CAPE TOWN

Before the Dutch East India Company (VOC) established a 17th-century victualling station on Table Bay's pristine shore, the Cape Flats were hunted for hippopotami and other large game by the Khoi-Khoi and the San (Bushmen). With colonisation, the Cape of Good Hope established a lasting tradition of hospitality leading weary explorers and sailors to rename it The Tavern of the Seas. The sight of majestic Table Mountain and the people who live beneath it are as welcoming today as they were all those years ago, the looming crags a striking landmark providing a magnificent backdrop to the vibrant, friendly Mother City. Modern Cape Town, with its extended seafront, underground malls and soaring skyscrapers holds itself dear to its origins. Explore the many fascinating museums and historical buildings reflecting the cultures shaping the city and the province it serves.

The city boasts a vast range of shopping styles and opportunities, from the haggling between stallholders and shoppers at the Grand Parades and Greenmarket Squares fleamarkets, to smooth, hassle-free self-service at countless sophisticated and stylish malls.

With the onset of night, Capetonians metamorphose into raving revellers, patronising pubs, restaurants, clubs, cinemas and theatres offering conversation, food and entertainment from all corners of the globe. Table Mountain comes to light as live music pervades the neon night. Top rock, jazz, techno and classical musicians appear nightly at a wide array of live music venues. Popcorn flavours celluloid wonder in cinemas and the curtain goes up in theatres all over town.

Many of the worlds scenic wonders are within a days drive of the city centre. Magnificent seascapes and panoramic vistas abound on drives marrying the sea to the mountains. An endless coastline studded with white, sandy beaches lures swimmers, sunbathers and anglers to an appreciation of a life lived in wide-open spaces and fresh, blue air.

Major Attractions:
Bertram House. cnr Orange Str &Government Ave. A late Georgian redbrick house. Now a museum furnished in the style of a wealthy, 19th century, British residence in Cape Town, it includes superb collections of furniture, porcelain and silver and has a delightful, period garden.
Tel 24 9381.
 
Bo-Kaap. Islam settled in this brightly-coloured Cape Town quarter housing South Africas first mosque. The pioneers and Holy Saints who came to this country as political exiles are buried in Tana-Baru, the oldest cemetery in the area.

Bo-Kaap Museum. 71 Wale Str. The influence of Eastern and Western cultures, early political exiles and prisoners from the Dutch East Indies in the 18th century, is evident in this 1760 house. Tel 424 3846.

Breakwater Prison (Lodge). Portswood Rd, Waterfront. The Breakwater Prison was built in 1895 to house convicts who were set to work cutting stone for the breakwater. A treadmill installed in 1890 to discipline recalcitrant prisoners is on show. Today it houses the UCT Graduate School of Business and the Breakwater Lodge. Tel 406 1911.

Cape Medical Museum. Portswood Rd. Early Cape medical history lives in the former residence of the superintendent of the defunct city hospital. Tel 418 5663.

Castle of Good Hope. Buitenkant Str. Built between 1666-1679, the Castle is the oldest building in South Africa. It is a pentagonal fortification with a moat and bastions at each corner, named after the titles of the Prince of Orange. It serves as a military base and contains historical objects, including the William Fehr Collection of paintings, carpets and other objects. A dolphin pool is on view. Tel 469 1249/50.

City Hall. Darling Str. Completed in 1905, it overlooks the Grand Parade and houses the City Library and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. The Municipal Carillon in the tower, containing thirty-nine bells and dating back to 1923, is occasionally operated. Tel 400 2230.

Companys Garden, The. Upper Adderley Str. The oldest garden in South Africa, it was established in 1652 by Jan van Riebeeck as a vegetable garden to supply fresh produce to passing ships. The sundial dates from 1787 and the Bell Tower from 1855.

District Six Museum. 25A Buitenkant Str. Commemorates the forced removal of 50 000 people to the Cape Flats and the obliteration of the once vibrant District Six. Its community spirit is recreated in exhibitions, guided walks and the collection of artefacts. Tel 461 8745.

Dragon Boat Racing. This spectacular and exciting sport was started in Cape Town in 1992 when two beautiful ceremonial wooden dragon boats were presented to the city by our Taiwanese sister city.

Fleamarkets. Church Str, in the pedestrian mall between Long and Burg Sts. Greenmarket Square, Burg Str between Long and Shortmarket Sts. Green Point Stadium. The Parade, Darling Str. Station Market, Adderley Str. Stalls in front of the station and on the station deck. Waterfront Explorers Market, adjacent to the Maritime Museum.

Flower Sellers. Fresh flowers are on sale daily in Trafalgar Place, Adderley Str, on the Grand Parade and from legal hawkers around the city.

French Redoubt Trafalgar Park, bordered by Searle, Sir Lowry and Upper Warwick Sts. To protect the Cape from British overland attack, a line was built with the help of a French garrison from Fort Knokke.

Golden Acre. Floor tiles indicate the waterline of Table Bay before land reclamation in 1935. The McClear Cannon Two cannon sunk into the original Parade Ground by astronomer Sir Thomas McClear to establish a permanent length for checking land surveyor claims.

The Ruins. Remnants of a reservoir built in 1663 by Commander Zacharias Wagenaar.
Good Hope Centre. Sir Lowry Rd. A large entertainment barrel vault, multipurpose exhibition and convention complex. Tel 462 4400.

Grand Parade. Darling Str. One of Cape Towns historical squares, it was a military parade during the 18th and 19th centuries. Thick, red lines painted on the ground from the fruit stalls to the King Edward Statue indicate the location of the fort built before the Castle of Good Hope.

Greenmarket Square. Bordered by Shortmarket, Longmarket and Burg Sts. Formerly the site of a vegetable and fruit market. Today it is a bustling tourist haven and fleamarket.

Houses of Parliament. Parliament Str. Gallery tickets are available during parliamentary sessions. Guided tours are conducted each morning. Enter through the Parliament Str gate. Tel 403 2460/1.
Jewish Museum. 84 Hatfield Str, Gardens. South Africas first synagogue houses ceremonial objects of significance and memorabilia of Cape country communities. Tel 45 1546.

Koopmans de Wet House. 35 Strand Str. Built in 1701 it was once the cultural salon of Cape Town. A collection of Cape furniture and silver, and Dutch Delftware. The vine in the courtyard is reputedly one of the oldest in the country. Tel 424 2473.

Martin Melck House. 96 Strand Str. An 18th century townhouse built as the parsonage to the adjoining Lutheran Church. The plaster decoration and front door carving are by Anton Anreith. Tel 419 6534.

Michaelis Old Town House, Greenmarket Square. This exquisite 1755 former city hall houses a world-renowned collection of Dutch and Flemish pictures by old masters. Tel 24 6367.
Military Museum. The Castle of Good Hope, Castle Str. The military history of the Cape from 1510 and that of the Castle itself, is recreated.

Noon Gun. Signal Hill, Bo-Kaap. Originally, the gun signalled the correct time to ships in Table Bay. In 1918, the Mayor instituted a two-minute, midday pause to pray for men fighting at the front during World War I.

Planetarium. SA Museum, Queen Victoria Str. Get to know your universe. New shows every three months. Tel 424 3330.

Robben Island. A national monument, Robben Island is one of the most significant historical sites in South Africa. First used by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a victualling station, it became an asylum and leper colony. Later, it fell under the Army and Navy and, in 1960, under the Department of Correctional Services. It gained notoriety as a gaol for those considered dangerous to the old South African social order including, for more than two decades, President Mandela, the islands most famous former prisoner. Tours of the island and visits to Robben Island Museum can be arranged. Booking must be done well in advance. Tel 419 1300. Fax 419 1057.

SA Air Force Museum. Ysterplaat Airforce Base, Piet Grobler Str, Ysterplaat. The early days of the Royal Flying Corps and the flight towards the SAAirforce are illustrated. Tel 508 6377.
SA Astronomical Observatory. Off Liesbeek Parkway, Observatory. Guided tours every month on the second Sat at 20h00. Tel 47 0025.

SA Cultural History Museum. 49 Adderley Str. The former slave lodge and Supreme Court houses an overview of local and international history, customs and tradition, including the only collection of postal stones in the world. Specialist collections include philately, numismatics, costumes, musical instruments and decorative arts. Tel 461 8280.

SA Fisheries Museum. Study fascinating, historical objects and documents, consult a small reference library and interact with Emmy - the do-it-yourself computerised marine encyclopaedia. Also - alternating thematic exhibitions, audiovisual presentations, models of fishing boats in action, fishing gear and various items of interest. Tel 790 7268.

SA Maritime Museum. Dock Rd, Waterfront. In the heart of Cape Towns old working harbour, the museum includes a ship model workshop, a lighthouse multi-media spectacular and a hands-on childrens discovery cove. Tel 419 2505.

SAS Somerset. Alfred Basin, Table Bay Harbour. The only boom-defence vessel preserved in the world is moored opposite the V&A Hotel in the Waterfront. The boom-defence display in the SA Maritime Museum illustrates the function of these vessels during World War II. Tel 425 3152.
SA Museum. Queen Victoria Str. The oldest museum in sub-Saharan Africa was established in 1825 and represents a classic meeting of nature and culture. Explore the stars, San rock paintings or fall under the spell of the visually stunning, acoustically perfect whale well (used occasionally for concerts). Tel 424 3330.

SA National Gallery. South Africas premier art museum houses southern African, British and European art collections. Exhibitions of paintings, works on paper, photography, sculpture, beadwork, textiles and architecture are mounted regularly to give visitors insights into an extraordinary range of aesthetic creation and production. Tel 45 1628. Fax 461 0045.
Scratch Patch and Mineral World Gemstone Boutique. Dock Rd, V&A Waterfront. Visitors can enjoy scratching for multihued gemstones. Tel 419 9429.

Sendinggestig Museum. 40 Long Str. Exquisitely restored, this 1804 slave chapel exhibits Christian missions in the Western Cape. Tel 423 6755.

Stal Plein (Square). Plein Str. Formerly a stabling area for the Dutch East India Company, the square contains the Anreith gateway to the Lodge de Goede Hoop (the first Masonic Lodge in South Africa), the entrance to Tuynhuys - the office of the President - and the Flame of Remembrance.

Two Oceans Aquarium. Dock Rd, Waterfront. With more than 4 000 creatures, representing some 300 species, a once-in-a-lifetime experience of the South African coasts underwater world awaits you. Visit the Bayfront Restaurant and the Aquarium gift shop. Tel 418 3823.

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Victoria and Alfred Basins, Table Bay Harbour. Built in 1860, and still a working harbour, the Victoria and Alfred has been developed into one of South Africas biggest tourist attractions. Prince Alfred, Queen Victorias second son, tipped the rock signalling construction of the breakwater. Original buildings have been renovated and new ones built, all in Victorian style. There are museums, boat trips (including the historic Penny Ferry), helicopter flips, walking tours, restaurants catering to every taste, pubs, a brewery, two shopping centres, hotels, theatres, cinemas (including the five-storey, large-screen Imax Cinema), an outdoor amphitheatre, craft markets, live music and a rich variety of outdoor entertainments. The unusual is well represented in the Telecommunications Exploratorium, a gemstone Scratch Patch, indoor golf and the Two Oceans Aquarium. An information centre, good security and ample parking contribute to the Waterfronts popularity and your pleasure. Tel 418 2369.

The Great Outdoors:
Air Flips & Trips. Civair Helicopters, tel 419 5182; Court Helicopters, tel 25 2966; Flamingo Flights, tel 790 1010; Sealink, tel 25 4480 and Sport Helicopters, tel 419 5907.

Angling. Freshwater Angling: Contact the Cape Piscatorial Society, tel 24 7725 or WP Freshwater Angling Association, Malcolm King, tel 981 5205/ 886 4234; Big Game Fishing Safaris, tel 64 2203; Budget Angling, tel 72 3558 and Trout Adventures Africa, tel 26 1057. For a specialised tour, contact Adventure Safaris & Sport Tours, tel 438 5201. Sea Angling: The waters off the Western Cape are renowned for big game, deepsea angling for yellowfin and longfin tuna as well as the much-prized broadbill swordfish. Contact WP Shore Anglers Association, Robert Back, tel 21 7380; Oceans 50 Angling Club, tel 761 1599. Shark-viewing by boat or underwater: White Shark Ecoventures. Tel 52 4678/082 658 0185. Contact the WP Deep Sea Angling Association, Nigel Hawkin, tel 788 2045. For charters contact: African Fishing Safaris, tel 438 5201; All-About Tours, tel 78 0263/082 555 8310; Bahari Charters, tel 790 1644; Big Game Fishing Safaris, tel 64 2203; Gamefish Charters, tel 790 4550; Neptune Deep Sea Angling, tel 782 3889; South Coast Seafaris, tel 082 553 0999 and Volanté Charters, tel 783 2906.

Beaches. The Cape Peninsulas choice of beaches is vast. There are family beaches, beaches for suntanning, snorkelling, windsurfing, surfing, fishing and swimming. There is an unofficial beach for nudists at Sandy Bay on the Atlantic coast. False Bays waters are generally 5°C warmer than the Atlantics, but beaches on the south Atlantic coast are more sheltered from the southeasterly wind. More details on individual beaches are given under the relevant areas.
 
Birdwatching. For short (weekend/midweek) birding excursions under the guidance of a local birder, contact Adventure Safaris & Sport Tours, tel 438 5201; Big Game Fishing, tel 64 2203; Cranes Cape, tel 45 7254; Greencape, tel 797 0166; Platinum Tours, tel 683 1590; the Cape Bird Club, tel 434 5369; Tygerberg Bird Club, tel 96 8701, or refer to Captours Birdwatching & Fynbos Guide.

Boat & Yacht Charters. Cape Peninsula Yacht Charter for trips from Simons Town, tel 92 3773/083 675 4165. Daily trips, including sunset cruises, are operated by several Cape Town boat companies. For trips from Table Bay contact: Teachers Spirit of Adventure, tel 419 3122/419 2749; Condor Charters, tel 448 5612; Le Tigre Charters, tel 419 7746; Sealink Tours, tel 25 4480; Waterfront Charters, tel 25 4292/25 3804. For trips from Hout Bay Harbour contact Bahari Charters, tel 790 1644; Big Game Fishing Safaris, tel 64 2203; Circe Launches, tel 790 1040; Drumbeat Charters, tel 438 9208/790 4859; Game Fish Charters, tel 790 4550; Nauticat, tel 790 7278 and Neptunes, tel 782 3889.

Bungi Jumping. Kiwi Extreme, tel (0444) 977161.
Cape Peninsula National Park. Surrounded by the bustling metropolitan area of Cape Town, one of South Africas newest national parks, the Cape Peninsula National Park, was established. The Park encompasses the scenic Peninsula Mountain chain, that stretches from Signal Hill in the north to Cape Point in the south - 60 kms. Within its boundaries are two world-renowned landmarks - Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope.
 
Hang-Gliding. Experience the excitement and exhilaration of free flight. Cape Albatross Hang- gliding Club, tel Mark Norbury 52 3964.

Sport Bowling: WP Bowling Association, tel 21 1894.

Cricket: WP Cricket Union, tel 64 4146.
Croquet: WP Croquet Association, tel 64 2556.
Coastal Kayak Trails, tel 551 8739.
Cycling: WP Pedal Power Association, tel 689 8420.
Golf: WP Golf Union, tel 686 1668.
Golf Driving Range: Peninsula Golf Driving Range, tel 511 1934.
Horseracing: WP Racing, tel 762 7777.
Parachuting & Skydiving: WP Sport Parachute Club, tel 92 9819 (Dave)/61 4392 (Adelle).
Sailing: WP Sailing Association, tel 448 4441.
Squash: WP Squash Racket Association, tel 21 2512.
Table Tennis: WP Table Tennis Association, tel 47 4176.
Tennis. Tel 686 3055.

Table Bay Harbour. The Ben Schoeman, Sturrock, Robinson and Duncan Docks are built on land reclaimed from the sea. The Ben Schoeman Dock houses the container terminal and Sturrock and Robinson are two modern dry docks that handle terminal repairs.

Table Mountain. The summit of Cape Towns world-famous landmark is 1086m above sea level. Weather permitting, visitors can reach the summit (via the Kloofnek Rd bus) by cableway. There is a restaurant and souvenir shop on the summit. The mountain is covered by thousands of species of wild flower and is the home of the famous silvertree. Lower Station, tel 424 5148. Head Office, tel 421 4615.

Telkom Exploratorium. Union Castle Bldg, V&A Waterfront. Technology and fun meet on a journey exploring the magic of telecommunications through hands-on exhibits. Discover space communication, the Internet and a laser show. Tel 419 5957.

Turkish Steam Baths and Indoor Swimming Pool Long Str. Steam room and dry heat rooms available, towels supplied. Tel 400 3302.