Picture Perfect Cape Town February 2021 issue

February 2021

WELCOME TO THE MONTH OF LOVE

g n i t a e r C agic M Every day

WELCOME TO THE MONTH OF LOVE

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PICTURE PERFECT CAPE TOWN

Email: dmyburgh32@gmail.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF/ PHOTOGRAPHER DEON MYBURGH ASSISTANT EDITOR & CO-ORDINATOR TERRY GABRIEL With February upon us let's celebrate the month of love by supporting out local businesses after a long and hard year .Cape Town locals have such a splendour to choose from and every weekend can be a valentine weekend in the mother city from the red city bus tours to the Mirage Catamaran, spoiling your loved one is an easy choice .Most Companies are also running amazing valentine specials to fit any budget ,so start booking and have a day to remember with your loved one .Thank you again for every single person on Picture Perfect Cape Town . You create my valentine day every day of the year.

DEON MYBURGH Editor-In-Chief

Boulders Penguin Colony in Simons Town is home to a unique and endangered land-based colony of African Penguins. This colony is one of only a few in the world, and the site has become famous and a popular international tourist destination.The Boulders section of TMNP consists of 3 pristine beaches, 1 penguin viewing area and 3 boardwalks. The boardwalks were built as a measure to allow for viewing of these wonderful birds, whilst keeping them safe from poking fingers, so please be sure to stay on the boardwalks at all times within the viewing area. This beach is ideal for children as immense boulders shelter the cove from currents, wind and large waves - but please always take care. Don't touch or feed the penguins – they may look cute and cuddly but their beaks are as sharp as razors and if they feel threatened they have no qualms about nipping the odd finger or nose.Boulders Visitor Centre: +27(0) 21 786 2329.

A bit more about African Penguins: African Penguins were reclassified on 26 May 2010 from a Vulnerable to now Endangered status.

In 1956 when the first full census was conducted on the African Penguin, there were approximately 150 000 breeding pairs counted.

In 2009 there were only 26 000 breeding pairs left in the world. These numbers indicate a loss of more than 80% of breeding pairs in just over 50 years. The Boulders Penguin Colony was established in 1983 and numbers increased from surrounding island colonies to bring breeding numbers to 3 900 birds in 2005. Since then there has been a decrease. The 2011 figures sit at around 2100 birds at Boulders Penguin Colony. The decline at Boulders and the global decline is the suspected result of: habitat destruction effects of oil spills and other marine pollution impacts of global warming on fish stocks and fish movement over fishing irresponsible tourism activities and domestic pets/animals.

A FIRST FOR AFRICA, VÏB CAPE TOWN IS SET TO REVOLUTIONISE THE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE Best Western International’s newest hotel offering, Vïb – short for ‘vibrant’ and pronounced ‘vibe’, is set to live up to its name. Situated on the Atlantic seaboard, Vïb will bring to Cape Town a stylish and technology-centric hotel specifically created to meet the needs of today’s urban traveller.

Contact Vīb Best Western Cape Town 181 Main Road, Green Point, Cape Town 8005, or reservations or more information contact: enquiries@vibcapetown.com

Designed by well-known local architect, Robert Silke, Vïb Cape Town is a first for Africa. It is one of only four of its kind in the world and the only Vïb by Best Western in the Southern Hemisphere!

Located in Green Point, close to the V&A Waterfront and within walking distance of many famous local landmarks such as the Green Point Urban Park and Sea Point Promenade, and a host of other amenities, eight-storey

this

conveniently

hotel

not

situated

only

affords

visitors magnificent views, but no fewer than

76

expertly

designed

and

environmentally conscious hotel rooms.

“Our rooms are designed specifically to provide our guests with every necessary comfort and convenience tailored to their specific requirements, including no less than a king-sized bed, large-screen TV,

generous

bathroom,

Nespresso

machine, individual workstations with Herman Miller task chairs and dedicated Wi-Fi access points in each room,” says Niall Bruyns, General Manager, Vïb Cape Town. Furthermore, for those requiring additional IT security, individual ethernet cables are also standard across all 76 rooms.

“Visitors will be able to enjoy a spectrum of works of various genres and mediums, spanning painting through to sculpture and ceramics,” explains gallery owner Shafina Jaffer. “Being situated within one of Cape Town’s most vibrant global hotel brands will guarantee an audience for the art displayed.” Jaffer Modern’s opening exhibition will focus on portraits and is guest-curated by the talented Margie Murgatroyd of Africa Nova fame.

Vïb Cape Town’s other facilities and amenities include a rooftop entertainment area with a striking glass-walled pool that overlooks Green Point. On the ground floor, there’s an open-plan bar, lounge and terrace offering a variety of local and international cuisine to both resident and non-resident guests.

“Our goal has been to identify and cater to every requirement of today’s busy, connected traveller, enhanced by one of the world’s most beautiful settings. We offer expertly thought out and up-to-date, technically proficient hotel rooms together with convenient access to surrounding attractions. We also cater to relaxation activities within the hotel, with a spectacular rooftop pool deck with incredible views of the ocean, Table Mountain and the cityscape, and a contemporary menu of vibrant modern cuisine featuring sushi and tapas-style sharing dishes alongside favourites like grilled steaks and gourmet burgers,” continues Niall.

Sunday Lunch is sorted thanks to Vib Cape Town Come and enjoy a relaxing Lazy Sunday Brunch at the trendiest Hotel in Cape Town with specular views Lazy Sunday Brunches Vib Cape Town ! Every Sunday from 11am to 2pm. 5 courses, live music and a glass of bubbles, all for only R380! Start off with a mini continental selection on the table, including items such as freshly baked muffins, yoghurt and fruit, cheese, croissants and more. Next up a the hot breakfast specialty of the day! 3rd course is SUSHI! enjoy a selection of 4pcs per person. For main course we give you two options each week, both full main course dishes such as Rib eye, roast chicken or braaied fish. Finish off with a delicious sweet selection for the table!

Telephone: +21 180 2570

TWO OCEANS AQUARIUM: AFTER 3 SPECIAL From 26 January until 31 March 2021, the Two Oceans Aquarium is offering visitors discounted entrance fees for tickets purchased after 15h00 daily as part of its “After 3 Special”. The special entrance fees are only applicable to tickets bought onsite at the Aquarium’s ticket office from 15h00 onwards, and are only valid for entry on the day that the tickets were bought. The Two Oceans Aquarium has introduced this special discounted entrance fee for those who feel like an underwater adventure and would like to visit later in the day, once the household chores and shopping are done, and home-schooling has wrapped for the day. The discounted rates are as follows:Adults: R150 (normally R200)Children 4-17 years, SA pensioners and students: R115 (normally R150)Children 4 – 13 years: R75 (normally R95)Children under 4: Free (Terms and conditions apply and can be found on www.aquarium.co.za)The Aquarium is open during the week from 09h30 – 18h00 and over weekends and public holidays from 09h00 – 18h00. A late afternoon visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium offers a wonderfully cool, serene and tranquil time to enjoy the wonders of the magnificent underwater world.

Dovetailing with this Aquarium special, Bootlegger Coffee Company at the Aquarium also has a special offer for this time: Every adult who orders from the main menu, will qualify for free kids’ pizza (orders after 15h00 until 31 March 2021). Along with the Aquarium’s “After 3 Special”, the Aquarium Gift Shop will also offer various amazing discounts on selected T-shirts, plush toys and games, and other products like selected coffee mugs and reusable shopping bags. The Two Oceans Aquarium provides the ideal place for parents to educate and entertain their children until such time as they head back to school. Learn about the animals and plants that call the South African coastline their home, the human impact on the oceans and a whole lot more, when visiting the Aquarium. With strict Covid-19 protocols in place, friendly and helpful staff, and magnificent exhibits like the Save Our Seas Shark Exhibit and the I&J Ocean Exhibit, as well as a myriad of other exhibits, animals and plants, the Aquarium provides a place of great discovery and hours of fun for the whole family to enjoy.

Departing from the jetty outside the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront, the Waterfront Harbour Cruise puts Cape Town’s bustling harbour in the spotlight.

Expect to see key attractions including icons of maritime history as well as epic views of the city’s natural landscape. Highlights include the SAS Somerset, the only remaining boom defence vessel in the world, and the southern hemisphere’s largest synchro-lift and only drawbridge, the Bascule Bridge. The cruise also includes views of Table Mountain, the Nelson Mandela Gateway, Chavonnes Battery Museum and the well-known Clock Tower. Of course, experiencing the bustling waterways of Cape Town from a boat is a highlight itself, and this cruise offers a perspective of the city that no other tour can offer. History Built in 1941, the SAS Somerset was previously known as Ship No 280. It originally sailed to South Africa to provide services at the vibrant fishing area of Saldanha Bay. Today, the SAS Somerset remains harboured at the V&A Waterfront as a museum ship for public viewing. Also at the V&A is the Bascule Bridge, a pedestrian swing bridge that crosses the water to the Clock Tower.

Before it was built, dockworkers and sailors used the Penny Ferry – a small rowing boat that crossed this section of water. The historic Clock Tower, built in 1882, was the original Port Captain’s Office and has been maintained to resemble its original design.

Get closer to iconic monuments and famous landmarks on our Cape Town sightseeing bus tours. Our hop-on, hop-off Cape Town tours allow you to explore the best of this city, at your own pace. With over 30 stops across 3 different routes, you'll have plenty of opportunities to hop off the bus and explore the Cape Town landmarks and attractions that appeal to you most.

The Classic package gives you one full day on the bus covering all hop-on, hop-off Cape Town tours. This ticket allows you access to all 3 bus tour loops: - The Red City tour to the Table Mountain Cableway - The Blue Mini Peninsula tour - The Purple Constantia Valley Wine tour and - The Yellow Downtown tour. On board commentary in 15 languages plus a Kids channel Additional discounts and special deals negotiated just for you – see the back of your ticket

THINGS TO DO IN CAPE TOWN SANBI – KIRSTENBOSCH GARDENS Stroll down meandering paths that explore the meticulously crafted and maintained flora, it contains many examples of fynbos. This plant exists as a huge part of the Cape Floral Kingdom and is unique to this part of the world. Tired of walking beneath the boughs and leaves, you can always relax on the lawns and indulge in a picnic of wine and cheese. There are also two restaurants and a shop, with an indigenous nursery and a sculpture garden. Finally, the Boomslang is an amazing canopy walkway which provides visitors with brilliant vistas of the surrounding nature.

Highlights: First botanical garden in the world to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site Visit the Boomslang, a canopy walkway which overlooks the gardens Found on the slopes of the majestic Table Mountain.

THINGS TO DO IN CAPE TOWN TABLE MOUNTAIN AERIAL CABLEWAY The ride is a gentle one, the rotating state-of-the-art cable car taking visitors from the lower station to the top in around 5 minutes. It operates seven days a week and trips occur within 10 to 15 minutes of each other. The time of the day’s last excursion varies throughout the year. Atop the mountain is a self-service buffet cafe while you can always pack a picnic and enjoy what still is part of a national park.You will be 3,500ft above the city and here, in this unique location, you will find rock hyrax, lizards, butterflies and the odd porcupine. There is also a wide array of birdlife from eagles to sunbirds flying above great patches of fynbos, the Cape’s indigenous flora.

THINGS TO DO IN CAPE TOWN GROOT CONSTANTIA: A WINE LOVER’S PARADISE Wine lovers travel far and wide to experience Groot Constantia – South Africa’s oldest wine estate. Groot Constantia has been producing wine of outstanding quality uninterruptedly since 1685 with its award-winning wines still celebrated around the world today. The estate’s historic Grand Constance – a sweet wine from the Napoleonic era – is a source of great pride and can be purchased at the Cloete Cellar, the only place where it was ever produced. The Cloete Cellar also hosts a tasting room and a museum where a 195-year-old bottle of Grand Constance, brought back to its birthplace, is on display. Two more tasting rooms play host to decadent chocolate and wine pairings in addition to award-winning wines on offer. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the newly launched Visitor Route Experience to experience the historic Manor House Museum, original Cloete Cellar, a cellar tour and a wine tasting.

The new Visitor Route Experience ticket includes a take home gift in the form of a Spiegalau Crystal wine glass. The Simon’s and Jonkershuis restaurants at Groot Constantia offer visitors al fresco dining expertly paired with the estate’s awardwinning wines. Romantic picnics and private dining opportunities make for a unique fine dining experience. Enjoy Simon’s Restaurant favourites such as crispy pork belly and delicious hamburgers in a setting between the lush vineyards, or browse a rustic yet elegant Cape Malay menu at Jonkershuis Restaurant set amongst ancient oak trees.

One of Africa’s largest and most anticipated public arts festivals, the International Public Art Festival (IPAF), is proud to announce the launch of the “Beyond Walls” Project by Saype. Representing unity, mutual aid and common effort beyond geographical constraints, the Beyond Walls project features the longest human chain in the world. This is depicted through pairs of local hands painted on land, which intertwine from town to town.The project will kick off at the Sea Point Promenade in Cape Town as a precursor to the IPAF on the 25 January 2021. The IPAF Festival runs from 10-14 February.

The monumental fresco is one of many memorable installations the street art festival will offer. Attracting top talent from around the world, the IPAF is a platform for creatives to use their talents to bring communities together. As a global initiative with different chapters around the world, the Beyond Walls Project is an example of this in action. Cape Town represents the ninth stage. Previously the hands were depicted in Paris, Andorre, Genève, Berlin, Ouagadougou, Yamoussoukro, Turin and Istanbul. Mother City of South Africa, Cape Town represents an essential step of the project due to its history marked by Apartheid. “Beyond Walls” symbolises the breaking down of political and social barriers among communities with the hope to further encourage positive dialogue. The hands will intertwine beyond inequality in three different areas of the city. Each artwork has been produced by the artist, Saype, the first on Sea Point promenade, then in Philippi Village and in Langa. The project is carried out in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa, the City of Cape Town, the IPAF and Baz-Art.

Given the rich history of South Africa and its people, the message of this project is an essential one in encouraging unity and understanding. Baz-Art co-founder Alexandre Tilmans says, “Cape Town is an ideal flagship destination for this project. As a city that prioritises openness, peace and mutual respect, we need to keep having courageous conversations, especially in this harsh climate created by the pandemic.

Artworks like this spark important dialogues and messages of hope for all citizens.“We will unveil the mural to public on the 25th of January 2021 at the Sea Point Promenade, Philippi Village and Buwga Square, Langa to spark our message of hope, humanity, and respect.”The artist Guillaume Legros, alias Saype (a contraction of Say Peace) is a Swiss-based artist who creates monumental frescoes on the grass and on the ground. He is renowned as the pioneer of an artistic movement linking street art and land art. Saype’s approach and innovative technique earned him global recognition as his poetic and ephemeral works travel around the world to impact minds and spark conscious dialogue.

He is also committed to eco-friendly methods in his art, “One of my aims is to not only shed light on issues of social transformation but to promote eco-friendly and sustainable methods of creating art through respecting nature.” He was named one of Forbes’s thirty most influential people under thirty in the field of art and culture in 2019. The Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa is proud to support the project “Beyond Walls” in Cape Town. “In these challenging times with the pandemic, we believe that art plays an essential role in expressing hope, in uniting countries and people, and in advancing human dignity, notes Nicolas Brühl, Ambassador of Switzerland in South Africa. Through the artwork of “Beyond Walls” Switzerland fully endorses the message of solidarity, dialogue and friendship conveyed to South Africa and the world by Saype.”