Cape Town Self Catering - When you need a break

Every now and again you come to a point when you just need a break. A time-out from the busy daily grind and hustle and bustle of city life. Usually around September you notice more accidents, more road rage and that people tend to get annoyed quicker with one another. It’s the post-winter blues as I like to call it. When you simply have had enough of gloomy winter and are ready for basking in the summer sun. This is usually the time of year when I seek out a self catering sanctuary in Cape Town.

A little more than work
As a freelancer your work definitely has a few perks that others unfortunately cannot enjoy. One of these is having your own schedule. There is no dreaded 9 to 5 working hours, no boss looking over your shoulder and you don’t have to waste your life sitting in traffic.

So when I secured a freelance job in Cape Town I decided that this would also be a good time to have a little time on my own. I use the relaxation as an excuse for inspiration to my creativity, and what better place to stay than in Camps Bay. I was lucky that an old friend of mine in Cape Town recommended Rontree, a self catering accommodation situated in the heart of Camps Bay.

A day in the sun
Surrounded by views of white sandy beaches with the majestic Twelve Apostle mountain range, Camps Bay is nothing more than inspiration for a sonnet. But I wasn’t here to write poetry or even a novel. I was here to give an old friend, Sue, advice on her newest project. She opened a new health centre that included Pilates, Body Talk and Chinese meridian massages. My role was to have a look through all the branding and ads written for the clinic. It was more of a favour for a friend really than a job, but nonetheless I agreed that I would fly down and advise as much as possible.

So after my late breakfast I strolled down to the Camps Bay beach with all that Sue has given me in one hand and in the other my holiday bag. While sitting on the beach, reading through a brochure I suddenly became aware of people pointing to a spot on the ocean. I saw it earlier but wrote it off as a rock, but it was in actual fact a whale.

Every year during September and December the whales come down the South African shores. It’s their breeding season. Soon enough a second whale was spotted. Personally I wasn’t aware that the whales came so close to the shore, so this was a wonderful surprise. Amazing how much excitement whale-watching can cause, because everyone probably stood and watched them for about an hour. After awhile a sat back down and enjoyed the view of the ocean and the fresh sea-breeze.

A week’s gone by
The rest of my week was spent pretty much in the same manner, sleeping in, enjoying a late breakfast and then go down to the beach. Of course I also did some sight-seeing and I even joined Sue on a hike up Lion’s head. But it was on this beach where I found my sanctity. I was able to work my way through all Sue gave me, making notes on a few minor things and explaining to Sue why I made these suggestions. She was happy and so was I, because even though I wasn’t totally on a work-free holiday, it still felt like I was. It made me wonder exactly how people get their work done here in Cape Town. It just seemed so easy to be able to drift off in a dream world when you are surrounded with such tranquilising beauty. It reminded me of what someone once told me. They said that a lot of people that came for a visit to Cape Town simply never left. Well, on my way back home, I understood why and I myself felt like staying longer. Cape Town really is mesmerizing and I’m sure that from now on the Mothercity would be seeing more of me.

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Fullham Lodge - Camps Bay Accommodation

Camps Bay SA's priciest suburb

Johannesburg - It appears that wealthy investors still have plenty of appetite for big-ticket properties with prices in some of SA's swankiest suburbs still rising at double-digit rates.

This is according to the latest data from real estate portal South African Property Transfer Guide (SAPTG).

The Atlantic seaboard suburb of Camps Bay saw average house prices surge by 56% over the past year to R7m in March 2008, up from an average sales value of R4.48m in March 2007.

That places Camps Bay as SA's most expensive suburb in SAPTG's monthly top 10 survey of highest average sales value achieved.

SAPTG's data, which is sourced from the Deeds Office, applies only to property transfers of up to R20m.The survey is divided between suburbs were 10 or more sales are achieved per month and suburbs with less than 10 sales.

The Cape Town suburb of Constantia ranked second after Camps Bay as the highest-priced residential neighbourhood in SA (10 or more sales) with an average sales value of R 5.95m. Posh golf resort Zimbali on KwaZulu-Natal's north coast claimed third spot in March, with an average sales value of R3.65m. That's growth of 21% in 12 months.

In the "less than ten sales" category, Cape Town again boasted the highest priced suburb in SA, with Fresnaye on the Atlantic seaboard taking top slot with an average sales value of R6.9m.

Not hit hard by credit act

That's followed by Gauteng's exclusive Hyde Park where properties changed hands at an average R4.78m in March this year 17% up from the average price tag of R4m achieved in Hyde Park a year ago.

SAPTG's house price trends for top-end suburbs are in stark contrast to what is happening in middle-income areas. Standard Bank's latest data shows that median house prices in SA dropped by 5.2% in the year to March 2008 from R580 000 to R550 000.

That's the first time in eight years that median house prices have actually dropped in nominal terms. And property economists expect the overall market to stay in the doldrums for at least the next 12 to 18 months. More so, if interest rates are hiked yet again later this week.

Estate agents confirm that luxury suburbs have been far less affected by higher interest rates and the National Credit Act (NCA) than the middle and lower priced end of the market.

Laurie Wener, MD of Pam Golding Properties (PGP) in the Western Cape, says top-end suburbs remain active despite the general slowdown. PGP recorded a number of record sales in the past three months on the Atlantic Seaboard. Many of these sales are going to cash buyers who are not affected by higher rates and the NCA.

Recent record sales deals include a penthouse apartment in Clifton for R48m, an apartment at the V&A Waterfront for R22.5m and a three-bedroom home in Camps Bay for R16.5m. Wener says foreigners are still showing a keen interest in the area, but at least 60% of sales are going to South Africans - both Capetonians and upcountry buyers.

Jared Gottschalk of the Alliance Group says they recently sold a "moderate" Camps Bay beachfront property to an upcountry buyer for R44m, proving once again just how strong demand for prime properties in this area of Cape Town still is.

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Camps Bay Beach

Regarded as one of the most scenic and popular beaches in Cape Town, Camps Bay beach is a long stretch of white sand lined with palm trees, lawns and hip, trendy restaurants and shops along Victoria road (Beach road). Framed from behind by the towering and dramatic twelve apostle mountains which extend all the way from Table mountain to Lundudno beach and Hout Bay, people regular stand gaping with camera in hand at the stunning natural beauty of Camps Bay beach.

Despite all its popularity and trendiness, Camps Bay beach still has a wild beauty and energy about it. The ocean can one day be as still as a lake and azure blue, and then another day it can be more moody and tumultuous, pounding large beach dumper waves on the sands and washing the beach clean of any previous traces of humans.

If the wind turns to a strong south easter in the summer, Camps Bay beach can turn into a large stretch of sandblasting sand. The majority of the time you can rent chairs and umbrellas on Camps Bay beach and enjoy beautiful sunsets or even stay the evening for the moon rise (during the right time of the month). Take your chair and table down to Camps Bay beach and have a sunset picnic.

Beach Volleyball is played on Camps Bay beach as it traditionally has been since the late 80’s. You’ll find professional beach volleyball players there in the summers mostly on the weekends. Similar to the beaches in California, volleyball players play with players of their own experience level but anyone is welcome to take their own net down to the beach and have a game with their friends.

Frisbees, beach bats and swimming are the other activities commonly found on Camps Bay beach. During the busy summer months there are always lifeguards on duty with areas demarcated for swimming. Commonly the water is cold but there are the rare occasions when the water warms up to bathwater temperatures.

Early in the morning from 6 am - 8am you will find the early risers and dog walkers strolling up and down the beach. On a good weather day, Camps Bay beach will get crowded starting around 11 am with umbrellas, chairs and sun-seeking bodies.

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Fullham Lodge - Camps Bay Accommodation

Camps Bay nirvana

Outside of a jacuzzi with Scarlett Johansson and Angelina Jolie, it’s hard to think of a better place to have been yesterday than the Camps Bay Football Club: blue skies, an exquisite setting, and a blur of bikinis, all set against an endless stream of cold Heineken. Throw in some surprisingly impressive five-a-side football, and I’m not sure I’ll have a better day this year…

Every year, David Raad, the thickset Lebanese bouncer who owns Caprice, Camps Bay’s temple to hedonistic summer living, and Socrates Georgiades (who’ll be remembered by a string of hen’s nights as ‘Greek Lightning’), the former Cape Town Spurs ‘keeper turned DJ, throw together a five-a-side soccer tournament for the city’s bars, clubs and restaurants. The result is 32 teams, legions of minimally attired supporters, and a celebration of the beautiful game that brings out some of Cape Town’s more colourful characters.

This year’s crowd included Ajax Cape Town owner John Comitis (hair almost as grey as Robbie Fleck’s), playing for Raad’s Caprice team; Benni McCarthy’s portly brother Jerome, playing for Claremont shebeen Wadda; Flat Stanley front man Andy Mac, who’s waiting for confirmation as support act on next month’s Vanilla Ice comeback tour; and, at 198 kilograms, Tyrone from Heineken, officially the biggest man in history to have played a five-a-side tournament, and who kept getting mistaken by small children for a jumping castle.

The football got quite heated, the first punch landed well before lunch, and Bang Bang Club ‘keeper Dale Jackson — controversially signed from Ignite for a new five-a-side transfer record for three cases of Black Label quarts, and a year’s subscription to Loslyf — got the day’s first red card, the diminutive barman stretching up and headbutting an opponent in the knee. Zimbabwean Yaron Weisenbacher got the only other sending off, provoking the use of an obscure and little-known FIFA law that prohibits the making of inappropriate romantic advances to the referee.

Last year’s champions were Saints Bar from Bree Street, led by the aforementioned Georgiades; the same team, playing under the Wadda banner this year, saw off Caprice in the semifinal, while Douglas Oberwortmanhausenfonteinstein and Denzil Solomons, co-owner of Hemisphere, won an ill-tempered clash with Bang Bang Club to set up a cracking final; four goals from a Hemisphere side who weren’t, contrary to rumours, on ten grams a goal, meant the trophy is headed to the 31st floor of the Absa building, and the best view of any nightclub on the planet.

After some grim fare in the Super 14 (Blues-Crusaders final looking a good bet), and the under-19 cricket disappointment at the death, a healthy dose of good cheer was much needed yesterday; Ernie sealed it with a mildly surprising win, but the football made the day. Bring on next year, by which stage my constitution should have just about repaired itself.

The country’s top amateur golfers are at Royal Durban this week for the Glacier South African Amateur Championship, taking on a course with some of the most frightening rough I’ve come across (I almost dislocated my shoulder twice trying to get back onto the fairways on Saturday). If you’re at a loose end and you’re in the area, drop by and check out some of the finest young talent in the country. And on a golfing note, pro-am specialist Zanosi Kunene has launched a new father-son event at Fancourt, four rounds across the courses from March28-20. Should be a great trip; drop Mari Leach a line if you’d like to find out more about it. Rumours that Herschelle Gibbs and Steve Hofmeyr have three fourballs each haven’t been confirmed…

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Fullham Lodge - Camps Bay Accommodation

Camps Bay, Cape Town

Camps Bay is the premier tourist destination in South Africa, and is magnificently located on the Atlantic Ocean, at the foot of the Twelve Apostles mountain range and adjacent to Table Mountain.

Camps Bay is a suburb of Cape Town, with a village feel, offering a convenient location only 15 minutes drive to the city center, 20 minutes from the V&A Waterfront, 30 minutes from the airport, 40 minutes from the Cape Winelands and 60 minutes from Cape Point. You can safely walk to the Camps Bay beachfront during the day and at night.

Camps Bay is well appointed with more than 20 restaurants, some internationally acclaimed and more than 20 accommodation establishments offering typical South African hospitality and spectacular views. With a multitude of activities and attractions on your doorstep, Camps Bay is an ideal location from which to explore Cape Town, South Africa's "Mother City".

Couples from around the world are choosing Cape Town as their fairytale wedding venue and Camps Bay is just the spot to make every wedding dream come true. Camp Bay is a favourite wedding destination, and many romantic couples have given each other their vows on Camps Bay beach, in the Rotunda at the Bay Hotel, at a guest house in Camps Bay, or even on top of Table Mountain looking down onto Camps Bay.

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The Bungalow Restaurant in Camps Bay

This fantastic new upmarket restaurant in Camps Bay brings summer to Cape Town's luxury bay

Restaurant maverick Paul Kovensky has added another two jewels to his growing crown of restaurants in Cape Town. Bungalow and The Kove are Paul's latest restaurants, situated along the prime Camps Bay beachfront strip, and both opened in December 2008.

"When conceptualising my business, I first think about where and what I would want to eat, and the music I would want to listen to, and add to that elements of restaurants I've visited when travelling. Only then do I start thinking about it as an operator," says Paul.

Bungalow is a cutting edge, contemporary café and is Camps Bay’s new hot spot for chilling with friends. With beautiful white and blue décor and plush white couches and beds, guests are invited to relax and sip on a delicious cocktail off the extensive drinks menu.

Paul creates a relaxing, inviting, laidback and true Camps Bay atmosphere - designed to cater to anyone and everyone looking to dine in sophisticated but extremely relaxed environ - hence the blue tones and beds in Bungalow.

For Kovensky, the focus is always on the food and even the cocktails are designed around freshly squeezed fruit juice.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Bungalow's carefully planned menu is described as cutting edge molecular gastronomy created by Chef Gabriel Le Roux.

With international experience from Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi, India, Diaz Strand Hotel and Resort, The Emperors Palace Resort Hotel and the 2 Rosette 1 Michelin star Le Petit Blancin Cheltenham, UK, Gabriel received culinary qualifications from City & Guilds in London as well as the Culinary Arts Institute of Africa.

To maximise on the social aspect of Bungalow restaurant in Camps Bay, and give diners the opportunity to try numerous mouth watering dishes, Bungalow offers an extensive menu of Shared Dishes.

Gruyere fondue with tio pepe and ground cloves, Sautéed Norwegian salmon, served with grilled baby aubergine and pea sauce, Coconut tempura prawns with dipping sauce, Crayfish tail, poached new potatoes with vanilla-citrus spray, Smoked duck breast with warm goat’s cheese and walnut vinaigrette, Pan-fried foie gras, toasted walnut brioche with micro greens, and Beef burgers with guacamole and brie cheese are just some of these mouth watering dishes available to share.

Also look out for the Vanilla Smoked Butterfish with pineapple and fennel ravioli, Arborio crusted oysters with chilli jam and rocket leaves, Sautéed Norwegian salmon, grilled baby aubergine, pea sauce in addition to the shared dining menu.

Making the spectacular summer days last even longer, at 11pm Bungalow transforms into a beach bar and will fill the sea air with sounds of organic deep house.

The Bungalow's finishing touches embrace the subtle nuances of a light, airy underwater theme that thread their way into the music, the atmosphere and the food.

Please contact: +27(0)21 438 0008 for reservations.

Apart from Bungalow and The Kove Restaurant, Kovensky's other Cape Town restaurants include Paranga Restaurant in Camps Bay, and Pepenero Restaurant in Green Point.

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Fullham Lodge - Camps Bay Accommodation

Stellenbosch and the Cape Winelands Travel Guide

Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa. A 45-minute drive from Cape Town, the town and is nestled below gorgeous mountain ranges complimented by vineyards.

The town's biggest claim to fame is as the best wine production region in the country. The local wine estates produce excellent wines, offer tastings, cellar tours and some, gastronomic delights.

Stellenbosch is not just about wine, there is The University of Stellenbosch, the outdoor playground of the surrounding mountains, excellent restaurants, history, art and architecture.

Sip a drink at one of the numerous sidewalk cafes, admiring the town's architecture and discuss the history of one of South Africa's favourite towns under the shade of an old oak tree.

Dorp Street - Stellenbosch

Dorp means 'town' in Afrikaans and is one of the main, and oldest, streets in the winelands town of Stellenbosch. Stroll along historic Dorp Street and take in the towering oak trees, traditional and modern cape architecture, restaurants, art and antique shops.

Source: CTTG

Camps Bay Accommodation