Cheap holiday: South Africa

Thanks to the global financial situation, South Africa is one of the most affordable destinations to visit. Today’s Exchange rate is US$1 = ZAR9.8. You will get a lot for your money here. But do take time and go to a local grocery shop on your first day. I have taken a few things from the Pick ‘n Pay online shopping list to give you an idea of what things cost. Pick ‘n Pay is a good quality food market. Some outlets have clothing and home wear as well as toys and outdoor and DIY products.

1 Kg Steak – R70 (you can pay up to R100 for a steak in a restaurant – and if you stay at an expensive hotel you will pay even R300!!)
Cigarettes (Camel 20s) – R20.80
Jumbo eggs (6) – R8.99
1 Kg Apples – R12.99

Even though South African eat relatively healthy, we are slowly but surely following the USA to obesity. People prefer fast foods due to our hectic life styles. If you do visit South Africa, try our fresh foods, but if you do need some comfort from home, here is what you will pay:

Big Mac – R15.50
Coke – R4.29 (330 ml/can)

If you like a drink every now and again, local beers and wines are very well priced. But do look out for LOCAL beers and wines. You will pay a little more in bars, and a lot more in hotel bars. Have the locals tell you about bars in the vicinity!

Millar – R5.69 (330 ml/bottle)
Windhoek Lager (from Namibia but surely one of the best – R5.29 (340ml/bottle)
Jack Daniels – R149.99 (750 ml bottle)

You also need to shop around for accommodation. Don’t go to the very famous names like Hilton and Holiday Inn. Have a look at these websites:

http://www.threecities.co.za/
http://www.legacyhotels.co.za/NeedFlash.htm
http://www.premierhotels.co.za/

And if you budget is tight, search online for guesthouses. They are affordable and the food is always good.

It is rather safe to rent a car but be aware that we drive on the left side of the road; our speed limit is in kilometers and our taxis don’t follow the rules of the road. Also, don’t leave anything in your car. While you are driving, put handbags/cameras/laptops etc under you seat, or in the boot. “Smash and Grab” is very common at intersections.

You can enjoy loads of activities and most info is available online. You just need to know where to look!

We hope to see you here!

Resources:
https://www.pnponline.co.za/default.aspx

Cape Town: Departure

Our final day started by going to the V&A Waterfront for the morning. Our instructions were to hand the car over to the rental company at 13:00, so we really did not have that much time. We had a quick brunch at the harbour while watching seagulls eat anything possible.

http://www.waterfront.co.za/Pages/Welcome.aspx

If you have time there are many things to do, from Heli-Flips (which are totally overpriced for the average South African) to a visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium. We went for a quick visit to the old fort! It is worth it if you know a little about South AFrican History!

http://www.aquarium.co.za/

Many tour operators depart from the waterfront on fun activities such as shark diving, whale watching, sand boarding and harbour boat trips. Just be sure to dress for all seasons because the weather can change in 30 minutes, especially next to the water. It can either be freezing cold, or you could sustain serious sunburn!

After handing in our little Corsa keys, the rental company gave us a lift to the Airport – so much time is wasted at airports waiting… and Cape Town Airport is awful. There is not much to do so bring a book or magazine to keep yourself busy – and maybe some toys if you have kids.

Getting back to Johannesburg was much less painless than going to Cape Town. The flight was smooth and the view was great!

Cape Town Day 3

After the previous day's excitement we got out of bed a bit late. Seeing that it was such a beautiful day, we charged off to Table Mountain. For R130 or so for a return ticket, the trip is more than worth while. Stepping into a revolving cable car is quite an experience. It can take 60 people and you hardly feel any shaking.

On top of the mountain you can have a lovely walk on safe walk ways. Apart from bumping into the odd tourist it is very enjoyable. Beautiful views of the city and the ocean are in abundance. One would think the restaurant is exclusively for international tourists but funnily enough the pricing is reasonable. All products are bio degradable even plates and cups. They have a great buffet breakfast which you can have outside with the view of the ocean.

You can also hike up the side of the mountain but I suggest you do one way with the Cable Car and hike the other way. Also let people know you are planning a hike because many people have gotten lost on the mountain – especially in the winter when the weather can change in 30 minutes from sunny to misty.

After Table Mountain we drove down to Hout Bay, which is a lovely drive along the coast, passing beach areas and shops.

Hout Bay is a small harbour town with a few fabulous restaurants but we opted to braai a snoek which you can buy in the harbour from the fishing boat. You can also feed the seals in the harbour at R5 per fish head. Look out for the “Soap Girls” next to the harbour. They are quite entertaining!

http://www.790tv.co.za/index.php
http://www.myvideo.co.za/video/hout-bay-soap-girls-ep1

Our day ended off with a visit to Blouwberg Beach with the most famous view of Table Mountain. Being hungry once again a pizza had to suffice and then bed!

Day 2 Cape Town

Saturday was AIRSHOW day! We really wanted to leave the house by 06:00 but we just couldn't get up! What a pity because getting a good spot is essential. We found parking and rushed to find a spot to get comfy... but the mud from the previous 7 cold fronts (and that means rain) cause wet feet and cold toes!

The show started with a bang and it really carried on until 16:00. There was always something to look at! Have a look on Youtube and search for AAD 2008 - you'll see a few videos!

The toilets were extremely clean - thousends of people flocked to the airshow and the toilets were asif they were never used! There were enough coldrink stands, food stands and safe parking.

I would reccommend this to anybody - except is you really dont like noise or mud :)

Cape Town Day 1

We got up on Friday morning, hoping for sunshine... and thank goodness it was the case - if only for a short while. It was cold though but nothing we couldn't handle. We had some light breakfast and went to the Waterfront to get tickets for the Airshow. Running up and down for a while, we finally got tickets, rushed to the car and set our GPS for Vergelegen Wine Estate.

After driving about 30 minutes we drove into a beautiful piece of the earth. Suddenly we didn't care about the rain and the cold. We dove straight in for some wine and even bought a Cabernet! They charge R30 per tasting (3 white wines and 3 red) and R10 extra per glass. We then went for a walk through the gardens, strolled trhough the museum and then we saw the big trees.

http://www.vergelegen.co.za/Content_1010000000_heritage.htm

This wine farm apparently has the oldest trees in the country... so do yourself a favour and go see this wine farm. There are so many to choose from but this one is special.

Second on our list was lunch! We didn't really know the route to Stellenbosch but we found our way into town. We had a lovely lunch at a restaurant I don't know the name of but it is situated next to a Mopanie Silk Shop. There are also a few nice things but really not for my small budget.

We then decided to go to Die Bergkelder. http://www.bergkelder.co.za/index2.html. This is not a wine farm but a cellar where wine is matured and stored. The tour consist of a walk through the cellar and a tasting of about 6 or 7 wines for only R20. The guide was very informative and she engaged with the group.

We really wanted to visit more farms but there was no time - seeing that the GPS was not working as it should have.

Next we drove down to a new farm called Asara. http://www.asara.co.za/. we were too late for a tasting but instead had drinks in the bar with friends. This estate has a lovely view of the mountains and such a nice, warm atmosphere!

After our long day we crawled back to our little flat. We ate a little dinner and went to bed. Saturday was the big Airshow day so we had to get up EARLY!!!

Day 2 will follow soon.....

Cape Town: Arrival

And so we decide to go to Cape Town for the Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo at Ysterplaat Air Force Base. I booked a great little guesthouse come backpackers in Table View called Elements. Our Mango flight would depart at 18:40 on Thursday. Thank goodness we did an online check in so we had great seats! Due to very bad weather in Cape Town we could only arrive at 23:30!!!!

On arrival we accepted all the car rental terms and conditions and tried to find our way to Table View. Tired and cold we just passed out!

http://ww6.flymango.com/
http://www.elements-capetown.com/
http://cybercapetown.com/AroundAboutCars/

Watch this space for Day 1!!

Conferencing and Events

Have a look at this company. They render a great service and are not expensive at all. They will keep to YOUR budget and they can organise basically anything you require. Their website is not functional yet, but will hopefully be online soon!

Tswaing Crater

After sleeping very late on Sunday, we decided to get some good ol' O2 by visiting the Tswaing Crater. I must say, directions to this site is not good at all. Once we found the visitor centre it was empty - due to the fact that they had just moved in :) we were directed to the crater trail.

http://www.hartrao.ac.za/other/tswaing/tswaing.html

First of all, TAKE WATER! We thought that we might find a tuck shop at the venue - to our disapointment we had to take on the 7.2 km walk without a drop to drink. None the less, it was an enjoyable 3 hours. The path is safe and not difficult at all. It is not marked off very well, but this made our 7.2 km journey about 8km :)

http://www.footprint.co.za/tswaing.htm

I would definitely make a whole day of it next time. The fees are very much affordable and one can easily take the whole family - between 7 years and 60 years. There is ample space for picknicking and you could take a mountain bike on a certain stage of the trail.

Sterkfontein Caves - Cradle of Humankind

We recently went to The Cradle of Humankind, the former Sterkfontein Caves. Apart from the fact that I wasnt dressed warmly it was very insightful! I suggest you take a warm jacket - the cave stays around 12 degrees Celsius year round. Oh and It might be a good idea to take a torch. The guide has one but you may see something in a dark corner. Also, try to get there early, before the bigger groups arrive. When the groups are too big you cant really see very well.

Do yourself a favour and also visit the Wonder Caves, which are a short drive away. These caves are worth the cold damp darkness. Amazing Stalagmites make their appearance around every corner. The guides are well informed and engage with visitors.

Gaboon Adder

So our weekend at the Maphelane nature reserve was great. We took a hike along a very beautiful trail through the forest. I would suggest to weare ankle high hiking boots. WHY? We saw - and nearly stepped on - a Gaboon Adder/Gaboon Viper.

This is a deadly snake but thank goodness we saw it in time. It was not aggresive at all, in fact, it was just lying there. We could moce it out of the way and carefully proceeded with our hike.

The trail is very dense and there are many insects including large spiders. Take water along, and maybe something to nibble on.

This pic I grabbed from Google.

Pilanesberg

GOING ON SAFARI! well; with our sedan and with normal camreas - no fancy lenses! To be honest; I expected more animals. The park is really not that big and we saw elephant and one giraffe. What happened to the days were South Africa looked like the Serengeti? Animals used to roam the whole country! Now your chances of seeing the big five is limited to the curtains in you accommodation!

YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO HANG OUT OF THE CAR!!!

Hillcrest Shopping Centre

I went for a quick shopping hour to this place and I havnt been so irritated in a long time.  Firstly to get parking was a nightmare.  Fine I got a spot and went to the shop I needed to go to, got what I wanted and the - the nightmare began.  


I wanted an icecream but the shop only had frozen yogurt.  I then went to the superette next door and the lady at the till were I was standing just got up and left.  So did I!  I then went to Woolworths to get a chocolate - when I got to the front it cost R24!!!!!! I could by 10 icecreams!!!!!  so I went to Clicks and got a coke instead.  So when I got into my car the traffic was terrible just getting out of the parking area!!!!!!

Thank goodness for aircon in my office!!!!!

SnorgTees

Have a look at the best thing since sliced beard!!! I just love these Tees!!!!  www.snorgtees.com.  I just love it!!!!

Mapelane Nature Reserve

So, we've decided to go camping in the Mapelane Nature Reserve.  Now I have never really been camping.  The one time I went it was terrible.  We slept in a cave, on the ground.  It was cold, we couldn't shower and the travel buddies were actually classmates and not buddies.  So this time I will be completely prepared.

There is no power at this camp sit but as you can see from the aerial photo it's right next to the ocean.  It is a nature reserve so there are walking trails and hopefully we will see a few birds and maybe some other non scary wildlife, like Hippos.... which by the way is the most dangerous animal in AFRICA!!!

Give me power...

Give me power, was one of the headlines I read on my way to work today.  It took me about 45 minutes to drive 4 kilometres.  That is scary!! There was no obvious reason for slow traffic, just the rain I suppose.

Anyway, we should start thinking of other power sources.  Why hasnt anybody thought of wind power in the Eastern Cape?  The wind is always blowing down there!! Or Solar Power in the Karoo?  I mean the sun always shines!  At least we could supply power to these areas. And its free!!

Bad service

I must say that the Savoy Hotel in Kimberley has got bad service.  I say this because I have been waiting for a quote for a 2 day conference for 4 days.  One whole day was spent on the phone, and nobody answered.  I think there is a lesson to be learnt from this, and that is that not all tourism/hospitality staff is trained properly.  Teach them how to speak over the telephone!!!!

Parys on the Vaal

We recently went to Parys on the Vaal. It is a lovely town right on the edge of the Vaal river. We were there quite early and wanted to have a nice breakfast. We pulled into this lovely place; looking like a Provence village. We sat outside and had a look at the menu. of the 5 things we could order one was a R55 breakfast. We thought to ourselves that it must be a massive plate of food so we shared. When the plates came, there were 2 with the following on each: 1 egg, 2 strips of bacon, one tomato, half a piece of toast and 1 vienna. we were disgusted. we could have eaten at the local steakhouse for the same price. so if you ever decide to go to this town PACK LUNCHES!!

2008 wallet blues!

So you've spent all you cash on stuff you can't show anybody.... food; going out; petrol etc. I know how you feel; I feel like that every 15th of the month! Have no fear pay day is 18 days near!