Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Beautiful green lawns stretch across this land with the magnificent view of the Eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is ranked as one of the most beautiful botanic gardens in South Africa. Don’t miss this one whilst visiting Cape Town.

Kirstenbisch Botanical Gardens

Fun facts about Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens:

• On every Sunday afternoon from the end of November until the beginning of April, open-air music concerts take place at Kirstenbosch.
• Kirstenbosch offers guided club car tours of the garden every day.
• As an alternative to eating at one of Kirstenbosch’s restaurants, one can also buy a picnic basket from Silvertree Restaurant or the Kirstenbosch Tea Room and have a picnic in the Garden.
• Kirstenbosch offers wonderful hiking trails up Table Mountain
• Kirstenbosch’s New Year’s Eve concert is one of the biggest events in Cape Town on 31 December.

Home to the African Penguins

Boulders Beach in the Western Cape is home to the African Penguins. 

Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach was started in 1983 and one of the very few mainland Penguin colonies.
The sea is great to swim in and the big boulders scattered on the beach provide shade and protection. 

Visiting the Penguins is a fun activity for the whole family, spend some time viewing and learning about the history and importance of conservation of these beautiful African Penguins. 

African Penguins, Boulders Beach

Tip: plan a trip with a few extra hours to spare and visit the small historical town of Simonstown. Simonstown has a lot to offer from whale watching to streets filled with history and heritage. Something you might not know is that their best time is during winter, I know right. Reason being they are part of the few small towns who are North-facing and they surrounded by magnificent mountains so well the rest are wet and windy, Simonstown is perfectly happy in the sun. 
  

Simonstown, Western Cape

If you have never been to Simonstown then I suggest you make a plan to visit this secret town situated between the mountains with magnificent views of the Giants of the Sea, our whales.

My ride on the Gautrain

My first time on the Gautrain was quite an experience. I caught the train with my mom, sister and little daughter. 

Gautrain Platform

The Stations are user friendly and there is always someone to assist you if you get lost or not sure what to do. 

Once you have out money on your Gautrain Card, you swipe and walk to the Platform where you will catch the train. Throughout your trip, there is always information on where you going, where the train is stopping and if you swopping over to the train to the OR Tambo International Airport.

My trip started at the Gautrain Hatfield Station.

Once the train arrived the excitement was incredible.

We boarded the train and took our seats and off we go.

Inside the Gautrain

We stopped by Pretoria, Centurion, Midrand, Marlboro and my stop was Sandton.Once we stopped in Sandton, you go up the escalators and exit the station. 

Midrand Station

Nelson Mandela is not even a 5minute walk from the station. There are several taxi services outside which offer assistance and transport in and around Sandton.

If you visit the Gauteng area make sure to catch the train, its a definite must.

Visit their website: www.gautrain.co.za

Hot Air Balloon rides

Ride at Sunset

Magaliesberg near Johannesburg

Over Hartbeespoort Dam

Cape Town Book Fair 2012

One of my favourite things to do is to read. Nothing like escaping into a realm of fantasy with characters that you start to love and hate.I think this event is definitely on my to-do list.

The Cape Town Book Fair 2012 starts on the 15 - 17th June at the CTICC (Cape Town International Convention Centre). Exhibitions, workshops, displays and fun activities for the whole family. Book lovers get to meet publishers, writers and editors for some of the most loved novels.

The programme is spread over 3 days and includes activities such as:

• Book signings
• Publishing workshops
• Poetry recitals
• Lots lots more

Click on the link for the programme: http://www.capetownbookfair.com/pdf/ctbf-book-lovers-programme-version-33.pdf.

 Described as a "literary feast", one of the highlights in this month's event Calendar.

Visit the Cape Town Book Fair's website: www.capetownbookfair.com.

Cape Town Book Fair, CTICC

Floor view, Cape TOwn Book Fair