Yes that is Lions Head above those clouds. Yes that is me in the Blue Kayak.
So my friend and I went Sea Kayaking with Kaskazi. It was R400 for a couple of hours. I really great experience. The office is in a shell garage in Sea Point. There are lockers on site for your stuff. They recommend not taking anything you.
So you get a small briefing before hitting the boats. You climb in and adjust the pedals at the back or the footrest at the front. The person in the back is in charge of direction and the one in the front is in charge of the power.
The morning I did this you can see it was a little cloudy and misty – made for an interesting experience. It was eerie when you lose all aspect of where you are paddling to just into the middle of the sea.
On these experiences you can sometimes see some wildlife, we spotted a seal for a short time and there were some dolphins in the vicinity but they were elusive to us. So we were paddling up and down along Sea Point and back to Granger Bay and the Waterfront trying to keep an eye on the wall as well as maybe finding some animals.
The guides and the staff at Kaskazi were great, I would highly recommend this experience. It was something completely different and amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed this. My arms not so much I was very very tired! Definitely want to do it again in the sunshine.
This restaurant carries a reputation all its own, if you are thinking of going in the evening, then please book well ahead in advance. If you are small number of people you can try on the night but it is unlikely. I went at lunch time for their summer lunch menu, it was still pretty busy for that time.
The entrance into the restaurant looks rather grand, the steps are tiled and the gravel, leading up to a glass front. It is very ornate the outside area is all shaded with a tent like structure. A few booths as well as actual tables. All comfortable and giving a relaxed atmosphere.
The Summer lunch menu, has a wide range of choices, as you can see. Some things that are familiar and others that are not so. It is well priced and usually the Chicken main is R175. I am sure that means you get a smaller portion on this one however even the meal I had was filling enough. The drinks menu is extensive too, with wines and cocktails as well as soft drinks.
I opted to sit outside, after sitting inside for 15 mins waiting for everything to be ready for me. I was asked multiple times if I was okay sat inside and people tried to take my order but I was adamant about being outside. It was a lovely warm day.
So after downing a litre bottle of water I opted for the Gili Gili mocktail, which was a bit like a virgin mojito but less sugary. It was nice, still went quickly. Eventually I had my order for food taken, both courses had to be order at the same time. I ordered Kingflip goujons and chips with Malva pudding for dessert.
I want to make a comment at this point about the service. After waiting for long enough to be moved outside and to have my order taken. I then watched two other tables receive their food before me. I had ordered at the same time, if not before. Admittedly they were having starters or salads so to an extent I can understand. This still bordered on the annoying. It was simple surely. Anyway, I asked where my food was, and as soon as someone had reported it, my food came out. It was piping hot at least. The waiter came and offered a drink or glass of champagne to compensate which I was pleased for. At least it was something. After this they then proceeding to turn the fan on next to me which then blew water at me as well… That wasn’t appreciated…
Onwards to the food – this could not be faulted!
The chips were delicious, the goujons were not greasy, the batter was crisp. The mushy peas were divine, they had mixed them with mint and butter I think, very yummy. I can tell you that these did not last long.
Malva pudding for those who have not had it, is very similar to sticky toffee pudding but it has been soaked in a type of alcohol and there are no dates. Surely no downside right?! It was a very large portion I will give you, and the pineapple and pistachios where the perfect combination with the soaked cake and the ice cream. It was a lovely end.
I would still recommend this place but with some caution, make sure you keep an eye on your waiter so that he doesn’t forget you. I felt forgotten in this place, the food made up for it. Food and drinks were amazing.
Spier – probably one of the most well known places in South Africa to try and drink wine. It is about 45 minutes outside of the city. It is grey drive, mostly on main road, but I promise you, when you arrive you don’t even know the road is there.
It is green beyond belief! Such wide open spaces it is a beautiful winery. You can stay there as well, there are plenty of things to do, places to eat and things to try. It is a whole experience at Spier. I am getting ahead of myself – lets concentrate on the main reason… the wine.
So I stopped here for a wine tasting. R40 for 7 different wines, I had 2 sparkling, 1 rose, 2 white and 2 red. It really did show the complexity of wine making in those wines and how perfect these people are at it. All of them were enjoyable and drinkable more to the point. There is something there for every taste. You can have a chocolate and wine tasting, cheese and wine, or just different levels of tasting depending on your feelings. I saw many many tables here with groups of people or even with children.
I ordered a 6 bottle mixed case to be send home for delivery when I get home. Which was super easy and very convenient. I am so pleased I was able to do that. So if you are interested just talk to the host you are working with and they will be able to walk you through the process.
The grounds of Spier are stunning, so please do not just do the wine tasting and leave, enjoy it. Walk around, and just get a feeling for the place. There is a small stream that you can walk along as you can see from the below photo.
Lunch – now this place has 4 different restaurants from a farm to table place, a steakhouse or even just a run of the mile restaurant whatever you are feeling they will have it. I went to the farm to table place and I order a roast beef sandwich and got a cake too. Both were amazing, the roast beef came with rocket, caramelised onions and vegetable crisps on the side. What more could you want. You can even rent a picnic set with your lunch and have a picnic on the lawns. Wine is a must naturally. I took a bottle home to enjoy at a different time.
Spier for me was a must coming to Cape Town. I hope it is for you too. The wine tours are good to do a number of wines and even better when you don’t have to drive yourself right, however experiencing one by yourself is a wonderful experience in itself.
Named after the cafe in Casablanca. It is a mixed cuisine place, you are in for a treat.
There is outside seating, that is all shaded either by the trees or by umbrellas, they all very comfortable and it is always teaming with people.
There is Happy Hour from 3pm – 7pm with over 500 drinks to choose from, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The ice tea is lovely and sugar free and therefore guilt free – right?
So I started my meal with the smoked crocodile, passion fruit, orange and rocket. It was like Carapaccio. I really enjoyed the smokiness next to the fruit. I devoured it quickly. It is hard to see the crocodile but it is that pink/cream type stuff on the outskirts of the plate. Really tasty.
For my main course I had the ostrich burger which came with pineapple and onion rings. The meat just fell apart, and it was delicious. Just divine. It had been seasoned well, and the accompaniments were perfect. The chips and onion rings were crisp without being greasy. The slaw was small and didn’t add much to the meal it was perfect without it.
The options at this place are just amazing! From burgers to Turkish and Moroccan Tagines, I was spoiled for choice I really was. Highly recommend this place. Service was attentive, with being the only person I was worried about being smothered but it was quite the opposite.
This little cafe, has a big reputation, one of the most recommended places in the area. I was staying 10/15 mins from here at the Backpackers – another review following for this place. A lovely walk down the beach.
You can see a working harbour whilst enjoying your lunch and beyond the restaurant there is even a small beach which is nice and quiet.
There is large menu and large area for seating, there is good range of food from burgers to salads and fresh seafood. It is all moderately priced as well.
I ordered Hake and Rice – beautifully seasoned and grilled of course. Highly recommended – lovely setting and amazing food.
There are stingrays in this harbour, so keep your eyes out if you are in the area. There are a beaches beyond the harbour as well. It is a lovely area to spend an few hours relaxing.
The Southern Most Tip of Africa is a short drive from the Struisbaai, about 10 mins. There is parking at the bottom of the hill and it is free. There are bathrooms at the parking lot, these are the only ones in the area so if you are walking around a bit make sure to use them.
The Lighthouse is 33R to do the Museum and climb the tower. The Museum goes through the history of the lighthouse as well as the history of South African lighthouses. The museum is small room with boards all over the walls. Then you head to the central area to climb the 71 ladder steps to the top. The view is lovely from the top but it is imperative you know that they are steep ladder steps. One up and one down.
It is a 1km walk down to the Southern most Tip of the continent and then another 4km to the Meisho Maru shipwreck beyond. If you would prefer; you can drive to both of them, it is down a gravel path. It is an easy walk under foot in good shoes, gravel and stony just like the drive. It is not shady however, so ensure enough water and you are covered up.
The southern most tip is marked by a stone, and where the two oceans meet. In front of it, you can see a map of Africa with the mountain ranges highlighted. It is huge and the photos can not do it justice.
After this I suggest you head on a 30 mins walk, 4km you reach the Meisho Maru Shipwreck it is so close to shore, you can almost walk to it, but the rocks are a little sharp and slippery. – Good at sunset apparently. I didn’t venture down that far at suset.
It is a lovely morning out and about; Agulhas has a few nice restaurants again mainly fish is available, but it is all fresh fish which makes it so worth it.
Car Hire is simple in South Africa. I hired one through Aroundabout cars who then gave my rental to Tempest. I turned up a little early but no dramas, on the start date of my rental. Please note Tempest Car hire are on 26 Chippani Street not what google maps says.
The paper work was fairly standard, driving license, passport the usual. Blocking so much on the card in case of any issues, the standard walk around the car to make a note of all the ‘damage’ already done etc etc. They were every welcoming and easy to talk to. I took a video of the guy going over the car and made sure I had copies of everything – naturally.
The one thing I would advice, Tyre and Winscreen Cover, try and get it included it is worth the extra R70 just in case. Hub caps being stolen so driving on a rough road. just better to have the cover.
Andrew walked me through everything, explaining everything to the n’th degree. Even with others asking questions around me, he was still attentive. My little Kia Rio and I were on our way with relative ease and speed.
R85 admin fee payable regardless. Full to Full policy, with R23 if they have to fill up the car – Gas stations are plentiful in Cape Town, however I made the conscious decision to just leave it.
The drop off was just as simple, a walk around the car and giving the keys in and all is well. Super Easy these guys I would recommend. Just don’t forget we drive on the left here.
This place is the perfect Brunch place – a wonderful Sunday morning I spent here, and I would do so again without any hesitation. It offer all the options from burgers to all day breakfasts, waffles to pancakes. What more could you ask for from a Diner like this.
Greeted upon a arrival to a very busy restaurant. Normally such a thing would worry me, about the level of service however this was not the case. They were amazing.
I ordered a coffee and orange juice to drink. This is the standard flat white!! it was huge! Did not last long I can tell you.
I went with the jacks – they are actually pancakes and they are delicious. I had mine with pineapple, banana, strawberry and a side of maple syrup. There is just enough maple syrup as well. 3 was plenty for me however you can order 5 if you so wish. You can add when you wanted, there is so much choice. You can have a full breakfast if you wanted, omlettes, waffles. The food looked incredible regardless of what you ordered !
Normally I try not to go into restaurants where people are trying to persuade you in.
Hermanus is a small enough place that almost every restaurant had plenty of people in it. So it is hard to know where to eat. Many of them are offering the same types of food as well, so you are going to get good food regardless where you go. There is lots of seafood available, so be open to those options.
I was sat outside in the shade being able to watch the world go by. There is wifi available here for free – if that is important to you.
For a drink alongside I had a mocktail called Steelworks this was ginger ale and lemonade. This was very smooth and easy to drink, this along side a water was needed in order to quench my thirst.
I went for something light called Tramenzzini for food with chips. I was a lots heavier that first advertised. Four quarters of pita filled with cheese (cheddar and mozerella), bacon, chicken and spinach. There as little less chicken than I would have liked. It was so filling, not quite the light meal I wanted but it was so delicious it made up for it.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. A beautiful set of gardens a well worth a walk around if you are every in Cape Town. It costs around 70R to get in, you can get their on the blue route City sightseeing bus, Uber or drive. There is parking on site, it is mostly shaded parking a few sun spots.
There are many hiking routes through the gardens, and there is a map you can buy for R10 at the same place as the ticket which gives you everything you might want to see in the gardens, as well as giving you an idea of the space.
There are a few statues and plaques throughout describing what was going on, the plants, the people involved. It is such a lovely space, you can just wander, relax. It is on the side of the mountain so it is quite steep at times, so please make sure you are in good shoes. There are plenty of places to sit in the shade, and a few places to walk in the shade. A few water fountains throughout, so just make sure you have a bottle to fill up. On a hot day it can be quite tiring walking around, so just an awareness point there.
There are walking tours that go through the gardens with someone who knows the flora they go at certain times.
Kirstenbosch holds summer concerts, on a sunday around R250, you can bring your own picnic and a few beers or wine and sit and enjoy the music. It is quite popular so make sure you book tickets in advance if there is a band going you like. There is a range of bands through the season.
The major reason people go to Kirstenbosch, is for the tree canopy. The gardens are gorgeous and if you are a botantist or into your gardening then this may be untrue, I apologise. But The following photo is the picture people want. The tree canopy is not as long as you think it is, the views are breathtaking though. I took so many photos, I wish I could share them all.
Kirstenbosch Gardens is a lovely place for a day out. It does everything it says on the tin. It has two places to eat, plenty of places to walk or to picnic. A large shop if you want to buy yourself a little something.
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