The prize for most glamorous foursome in Cape Town must undoubtedly be awarded to the four beaches at Clifton.Pearly white sands, a Mediterranean blue sea and a combination of lots of steps with infuriatingly little parking make them, inevitably, rather sought after.
Separated from the next by a jumble of granite boulders, each beach has a distinct character. First beach is the largest and is where the volleyballers and frisbee throwers are found.Second is the domain of the relentlessly chic and jet set.Third is gossipy and social, and Fourth is family-orientated and a popular sundowner beach.
So which was I on last Monday afternoon?Well actually, darling darlings,I was overlooking all of them, basking in their beauty from the upper deck of a luxury motor yacht.I’d been invited on a little jaunt along with a select handful of others who, I’m pleased to say, were no better than me at trying to appear languid and casual... we all kept lapsing into giggles at our luck.We could happily have stayed there all afternoon, quaffing more champagne and telling increasingly outrageous stories, or dipping in and out of the water, or perhaps taking the jetski for a little spin.Aaah, how the other half lives...
Eve is a Princess 67’ (for those in the know), a 21 metre powerhouse of sheer class and cutting edge design.We had purred along the coast from the yacht’s elegant berth behind the Cape Grace Hotel, first enjoying the stares of envy from the hoards of tourists at the Waterfront, then soaking up the scenery as the city slid by... Greenpoint, site of the new stadium for the 2010 world cup, Mouille Point with its distinctive lighthouse, Three Anchor Bay and the famous Seapoint promenade and finally the gorgeous beaches of Clifton, appropriately named for the cluster of houses clinging with golden talons to the verdant cliffs which shoot up towards Lion’s Head.
We could have lingered to watch the sun set into the sea and then fired up the barbecue and dropped on some lobsters.We then would have had the choice; weave our way back to the berth with the lights of the city stretching out to us over the water, or stay overnight in one of the three sumptuous double cabins.We’d sleep like logs as the boat rolled gently on its anchor, and awake refreshed perhaps to spend the day further south – a spot of scuba diving anyone?
There is something about being out on a boat in good weather that makes the rest of the world seem insignificant.So it was a blow to realise that we had to head home.But by way of consolation, we spotted a Southern Right whale cruising just a few metres from the yacht - awesome.It was late in the season for whales but it seemed to us that perhaps, when you are part of the elite, anything is possible.
Our trip was just a teaser, a taste of what could be that left us aching for more.There is a streak in all of us that longs for a touch of decadence, a chance to languish somewhere beautiful and be waited on hand and foot. I found it all too easy to picture the boat anchored just off Camps Bay beach and myself, glowing from the sun and clad in floaty white linen, stepping barefoot into the dinghy to head over for a light supper at one of the stylish restaurants lining the shore.Or waking up to a breathtaking dawn over Cape Point with not a soul in sight.Or lying on the top deck, gazing up at the stars and breathing in the cool sea air and feeling myself melting into the stillness and the peace.
The motor yacht, Eve, is available for private charter for anything from a few hours to a few days.Sundowner cruises cost R 5 000 per hour (approx $ 735, 575, £ 368) for a minimum of two hours.Day trips (up to 24 hours) cost R 32 500 (approx $ 4780, 3735, £ 2390).Longer trips POA. Trips can be tailor made. The yacht is registered to carry up to 12 passengers.Contact Daisy for more information.
Land in Camps Bay is so sought after that houses there are divided and subdivided, penthouses built on roofs, studio apartments built where once there were fishponds.Set in no less than 4 acres of wooded gardens on the more sheltered part of the bay, The Retreat is remarkably unique.
" The site itself is one to be envied, for the house is built on a spur of the mountain that juts out between two ravines. Each of these ravines has been treated in a natural manner, with paths falling through flowering shrubs and indigenous trees to streams. In one of these is a waterfall, below which has been built an open-air swimming pool, entirely shaded by the tall side of the ravine. It is nature aided by subtleties that pass as Nature's handiwork." Cape Argus newspaperDecember 1929
Now known as the ‘Meditation Pond’ that mountain pool is still there, hidden down a winding path near the bottom of the garden. Follow the path down and the beach, the restaurants and the lively bars suddenly emerge, plunging you into another world far away from the nature reserve of the Retreat.
There are 17 rooms available, spread across three buildings on the estate. The original property is known as Earl’s Dyke Manor and has distinctly ornate architecture and a sumptuous, opulent atmosphere best defined by its wood-panelled hall and enormous en-suite bathrooms.The second property, the Deck House, is reached by way of a rope bridge over the ravine.Its design, by contrast, is starkly contemporary with vivid clean lines and muted tones.Most recently a Villa has been added, which itself divides further into a three bedroom fully self-catering apartment and a one bedroom suite.
All the rooms have magnificent views of the estate and out towards the ocean and the sunset. All of the rooms in the Deck House, needless to say, have their own private balconies and some even boast jacuzzis.
All of the rooms are fully kitted out with everything from air con to ADSL connectivity. Everything has been thought of, from the DVD library in the cigar room to a helicopter landing pad.Facilities also include a skin and body centre, a private flood-lit tennis court, two swimming pools, a small gym, walking trails, mountain biking, and boardroom and business facilities.
Rates are from R 1090 to R 1750 per person sharing (approx $160 to 257, 80 to 129, 125 to 200.)Breakfast is included, but lunch and dinner are also available.No children under 12.
For more information, contact me at . As always, anyone booking through Cape Concierge will receive a discounted rate.
APPLETISER SUMMER SUNSET CONCERTS AT KIRSTENBOSCH
Sunday evenings until 1 April
A chance to drink wine and picnic in one of the most spectacular concert venues in South Africa, the stage framed by the backdrop of Table Mountain.Key events are listed below.
www.nbi.ac.za/ www.sanbi.org/frames/concertfram.htm
11TH SPIER ARTS SUMMER CONCERTS SEASON
until 23 March
The annual summer program at Spier celebrates a proudly African line-up, presenting a diverse variety of performances. www.spierarts.org.za
GAME OUTENIQUA WHEELCHAIR CHALLENGE
17 February
The premier disabled sporting event on the South African sporting calendar.
www.game-occ.co.za
DESIGN INDABA EXPO
23 - 25 February
South Africa's premier showcase of local design from all sectors.
www.designindabaexpo.com
CAPE COUNTRY PICNIC FESTIVAL
23 - 25 February
At the beautiful Bien Donne farm in Simondium families are invited to picnic on the large lawns under the oak trees, amongst exhibitors and food stalls to the sound of live music.
www.cadek.co.za/BigEvents/picnic_festival.htm
IL DIVO AT KIRSTENBOSCH
26 & 27 February
A creation of the infamous Simon Cowell, Il Divo is four young men who apparently sound like the Three Tenors and look like Armani models.Hmmm, you decide.
www.sanbi.org/whatson/ildiv.htm
CAPE ARGUS PICK 'N’ PAY MOUNTAIN BIKE CHALLENGE
4 March
The MTB Challenge part of the build-up to the annual Cape Argus Pick 'n' Pay Cycle Tour.
www.mtbchallenge.co.za
SIR CLIFF RICHARD IN CONCERT
6 & 7 March
One of the greatest Rock and Roll legends of all time.By popular demand, Sir Cliff has added a second date to his Cape Town stop.
www.sanbi.org/whatson/cliff.htm / www.computicket.com
CAPE TOWN FESTIVAL 2007
6 - 24 March The best in original South African and international music, performance, public art, comedy, spoken word and visual arts.
www.capetownfestival.co.za
CAPE ARGUS PICK 'N' PAY GIRO DEL CAPO
7 - 10 March A six-day stage race, 'Giro del Capo' means 'Tour of the Cape'.
www.girodelcapo.co.za
CAPE ARGUS PICK 'N' PAY CYCLE TOUR
11 March A highlight of every cyclist's calendar, this is the world's largest individually timed cycle race, with over 35 000 cyclists tackling a scenic 109km route around Cape Town.
www.cycletour.co.za
CAPE TOWN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA AT KIRSTENBOSCH
11 March
A commemorative concert entitled 'A Garland of Memories', celebrating the works of the composers Glinka, Grieg, Sibelius and Coates.
www.sanbi.org/frames/concertfram.htm
THE CAPE EPIC MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE
24 March - 1 April This annual race involves over 900 mountain bikers from across the globe riding more than 900 gruelling kilometres through the magnificent scenery of the Western Cape.
www.cape-epic.com
TRANS CAPE
24 March - 2 May An inaugural large-scale exhibition of contemporary art featuring more than 60 African artists from over 19 countries showing work at 24 locations across the city of Cape Town.
www.capeafrica.org/exhibition.html
CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
30 - 31 March Formerly known as The North Sea Jazz Festival, this event is known as 'Africa's Grandest Gathering' and boasts an impressive line-up of the world's top jazz artists.
www.capetownjazzfest.com
OLD MUTUAL TWO OCEANS MARATHON EXPO
4 - 6 April The Old Mutual Marathon Expo boasts over 90 exhibitors with interactive displays.The Two Oceans Fun Run/Walk will be held on the 6 April.
www.twooceansexpo.co.za
OLD MUTUAL TWO OCEANS MARATHON
7 April The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon is the world's most beautiful marathon and one of the largest timed races in SA, attracting more than 20 000 participants each year.
www.twooceansmarathon.org.za
SA CHEESE FESTIVAL
27 - 30 April The chance to savour a huge array of cheeses in harmony with wine, olives, freshly-baked bread, fruit and nuts. www.cheesefestival.co.za
WELLNESS FESTIVAL
28 - 29 April A complete holistic lifestyle festival to nourish body and soul at the V&A Waterfront, with a wide variety of stalls, workshops and talks.
CAPE GOURMET FESTIVAL: GOOD FOOD AND WINE SHOW
24 - 27 May
South Africa's premier food, wine and lifestyle event takes over the Mother City for a fortnight of feasting. www.gourmetsa.com
WACKY WINE WEEKEND
1 - 3 June
Wine tasting, boat cruises, quad biking, winemaker dinners, cheese and olive tasting in 40 wineries from Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor and Robertson.
www.wackywineweekend.com
NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF GOLF
4 - 10 June
An opportunity for amateur golfers from around the world to see the Garden Route and test their game on some of the finest courses in Africa. Great prizes up for grabs.
www.golffestival.co.za
FREEDOM CHALLENGE EXTREME TRIATHLON RACE
16 June - 14 July
A run of 88km followed by 2200km mountain biking and 220km river paddling, this race takes participants from the Indian Ocean coast at Durban to the Atlantic coast at Velddrif.
www.freedomchallenge.org.za/xtc2007overview.html
THE GREAT WHITE SHARK FESTIVAL
16 - 17 June A celebration of this awesome creature with an aim to raise awareness. Includes shark viewing trips, displays, entertainment and a boat show.
PICK ‘N’ PAY KNYSNA OYSTER FESTIVAL
6 - 15 July
One of the most popular annual events in the Western Cape, this has expanded to become a 10 day celebration of sport, food, wine and leisure activities.
www.oysterfestival.co.za
ISUZU BERG RIVER CANOE MARATHON
10 – 14 July This 202km race has been held every year for over 40 years and is not only the longest canoe race in South Africa but one of the most strenuous and gruelling in the world.
www.bergrivermarathon.org.za
The prize for most glamorous foursome in Cape Town must undoubtedly be awarded to the four beaches at Clifton.
Eve is a Princess 67’ (for those in the know), a 21 metre powerhouse of sheer class and cutting edge design.
Our trip was just a teaser, a taste of what could be that left us aching for more.
575, £ 368) for a minimum of two hours.
Land in Camps Bay is so sought after that houses there are divided and subdivided, penthouses built on roofs, studio apartments built where once there were fishponds.
There are 17 rooms available, spread across three buildings on the estate. The original property is known as Earl’s Dyke Manor and has distinctly ornate architecture and a sumptuous, opulent atmosphere best defined by its wood-panelled hall and enormous en-suite bathrooms.
All of the rooms are fully kitted out with everything from air con to ADSL connectivity. Everything has been thought of, from the DVD library in the cigar room to a helicopter landing pad.