A haunting in the city..

It is hard to imagine a ghost roaming amongst the hubbub of the City of Cape Town, with its trend setters on every side walk, night clubs in almost every street and everlasting traffic. However, we must bear in mind that the City of Cape Town is where it all started and it is where we find South Africa’s oldest building, the Castle of Good Hope. In most old buildings, the perceptive will find lost souls wondering around looking for a way to the other side...

There many stories about ghosts haunting the Castle of Good Hope. One of the most infamous ghost stories told is that of the Lady in Grey.  It is said that she was often seen with her hands covering her face, as though she is weeping. Other sightings of her have been made at Government House. Apparently, there was once a passage that linked the Castle and Government House.  During a recent excavation,  the skeleton of a women was found. This is thought to be the remains of the Lady in Grey as her ghost has not been seen since the skeleton was found. Hopefully now she can rest in peace.

There is a tale of another ghost, Governor Noodt who is also thought to roam around the Castle of Good Hope. He was known as a unsympathetic disciplinarian. One night, four of his soldiers were caught trying to escape and so he sentenced them to death, a punishment perhaps a bit too cruel. The Governor did not care for human life. The night before the executions of the four soldiers, they sat and prayed with their minister. The following morning the Governor didn’t show up for the executions. Even the last man who was brought out to be executed cursed the Governor and demanded him to come out and witness his death. Still he did not show up. The man challenged him to appear before God to answer for what he had done to these four men and then was hanged. The officers came to report that the sentence had been carried out and found Governor Noodt dead in his room with a look of horror on his face. Apparently he had died of a heart-attack and his soul still roams the Castle at night. Spooky stuff!

Taken from plpinfo.org

Touring Cape Town, tourist-style!

A few weeks ago, when the weather was still sunny and brilliant, I went with my sister on the City Sightseeing bus. You know, that big, topless red one that all the tourists take... Well I just have to say WOW! What a professional service and such a brilliant experience. I would recommend that everyone (whether you are local to Cape Town or not) experiences the magic of Cape Town from the top of the City Sightseeing bus! Their slogan is ‘The best way to see Cape Town in 2 days” and I agree.

Taken from citysightseeing-blog.co.za

The buses depart from the V&A Waterfront and take one of two routes: either the Blue or Red route. Each route covers a different spectrum of Cape Town. There also 1 day and  2 day trips. Prices range between R110 –R210 for a ticket, depending on what you want to do. The bus takes you on a tour with headphones, explaining the background of every part of Cape Town as you drive. It also stops at all the tourist destinations such as Table Mountain cable car and Camps Bay where you can climb off, enjoy the experience and be picked up later. The bus runs like public transport and there is a bus within 25minutes at each stop.

I learned things about Cape Town I never knew and took awesome photographs. Do yourself a favour and give it a go! You won’t regret it! For more information on routes and prices, please go check out their website: http://www.citysightseeing.co.za/home.

• The Castle from the bus.

Driving passed the Purple Turtle in Long Street. It has more history than you think!

It's here folks!

If you live in Cape Town, you may have noticed that the days are getting shorter, the sun rises later and sets earlier. There is that snowy bite in the air and raindrops and grey skies are making their appearance more often . The South-Easter has died down and the fashion in the shops has changed. Summer dresses have been replaced with coats and scarves. Yup...you guessed it, winter is upon us!


Taken from franto.com

Winters in Cape Town are rather chilly and often wet. The seas are rough but water sports such as surfing and body-boarding are considered winter sports as the Cape’s water is warmer and waves better in winter months. Also, Great Whites, monsters of the ocean, flock to our shores and Shark Cage Diving becomes Cape Town's greatest attraction. After the initial shock of the cold Capetonian’s finally come out of their hibernation and continue to party it up at all the hotspots in and around town. Restaurants near the ocean offer you blankets and turn on their gas heaters. Ships stay out in the bay longer as storms make it dangerous for them to dock but they create quite a scene as they dance in the waves with their heavy cargos swaying.

To the pleasure of locals, prices come down as the tourists all leave back to their warm countries. Shopping malls and cinemas suddenly become fuller as the beach is not an option in the rain. People eat hot scrumptious food and waistlines expand. Traffic increases as Capetonians suddenly forget how to drive when it is raining.

The point is that winter can become depressing and I believe many Capetonians feel somewhat out of sorts while its cold and rainy, but I would have to say that I would choose a Cape Town winter over any other South African winter. It gets cold but not as cold as other places like Guateng and there is always a party, a vibe and excellent wining and dining. There is always something to do, plus, we still get to enjoy our beautiful ocean with its bobbing ships!

Table Mountain hides a lot during winter: Taken from imod.co.za

A local legend...

I would like to tell you a legend that many Capetonians hold dear to their heart. It is a legend that has been passed on down through the years and is still fondly shared today. It is the legend of Table Mountain’s snowy table cloth and where it came from. It is the legend of how Devil’s Peak got its name. It is the legend of Van Hunks and the Devil.

In summer months, the South Easter blows a cloud cover over Table Mountain, which has become fondly identified as its table cloth. It is a peculiar phenomenon and here is the legend that explains it...

Van Hunks and the Devil, taken from1horsetown.co.za

A retired pirate named Van Hunks (in some adaptations he is said to have been the fierce pirate Blackbeard) had had enough of the cruel seas and had decided to settle down in Cape Town with his wife. They lived in a little house at the base of Table Mountain and every sunny day Van Hunks would climb the mountain to the slope now known as Devil’s Peak to smoke his beloved tobacco as his wife could not handle the smell. He would light his pipe as he watched the boats in the harbour. He believed no one could smoke as much tobacco as he could.

One day he climbed to his favourite spot to find a stranger in a black cloak and wide-brimmed hat already sitting there. The stranger greeted him by name. Out of manners, Van Hunks decided to sit with the man and smoke his pipe. The stranger lit his own pipe with a flame conjured out of thin air. Van Hunks did not pay much attention.

The two men began to chat and soon an argument about who could smoke the most tobacco ensued. This led to a smoking competition between the two men. They smoked throughout that day, into the night and were still puffing away the next day. The clouds of smoke they created covered the mountain.

Soon the stranger started turning green and fell off his seat. His hat fell off, showing the two horns that were hiding under it. Van Hunks was delighted at beating the devil but his victory was short-lived.  The devil disappeared with Van Hunks and he was never seen again. Today when the cloudy table cloth covers Table Mountain, Capetonians will tell you that Van Hunks and the Devil are at it again. It is from this legend that the slope received its name, Devil’s Peak.

Table Mountain's table cloth taken from andrewcurrie.ca

Devil's Peak taken from pamgolding.co.za

Feeling Blue Peter?!

If you are visiting the Blouberg/Table View side of Cape Town, it is my recommendation that you visit the good old Blue Peter Hotel. This is the perfect place to sit down for a meal and sundowners, whilst enjoying the immaculate view of Table Mountain, Robben Island and Blouberg beach.  No other place can offer you such an enjoyable, casual environment and give you that “just-off-the-beach” feel.



Blue Peter front view.

In my opinion, Blue Peter has the best wood-fired pizzas around. Their Fish and Chips is also spectacular. In the summer months it is hard to find a seat but many people are content to place their bums on its large grass lawn to enjoy the sunset and vibe.  There is no dress code and no superficiality like other beach restaurants in Camps Bay. It is an awesome place for all family members to enjoy and perfect for those looking for a meal after building their appetites on the beach all day. Even pets are allowed!

The view of Table Mountain from the Blue Peter.

It is one of the oldest sites in Blouberg, dating back to the 19^th century when it was just a little tea room aptly called “The Springbok Café”. It has grown and developed into a beloved place for all locals and is constantly undergoing face-lifts to keep up with the ever-trendy Cape Town’s demands. It is reasonably priced and live music entertainment is offered on weekends. So what are you waiting for? Hop in the car with the whole family and come see what I am talking about!  



Sunset views from Blue peter's grass lawn.

Our natural wonder!

Let me just tell you that if you live in Cape Town or are just visiting and you haven’t been up Table Mountain, then you are missing out in a big way! Last week, when the weather was perfect, I made my mission to the cable car station and had a stunning day on my favourite mountain.

For so many Capetonians, Table Mountain symbolises home.  We see it every day in its flat-topped from, but rarely get to experience the beauty of the rest of Cape Town from a bird’s-eye-view.  A trip up Table Mountain in their state-of-the-art rotating cable car will cost you about R195 per person. Every cent is worth it. Just some advice; get there early to avoid long queues.

The trip in the cable car is pleasant. It can take 65 people up at a time. It rotates the whole ride up so that everyone gets to see our beautiful city. When you reach the top, you are in for the treat of your life. The views from the top will take your breath away.  You can view all of Cape Town from the top, from Camp’s Bay’s white beaches to the Green Point Stadium in miniature. The magnificence of the place we live in makes me proud to say I’m Capetonian! On a clear, sunny day, Cape Town looks like Never Never Land from this viewpoint!

If you haven’t been, make plans to go soon before we hit winter. It is no wonder that Table Mountain has been officially named as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the world!

The rotating cable car.



Never Never Land :)



Camps Bay

Why the Mother City?

Ever wondered why Cape Town is called the Mother City? Well there are many suggestions as to where this affectionate name was derived from.

The most common reason is offered by accredited Cape Town tour guide, Selwyn Davidowitz, ““In the 1930's some unknown party wrote to the local Cape Town newspaper claiming that Cape Town was the only city in South Africa that could justly call itself a metropolis. The public took to this description and because the word metropolis is derived from the Greek derivation of meter or metros meaning mother and polis meaning city, the nickname of "Mother City" was born. Hence today we know our wonderful city as being the Mother City."

Many say that Capetonians are a laidback, relaxed people and that it takes nine months to get anything done here. A mother gives birth after nine months, hence the name.

Another reason, which I found quite hilarious, is that they say Cape Town is called the Mother City because of the local Cape coloured dialect. Yup, you guessed it, as in “Jou ma se....” (Your Mother).

I would say that Cape Town is the Mother City because of the power of its beauty to calm the soul and its ability to host its many diverse children. I love this place! As they say, “Home is where the heart is!”

Taken From: georginacombes.wordpress.com