo in Cameroon.

Bai, who is the size of a Labrador puppy, wighing about six kilos was rejected by her mother at birth, along with two siblings. Bai was the only one to survive when their mother refused to feed or care for the cubs, but she was not in good health.

She had a leg injury and dietary problems, but she responded well to a special milk feed.

With the help of the Cameroon Wildlife Aid Fund and flown by British Airways down to Cape Town, Paul Hart brought the female cub back to his Drakenstein Lion Park near Paarl.

Because Bai needed feeding constantly, she had to fly with Paul, sitting next to him in a box. Can you imagine what other passengers thought?

Bai is now settling into the park well getting into everything with her lively personality, sleeping in Paul's bed at night and being baby-sat by Paul's dogs.

www.magical-cape-town-vacations have been told that Bai will be on display to the public at Drakenstein Lion Park for short periods to start with, between about 1pm and 3pm, so if you'd like to see the little cutie, take a drive up to Paarl, she won't disappoint!

Baboons Run Amok

2005-01-20T13:22:00.000Z

As regular visitors to my blogs will know, I love the animal stories that come up in the news. Here's yet another on in my occasional series!

Baboons in De Hoop Nature Reserve, about three hours east of Cape Town, ran amok through a campsite at the weekend, looking for food.

Due to the dry weather and lack of food, a large baboon male, ran around terrorising people.

People are rather apt to forget that they are visitors to the animal kingdom and are then suprised when the animals want a piece of the action. Leaving food or leftovers around is bound to attract the wrong guests for tea, so just take care when you're out in the wild.

www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com recommends that you think safety first when encountering animals in the wild - that's your safety first, which in turn is their safety!

By the way, the hippo who escaped out of the vlei near Muizenburg is now very happily living in the Eastern Cape, with no angry, older male for company!

Wine Estate Handles the Water

2005-01-19T09:58:00.000Z

Helicopters with water bombs were deployed over a famous wine estate in Stellenbosch yesterday, as bush fires threatened the wonderful thatched roof.

The biggest drawback to all the great weather that the Western Cape area is having, is that there's not enough rain. Can we ship some out from the UK?

I've been writing about the wine route on www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com, and I'll let you know all about our favourite estates very shortly. The trouble is there's so many fantastic ones, it's hard to find the best, but we've done a lot of research to come up with the best!

Also coming, more information on the weather. In the meantime, sign up to our newsletter at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/newsletter.html and get our article, Why Visit Magical Cape Town?, absolutely free.

Helen

Ezine Article Star

2005-01-17T11:57:00.001Z

Just a very quick blog to say that I've had one of my very first articles published by EzineArticles.com

If you'd like to take a look at the article, please go to http://EzineArticles.com/?id=9497. If you take a look, please rate the article at the bottom of the page and let us know what you thought about it.

Needless to say that it has connections with www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com!

Cobra Strikes in Last months of Ratanga

2005-01-17T10:53:00.000Z

Living up to its billing as being a deadly snake, the Cobra rollercoaster ride at Ratanga Junction suddenly came to a halt high above the ground in a strong Southeaster wind on Friday.

Riders were left screaming and fearing for their lives, giving them more than they bargained for on the nail-biting ride.

The ride couldn't have chosen a better position to stop in, as it was just seconds from swinging the riders upside down. Instead, it left them dangling their feet into thin air. Many were crying and screaming in fear as the wind gusted strongly, shaking them in their suspended seats.

Fortunately, all bar one 14 year old boy who suffered minor neck injuries and was taken to hospital, everyone walked away unharmed, other than having survived the biggest thrill ride of their lives!

The park is due for closure after Easter, as the land it's situated on has been sold to developers. The rides are to be dismantled and sold, so if you'd like to experience the largest rollercoaster ride in Africa, get along quick to www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/hotels.html to find out how to get there.

www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/lastminutetravel.html will show you how to get there fast!

Mandela Buries Last Remaining Son

As http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.blogspot.com/ reported back in early December, Nelson Mandela's only remaining son finally gave up the struggle with Aids that has blighted his life in recent months.

Nelson had to bury yet another member of his family at the weekend in his childhood village and Makgatho now lies next to his mother and brother.

Aids ravages one in nine South Africans and Nelson Mandela has bravely told the world of his son's suffering. Once again this towering leader flies in the face of stubborn African taboos surrounding this pandemic.

Too many people want to act like the Ostrich and bury their heads in the sand, not least President Thabo Mbeki, Mandela's successor, who has faced criticism for not providing life-prolonging drugs to sufferers quickly enough.

About 3000 people gathered for Saturdays funeral, with a small army of volunteers stirring large metal cooking pots over wood fires, preparing stew for the huge funeral banquet.
Find out all about Nelson Mandela's early life and times at www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/nelsonmandela.html

Loads more pages coming to http://www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/, including weather and restaurants. Keep in touch!

Until tomorrow ...

Helen

Blogarama

Fires Rage On Road To The Point

2005-01-14T08:49:00.000Z

Fires, which have been burning on the hillsides above Muizenburg and Kalk Bay have just about been brought under control by the helicopters water bombing.

www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/beaches.html details very well the closeness of the wonderful fynbos to the towns, which has been destroyed in the fires.

The slopes of Table Mountain are very suscepible to fire at the moment, due to the incredibly dry weather and the water restrictions that are currently in operation in the Cape Town area. www.magical-cape-town-vacations.com/tablemountain.html gives you the low down on Table Mountain.

Warm winds are predicted for the weekend, which could well fan little break-outs of fire, so do be extra careful. Be aware of braai coals (barbeques) and discarded cigarette butts.

One of the wonderful things about travelling around Cape Town, is the number of Braai pits in wonderful locations, so instead of just picnicing in the usual manner, take your barbequing equipment, find a great spot with fantastic views and braai to your heart's content!

Wish I was there this weekend ...
Helen