Abbey Manor Luxury Guesthouse in Cape Town

Kat & the Kings: Things to do

admin — Wed, 09 May 2012 07:48:53 +0000

If you are interested in a key part of Cape Town’s history – the life and times of District 6, you should go to the District 6 Museum, best accessed as part of the Hop On Hop Off bus tour. While en excellent museum, it suffers from the dead hand of display, and can never bring the culture and life of the area, destroyed by Apartheid social engineering.

Kat & the Kings is a musical which can do just that.

Written by local musical stars David Kramer and Taliep Petersen, the musical played for 10 years inLondon’sWest End, and won numerous Olivier awards.

It is now playing at the Fugard Theatre (in District 6).

Cape Town Airport wins 2 SKYTRAX Awards

admin — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 13:11:22 +0000

Cape Town International Airport has once again been awarded the Best Airport in Africa and the Best Airport in Africa for Staff Service Excellence at the SKYTRAX World Airport Awards.

This blog has been making a bad habit of boasting about all the wards that Cape Town has received. We are sorry. The reason we do so is a real sense that over the last five years or so, Cape Town has got it’s act together, pulled its socks up, pulled itself together, and who knows how many other clichés.

The transformation has been dramatic. Once it was a tatty town on the southern tip of a lost continent, certainly beautiful, with some grand restaurants, but grubby and decaying. The airport was a dump, and many incoming visitors said it gave a poor impression.

Now most of the decay, at least in the city and where most tourist are likely to go, is gone. Roads are smart, pavements are clean, the airport works. And all this has been achieved without discarding the city’s unique character.

And that has to be good for business.

Signal Hill Fire

admin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:04:32 +0000

Yesterday smoke bellowed from Signal Hill, and a number of our guests expressed concern.

Table Mountain National Park officials on Thursday said the fire was a controlled blaze. In other words, done on purpose, and always under control. This is the second controlled burn on the hill in two weeks.

This is done for several reasons, but mainly as part of National Park’s control operation aimed at alien clearing, but also as a training exercise. It is common for authorities to light controlled burns between March and April every year.

Below is an extremely cool video of the helicopter collecting water in Seapoint. (YouTube by Nick Wright).

Castle of Good Hope

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:38:44 +0000

Properly known as The Castle of Good Hope, this isSouth Africa’s oldest building, Today the Castle is the seat of the military in the Cape, and houses the Castle Military Museum and Iziko Museums of Cape Town (William Fehr Collection).

It is worth a visit to get a sense of early local colonial history, and some insight of the culture-shock between the Dutch and the local Khoi-San.

Read up here.

Easy to reach on Stop 19 of the Red City Tour, it is worth a visit.

Pricing
Adults: ZAR 28,00
Children/Students(5-16yrs): ZAR 12,00

Gates open: 09h00 daily (last entry 15h30 – close at 16h00)
Key Ceremony Monday-Friday (10h00 & 12h00)
Firing of Signal Cannon: Monday-Friday (10h10 & 12h10), Saturday (11h00 & 12h00)

The Castle of Good Hope is open seven days a week (Monday to Sunday) and only closed to the public on Christmas Day(25 Dec) and New Year(01 Jan). No guided tours on Sundays.

Contact +27 21 787 1260

Taste of Cape Town – Things to do

admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:39:30 +0000

If you find yourself bored this weekend ….

Taste of Cape Town is an annual festival (or perhaps bun-fight) in which local restaurants, wine makers, jam bottlers and all things culinary gather.

There are often interesting presentation, sometimes from famous chefs, as well as much local food, snacks and drink to buy.

Expect crowds, so bring very sharp elbows.

Green Point Cricket Club from 19 – 22 April, 2012.
Thursday, Friday & Saturday 6.30 pm – 10.30 pm
Saturday & Sunday 12 noon to 5 pm

R80 Standard
Entrance to the festival and includes a tasting glass
R200 Premium
Entrance to the festival and includes a tasting glass and R120 worth of Crowns (The official currency of Taste of Cape Town)

Contact 021 418 4516
http://tasteofcapetown.com/

Cape Town Wheel – Things to Do

admin — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 08:55:14 +0000

Now that the crush of visitors has ebbed, it becomes quite possible to do some of the more “touristy” things in Cape Town.

One option is the wheel (rather irritatingly known as the “Wheel of Excellence”.) Based at the V&A Waterfront, you will not need directions, as it is visible from everywhere. Inspired, or perhaps financially motivated, by the London Eye, there are a number of wheels in many cities, but few can offer a view like this one. It is small, at 40m about the size of a standard carnival Ferris wheel, compared to the London Eye at 137m.

At the top the view sweeps from the full Table Mountain, the city and out to Robben Island.

Cape Town Wheel
Cost

Per adult from 13 years 80 Rand
Per child 4-12 years 40 Rand (0-3 years: free of charge)
Family Package 210 Rand per gondola for 2 adults and 2 children under 13.
VIP Condola 800 Rand which includes half and hour on the Wheel, a bottle of sparkling wine and is for up to 4 adults and 1 child.

Opening Times
Su – Th 10:00 – 22:00
Fr – Sa 10:00 – 24:00

Contact
+27 76 2766962

Pot Luck Club – Restaurant Review

admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:39:38 +0000

First I must confess: I have held off reviewing this wonderful spot for selfish reasons. It has been hard to get a reservation.

Luke Dale-Roberts, previously of Le Colombe fame, presently of The Test Kitchen fame, has opened a new tapas themed spot next door to the latter in the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock.

The space is small, and crammed with tables and South African art. The items on the menu are all small plates, and change regularly. Our favourites were the Asian steak tartare and Saki infused watermelon, but we still have much to try

Try the cocktails – the ginger and ginseng martinis are astonishing. Seating is at tables (some with 2 sittings) and at the counter, which is fine for two people, but won’t work for more.

Wines are pricy, but from an extensive list with many available by the glass.

Overall,, Luke has once again pulled off a world-class act.

The Pot Luck Club and Gallery
The Old Biscuit Mill
375 Albert Road
Woodstock
Cape Town
+27 (0)21 447 0804

Cape Town Carnival: Road closures 24/25 March

admin — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:27:41 +0000

The Cape Town Carnival, once regarded as a relic of Apartheid policy, is back with a vengeance, and fast becoming part of Capetonian identity.

Unfortunately, as with all public fun, it comes with road disruption.

Road closures Saturday, March 24, 2012 – Sunday, March 25, 2012

Somerset Road CBD bound carriageway, at the intersection of Ashtead Road and Somerset Road (Saturday and Sunday morning) 03h00 – 05h00

Prestwich Street, Alfred Street and Chiappini Street 10h00 – 01h00

Chiappini Street, Prestwich Street and Somerset Road 10h00 – 01h00

Somerset Road, intersection of Buitengracht Street and Somerset Road 14h00 – 01h00

Chiappini Street Battery Centre and Somerset Road 14h00 – 01h00

Hudson Street Harley Davidson and Somerset Road 14h00 – 01h00

Dixon Street Cubana and Somerset Road 14h00 – 01h00

Alfred Street Schiebe Street and Somerset Road 14h00 – 01h00

Napier Street Sacred Heart Church and Somerset Road 14h00 – 01h00

Napier Street BP and Somerset Road 14h00 – 01h00

Moreland Street Napier Street and Somerset Road 14h00 – 01h00

Cobern Street Intersection Somerset Road 14h00 – 01h00

Liddle Street Intersection Somerset Road 14h00 – 01h00

Die Smit Street KFC and Somerset Road 14h00 – 01h00

Ebenezer Road Prestwich Street and Somerset Road 14h00 – 01h00

Main Road Intersection of Granger Bay Boulevard and Main Road (CBD bound carriageway) 14h00 – 01h00

Highfield Road Highfield Street and Somerset Road (limited access from 14h00-17h00) 14h00 – 01h00

Boundary Road Intersection Somerset Road (limited access from 14h00-17h00) 14h00 – 01h00

Wessels Road Intersection Somerset Road (limited access from 14h00-17h00) 14h00 – 01h00

Exhibition Ter Intersection Main Road (limited access from 14h00-17h00) 14h00 – 01h00

Ashtead Road Intersection Main Road (limited access from 14h00-17h00) 14h00 – 01h00

Granger Bay Boulevard, Helen Suzman Boulevard traffic circle to Main Road 14h00 – 01h00

Somerset Road Highfield Street and Vesperdene Road, Seapoint bound carriageway 14h00 – 01h00

Main Road Seapoint bound carriageway between Upper Portswood Road and York Road 14h00 – 01h00

Main Road Varneys Road and Granger Bay Boulevard CBD bound carriageway (vehicles needing to access car park behind ultra liquor can do so) 17h00 – 01h00

Main Road Varneys Road and Granger Bay Boulevard CBD bound carriageway, curb side lane and parking bays (Sunday morning) 01h00-09h00

No stopping Saturday, March 24, 2012 – Sunday, March 25, 2012

Somerset Road/Main Road Somerset Road/Main Road 01h00-01h00

Prestwich Street Bennet Street and Napier Street (East curb side parking bays) 06h00-01h00

Prestwich Street Ebenezer Road and Bennet Street (Both curb sides) 06h00-01h00

Waterkant Street Highfield Street and Chiappini Street 12h00-01h00

Upper Portswood Road Main Road and Thornhill Road 12h00-01h00

Cavalcade Road York Road and Upper Portswood Road 12h00-01h00

York Road Norman Road and Main Road 12h00-01h00

Helen Suzman Boulevard, Seapoint bound carriageway between Vlei Road and York Road (all embayments) 12h00-01h00

Somerset Road CBD bound carriageway between York Road and Varneys Road 14h00-01h00

Moreland Ter Somerset Road and Napier Street 14h00-01h00

Napier Street Prestwich Street and Hospital Street 14h00-01h00

Exhibition Ter Up to Main Road 14h00-01h00

Ashtead Road Norman Road and Main Road 14h00-01h00

Hospital Street between Napier Street and Alfred Street East curb side bays 13h00-18h00

Free MyCiti Bus services: Free buses will depart from the Civic Centre bus station to the Stadium every 10 minutes from 18h00 – 01h00.

South African Navy Festival Simon’s Town

admin — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:47:55 +0000

From 16 – 18 March.

Many visitors may not be aware that we have a Navy, but we do. It is mostly sited in Simon’s Town, on the southern tip of the peninsula, in what was for centuries the Royal Navy’s southern most base.

Expect a naval display, the SA Navy Band Dry Dock Concert, navy ships and submarines open for public viewings and more.

Venue: Main Rd, Simon’s Town
Time: 10am – 4pm
Cost: Free
Tel: 021 787 4735

Argus Cycle Tour road closures

admin — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 05:14:04 +0000

The world’s largest participation road cycling event takes place in Cape Town this weekend, and that means that large sections of the road network will be closed.

A detailed description of road closures is here.

In short:
- section in Green Point will be closed from Saturday afternoon
- the M3 is closed Sunday to about 11.30 am
- the coastal road from Cape Point along the Atlantic will be closed most of the day, all the way into Green Point.