Our Beautiful Penguins who are under threat - Save our Birds

GREETINGS FROM A SUNNY & HOT CAPE TOWN,

We are still having very hot weather, although a few showers did make their appearance one or two evenings.  South Africa on the whole is still very dry, specially the Northern Cape and Karoo.  We have been
requested to take bottles of water when travelling inland to the dry parts of the country, were we have
dropping points in each town.  Many schools are also assisting with water and sending them where it is
needed most.  Please take 5litre bottles with you to any of our smaller towns battling without water.

January has been a very busy month for myself at CTC Marketing due to many Cruise liners visiting us here
in Cape Town and Mossel Bay. Guides were needed from Cape Town so a few of us were taken to Mossel Bay where we stayed overnight at the Protea Hotel and had a wonderful Dinner and Breakfast at the Gannet Seafood Restaurant.   Being School holidays Mossel Bay was full to capacity with Campers, visitors at the local Hotels and Guest Houses.  So visiting during the season was very interesting meeting the
passengers from the Europa ll, from all over the world and also having the honour to show them our amazing country plus meeting a few local visitors camping in town.

Passengers from the Europa ll were taken to Botlierskop Private Game Reserve – outside Mossel Bay.

Guides stayed at the Protea Hotel Mossel Bay

I have also had a private tour with clients from Canada, who left as friends.  Their tour took us to very interesting places in Cape Town, visiting the penguins, Cape Point, our beautiful Wine lands were we visited Delhiem Wines and had a wonderful cheese and meat platter, also took a  look at Muratie Wines one of the oldest wine estates dating back to Simon van der Stel days.   A walk around the Stellenbosch Village Museum and seeing the various old homesteads dating back from 1709 -1929 beautifully decorated in the style of that period with lovely friendly lady in each home welcoming you and telling you more about the people who lived in these homes.

 It was interest to also see the Herb gardens, the shrubs and fruit trees in these well kept gardens and some dating back so many years. Really worth a visit if you have the time to spend in Stellenbosch and do wonder around Dorp Street where you have many old homes that have been restored and kept perfect,  also a visit to Oom Sammie se Winkel which was opened in 1902 and still running under the care of the Melck family from Muratie Wines. Table Mountain was also a special day.
In Cape Town a visit to “Richard’s Supper Stage” to end a lovely stay in Cape Town, where we were enter tained by local artists giving us a glimpse of the old Cape Town with their music, singing and storytelling. Not forgetting the amazing Cape Cuisine which was served during the show and the amazing dessert.

Anne & Sylvester from Canada visiting Richard’s Supper Stage - Restaurant

We have had another Open Day in Bree Street, Cape Town a few Sundays ago, and what a lovely day everyone had.  This year more people visited than last year. It is a wonderful idea for us to do more often. Cape Town is really trying very hard to unite all its people from Artists, to dancers, singers, food stalls, arts and crafts and children on skate boards, roller blades, bicycles enjoying themselves and no cars in sight. The mood was amazing, people talking to one another, drinking coffee, beer, and feasting on the various options available at the food stalls. To crown it all we had a beautiful windless, cloudless sunny day.

Cape Town has had many Cruise Liners coming into the Harbour lately as mentioned above.  We have just had the QueenElizabeth ll leaving us 2 days ago en route to Port Elizabeth.  They stayed for 3 days and  many had a chance to visit the city, Table Mountain, our Wine lands, and of course Cape Point.  I am sure they all enjoyed their tours with our knowledgeable Guides we have here in Cape Town. The Sea Princess first visit to Cape Town last week and shortly the Insignia will be arriving.

A Cloudy day on Table Mountain – Cableway Station. Adderley Street, Cape Town

Some news for our visitors and Guest House owners, regarding the Route 62:
Due to a section of the R62 between Ashton and Montage being upgraded and blasting taking place, that the road will be temporarily closed to traffic on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11h00-13h00 for the
next 6 months (no road closure over Easter).  There will also be some delays to a Stop/Go system, but the waiting time per Stop/Go area is expected to only be approximately 10 minutes.
The recommended alternative route to Montagu is via the R316 (Koo Valley)  off the N1, and about 5 km beyond the Hex River Pass. The other alternative route to Barrydale and beyond is via the R324 (Tradouw Pass) off the N2, about 11km beyond Swellendam.

Well, I will close our January news letter wishing you all a Happy Valentine’s Day on the 14^tth February and
may you and your loved ones have a wonderful week-end.  Remember “Richard’s Supper Stage” has a
Special evening “Love on the Slopes” with love songs and not their usual “Kaapse Stores” if you wish to give them a visit.  For more information : bookings@richardscapetown.co.co

Looking forward to hear from you with news from you area for our February Newsletter or lovely photographs.
Take care and God Bless.

Thought of the Day:

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward
appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7

Corbett Tourism Consulting, Marketing and Tours
P.O. Box 11535, Bloubergrant, 7443
Cape Town, South Africa  
Mobile: +27 (0) 747 092 502 / 073 1409 700
elainecorbett@ctcmarketing.co.za
Twitter: ElaineCorbett7