Self-catering in South Africa & Accommodation in Cape Town

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Where to stay for Xmas period in Cape Town in South Africa:
LL Villa in Cape Town upmarket area

Holiday tips: Recipes for successful travel!
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for unforgettable vacation with luxury, utmost comfort and affordability

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WEATHER

a) November till April – considered by a majority in the know to be the excellent weather for summer vacations. From December – ideal for beach, boat-trips, mountains hikes.

b) For those who prefer cooler weather, recommended months are May – September. Pleasant weather in the afternoon, but chilling down at night.

c) Summer in Winter: Even in so-called Capetownian winter you could experience 2-4 sunny days per week when temperatures would rise above 20-24.

If you happened to spend some time in the Western Cape during winter and you still wish to enjoy summer sun, sun-tanning, swimming etc. then we would recommend you to go to Avalon Springs or other such places – where the summer is all year around. Only about 2 hours drive from Cape Town : from winter into summer.

SECURITY

GOLF : GOLF COURSES IN CAPE TOWN

Cape Town – a golfer's paradise. You can play golf almost in every area of Cape Town and surrounding areas. Cape Town's stunning golf courses are famous everywhere worldwide. The fees are very affordable, it is difficult to find anything that can compare with the quality of Capetownian golf facilities and it's in-expensive charges. Many people will wonder how local companies can sustain such enormous, beautiful green well looked-after areas at so low cost? The answer is pretty simple: excellent weather conditions, sufficient moisture and outstanding infrastructure of golf membership.

To play golf it is not necessary to stay at a golf-resort, especially if you prefer an active holiday – golf courses are widely available and almost everywhere at your door-step. Thus, even if your choose to stay in the heart of the city, at close proximity to major Cape Town attractions, you can still enjoy your favourite game at any suitable time for you.

SHOPPING MALLS IN CAPE TOWN.

::: WONDERLAND: CENTURY CITY (CANAL WALK)

Cape Town certainly deservingly holds the proud title of Shopping Paradise due to it's large number of huge sophisticated Shopping Malls: Waterfront (which is located close to the Atlantic ocean; Blue Route Centre further south; Kenilworth Centre Mall (KC) in the eastern shadow of Table Mountain, Eastern Touch of Multi-cultured VanGate, centrally situated N1 City,  Tygervalley on the slopes of Northern Suburb Hills, breath-taking Somerset West, multi-storeys elegant Claremont, etc – too many to mention.

And, particularly the pride of Cape Town: Century City (Canal Walk) – the largest Shopping Centre on the African continent, as well as in the whole Southern Hemisphere! City within City! With its rapidly growing surroundings, the most extravagant buildings, ultra-modern offices, without any doubt, the Century City Complex is inevitably  becoming a Heart of Business Centers and a Prestigious Loving HOME for all who value luxury modern life style, 24/7 security, breath-taking beauty and comfort. The moment you step into its residential area the atmosphere of fantastic combination strikes you! No wonder that the properties here are sold out in advance – any local or foreigner, whoever even once happened to come to the Century City Complex will leave this place with a new dream – to make his/her home here!

Century City is REALLY a Dream Paradise for everyone: it has already become an Ideal Place for foreign investors, for energetic local business-minded youth and well-established businessman (as it rapidly growing to become a most prestigious Business-centre in South Africa), for those who wish to live in modern super-surroundings and for senior citizens who desire to retire in style.

Splendour of stunning beauty, exotic views, lovely weather and total security – like a small Switzerland with uniqueness of African fragrance – it is MOST impressive and TOTALLY unforgettable!

The shopping mall Canal Walk consists of sophisticated cinemas, banks, currency exchanges, Science Centre, variety of shows, condola boat rides, medical rooms, prayer hall, countless numbers of eating outlets (most of them are halaal!) and over 400 shops that are open 9am-9pm daily. Moreover, at Century City Mall you can be assured that you get even more than quality for money. In Century City, despite it's prime locality,  you will get everything that most suits not only your desire but also your pocket: high quality goods at affordable prices, often-conducted grand-sales where you can pick up a real bargain, and the most exclusive items at reasonable prices. Century City stores are affordable to all, local and tourists alike, - everybody prefer to come here - to the most convenient shopping place, where you will always get good value for money!

AFRICAN GIFTS

Souvenirs from South Africa. If you are looking for a quality African souvenirs then you can't find better place than Waterfront with its Craft Market: there you will find items that will enhance memories of your trip to Cape Town . On Sunday we would recommend you to visit Cape Town 's African fleamarket: you will be charmed and overwhelmed by variety of unique handicraft by highly productive craftsmen. Colorful African paintings can become a most precious token of respect to your colleagues, skillfully hand-made woodcraft such as curved chairs, giant set of chess etc. certainly will help you to achieve your boss' appreciation and admiration by your friends, enhancing your exclusive taste and practical approach. Don't' forget to bargain – very often the price will go down up to 50% when you purchase 2 or 3 items of the same craft. Especially beneficial if you travel with group (or buying in bulk (5 or more) than the price can be cut down to such extend that you will be left to wonder how they still can make any business by selling such a unique handcraft at unbelievably low cost.

Last but NOT least: MEDICATIONS

Always have all necessary medications with you when travel. Among the local the DUTCH herbal medicines are highly recommended and a BEST-BUY (they are unique and you can find these Dutch medicines only in South Africa).

Water in Cape Town is of a high standard: very clean and extremely tasty. Thus, no need to buy special purified water in bottles unless you used to it.

PAIN RELIEF: secrets and tips:

For fastest result of pain relief pills (stomach ache, headache etc) take with hot boiled water (at least half a cup) and try to break the pill into small pieces (or even chew it if possible).

Local Pain-killer: Painomol
Painomol is excellent by its effect as a pain-killer and often more effective than other famous similar medications (and extremely cheap – about 1 USD for 20 pills!).

We wish you an unforgettable stay, pleasurable sensations and excellent health!

Enjoy Summer in Xmas and New Year: crystal- blue water of swimming-pools, white sand beaches, endless oceans' beauty.......

:::

About Malay Muslims in South Africa

The history of the Malay Muslims in South Africa (so-called Cape Muslims) started at the time of the 1st colonisation of the Cape by the Dutch East India Company.

First group of Muslims who came to Cape Town in 1657. They were 12 slaves from Madagascar and Java. The following year, 1658, it was a group of African Muslims from Angola. From that time cargo with slaves were brought regularly by Dutch.

Cape soon became the centre of competition between the European countries interested in very profitable slave trade and spice trade. Due to this Cape earned for itself the title “Tavern of the Seas”.

The Malays who were political offenders or prisoners, considered by the Dutch as undesirable, were reported from Batavia and other Dutch possessions. The numbers of Malays increased tremendously during the 18th century.

Traditional Food of Cape Malays

In general Malays were excellent cooks. Soon they rightfully gained a very good reputation in cooking and baking skills and were employed by the Dutch. In the process of learning the foreign recipes they added their traditional ingredients that greatly enhanced the Dutch's and others' national meals. Some Euro-Malay dishes and delicacies are very popular until today: for example, milk tarts are now so widely available and popular among all communities that it is almost a MUST in all shops, including even the biggest South African supermarkets.

Spices were the basis for trade between the East and the West and it influenced the food in South Africa . Indian finger-licking dishes and Malay skillfully prepared delicious meals and a variety of European recipes from all over the world makes Capetonian food very unique and suitable to any taste and any food/ health habits. In today's largest supermarkets, prestigious restaurants, McDonalds, Pizzas, KFC, Subways, as well as in regular cafes, small stores and even in outside stalls and mobile shops one can always find Halaal food. The food aspect plays an important role in Capetonian Muslim life and Muslims are tempted to eat out – as almost everywhere food is halaal and very tasty. Take-aways and fast delivery are also widely available. Even on Fridays after Juma Salaah tasty and inexpensive food is on sale – not only to gain fund-raising but also in order to give Muslim women an opportunity to come and gain knowledge by listening to inspirational lectures in the mosque instead of spending many hours in the kitchen on the sacred day of the week.

In some mosques musallees (people who regularly visit this particular mosque) – take turns in the opportunity to do a righteous deed – to provide Jumu'a food for sale as a fund-raising event.

Considering that such occasional revolving turns are infrequent, many ladies are freed of cooking on Fridays all year around except when it is their turn.

Moreover this food is prepared with an intention for donations, fund-raising for needy and poor, for educational needs in madressa in the mosque. And last but not least, to free other women's busy schedule and to avail them an opportunity to come to the mosque and to gain more knowledge and not to worry what her family will eat for lunch that day.

Muslims love dinner outings and Sunday lunches with their families. It is almost impossible to find a husband who won't spoil his wife with regular visits to local restaurants and/or cozy cafeterias.

Muslim women here are greatly respected and treated with high appreciation, and are usually provided by their husbands with a domestic worker– so that the wife can have more time f.or education, family and herself.