Windmill beach a hidden gem in the Cape’s crown

The mercury is expected to hit the thirties and the exodus for outdoor adventures ensues across the Western Cape with local beaches the number one destination.

Beach huts on St James beach, Cape Town

The favourite spots are without a doubt, Camps Bay, Clifton Fish Hoek, St James, Seaforth and Muizenberg.

Camps Bay and Clifton are known for their long white sandy beaches filled with bronzed bodies and its cool refreshing waters, another bonus is that the proximity of these two beaches lends itself to a long hot summer’s day with sunset picnics all the rage.

Fish Hoek, St James, Seaforth and Muizenberg are on the other side of the Table Mountain range. Easy access for the locals and the warmer waters of False Bay draws high numbers of “beach bums”. Muizenberg is the hang-out of the surfing fraternity as well as fishermen who gather along the rocks between Muizenberg and St James.

Capetonians are definitely spoilt for choice, the Mother City’s magnificent coastline allows for adventurers to head off the beaten track to some of the many beaches along its coast.

One such beach is Windmill beach, hidden away south of Seaforth and Boulders beaches’ in Simonstown.

Windmill beach is ideal for a number of activities like picnicking, fishing, kayaking and swimming; it is interrupted by boulders that create two lagoons, sheltered from the wind.

Visitors are bound to lose their way trying to find this beach as it is not visible from the road; one has to navigate one’s way through a garden gate at the end of Links Road and follow the path as it meanders towards the beach.

The location of Windmill Beach is one of Cape Town’s closely guarded secrets and its 200m stretch of beach allows for limited numbers.

The beach is ideal for a number of activities like picnicking, fishing, kayaking and swimming; it is interrupted by boulders that create two lagoons, sheltered from the wind.

Families with little ones can relax as the cove is protected on either side by high boulders allowing a safe environment for the children to play in the shallow waters.

This beach is also popular for divers as an ideal site for training dives, snorkelling, underwater photography as well as film shoots and wedding photography

As with most beaches along Cape Town’s coastline, Windmill Beach is a protected site and visitors are asked only to leave their footprints behind.

Windmill Beach info:

Position: – S34°12.06’ E018°27.40’

This site is in a Marine Protected Area (2004); the beach is inside the Boulders Restricted Zone.

Facilities are minimal with limited parking, and there are no lifeguards or shark-spotters on duty.

CAPE TOWN’S 2014/2015 PEAK TOURISM SEASON OFF TO A PROMISING START

Cape Town’s peak season for leisure visitors is in full swing and indicators reflect the likelihood of a festive season that is as busy if not busier than our last.

Sun-seekers on Clifton beach

CEO of Cape Town Tourism, Enver Duminy says, “We are pleased with the industry’s forecasts and outlook for the festive season, and remain cautiously optimistic about year on year growth over this period. It’s been a challenging year for many in the tourism industry; determined particularly by the socio-political and economic climate, not to mention some of the environmental issues we have had to face. And still – tourism has endured and promises a good holiday season.”

The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA) Cape members have positively stated that the Western Cape will experience year on year growth this festive season when compared to the December period last year.

Colourful houses in the Bo-Kaap, Cape Town

Their members have noted that the domestic market is continuing to grow and that the Western Cape remains a prime location for foreign visitors with countries like Holland, Germany and the UK dominating reservations.

FEDHASA Cape’s Chairman, Rob Kucera noted, “After a busy winter season the Western Cape is well prepared and geared up for the influx of local and international tourists for this summer season. The Western Cape is really seen as a family friendly destination due to the abundance of locations and activities on offer, so we continue to see the bulk of our bookings stemming from family vacations to the province.”

When asked to comment on the busiest periods over the season, John van Rooyen, Operations Director for Tsogo Sun had this to say, “The booking pattern this year has remained the same as the past few years, whereby for the mid-December period there is still space but the demand over Christmas and New Year spikes. The number of visitors is similar to the same period last year, but we did find that there seems to be an “upgrade” requirement to better hotels from our domestic market.”

Table Mountain as seen from the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Cape Town’s busiest tourist attraction, the V&A Waterfront, has reported a 7 to 8% growth in visitor numbers in comparison to the same time period during previous years. Emma King, PR and Communications Manager for the V&A Waterfront says, “The V&A Waterfront has seen a steady growth in visitors over the past few weeks, and it continues to get busier as we head into the week of Christmas and New Year. We see our visitor numbers spike to about 100 000 a day over this period (going up to close on 200 000 per day on days like New Year’s Eve) – about 19% of those are from SA (outside of Cape Town), about 26% international, with the remaining 55% being locals.”

These statistics are consistent with information gathered in a survey conducted by Cape Town Tourism during November 2014, where 90% of respondents (from its membership base) indicated that they were expecting a festive season that is the same as if not busier than last year’s.

Says the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Economic Development, Councillor Garreth Bloor: “The City of Cape Town remains optimistic about the upcoming peak season for several reasons which include marketing Cape Town as a premier destination but more importantly because of the economic opportunities the influx of tourists promise for our locals. Moreover, this period gives locals the chance to experience Cape Town’s generous touristic offering and we continue to encourage this trend. ”

 

Grab your basket Cape Town has a venue for every picnic occasion

eaSummertime in Cape Town is an ideal time for a number of outdoor activities, one such activity is a favourite for a number of Capetonians hoping to enjoy the fine summer days and dusky evenings.

Spier picnic basket

I know a number of you would be thinking going to the beach, spending time with the family at the movies or even hosting a family braai (barbecue), but it’s neither of these… it is however, a picnic.

A picnic in any of Cape Town’s scenic spots is a firm favourite for locals and tourists alike, fine weather and great views make for a fine outdoor activity.

The humble picnic allows you to fill your basket with food to suit any occasion; salads, cold cuts, yoghurt, fruit, crackers, pate’s, breads, jams, cheeses, fruit kebabs, chocolate, champagne and orange juice make for a perfect picnic meal.

Whether it’s a morning breakfast picnic at one of the many nature reserves that ring the Cape, an afternoon picnic at a local wine estate or an evening sunset picnic on the western side of Table Mountain, Cape Town has a picnic venue for e very occasion.

Beach Picnics

Top picnic spots in Cape Town include; Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Table Mountain, Lions Head, Tokai Forest, Silvermine Nature Reserve, Paarl Mountain, Zeekoevlei, Wynberg Park, Zandvlei, Signal Hill and Green Point Urban Park.

Beaches famous for sunset picnics include Oudekraal, Sea Point, Camps Bay, Clifton Beach and Blouberg beaches.

Sunset from Signal Hill

Many wine farms around the Cape like Groot Constantia and Buitenverwachting in Constantia, Boschendal Wine Estate between Franschoek and Stellenbosch, as well as Blaauwklippen and Spier in Stellenbosch offer great options for a picnic.

No matter what your picnic option, Cape Town has a venue for every picnic occasion so grab the picnic basket, fill it with tasty goodies and head for your picnic spot of choice.

Please note: – No alcoholic beverages are allowed on Cape Town’s beaches.

Top Tips to make your picnic hassle free:

1. Pick your spot to ensure your picnic can be accessible and safe especially at night.
2. Keep it simple.
3. Pack only the food you will eat, ensure that allergies are noted.
4. Pack the essentials.
5. Make sure you’re fully equipped for your adventure.
6. Here’s a list of essentials for your outdoor excursion:

• Picnic basket and/or cooler box
• Bottled water (freeze overnight and use as an ice pack)
• Outdoor dinnerware, plates, cups, cutlery
• Napkins
• Corkscrew and/or bottle opener
• Tablecloth and/or a picnic blanket
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• citronella candles or battery powered lamps
• Warm clothing should the weather take a turn for the worst
• Make sure someone knows where you are going
• Ensure that your mobile phone battery is fully charged and that there is mobile phone reception
• Avoid any risk of food poisoning
• Avoid ice cream as it will melt before you reach your picnic spot
• Avoid sticky puddings, and sweet cakes as they attract insects
• Trash bags.

 

Make sure you leave only your footprints at the picnic spot.

Cape Town, off the beaten track.

Visitors to Cape Town often seek out the top attractions of the Mother City like Table Mountain, Cape Point, the Vineyards of Stellenbosch & Constantia, Chapmans Peak Drive, Boulders Beach, Mariners Wharf, the V&A Waterfront, diving with the Great White’s at Gansbaai, Robben Island and Kirstenbosch.

Cape Town in Colour would like to take you to some attractions off the beaten track in Cape Town.

It was a difficult trying to steer clear of the well known tourists attractionsand maybe find a gem or two that has yet to be explored, so here we go in no particular order.

Kalk Bay, visit the harbour and watch the local fishermen land their catch after a long day at sea and maybe getting a bargain after negotiating the price of your sale. A walk through this close-knit village and explore a variety of art studios, café’s, antique shops, bakeries, boutiques, bookshops, gourmet ice-cream parlours and the village theatre housed in the old Dutch Reformed Church in Main Road. A hike up Jacobs Ladder will take you to the Kalk Bay Caves where the splendour of the village and its harbour is revealed.

Kalk Bay Harbour, a famous scenic spot for visitors

Visit Muizenberg and take time to watch learner surfer’s from one of the many café’s on the beachfront at Surfer’s Corner. Visitors can also learn to Kite Surf from the expansive beach or enjoy the warm waters of False Bay, and if fishing is your idea of relaxing reach for your rod and the many fishing spots along the walkway between Muizenberg and St James would be your destination. The rocky coast-line provides ideal fishing spots for the avid angler. The old village along Main Road provides history buffs with enough places to visit as they retrace the past in the village where the “Battle of Muizenberg” took place.

For those visitors keen to venture off the beaten track, Coffebean Routes offers the “Revolution Route Tour”. It’s a visit to the areas of Cape Town synonymous with the “Struggle Period” of South Africa’s history, from a visit to areas of Athlone where the “Trojan Horse” incident took place to the Langa and Nyanga.

Jazz Safari pic Coffebeans Routes Tours

Another alternative tour offered by Coffebean Routes is the “Cape Town Jazz Safari”, visitors are taken into the homes of local celebrated jazz musicians to share a meal and hear the story of their musical journey. Part of the experience is a no frills performance in the most intimate setting of their homes.

The Bo-kaap Cooking tour takes you on a voyage into the life, food and culture of the Cape Malay’s in Bo-Kaap whilst offering you a hands-on, practical lesson on how to cook like a Cape Malay ‘Auntie’! Learn how to fold Samoosa’s and mix Masala for that perfect pot of Cape Malay Curry!

Zainie Misbach has more than 30 years’ experience cooking Malay dishes with from recipe’s handed down from one generation to another.

Hayden Quinn of Master Chef Australia with Zainie Misbach pic http://www.bokaapcookingtour.co.za.

Complete your visit with a reservation at the very first Cape Malay Restaurant in South Africa, Biesmiellah Restaurant to the most well renowned Noon Gun Restaurant and ‘Bo-Kaap Bazaar’.

The night life in Cape Town is vibrant but to experience this you have visit venues that the local’s clubbers frequent. The Galaxy/West End, in Athlone it is the oldest night club in Cape Town and it is still one of the more popular clubs for the younger set. Established in 1978, Galaxy/West End boasts four dance floors with Cape Town’s best DJ’s spinning the decks.

West End opened its doors in 1993 and soon became Cape Town leading live entertainment venue catering for the over 21 crowd.

Performing at Swingers – Alvin Dyers, Denver Furness and David Bloem (Photos copyright John Edwin Mason)

For jazz lovers the venue has to be Swingers in Wetton, this venue is frequented by jazz lovers and musicians alike. Monday’s open mic evenings often springs surprise visits by internationally renowned musicians as well as local musicians who set the stage alight with impromptu performances. Artists known to have performed at this popular venue are; Ross Eustice, Abdullah Ibrahim , Gordon Vernick, John Baboian, Alvin Dyers, Alistair Andrews, Denver Furness, Jonathan Rubain, Mac Mckenzie, Sammy Webber and Mark Fransman. (Swingers Photos copyright John Edwin Mason)

Alistair Andrews and Nicolas Williams (Photo copyright John Edwin Mason)

There are still so many Cape Town attractions not even mentioned so next time you visit the Mother City or as a local become a tourist in your own city, take the time to explore Cape Town off the beaten track.