“Winter is Coming” is the motto of House Stark, in the television series Game of Thrones. The meaning behind these words is one of warning and constant vigilance. With the onset of winter and harsher weather conditions, the risk of rock falls and road closures on Chapman’s Peak Drive are likely to increase. Away from medieval fantasy, it is the month of May in Cape Town, which is autumn. It’s a beautiful time of year…

Driving over Chappies after the fire, is a mixture of emotions. The smell of smoke and fire is still strong, you can taste smoke in the back of your throat and you do those little irritating coughs, because you throat is scratchy and uncomfortable.  Soot and ash clings to your toes but it is the visual devastation at the wasteland on the slopes and the charred remains that wrenches the heart. Despite the sadness to…

#Chappies is OPEN following the March 2015 Cape Fire. Please read the statement issued by Donald Grant, Minister of Transport & Public Works issued on 9 March 2015.  See original Statement HERE.  Chapman’s Peak Drive to Open after Fire Damage Assessment | Western Cape Government This morning (9 March 2015), I visited Chapman’s Peak Drive to receive a report from the concessionaire, Entilini, of assessments done following severe damage caused by the fires that ravaged the Southern Cape…

The much loved Cape Town Cycle Tour will have a new route and a shortened route on the 8 March 2015, due to the massive wildfire that has ravaged the southern peninsula of Cape Town since 1 March.  David Bellairs, director of the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust released the following statement regarding the cycle tour. CLICK HERE TO VIEW NEW ROUTE MAP  CAPE TOWN CYCLE TOUR ANNOUNCES THE 38TH YEAR AS THE “SHOW YOU CARE SOLIDARITY RIDE” (Cape Town,…

Scheduled Alien Vegetation clearing will no longer be taking place after the Cape Fires of the first week of March 2015. There is nothing to clear!  The Aliens are back… or did they ever leave?  The Allies of Humanity and Natural Resources have been monitoring the Alien Presence on Chapmans Peak Drive and have issued a statement. Chapman’s Peak Drive is rich in natural resources and “ALIENS” are resource seekers. They are here to seduce our delicate eco-systems,…

At the beginning of each year, the number of cyclists increases substantially due to the Cape Town Cycle Tour which takes place annually on the second Sunday of March. The Cycle Tour is the biggest cycle event in South Africa and one of the largest timed events in the world, and attracts thousands of visiting cyclists to Cape Town. Many of these cyclists are not regular riders and not always accustomed to cycling on the…

a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media. Cape Town is a beautiful, multi-cultural city with amazing backdrops for snapping mountain or beach photos, colourful characters and architectural and cultural delights as well as unique wildlife like penguins at Boulders Beach (Note to Self: Add this to Top #Selfie Spots in Cape Town list) Here is our list of 10 of the Top #Selfie spots in Cape Town  (in…

For some people driving Chapman’s Peak Drive is a once in a lifetime experience. For others it’s a regular journey through paradise.  If you are lucky enough to live in Cape Town, you could be driving in paradise and getting a discount! Chapman’s Peak Drive is a toll road and the current toll for a light motor vehicle is R38 for one direction, which means a return journey is R76.  With the frequent user discount you start receiving…

Chapman’s Peak Drive is often referred to as one of the most scenic drives in the world. Cruising the 9km route with 114 curves, a rocky coastline dropping into the Atlantic Ocean and colourful sandstone sedimentary rock towering above you, is a jaw-dropping experience. Do it at sunset and you will be gob-smacked. The rocks glow in golden light, the sea shimmers and sparkles and the smiling faces looking at the view pose for classic…

Chappies may be all about the drive but the drive is nothing without the view.  The view from the Hout Bay Side is picture perfect and you can actually access #Chappies for FREE without having to pay the toll tariff! Did you know there is a Chappies Day Pass Voucher? Coming from the Hout Bay side only, ask at the toll booth for a Day pass voucher and you can hike and picnic and take photos for…