My Cape Town

For a minute I thought I was hallucinating.  But then I saw it again - a vast purple octopus floating in the heavens.  It lured me closer and drew my attention to its companions, a colossal frog, a lumbering caterpillar and, as you would expect, a gigantic penguin.

It was inspiration for a 70s drug song, but what did I find myself humming?  Mary Poppins.   “With your feet on the ground you’re a bird in flight... with your fist holding tight... to the string of your kite...”  I was trying to keep it under my breath but it was all I could do not to burst into song.

Neill had a got a kite for his birthday and it has since become Joseph’s obsession. Just the other night he had pointed out the quarter moon in the sky and said, with a serious little nod, “Moon - like kite”.  How could I not indulge that?  So I strapped Joe into his car seat and headed for Muizenberg for the thirteenth annual Kite Festival.

Just the eccentricity of it is so enormously appealing.  People fly to Cape Town from all over the world to show off their kites at this one event.  The crazy optimism involved, the mass giddy carefree-ness and, well, the pointlessness of it all is what makes it so much fun.  And if you can raise money for a good cause at the same time, well that’s fabulous.  It’s no small event either. This annual event draws crowds of up to 25 000 people, all enjoying the perfect Cape Town combination of sun and wind.  Everyone – old and young, rich and poor – can hold the string of a kite and feel the tug of the wind.  So why not make a giant penguin, or a fish, or a frog just for the sheer fun of it?  I‘d challenge anyone not to look at those extraordinary creations dancing in the breeze without a grin spreading across their face.

The giant kites and the stunt kites were by no means the only show.  Hundreds of schoolchildren had been preparing for weeks to take part in the wonderfully named ‘Edu-kite’ competition. Way up in the stratosphere bopped kites of every colour, while down on the ground was a miniature train which made Joseph cry with longing, as well as the biggest bouncy castle I’ve ever seen, and bungy bouncing and food and craft and clothing stalls and the inevitable DJ introducing every conceivable competition and the famous personalities who had come to judge them.

Everyone was in high spirits.  Everyone that is apart from Joseph who, overcome by the thrill of it all, burst into tears and had to be taken home for a little lie down.  At least, I think it was the excitement.  It could have been my singing.

Daisy 

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go to the Cape Concierge website


The Cape Town International Kite Festival is an annual fundraiser and awareness raising event for Cape Mental Health, a registered non-profit organisation that offers free community-based services to children and adults with intellectual and psychiatric disability. For more information contact Cape Mental Health on 021 447 9040 or visit www.capementalhealth.co.za .

Guest House of the Month

 

2inn1 Kensington
Higgovale, Cape Town
9 en-suite rooms, 1 apartment 

One of the newer kids on the block, 2inn1 Kensington has kept a relatively low profile since it opened its doors at the end of 2006, but it has proven a quiet hit and is maturing nicely under the attentive eyes of its young German owners, Klaus and Christoph. 

Situated on the border of two of Cape Town’s most prestigious suburbs, Higgovale and Oranjezicht, 2inn1 Kensington is flanked by the imposing slopes of Table Mountain and Lion's Head and overlooks wooded parkland. The atmosphere is therefore a wonderfully tranquil one, and yet the centre of town is just a short walk away via the buzz of shops, bars and restaurants on popular Kloof St.

The guest house itself combines an authentic but stylishly remodelled Victorian house with a thoroughly modern yet sympathetically designed bungalow, offering a total of 9 rooms and one self-catering apartment.  All the rooms are spacious and crisply luxurious with touches of glorious colour. Each of them also comes equipped with every possible comfort, including extra length beds, wireless internet connection, DVD and CD players, bathrobes and slippers and even a cell phone.  Most of the rooms also have the added bonus of a private outdoor space from which to breathe in the crisp pine scent of the nearby trees. 

Outside is a 10m sparkling pool and various terraces with magnificent views of Table Mountain and Lion's Head. Whether a guest chooses to be social or prefers some quiet time, there is always a relaxing area in which to bask in the sun’s rays or to retreat into the cooler shade. A pool menu is available throughout the day for those wanting a day’s rest from sightseeing, and in the early evening, guests gather with Klaus and Christoph for sundowners on the terrace.  As the last of the sun’s rays disappear behind the silhouette of Lion’s Head, the terraces offer another ambience as the evening mood lighting kicks in – perfect for a pre-dinner dip in the pool, or a relaxing wallow in the jacuzzi with a glass of wine.

Nearest food : 4 minutes walk to Kloof St
Bars and restaurants: a good selection within walking distance
City Centre: 10 mins walk
Nearest beach: Camps Bay and Clifton, 8 mins drive

Rooms at 2inn1 in High Season (Sept – April) are R 1 350 to R 2 200 and R 1 050 to R 1 700 during the rest of the year.  Rates are per room per night including breakfast and sundowners.  For discounted rates, contact me .

              

Upcoming Events

Highlights for November, selected from WhatsoninCapeTown.com  - the indispensable guide to all that's happening in Cape Town.   For a full list of what's on in the next few months, go to the website .  Upcoming events include festivals, shows and fairs; music, theatre and dance; rugby and cricket and other sporting events; comedy and concerts and exhibitions; celebrations of wine and whiskey, flowers and freedom... bring it on, Cape Town! 

NEW!  Contact me  for more information on how Cape Concierge can help your company keep up to speed with all that is happening in Cape Town.

THE MAGIC FLUTE / IMPEMPE YOMLINGO
12 October - 3 November
This joyful version of Mozart's much-loved opera is given an African beat with thirty singers, marimbas, drums and township percussion.

WHISKEY LIVE FESTIVAL
31 October - 2 November
The largest consumer whisky festival on the planet.

MAD HATTER'S TEA PARTY
2 November
The annual fancy dress tea party in aid of the Kids with HIV Foundation. Venue: Mount Nelson Hotel 

WINE CONCEPTS CHAMPAGNE FESTIVAL
2 November
A showcase for the likes of Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger, Laurent Perrier and Moet & Chandon matched with delicious cocktail snacks. A proportion of proceeds will go to the Kids with HIV Foundation.

ST LUKE'S HOSPICE FOOD AND JAZZ EVENING & SUMMER FESTIVAL
2 November - 3 November
Live jazz bands, food stalls, all day stage entertainment, circus performers and loads for children.

ELGIN OPEN GARDENS
3 November - 4 November
The first of two weekends featuring 17 magnificent gardens.  There will also be a local craft market,  art exhibitions and wine tastings.    

JETHRO TULL IN CONCERT
7 November
This revolutionary band of the rock world is considered one of the best live acts around. Supported by Voodoo Child.

JULIO IGLESIAS LIVE IN CONCERT
16 November
One of the world’s best selling artists heads our way, hot on the heels of his son. 

NELSON MANDELA INVITATIONAL: GOLF
23 November - 25 November
South African golf’s definitive celebrity charity weekend.

FOREIGNER IN CONCERT
24 November
The first chance in over a decade to see the band that sold over 50 million albums with hits such as Waiting For A Girl Like You and I Want To Know What Love Is. Supported by Flat Stanley.

DAY AT THE RACES
1 December
Sponsored by Avontuur wine estate, the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas Race Day brings out the who’s who of both the racing and wine industries. Free wine tastings and children's entertainment.