Cape Town Culture and History
Cape Town has a cosmopolitan cultural mix which has been influenced over the years mainly by the Dutch, French and British, with a significant influence also having come from Malaysia. Cape Town is home to artists and performers of every description,.
With a fascinating history going back 350 years, Cape Town offers a huge selection of museums and places of cultural interest to visit. Also to be considered are tours of the townships, a ferry trip to Robben Island or a wander through the District Six Museum.
Bo-Kaap
The so-called Malay Quarter (more correctly named the Bo-Kaap), hugs the lower slopes of Signal Hill and is a maze of narrow alleys and densely clustered flat roofed homes. The Bo-Kaap is home to a large Islamic community, many of whom are descended from slaves imported by the early European settlers from the Dutch colony of Java.
Company Gardens
The Company Gardens, located at the upper end of Adderley street, with its stately oak trees, shady paths, green lawns and lily covered ponds has a direct line of descent from the earliest settlers. When Jan Van Riebeck landed in the Cape in 1652, his first task was to plant a vegetable garden to supply the passing ships of his employers, the powerful Dutch East India Company. The modern Gardens are located at this spot and although much reduced from the original size are still a wonderful place to spend a few hours.
The Castle
Dating back to roughly the same period is the oldest European structure in South Africa, the Castle of Good Hope. The "castle" is actually a defensive fort, construction of which began barely 2 days after the arrival of the first Dutch settlers in April 1652. Although today the Castle is far away from the sea, it was originally built on the beach, Strand Street, which passes the structure is translated as "Beach Street". The area where the cape Town station now stands was originally under the ocean and has been built on land reclaimed over the years so that today the ocean is a couple of kilometres distant.
Historic Buildings
Cape Town is home to a number of historic buildings, many of them well preserved and can be visited by the public. Bertram House, in the city centre was built in the 1830's when anything much beyond Adderly Stret was farmland. The house is now a museum and gives a wonderful insight into cape Town life almost 200 years ago [Tel: 021 424 9381].
There are many more such gems to be found in and around the city, such as Koopmans De Wet House, the Groote Kerk (Big Church) in Adderley Street. Also worth a visit is the bustling open air market at Greenmarket Square, the Historic buildings and dusty book shops in Long Street (walk its length and find out how this street got its name), the huge underground Golden Acre shopping mall, the old Slave Lodge and the South African Museum [021 424 3330], to name but a few.
What Useful Information for Tourist
Climate:
As the country lies in the southern hemisphere, the seasons in South Africa are the reverse of those in the northern hemisphere. December and January are the main summer holiday months, and people flock to the beaches in droves. In May and June, Autumn brings warm days and cool nights. Autumn and Spring are the best seasons for hiking. From the beginning of July to the end of September, you can expect cold and rain in the Western Cape. Snow sometimes falls on the Cape mountains in winter.
Communication Services:
A direct dialing service connects all centres and the international telephone service links south Africa with countries around the world. Cellular phones can be hired on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Internet access is available in all but the most remote areas and broadband (ADSL) is available in the major urban areas.
Credit Cards:
Major international credit cards such as American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa and their affiliates are accepted in South Africa
Currency:
The currency unit is the Rand, denoted by the symbol R1. R1 = 100 cents. Foreign currency can be exchanged at commercial banks, American Express and Rennies Travel. Notes issued R200, R100, R50, R20, R10; coins R5, R2, R1, 50c 20c, 10c and 5c. Currency exchange rates are available at banks and published daily in the press.
Electricity:
220/230 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. Three pronged plugs are universal, so take an adapter. Most hotel rooms have 110-volt outlets for electric shavers and small appliances.
Health Hazards:
The western and eastern Cape are free of both Malaria and Bilharzia (present in streams, rivers, lakes and dams in some of the northern and eastern parts of the country) although for visitors planning to venture further north we recommend preventative medication which is obtainable at all South African pharmacies. It's important to consult a pharmacist for advice on the best drug or drug combination you should take.
Sun Protection:
The South African sun is strong with a high ultraviolet rating, so screening products with sun protection factors of 15 and over are recommended.
Visas:
Passport holders from more than 80 countries, including the USA, Canada, Japan and the European Union countries can visit South Africa without visas. For further information contact your local office of the diplomatic or consular representative of the South African Government. If you intend traveling to South Africa's neighbouring countries and back into South Africa you are advised to apply for multiple entry visas. Tourists must satisfy immigration officers that they have the means to support themselves during their stay, and that they are in possession of return or onward air tickets.
A law has been passed stipulating that all visitors to South Africa are required to have a minimum of two blank pages in their passport to enable the entry visa to be issued. If there is insufficient space in the passport entry will be denied and the person is likely to be detained pending return to their country of origin.
Water:
In the major cities and towns and most game reserves, tap water is purified and 100% safe to drink.
Time Differences:
Throughout the year, Standard Time in South Africa is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean time, one hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, and seven hours in advance of Eastern Standard Winter Time.
Immunisation:
People arriving in South Africa from a Yellow Fever zone, must have a valid international yellow fever inoculation certificate. Infants under the age of one year are exempt. Immunisation against cholera and smallpox is not required.
Languages:
South Africa currently has 11 official languages. English is spoken throughout the country. French, Italian and German are spoken by staff members in many of the larger hotels and shops that cater to the tourist markets.
Medical Services:
South Africa has no national health scheme. It's advisable to purchase travel insurance which covers medical expenses during the period of your stay.
Shopping:
South African manufacturers set a high premium on workmanship, and a favourable exchange rate against the major currencies means that you can afford to be a bit extravagant. Shopping hours are generally 08:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, and 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. Many shops in cities and big shopping malls are open Sundays.
Driving:
An excellent road network links the largest metropolitan areas with the smallest villages. The speed limit in urban areas is usually 60 km per hour, and on freeways 120 km per hour unless otherwise indicated. Wearing seat belts is compulsory; driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence and traffic laws are strictly enforced. A valid driver's license, provided the photograph is an integral part of the document, and provided it is printed in English, is accepted. If your licence does not comply with these requirements, you should obtain an International Driving Permit before your departure for South Africa. Drive on the left and give way to traffic approaching from the right.
VAT (Value Added Tax):
Currently set at 14%, VAT is included in the marked/quoted price of most goods and services. Foreign visitors are not exempt from paying VAT on purchased goods. They may, however, claim back VAT paid on items taken out of the country when the total value exceeds R 250.00.
Traveler's Cheques:
Most international
traveler's checks are accepted provided they are in an acceptable
currency and may be cashed at most banks. Many hotels and shops also
provide this service.
Source: DiscoverTheCape
What to Do in Cape Town - Finding Cape Town Accommodation
Visit Cape Town and enjoy a wonderful experience. It is not called South Africa's Mother City for nothing. It is constantly in international news in terms of its top ratings - one of best holiday places, one of the worldwide cities considered to be a key place in the future, one of the most visited, top votes on the monoploy game and more.
Explore Table Mountain and its surroundings nature park. The cable car will only ascent the mountain in perfect weather conditions for protection of the traveler or tourist. At the top of the mountain, you will have an opportunity to walk around and see views of the entire city from all angels. Table Mountain is called as such because in misty conditions, it appears that there is a table cloth over the table-shaped mountain.
Cape Town offers the most beautiful beaches and opportunities to enjoy wonderful sunsets. The various beaches are suited to the visitor's needs - swimming, tannining, playing, access to restaurants and more. The benefit of Cape Town is that the local visitor can also alternate beaches and readily move around to find the perfect day.
Cape Town winters are known to be rainy. On these days, taking drives, enjoying the local shopping centres or simply enjoying the scenaries are all treats. Cape Town is also located in easy access to the Cape Winelands, the Cape West Coast or the Overberg.
Partake in whale watching. Other sporting activities can also be enjoyed. Many people enjoy cycling and running along the promenande to enjoy the coastal views and the great joy of running next to the sea.
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com
Cape Town Accommodation
Two Oceans Aquarium
The Aquarium is located in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront adjacent to the Robinson Dry Dock, the oldest working dock of its kind in the world. The aquarium was conceived and created as a result of the development in the early nineties of the V&A Waterfront. The R35 million Two Oceans Aquarium is operated by the Two Oceans Aquarium Trust.
The aquarium is divided into 5 main exhibits ...
Diversity Hall
Consisting of approximately 32 exhibits displaying marine life in the warm Indian Ocean and the cold Atlantic Ocean. Exhibits include jelly fish and coral reef dwellers; giant spider crabs from Japan, endangered Knysna seahorses and a microscope display.
Touch Pool
A hit with the kids, the Touch Pool enables close-up inspection and handling of animals such as starfish and sea urchins as well as items washed up on the beach. Volunteer guides invite you to touch and feel a variety of animals and plants whilst providing you with a wealth of information about them.
Activity Centre
The Activity Centre includes an artificial inlet, home to an active and entertaining group of Cape Fur Seals. The display offers you the unique opportunity to view these mammals up close and underwater through a large window as they play below the surface of the water.
The Story of Water
The exhibit traces the course of a river from its source in the high mountains of the Cape, through the coastal flats to its mouth at the ocean. The exhibit begins in a mountain setting, complete with lush green vegetation, cascading waterfalls and clear rock pools complete with the freshwater fish that inhabit them.
At the mouth of the river, washed by the waves, lives a colony of endangered African penguins and Rock-hopper penguins (a sub-Antarctic species). These entertaining birds can be seen feeding, preening and darting to and fro beneath the waves. Several African black oystercatchers (another endangered species) can also be seen at the water's edge.
Kelp Forest and Predator Exhibit
The 2.2 million litre Predator
Exhibit is perhaps the most dramatic in the Aquarium. Ragged-tooth
sharks; shoals of Yellowtail, Garrick and many other fishes; several species of
rays and a turtle are visible through an enormous 11 metre wide by 4 metre high
acrylic panel. There are several spectacular viewing points such as the
semi-tunnel which hugs the perimeter of the exhibit. This affords visitors a
thrilling encounter as the sharks drift menacingly overhead.
The feeding of the Predator Exhibit inhabitants is a spectacular
sight and a definite highlight in a visit to the Aquarium.
The most exciting feed which has everyone transfixed is the hand
feeding of the Ragged-tooth sharks which takes place on Sundays at 15h30.
Read Further: Cape Town Holiday Accommdation
Nightlife and Clubbing
When the lights go dim in Cape Town the fun begins. Visitors can take their pick from amongst numerous nightclubs, wine-bars, pubs and cocktail lounges. The V&A Waterfront, Sea Point, Camps Bay, Observatory and lower Cape Town buzz until sunrise 365 days a year.
Some of the best clubs can be found in the city centre while the many Waterfront and Atlantic coast restaurants and pubs are the passport to Cape Town’s busy nightlife. Varied music and decor guarantee that you’re sure to find a party-till-you-drop venue that suits your needs. Cover charges at most clubs range from R10 to R40.
Most clubs only get going at 11pm and are open all night, and many are open seven nights a week, promising non-stop partying. We suggest that you start your night out in Kloof Street or at a bar in Green Point before hitting the city and choose from Cape Town's red hot club venues. Long Street is the place for the young and hip, here you can spend the entire night wandering in and out of pubs and clubs.
Some Suggested Venues:
La Med [Camps Bay] - live
music and dancing into the early hours.
The Fez [City] - cool and
trendy, Cape Town's beautiful people.
Rhodes House [City] - cutting
edge venue, outrageous and chic.
News Cafe [Green Point] - restaurant
by day, trendy bar by night.
The Bronx [Green Point] - popular gay
bar, along with Angels and Detour.
More Info:
Clubbers Guide: www.clubbersguide.co.za
