Table Mountain, as seen on postcards and advertising material is the typical view of the mountain from the Blouberg area.

Blouberg includes a couple of smaller seaside and inland towns of which Bloubergstrand, Milnerton and Melkbosstrand are the best known.

Bloubergstrand is a favorite holiday town with lots of accommodation options, restaurants, shops and long stretches of white beach for swimming and sun bathing during the summer months. Throughout the year the beach is a popular spot for walking and late in the afternoon, families, older couples and dog walkers frequent the beach area. Apart from walking, all kinds of other water sport are quite popular here due the strong winds in this area. The wind can sometimes make the beach truly uncomfortable but the surfers love it. Self-catering and beach house rentals are the favorite accommodation venues in Blouberg as families tend to prefer the area.

On the Rocks is one of the internationally acclaimed restaurants in the Blouberg area. It is basically on the rocks at Bloubergstrand and some of the favorite dishes are seafood platters and lamb shank. They cater for weddings and corporate functions and have special menus for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Ons Huisie (our small house) is the other favorite restaurant is the Blouberg area and the building dates back to 1800s. The restaurant owners did a good job of restoring the dwelling to create a true fisherman’s cottage atmosphere. The menu honors the West Coast style with a variety of fish dishes and spit and fish braais (barbeque). They also have a separate Christmas menu and are open seven days a week.

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Robben Island, Cape Town, South Africa as seen with Table Mountain in the background.

Robben Island is in the Western Cape of South Africa, approximately 7km off the coast and 12km from Cape Town harbor. This island is an  UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History

The island was first discovered by Europeans in 1488 when Bartolomeu Dias reached Table Bay.

Soon afterward it was put to use as a prison by the Portuguese, British and Dutch. From 1652 the island also served as a refreshment station for ships that did not wish to visit the mainland.

In 1658 the island saw its first political prisoner, Autshumato was stealing back livestock that was confiscated by the new European settlers, was tried and imprisoned on the island. Later the same century a number of people resisting Dutch rule over the East Indies were also shipped to Cape Town and incarcerated on the island.

In 1795 the British took control of the Cape. They continued to use the island as a prison and from the middle of the 18th century also used it as an asylum. In 1890 a leprosy colony as established on the island.

In 1936 the South African Defence Force took control of the island and improved the infrastructure by building new roads, a power station and housing.

From 1961 it was again used as a prison, primarily to house those opposed to the apartheid government of the time.

Today the island is a museum and tourist attraction.

Two shipwrecks spotted with Google Earth

While browsing around on Google Earth, I found two shipwrecks clearly visible. It appears as if these two wreckage’s are from the same ship yet information found indicates that they are from two different ships.

There are 4 listed shipwrecks around the Island, two as recent as 1998.

* Chanson de la Mer, (1986) at Shelly Beach
* Han Cheng 2, (1998) in Rangatira Bay
* Sea Challenger, (1998) in Rangatira Bay
* Fung Thu, (1977) on the South of the island

Layout of Robben Island

Click to enlarge

As seen above, the first photo is a view of both the shipwrecks, the Han Cheng 2 and Sea Challenger which both struck the island in 1998.

Visiting Robben Island

Due to limited facilities and conservation efforts, visits to the island is restricted to 1800 people per day. As at 1st February 2008 the waiting time to visit the island is two weeks, so if you plan to visit make sure that you book as soon as you arrive in Cape Town to avoid disappointment.

Ferries leave the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town six times a day. Trip time to the island is about 30 minutes. Book in advance, ph: +27 (0)21 413-4208. For information, ph: +27 (0)21 413 4200.

Be sure to book the trip to Robben Island in advance as the tours are usually booked up for several days ahead.

Want to take a helicopter flight to Robben Island? Contact Civair, +27 (0)21 419-5182.

Contact information for Robben Island:

Robben Island Museum
Telephone: +27 (0)21 409 5100
Fax: +27 (0)21 4111 059
Postal address: Robben Island Museum, Private Bag, Robben Island, Cape Town, 7400

Nelson Mandela Gateway

Telephone: +27 (0)21 413 4200
Fax: +27 (0)21 419 1057
Postal address: Nelson Mandela Gateway, PO Box 51806, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8002

Website: http://www.robben-island.org.za

And lastly we leave you with a beautiful of Cape Town taken from Robben Island.

Big Bay Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

Good Luck to all athletes!

BIG BAY in Blouberg Strand has been named as the venue for the second international 11global Olympic-distance triathlon race, which is to be held on Sunday 1 March.

The event, which was originally planned for Dolphin Beach, has been relocated to Blouberg Strand, where the organisers found the swimming conditions to be safer.

The Blouberg Strand showdown for triathletes from across the world follows on the first contest, held at Sun City in November last year. Erhard Wolfaardt of Bloemfontein and Czech star Lucie Zelenkova took the honours at Sun City. Kent Horner of Tokai and Vicky van der Merwe of Durbanville finished runners-up in the men’s and women’s competitions respectively.

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Credits to: Ian Wilson for the photo.

BEST Kiteboarding and  SA Kitesurfari School appear to be the two leaders on the Blouberg beach front for lessons, sales, kite rentals and a awesome vibe!

BEST Kiteboarding:

At Best Kiteboarding Africa, located in Cape Town, one of South Africa’s priemer kitesurfing spots, we offer the best advise and the best service, because all of our employees are friendly, honest and helpfull at all times and have a participating passion for the sport. In addition our instructors have to be IKO (International Kiteboarding Organisation) qualified as kitesurfing Instructors.

Visit Best Kiteboarding’s web site.

SA Kitesurfari School

SA Kitesurfari School has a shop very close to kitebeach on the Tableview beachfront.

We are the Importers of Cabrinha, Simmer, RRD and Neil Pryde wetsuits.

We also stock the following : Dutchie & Brewer Surf Boards, Dakine, FOX, Volcom Clothing, Arnette Sunglasses, Oakley Sunglasses, Reef Brazil Foot Wear and a wide range of DVD’s.

Visit SA Kitesurfari School’s web site.

And should you wish to contact either of the above mentioned shops,

BEST Kiteboarding Africa

Shop1, Portico Building
Athens rd,
Table View
7441
Cape Town
South Africa
+27 (21) 556 2765

Bruce Gonlag: +27 (76) 591 6069
Shane Scheckle: +27 (72) 521 6763
Lanral Ruddock: +27 (73) 952 2499

Email us at info@windfever.co.za

SA Kitesurfari School

Please note we are open 7 days a week.

Our South African office hours are :
October to March : 8am – 6pm
Apil to September : 9am – 6pm

EMAIL: grant@cabrinha.co.za
PHONE: +27 21 556 7910
FAX : +27 21 556 5002
PHYSICAL ADDRESS: Shop No. 4, Marine Prominade, Porterfield Road, Table View
POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 60725 Table View, Cape Town, 7441, RSA

Taken from Aquila Microlight Safaris web site,

Open cockpit microlight flying is undoubtedly the closest you will ever come to experiencing the true magic of powered flight. Considered the motorbike of the skies, a microlight is the ultimate flying machine.

Aquila strives to give you not only the joy of flight, but also to make your entire flying experience a memorable one!  From the original Luftwaffe flight suit, leather cappie and goggles you will wear during your flight, to the eccentric characters who will pilot your aircraft, you will never forget your magical microlight experience!

Here are some of the incredible photos! What a difference seen Blaauwberg and Table Mountain from just a few feet above the ground, almost looks like a totally different place.  Would you go flying? Leave us your comments below!

To all those love birds, Aquila Microlight are having a excellent Valentines special. Taken from their web site, here are the details:

Valentines Special – Valid for the month of February

1 hour coastal flight for 2 people including a romantic picnic on the farm with sparkling wine!

R2400 for the package

Book your Scenic flight now! For more information on Microlighting, Filming, Photography, Scenic flights and Training contact:

Aquila Microlight Photo and Film Safaris and Training
Contact Person: Trygve Skorge
Email: tskorge@mweb.co.za
Website: http://www.aquilamicrolight.com
Tel: 021 712 1913 or 083 580 7250

Aquila Microlight Safaris is based at Wintervogel Airfield on a privately owned farm near Malmesbury.

Have any adventure stories? Send them to articles@blouberg.co.za. Remember to include all the information!