We of course have our magnificent Table Mountain, Lions Head and Devils Peak majestically towering over the Mother city, and, not forgetting Robben Island way out in the ocean, which every visitor would like to see. Table Mountain is situated in the Table Mountain National Park, it is one of the 11 National Parks we have in South Africa.

It is also part of The Cape Floristic Kingdom which is one of the world’s most precious assets. In 1996 it was identified as one of the top twenty among 200 key eco-regions worldwide that are crucial in the drive to conserve nature, into the next millennium.

The Cape Floristic Kingdom is the world’s smallest, richest and most diverse kingdom. It contains more than 8600 different species of which 5800 are endemic. This means these plants grow nowhere else on earth, not even elsewhere in South Africa. The British Isles are 3 times larger than the Cape Floristic Kingdom and have only 1500 plant species in total.

The Cape Floristic Kingdom is also the only floral kingdom that is within one country and on one continent. The Cape Peninsula alone hosts 2285 species in an area smaller than London; Table Mountain 1500 species in 57 sq.km; and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve more than 1000 species in 77sq.km. This area is characterized by plants referred to as “Fynbos “ which is a vegetation type of the Fynbos Biome that includes Renosterveld and Fynbos/Thicket.

They are divided and characterized by 4 different components: Proteoid- your different Protea flowers, Ericas – smaller plants; Restios – wiry reed-like and Geophytes - bulbous plants. Many are deciduous and are only seen during certain times of the year – and die back during summer. Table Mountain is at least 6 times older than the Himalayas, making it one if the oldest mountains in the world. The Cableway has been in operation since the 4th October 1929. More than 27 Million visitors have enjoyed the thrill of the Cableway experience. Table Mountain was voted one of the New 7 wonders of Nature in 2011.

The Company Gardens is another place visited by many locals and also visitors to Cape Town. Situated at the top of Adderley Street, you will walk up Government Avenue and have Parliament Buildings to your left and the Company Gardens to your right. The Company Gardens were originally started by Jan van Riebeeck as a vegetable garden for the passing of various ships in the harbour for fresh water and produce. They had planted vegetables and fruit trees.

Subsequently it has the most beautiful Rose garden, various local flowers, many trees and lovely lawns, many statues and have recently completed a new vegetable and Herb garden. There is a superb Restaurant which can serve you breakfast, lunch, morning and afternoon teas or coffee with lovely cakes. Something to add to the list of places to see while in Cape Town.

Beside the restaurant you can also have a ‘Cape Town Fynbos Experience’ offering tastings and apothecary workshops, distinctive Fynbos flavours and traditional remedies are explored in the context of a laboratory. Housed in the tranquil Visitors Centre, the experience is suitable for corporate, tourist and lifestyle groups. The Fynbos Tasting (1hour) Explore sensations of eight Fynbos botanicals in the form of aromatic tea infusions, vinegar tinctures, zesty cordials, infused oils and edible naturals.

Apothecary Workshop (3 hours) Extend the Fynbos Tasting to create a culinary, wellness and beauty apothecary to take home. Blend a variety of Fynbos tea infusions, create oil-based scents, beard oil, soothing face masks, salt scrubs and many other ideas.

BOOKINGS are essential – 066 22 55722

Contact Giselle www.gettothepoint.co.za

Next to the Gardens you will also find the St George’s Anglican Cathedral and the Iziko Museum. (Which was the original Slave Lodge). In the Company Gardens you will find the Gallery, the Cape Town Museum and the Planetarium, which will keep you busy for at least a morning. The Jewish Holocaust Museum is located nearby.

These are some of the interesting places to see on your first time visit to Cape Town. They can be seen by yourself or you can always get a Guide to take you around for a day Tour. CTC Marketing also offers Tours through some of our Members. One of our Members are doing a wonderful Flower Tour in the near future up the West Coast which should not be missed. The Tour will start in Cape Town and take you all the way up to Springbok in the Northern Cape. Try not to miss this opportunity as I believe the flowers are going to be wonder this year. Some flowering due to the recent rains. So if you wish to join our first Flower Tour read further below:

GERRIE SE TOERE/TOURS – NAMAQUALAND FLOWER TOUR

You would be travelling with a group of 15, sleeping over at Lambert’s Bay for 2 nights and also at Springbok, then visiting all the neighbouring small villages in these areas where they have the most flowers. Should you be interested and would like a copy of the itinerary, we will gladly send it on to you. ‘Gerrie se Toere’ on our website under ‘Tours’. The Tour leaves Cape Town on the 5th till the 9th September 2018. Costs are: R6,500 pp sharing all inclusive. A deposit is payable the end of June and the balance the end of July Code is ND2018.

For further information please contact Gerrie 079 381 9643 or Chris at CTC Marketing 073 1409 700.

Next month we will be writing about some different Game Lodges plus our visit to Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve and a little about our trip on the Garden Route. We are still looking for some more Guest Houses that wish to have their property included on our website for both overseas and local clients to use when doing their bookings. All bookings will go direct to your website, via CTC Marketing website, and you will not have to pay us any commission. This is a service we offer our Members. Should you be interested, please contact me and I will gladly send you our application form. We wish you all a wonderful winter season, and may South Africa still get more rain so that we just never run out of water again, especially here in the Western Cape .

Warm Regards and God Bless,