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Giraffe House

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Sounds pretty simple right – but it is so much more than that.

It is a ways out of town, R400 Uber, so go as a group if you can. It is out towards Stellenbosch, about 30 mins in time.

R30 to get in, and you get a bucket of feed for every two people. This feeds the giraffes, farm animals and ostriches. You can take any route around the farm.. There are birds, llamas, goats, monkeys, Giraffes, crocodiles, meerkats, tortoises, snakes, and plenty of others.

We went to the giraffes first, and at the end we managed to get the female to come over and say hi, she ended up eating 2 of the buckets all to herself – I was worried about over feeding her but clearly that is not too much of a problem.

I always have a conflict about these places – seeing animals in cages or enclosures is never great, but when the focus is education and understanding better I can get behind it a little more. I am always worried about their welfare, but some of them are animals you could never see in the wild, and some even you can’t see in their cage.

Moving on! We wandered about the dusty space, there is plenty of land put it that way. There were picnic spots and a small kiosk – I was surprised it as so quiet to be honest. Such a lovely space to be in, and see such amazing animals, getting to interact with them was even better!


If you can get a group together – or you are group of people then stop by this place. We spent an hour and a bit here, and it was a lovely afternoon out of the city.

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Apartheid to Freedom

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Free Walking tour Part 2.

Another worthwhile walking tour.

Starting in the same place as all the others – Motherland coffee opposite St George’s Cathedral. Green Umbrellas – they are hard to miss.

You go through the history of Apartheid, from its inception, the laws and how they progressed. To District Six, Mandela and its abolition. My guide was Kenneth, he really personalised the tour with stories from friends and family. It made the realities of what happened come to life. It was eye opening.

We started at St Georges Cathedral, moved on to the court house, where you can see the rules for Europeans and non Europeans, the benches of whites and non whites. Ken explained about the pen or pencil test: you were considered white (yes they had to determine your race, wasn’t just skin colour), if when a pen or pencil was put into your hair and you jumped up and down, it didn’t fall out. How humiliating. 7 categories of races were the initial list and then it soon become 11. Can you imagine having to go to a court house to determine your race nowadays? The thing is, it probably still happens in some places…

We walked through Company’s Garden and Cecil Rhodes was explained to us and the garden shed which is now a grand building. Walking through that to the edge of the old District Six. Also saw Parliament and walked back through town to the back corner of the City Hall. Nelson Mandela’s speech was explained as well.

What was an added bonus was that throughout the tour, Ken added in about places to eat and drink which was a bonus. One of these was Truth Coffee in District Six, just up the road from the Museum.

Truth Coffee is a coffee shop with a twist – it is steam punk themed. Everyone is wearing something steam punk-esque. You can get super detailed on your coffee going on the flavours of your coffee in order to choose your beans. How you take your coffee next.

Or you can just do what I did and order from the already created menu. I know boring but I am not massive coffee connoisseur.

District 6 Museum was a no brainer after a cold coffee and a sit down. It is R45 to get in. Be aware they do not take card for under R80. You can do self guided or a guided visit (surcharge for the guided visit). The boards are easy to follow, and there are so many images of the previous tenants and what the streets looked like before and after the demolition. For those that don’t know the story of District Six it is perfect. So many stories and memories shared in an accessible way. There is a small gift shop with books about District Six and the people that lived there.

A very exhausting afternoon – but so worthwhile. Walking tours – still recommended.

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Table Mountain

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The infamous table; probably Cape Town’s most well known landmark.





I booked online, and I would recommend you do the same, just helps when you get there. I was up and heading there by 8am. The queue wasn’t too bad: within 30 mins I was on the cable car. So that gives an impression of how quickly it moves.





The Cable car floor rotates so that everyone gets that gorgeous view over Table Bay and over the city. It was a surprise to many people on the cable car to suddenly be rotating around.








I will warn you as well – there is a vicious wind, even on a still day at the base of the mountain, it is cold on top of the mountain take a jacket and/or a scarf. You walk around the top of the mountain it takes about an hour at a leisurely pace. Depends how many photos you take and how many placards you read. It is a flat walk, rocky – so make sure you have good shoes on. No clambering, uneven but a nice walk.







There are two small shops at the Top of the Mountain, a wifi lounge and a cafe. The shop has mainly trinkets a few neat bits – depends on what you are into. I didn’t buy anything.





All in all I spent about an hour wandering around the Mountain, taking pictures of every view and numerous selfies. There are people taking the strangest photos, lying on various rocks, the edge of the world type photos, Titanic poses you name it I probably saw it.







It is a must do activity in Cape Town, just make sure you book online ahead of time, and try and get up in the morning. The morning light is much more reliable than the afternoon. Always, always take a jacket.





Until next time travellers.

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Knock knock…

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Housekeeping!!

So now i have started my second week duties – await the blog. I thought I would share my first week at The Backpack; it was in housekeeping with Tina and her Team in Housekeeping. It’s gonna make sure I know what a room looks like when it is ready and where the rooms are as basics…Where better to start.

8am start. I am stripping beds first, standard latax gloves on and everything. All going into a bag before reporting back for the next room.

I’ll tell you this now, there is no major difference in stripping. On the other hand making bed, you think you know but you don’t. it is not just the panache. Making sure the exact corner goes on the corner of the bed and two different ways of putting a duvet in a cover. The right pillows in the right cases.

So the details are that when remaking the beds, the sheets have to be tucked in tight, luckily they have fitted sheets so not that hard. The duvet is tucked under the mattress at the end, so that there is only a little on the side. Even after 4 days of doing it, I still couldn’t get it quite right. All pillows facing the same way. Everything has to be smooth, bed runner, pillows everything. Perfect!

No one warned me about how hot it gets making and stripping beds!! I was roasting by the end of each day. I was just given a set of bedding and sent to a room once I had been shown. Luckily someone comes around to do bins and a wipe around so I hope that if I was not up to scratch they corrected it a little… Here’s hoping everything was okay…I reckon they had to correct the folding in of the duvet every time,

If you are not changing the bedding, when the laundry arrives that needs to be sorted out. Ironing the coloured pillow cases that go on some of the beds. Lots of folding of pillow cases and sheets everything has its place. Tina even showed me how to fold a valise or fitted sheet – could I do it again – could I hell…

There is something therapeutic about changing sheets. I know, I know sounds crazy! Just is… A few hours soon whips by and I am relieved of duties and sent on my way… It does depend on the check outs though – having to knock on people to tell them we need the room is not ideal when there are so few check outs that you are just waiting on them to change the room, but hey every cloud…

Don’t think too much about it, easy to do and relaxed atmosphere. Soon learn where the rooms are, and which room has what sort of beds in it. It was the perfect first week to get settled into The Backpack and my duties. Here’s to the second week and further weeks of different departments.

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Woodstock

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Not the festival. Sorry about that.

This is an artisan market on Saturdays in a little district of the city.

Food, clothes, bags – you name it! You walk in to live music under a tent, walk through into an old warehouse and your senses are confronted with everything you can imagine. Smells and tastes. Food from all over the world. Korean, Sashimi, Shwarma, Burgers, Salads, Mac n Cheese, If they don’t have it I would be surprised. There are bars there as well, smoothies, juices, beer, wine, cocktails you name it!


I had spring rolls but that was the tamest option. I will be being more eventful next time. Andre has a vanilla and apple drink which was so good. We all shared food except me, who ate her 3 big spring rolls so quickly i couldn’t share. I had food envy – i will admit now. Andre’s burger and Francine’s salad looked incredible!


We then walked through some of the stalls and shops selling shirts, belts, books, little bits of jewellery to Cocoafair – HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Chocolate shop, R40 for each bar, or small bars for R20. R100 for 6 bars and a gift bag. There are little tasters in front of each of the bars so you can try before you buy.


I would be surprised if i am not there every Saturday of my trip, it is inexpensive, R65 for 3 big spring rolls. Always going to eat something different or listen to different music. Just an amazing little place in an Old Biscuit Mill as well!


Just so unique, Uber to get there from where I am, but i would probably recommend Uber regardless just because of the places it goes through even looking out of the window looked a bit on the rough side. Woodstock itself i quite trendy with Graffiti art on the walls though the little streets. Easy to get around and just a lovely different thing to do on a Saturday with friends.

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Zeitz Museum (MOCAA)

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Contemporary Modern Art.

Now. Anyone who knows me well, will tell be like Art Gallery really Haz! Not your thing. And they in general would be right. But having heard good things about this place I thought I would check it out. Bonus – on the first Friday of every month it is half price. – No brainer right.

Anyway! After my morning of working, and the starting the afternoon by finishing my book I thought why not spend the evening in the city – do something a bit different. So Uber ordered and I was away!

The 5/6 floors of mixed exhibits are in an old Silo, the winding stair case and glass lift being in cased in some of the old concrete tubes. Upon walking in you are struck with how austere it is and quite cold. But it creates a perfect plain backdrop for the art within the exhibits.


There is every sort of media and topic covered in this place. From the unique to the obscure, photos to paintings to film and sculpture. For example: A piece which seems to contain toy solidiers with a woman in red in the middle holding Red streamers with a heart in the middle of it.

Runaway Bills from slavery times but instead they are all describing the artist. It got me thinking how would you describe your best friend if they ran away? What struck me about this piece was that not many of them mention he is black until the final sentence – they comment on his personality, what he might have been wearing, his style, hair, teeth. Physical attributes but not in the same way as the historic bills would have.

Or A film of a Japanese actress flying through the air , with screens all over the room so you can walk between the different angles.

Even Photos taken in Tunisia of a figure wrapped in a white sheet.

A rooms filled with photos of an artist in masks from around the world. Who knew there were so many different masks…

I have to say some of the introductions to these exhibits or pieces did help to give an interpretation or help explain the artists background; of which some were quite harrowing, surviving attempted murder, living through Zimbabwe during the wars to name two. Others however I felt gave the game away – Beauty is in the eye of the beholder is it not? Interpretation is half the fun of going to Art galleries isn’t it. Compared to last night I would have preferred to have some company to discuss a few pieces with.

This Museum is provocative – it is definitely something to see, I only did 3 of the floors and I was there an hour or so. I could have easily spent longer and revisited some of the videos and images that perplexed me the most. Truly Incredible.

Upon leaving i took a nice stroll through Cape Town City centre to Burger and Lobster for Dinner – sitting at the bar has a nice touch when you are a single traveller. A Coney Island Cocktail and a burger later I was heading back. A catch up in the bar and off the sack.

See you tomorrow Travellers.

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First Thursdays

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Two post day – not even going to apologise. So on the First Thursday of every month in Cape Town the galleries are all open until 9pm. There are maps around and about to give you the places to go shopping, the galleries to visit and the restaurants around too. It is all along Bree Street and a few streets off as well. Easy enough to keep to the main streets. The atmosphere is great, one massive party. However I will advise – crowded, so don’t take anything you don’t need such as phones or excess money. I headed down about 6:30pm, just to get my bearing before it got too busy, and even then it was bustling with people. There are so many options it is hard to know where to start really. Calu, a lady from the hostel took us into some places, hidden bars and galleries. It is so surprising what can be found behind and in between shops. It was just amazing. Some lovely pieces around, pretty little things and more complex images. We had some in depth conversations regarding art and what it means to us and what we saw in each picture. Not over analysing but enough to cause a discussion. It was lovely to share this experience with others from the hostel – getting to know some new people. Relaxing with them. They are so many different people, and stories, tales to be told and experienced. Too many different perspectives not to share them all. We soon explored the different galleries we could find, going from mix media, that seemed to confuse us all, to abstract with a mix of photos, sculpture and canvases in the middle as well. The amount of people just wondering and talking was lovely to see such appreciation. It turns out many of the paintings were on sales – none that took my fancy that far. We stopped by a street food place to get a hot dog and fond a ledge to sit and chat and watch the world go by. No qualms, just honest good conversation. No social media – there is no need for it. All it takes is an open person and a good conversation. A worthwhile event if you are in town for it. A real cultural experience.
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Hop on hop off.

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If you are in Cape Town… This is a must. The hop on hop off is great.

I chose the blue route, but there are plenty of options, even a wine one that can link in!! The Blue Route does the mini peninsula they call it. Goes down to Hout Bay, via Kirstenbosch and gateway to Constantia wine houses. It then cruises along the coast through Camps Bay and Clifton up to Green Point and back into the City.

Camps Bay showing their love for this weather!

I joined the route at Long Street. Ticket and headphones acquired. I sat at the top for the 2 hour ride around the city. And what a 2 hour trip.

Very tempted to get off at plenty of spots but decided to do it all now would be a bit excessive. It is all so accessible anyway. I can do it on days off etc.

The commentary is filled with trivia, music and fun facts about the city. Such as the 12 Apostles at the back of Table Mountain – there are more than 12. Naturally.

Couldn’t even fit 12 in this picture…

There is a Llandudno in Cape Town – who knew?! Named after the Welsh Town… The things you learn.

Llandudno: the Cape Town version…

It was so nice sitting in the sun, doing something touristy but gaining a greater appreciation from it that just the tourist perspective.

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Tweede Nuwe Jaar

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So for those of us who do not know what this means. It is also called Kaapse Klopse. None the wiser…. Let me show youa glimpse.


Strangest thing. Comes from the time of the slaves when the owners gave the slaves the day off to entertain the slave owners. It was quite the party. This tradition has been maintained all these years.

People have been setting this up and lining the streets for the last day to gear up for this. Gazeboes going up alongside the barriers, picnics arranged, tents and blankets the whole hog!

 

They used to dress up with tall hats, long tailed jackets, the whole shabbang, intended to make fun of the slave owners. Now although the oufits are much the same, the making fun of the owners is no longer there. The outfits are so bright and sparkling. There is music, played by each troops accompanying band as they work their way down the street, troop after troop. It is very much a sight to see. Very lovely. See for yourself… A real life experience.

It shuts down the entire city one troop at a time, roads are closed when they pass through and only some reopen between them. It heads from Grand Parade to Bo Kaap. You can’t miss it. The barriers and hordes of people give it away really. It is a lovely festival something to remember. So if you are here on January 2nd it is something not to be missed. Especially if your into your cultural events, music and or dancing.

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Victoria and Alfred

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Don’t worry fellow reader, I am not going to go into a history lesson on one of the UK’s greatest monarchs and her son. I am actually going to talk about Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

The waterfront is the tourist haven of Cape Town, please fellow traveller if you are staying in the Waterfront please please please leave this area. There is so much in the centre of Cape Town to see and experience please venture further.

That said!

There is even a Mall – it was like I had never left home really. There is a lovely food market with artisan foods and stalls. Plenty to see and do there, there is quite a focus around there. Really busy though. As it is a tourist centre.

Playground for the rich as well as the tourists, plenty of boats and yachts on display. Lovely in the sunshine to wander around, or catch a beer in one of the restaurants and people watch – one of my fave hobbies. The different languages and attitudes being displayed. Just take stock of this city and this place within its bustling streets.

I was quite happy walking around for a little before it got a bit too crowded for me really. Basically if there is anything you need that you cant seem to find in the centre of Cape Town, there is a sure bet you will be able to find it there. The shopping mall would be perfect had I forgotten something or needed something a little extra.

There are statues to famous people too, one to the four south African winners of a Nobel prize. Robben Island museum.

There are also different areas to it, Silo,Dry Docks, Canal. All different districts with different elements to offer. Worth a walk around really is. Regardless of where you are located.