A few days ago, on a bright sunny day, I met up with a friend of mine at the V&A Waterfront who had booked an Marine Eco-Tour of the vast biodiversity Cape Town’s waters has to offer. As much as you would like to think you know the V&A Waterfront, getting to know the Quays are a totally new ball game! So, it took a while to figure out where exactly this one was situated! In fact it was close to one of my favourite hangouts at The Hildebrand, Alba Lounge situated at the Clock Tower. We were welcomed by William at check in who had guided us to the catamaran. I quickly swapped my wedges for some non-slip sandals and had a quick opportunity to take a few photos of the beautiful Ocean Adventurer before we got on on board.

Ocean Adventurer

As we boarded, we had our photos taken with professional photographers. We then received a ticket which we could use to have our photos (non-obligatory) and we could decide if we would like to purchase them or not. The staff helped me secure my belongings in a safe and dry place and advised me that there were an array of soft drinks available for purchase –it would be advisable to have a meal before you take off to avoid getting sea sick!

All aboard the Ocean Adventurer

There were two toilets on the catamaran which were fairly spacious and we got a front row seat on the deck to enjoy the breathtaking views ahead! The Ocean Adventurer departs from the Robben Island ferry jetty. The tour is 90 minutes from departure and sails around Table Bay and surrounds with guides shedding light on what is encountered during the trip. Bigger ocean creatures such as penguins and seals are spotted on a regular basis and a few whales and dolphins may be spotted too – depending on seasonal change of course. Lastly, they have taken it all a step further by equipping the boat with an on board microscope connected to not only one, but two LCD screens which will allow you to view the broad ecosystem of Table bay at a closer look. How amazing is that?!

What better way to appreciate our wonderful unique eco system and getting educated along the way. Tickets can be purchased at their kiosk at the Clock Tower or on the boat.

Times: 11h00, 14h00 and 16h00
Ticket prices: Adults R180 and children R90.

Widaad Jacobs

Post by Widaad Jacobs*

One of our most passionate coffee evangelists, David Donde, who played a key role in saving Cape Town from a horrific plague of average coffee in 2006, is spreading the TRUTH once again. The imminent launch of theTRUTH Headquarters on 36 Buitenkant Street is great news for the many followers of the thriving coffee cult, and means that more uninitiated souls will have the opportunity to experience what java nirvana really tastes like. Flavour, not bitterness, and no sugar required.

TRUTH is not just another swanky coffee joint in the oh-so-suave part of town, but a passionate time-traveling Barista’s Steampunk dream come true.

Situated in Cape Town’s gritty design fringe, the striking venue provides a central location for David’s artisanal approach to the coffee bean and his reverence in its preparation and service. The renovated industrial space is a visual feast and home to a monster, steampunk-esque Probat bag roaster with polished copper piping, steel drums, gauges, dials and every bell and whistle needed for the perfect cuppa. Why the elaborate mechanics? “So we can see what the hell we are doing!” retorts David with a mischievous smile.

“When it comes to paying homage to the holiest of magic beans, we are downright religious fundamentalists and not afraid to share our unconditional love in the freakiest, loudest and most memorable way possible.” 

 The spectacular interior features a hand made, 7.5 m communal coffee table with swing-out stools for convivial consumption, vintage high-back leather seating booths, a fully-stocked bar and a sumptuous menu with just a pinch of moody lighting to bring it all together.

The imposing new headquarters with its historic facade will no doubt create a stir, being conveniently situated behind the historic Coffee Lane it promises to not only attract the cream of Cape Towns coffee lovers, but also serve as a must-do experience for the growing number of international visitors to the Mother City. 

“I love the smell of freshly ground and properly roasted coffee beans in the morning. “ 

“My personal goal is to have coffee deliver the taste that the aroma of freshly ground coffee promises. Storage conditions, roasting techniques, age of beans, freshness after roast and preparation techniques and conditions will all have dramatic effects on coffee character, or lack thereof. Unbelievably coffee is only fresh for 2 weeks after roasting and 4 minutes after grinding,” comments David with a religious zeal.

The TRUTH experience goes way beyond the realm of pleasure, appreciation, quality or mere taste. “TRUTH is the ‘real deal’ and will be one of the must-visit tourist destinations in Cape Town, especially considering that we have been named World Design Capital in 2014. We are also fortunate that we have stunning industrial spaces on our second floor, which can be utilised for meetings, launches, brainstorms and product presentations. We have already been swamped by ad agencies and corporates wanting to book our space. I imagine that they will be lively affairs considering that TRUTH coffee will fuel the conversation.”

It is anticipated that the venue will open it’s doors mid July however, caffeine-laced epiphanies will be available in the interim at the nominal sum of R10 for devoted pilgrims and eager newbies alike.

For more information, images or to arrange a private tasting and interview please contact Dayne Stern at dayne@luxurybrands.co.za or 021 702 3436.

One of the first and greatest challenges for any tourists (or any person arriving in a new city for that matter) is familiarising yourself with the area, understanding where all the major attractions are and figuring out the distances between them.

The Hop-on, Hop-off City Sightseeing buses makes exploring Cape Town so much easier for anybody — whether you’re a local or a tourist. These buses are found in a number of cities globally including Cape Town; and they are by far the most cost effective, easiest and most convenient way of touring and discovering any city, especially ours.

Besides the fact that travelling/site seeing with the Hop-on, Hop-off bus can be much cheaper and a lot more fun than taking a cab or hiring a private car; the Sightseeing bus makes Cape Town attractions more reachable. Visitors are not limited to a time period, a route or a specific day.

There are two routes in Cape Town operated by City Sightseeing buses, namely the Red City Tour and the Blue Mini Peninsula Tour. Both tours leave from the beautiful V&A Waterfront  in Cape Town. The V&A Waterfront is situated at the foot of the Table Mountain, within a stone’s throw from the Cape Stadium and it offers visitors an abundance of unforgettable experiences.

Commentary is provided on the bus in 16 different languages including English, French, Italian and Spanish. You will also be provided with a map that details the routes and all the stops along the way. So, once you have purchased your tickets and are on the bus, all you have to do is sit back, relaxing, absorb the beauty of Cape Town around you and enjoying the drive.

http://www.citysightseeing.co.za/tour-timetables.php

The Red City Tour
The Red City Tour stops at 17 different spots along the way and the buses leaving every 20 minutes. It passes some of the Mother City’s significant attractions such as Camps Bay, Table Mountain Cable Way and the District Six Museum. For a more detailed description of the Red City Tour route, you may view or print the timetable before hand.

Blue Mini Peninsula Tour
The Blue Mini Peninsula Tour takes a more scenic route and stops at 13 different spots. The major attractions along the way include the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, World of Birds and Monkey Jungle and Imizamo Yethu (a township walking tour – optional). For a more detailed description of the Blue Mini Peninsula route, you may view or print the timetable before hand.

Purchasing a ticket
You can purchase your tickets either online, or at the ticket office outside the Two Oceans Aquarium in the V&A Waterfront or on the bus as you hop on.  And ohh here’s tip: You can save R30 per ticket on a 2-day ticket by purchasing online. The normal adult price for a ticket is R250, however you will pay R220 if you book online. Please note that two day tickets must be used on succeeding days.