Cape Town South Africa - Insider advice for the independent traveller

Starry Eyed


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CLICK TO READ WHAT DAISY WROTE ABOUT:

Quad Biking

Behind the scenes at the Opera

Rob Caskie: Rorke's Drift

Toy Run

Paragliding

Cape Cobra Cars

Kgalema Motlanthe

Ben Zander

Simon's Town Boat Company

Food & Wine Pairing

Polo Farm

Taste of Cape Town

Greenpoint Stadium

The Design Indaba

The J&B Met

Christmas in Cape Town

Excellent Township Restaurant

International Kite Festival

Newlands Cricket Ground

Riding in a Jet Boat

Cape Town Comedy

Flying in a Huey

Diamond Tour

Greenpoint Market

Driving a Ferrari

A Trip on a Luxury Motor Yacht

Diving with Sharks

Riding in a Sidecar

Taking a Champagne Cruise

Abseiling down Table Mountain

Travelling with a baby

Robbie Williams and co.

Riding Harleys

Parents in tow

Winter in Cape Town

Riding on Noordhoek beach

The Old Townhouse

Whales

Driving in Cape Town

My Cape Town

Contemplating the vastness of the universe has always been a great chat up technique. Since the dawn of speech, men have been making things up about the stars in the hope of getting lucky. So in theory, what with 2009 being the International Year of Astronomy, 2010 should be a baby boomer year.

This year happens to be the 400^th anniversary of the year that Galileo first used an astronomical telescope and foisted his new-fangled notions of the universe upon his fellow man (and, incidentally, fathered three children out of wedlock – see what I mean?). The South African Astronomical Observatory has been holding a series of public lectures to mark the occasion, and since it’s just down the road I thought I’d pop in and see if they were any good.

Now while stars are undoubtedly sexy, the received wisdom is that astrophysicists are not. But Amanda Gulbis, our lecturer for the evening, wasn’t even wearing glasses. She actually looked like Kim Basinger playing the part of an MIT graduate. And despite the relatively highbrow content she kept her audience enthralled throughout. From kids who could barely have known that the Earth revolves around the sun, to people who may have been silicon-based lifeforms sent to spy on the rest of us, we were swept up in her enthusiasm, and surfed along happily on phrases such as ‘galactic plane’ and ‘light curve’.

And occasionally, in between discussing the relative densities of objects in the Kuiper Belt as indicated by the refraction of light caused by passing centaurs, she would throw us a little biscuit of trivia. Who knew, for instance, of the uncanny resemblance of Mimas, one of Saturn’s moons, to the Death Star? The grey-haired lady sitting beside me had even brought a bag of popcorn.

Bursting with a new understanding of the universe we eagerly trotted off to the lawns, where a couple of digital telescopes had been set up for us to view Jupiter and its moons. But then came the biggest treat of all, the McClean telescope named, of course, after the man who donated it. Not after Don Maclean of Starry Starry Night fame. Obviously.

The McClean telescope was built in 1894, and corresponded exactly with my idea of what a grand telescope should be (my idea being based entirely, of course, on Tintin and the Shooting Star). It is so massive it has its own room with a revolving domed roof and, best of all, the entire floor can be lifted or lowered to suit the height of the viewer.

Mimas Deathstar

Somehow the moving floor was the cherry on the top of the whole evening. The observatory, it had been explained to us, was in the 19^th century a melting pot of some of the best scientific minds in the world. Everyone who had even the slightest scientific leaning would make a beeline for the Royal Observatory when landing at the Cape. There they would discuss the latest discoveries and race to find more. These were the people at the cutting edge of science, to whom it seemed obvious to build a hydraulic floor rather than to stand on a chair to see through the telescope. Brilliant.

And I was able to confirm my theory that star-gazing tickles the parts other hobbies can’t reach. As the hydraulic floor was lowered and we stepped off, I heard one woman murmur breathily to her husband, “Did the Earth move for you too?”

Daisy

The SAAO is open to visitors on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, 8pm to 10pm. The public lecture series is an additional feature on these nights, and will continue for the rest of 2009. For details see www.WhatsoninCapeTown.com

www.capeconcierge.co.za

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Upcoming Events

Highlights for September, selected from WhatsoninCapeTown.com - the indispensable guide to all that's happening in Cape Town. For more events and full details of venues, times, ticket prices etc, check out the website . Upcoming events include festivals, shows and fairs; music, theatre and dance; rugby and other sporting events; comedy and concerts and exhibitions; celebrations of wine and whiskey, flowers and freedom... bring it on, Cape Town!

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CLANWILLIAM WILD FLOWER SHOW
to 2 September
The gateway to South Africa’s finest floral region showcases indigenous flora. There will also be music performances, art competitions for children, hiking trails and trips.

Ballet: Giselle
2 September - 5 September
The popular romantic classic is danced to a recording of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra.

Russian Kuban Cossack Dance Company
2 September - 5 September
One of Russia's most popular dance companies presents a colourful spectacle of song, music and dance.

Comedy: London Calling
2 September - 6 September
Entertainment from the renowned UK comedian and actor Martin Davis.

Comedy: Mark Sampson Feels Funny
2 September - 19 September
A show which explores the ups and downs of life through a giant game of snakes and ladders.

Cape Homemakers Expo 2009
3 September - 6 September
A showcase of the latest trends, ranging from basic home improvement products to innovative décor ideas for the home, office and garden.

DIRTOPIA FULL MOON HIKE
4 September
An uphill trail of just under 10km (with a 5km alternative) offering wonderful views over the winelands.

Overberg Eco-Expo
4 September - 5 September
An exhibition about alternative power, recycling, organics and lots more.

DARLING VOORKAMERFEST
4 September - 6 September
Performers from South Africa and abroad stage shows in front rooms of the Darling residents’ houses - music, singing, dancing in township houses as well as in the mansions.

Music: Just Jinjer, Flat Stanley and aKing
5 September
Three of SA's top melodic rock bands perform.

Rugby: Vodacom Western Province v Vodacom Blue Bulls
5 September
Absa Currie Cup match. The local boys take on their Gauteng rivals.

COMEDY: NIK RABINOWITZ
7 September - 20 September
The winner of the SA Comedy Award 2008 presents his show 'uNik'.

WINEX 2009
9 September - 11 September
The premier public event on South Africa's national wine calendar, drawing thousands of wine enthusiasts every year.

Baxter Dance Festival
9 September - 13 September
Professionals perform a variety of dance styles by established choreographers, and up-and-coming young dancers showcase works by emerging choreographers.

AfrikaBurn
9 September - 13 September
The African branch of the annual burning man festival which celebrates community through collaborative arts projects.

Cinedans
10 September - 13 September
A chance to see the films featured in Europe’s annual dance film festival.

FILM: Out In Africa
10 September - 20 September
The annual festival of gay and lesbian films from around the world.

The Crazy Store Table Mountain Challenge
12 September
A 35km trail run around Cape Town’s world-famous mountain through indigenous forest, mountain streams and the pristine Orange Kloof area.

Cape Town Concert Series: Denis Kirch
12 September
The French flautist, renowned for his intense virtuoso performances, is partnered by award-winning South African pianist Marika Hofmeyr.

Lecture: the milky way and other galaxies
12 September
Benne Holwerda facilitates an informative discussion. Guests then have the opportunity to view the night sky through various telescopes.

Soccer: Ajax Cape Town v Bidvest Wits
13 September
The local boys take on the Gauteng-based team.

CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL
13 September - 3 October
The annual festival now in its second decade features a line-up of great comedians from all over the world.

Cosmology Today: Understandings and Enigmas
16 September
A lecture presented by Prof George Ellis, the internationally renowned cosmologist who is also known as Stephen Hawking's co-author of The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time.

CPO ORATORIO FESTIVAL 2009
17 September
Barry Smith conducts soloists Zandile Gwebityala (soprano), Hanneli Rupert (mezzo-soprano), Given Nkosi (tenor), Conroy Scott (bass) and the St Georges Singers in a selection of works from Haydn.

Music: Derek Gripper
17 September
The Cape Town guitarist and composer performs a fusion of classical and indigenous music.

HERMANUS WILD FLOWER FESTIVAL
17 September - 20 September
Floral displays, gardens, indigenous plants for sale, craft stalls, teas and lunches.

DARLING WILD FLOWER SHOW
18 September - 20 September
Held annually since 1917, this show offers plants for sale, potjiekos, braais, sit down lunches, wine tents, tractor rides to wildflowers, stalls, jumping castles and a farmyard.

Children: Treasure Hunt
19 September
Kids come dressed as treasure hunters and decipher clues to find the grand prize.

Kirstenbosch Winter Concert Series: The Rudimentals
20 September
The eight-piece ska/reggae band performs music extoling all that is good about life in South Africa.

Soccer: Ajax Cape Town VS Maritzburg Utd
23 September
The local boys take on the Pietermaritzburg-based team.

Theatre: Defending The Caveman
23 September - 3 October
Rob Becker's hugely popular comedy about the differences between the sexes continues its phenomenal run.

CPO ORATORIO FESTIVAL 2009
24 September
Louis van der Watt conducts Vanessa Tait-Jones (soprano), Minette du Toit-Pierce (mezzo), Willem Bester (tenor), Barend van der Westhuizen (bass) and the Canticum Novum Choir in a performance of Handel's Occasional Oratorio.

Paternoster Festival
24 September
The second annual West Coast festival offers competitions, entertainment, food stalls, arts and crafts, horse riding, beach games and more.

HERMANUS WHALE FESTIVAL
24 September - 27 September
The peak of the whale-watching season is celebrated by the town renowned for the best land-based whale-watching in the world.

CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW
24 September - 27 September
The biggest show ever held on the African continent. The Waterfront and CTICC will be linked by both water ferries and motor shuttles.

The Loerie Awards Festival Weekend
24 September - 27 September
The award show celebrating creative inspiration. With entertainment from SA artists Arno Carstens, Mafikizolo, Malaika, Freshlyground, the Parlotones, and the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra. Other festivities include after-parties on Friday and Saturday in Long St with a line-up of DJs and the Velocity party along the Camps Bay beach front.

GASTRONOMICA
24 September - 28 September
A 5 day festival filled with activities, entertainment, food, wine, beer, dance, music, performing arts and a market.

Rugby: Vodacom Western Province VS GWK Griquas
26 September
Absa Currie Cup Match. The local boys take on the Northern Cape rugby team.

Lecture: the milky way and other galaxies – cosmic collisions
26 September
Petri Vaisenen facilitates an informative discussion. Guests then have the opportunity to view the night sky through various telescopes.

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