Archive for May, 2009
May 30, 2009 at 6:28 pm
· Filed under Travel
Yay!! Winter has definitely kicked in in Cape Town. Lots of rain, snow on the mountains inland and restaurants offering fabulous deals for all the locals. Yesterday I had another wonderful evening with first some delicious pasta with wild mushrooms & Parma ham at Andiamo’s + a glass of Merlot, for 2 people: ZAR 99. Can you believe it?? And they told us that on Saturdays they even throw in a Malva pudding for desert!! Say no more and check it out. Booking adviced though!! We sat in the deli, haha, which was a lovely table by the way! Service was also excellent!
Then agreat gig from Chris Chameleon @ the Cape Diamond Hotel. I’m his newest groupie I’m afraid. jee, it was really awesome. He’s also quite well known in The Netherlands and had a full house in my favourite theater, de Kleine Komedie in Amsterdam. Will tell all my friends they must go and see him.
Now off to Myoga,hmmm, Great expectations there again…
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May 25, 2009 at 9:37 am
· Filed under Travel ·Tagged biscuit mill market, breakfast, cape town, food, South Africa
Oh, this is such a favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning. I don’t go often enough but when I go, I ENJOY! Last Saturday I met a friend for breakfast at the Old Biscuit Mill Market. My usual routine is to be there quite early, between 9h – 9h30 because it tends to get very very busy a bit later. First I go get my coffee at Origins Coffee stall. Hm! Yam! The best way to start the day. Then, while sipping coffee we go in search of the most delicious breakfast of the day. I ‘eyed’ already a chef cooking up a storm and selling ‘the ultimate breakfast tart’,! Still, let’s check out the other places. Ran into another Dutch friend that was helping out at a pastry stall, YAM! That would be desert. The atmosphere in this place is just fabulous. I think the Hungarian stall would have to awarded with most beautiful stand in the whole market. Bit early though to have a goulash soup. Yes, we WILL taste the ultimate breakfast tart and it IS to die for! Filo pastry, topped with caramalized onions, mushrooms, crispy bacon and a runny poached egg, surrounded by marinated cherry tomatoes. Do I need to say more?? What a party at 10h00 in the morning. Make sure who ever visits our fabulous city, not to miss out on the market in Woodstock. After brkfst there’s still some shopping to do with handmade clothes, bags, jewelry, choose and much much more. What a delight!
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May 4, 2009 at 1:25 pm
· Filed under Travel ·Tagged greyton, South Africa
I almost forgot to write about our little get-away after Easter! My friend Fiona and me spend 4 nights on a farm just outside Greyton, about 2 hours drive from Cape Town. Greyton is really of-the-beaten-track and for those that really just want to relax, drink coffee in the local cafe and mingle with the locals. Within in no-time you’re up-to-date about everyone! We choose Oewerzicht farm as they allow dogs to come along as well so my dog also had a nice outing. He loved to be on the farm! Oak & Vigne was the local coffee place with YES, Origin Coffee, which is simply the best coffee in the world. On Saturday there’s a little market across the road from the church and we were so lucky to even attend a concert of Daniel Pascale at the Hotel. I tell you, Greyton’s on FIRE!! There are quite a few people offering massages and all kinds of other treatments so you can really enjoy some YOU-time. We didn’t explore very much the restaurants as we had a lovely braai every night and enjoyed the view and sunset from our farm cottage. You can hike from Greyton to McGregor which supposed to be one of the most beautiful hikes of South Africa. Will let you know when I’ve done it!
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May 3, 2009 at 7:32 pm
· Filed under In / around Cape Town ·Tagged cape town, food, harbour house, jazz, la cuccina, paul cluver, vineyard hotel, wine
YES! The wonderful secret season in Cape Town has started. Although it will not be secret anymore for a long time because I share it now with you! Winter is about to begin and restaurants & guesthouses offer great value for money. Weather might not always be great but for example today, we had a stunning sunny 20 degrees, blue skies, no wind. REALLY!
We enjoyed a 4 course dinner with matching Paul Cluver wines at the Vineyard Hotel for an incredible ZAR 225 a head last Friday. Can you believe it!! There was even live entertainment as well and the food was absolutely delicious (we\’re talking beef fillet, pork belly, dark chocolate tart, THE WORKS!).
The 6 of us had a great evening and will def. go more often. They organise them twice a month. See you there!
Then in a magazine I saw an add for the Harbour House in Kalk Bay offering 3 course luncheons for ZAR 150. People, I\’m talking about the fabulous HARBOUR HOUSE!!! Can you believe such an incredible deal?? Check it out and enjoy Winter. We all need a little break from the credit crunch, right?
Another lovely spot in Hout bay is La Cuccina on a Saturday night with live Jazzzzz by the wonderful Ike. Ya, i\’ve been quite busy this weekend, I agree.. But so nice to share all the good stuff! Jessy @ www.extraordinary-travel.com
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May 3, 2009 at 7:16 pm
· Filed under In / around Cape Town, Travel ·Tagged cape town, elephants eye, hike, proteas, silvermine, South Africa, table mountain
On such a FABULOUS day as today, one should take advantage and be OUT in nature. So yes, finally, I went for a hike again. After all family and friends visiting I now have some time again to go hopefully on some more hikes.
I had never been up to Elephants Eye so it was exciting to add this one to the list. Although there was a rescue helicopter, rescueing someone off the mountain, I thought it was a fairly easy hike up. Well signposted, many people around, not too streneous. And the VIEWS! WoW!! False Bay looked stunning, the sea not a single little wave, nature was quiet (quite rare for the Cape with winds and storms all most all the time). It was just perfect. And, what a bonus to see the king proteas bloom. Beautiful! It was the first time that I saw them in the wild so I was very excited about that. The cave is huge and you can walk into it. See pics for views. We were in AWE! Bit slippery becasue of the sand, yes, I also landed on my bum!
You park the car near the dam in the Silvemine reserve. With a wild card you can take your dog as well.
View over False Bay from the cave
King proteas
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