Spring is here and I couldn’t be more exited.
Spring is the season of new beginnings and this part of the world comes alive again. Fresh flowers bloom, animals awaken and temperatures slowly start to rise.
Here are 10 great reasons to enjoy Spring:
Flower Season: The spring flowers of the Cape West Coast, Cederberg and Namaqualand in the are known worldwide. These areas of South Africa become a carpet of wild flowers. The Clanwilliam Flower Show is usually held at the end of August. The show usually starts the Friday before the final weekend in August. Every year about 400 species from 32 families are exhibited in their typical setting at the Clanwilliam Flower Show.
2. Table Mountain and the Cableway: Table Mountain is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World and boasts exquisite views. You can either hike to the top or catch the aerial cableway which is a thrill on it’s own. I love spending a few hours walking around, enjoying the stunning views and little dassies. The majestic mountain always leaves me feeling calm, renewed and grateful for the experience.
3. Wine Tasting: After 142 days of lockdown and alcohol sales forbidden for most of it, I would like to support local wine farms. We are spoiled with variety here in Cape Town and our wines are world class. A relaxing day outing, enjoying the beauty of our surroundings, sipping on a glass of wine sounds like a fabulous way to start off celebrating Spring.
4. Beaches: Cape Town has the most phenomenal beaches. I have traveled to quite a few beautiful countries and I can honestly say that Cape Town beaches are among the best in the World. As the weather warms up, I can think of nothing better than to take a long walk on the beach, my toes in the sand or sit and read a good book on many of our great beaches.
6. Hiking: For those of you who like to be more active and enjoy being out in nature, Cape Town has exquisite hiking trails. Hiking is a natural exercise that promotes physical fitness, is economical and convenient, and requires no special equipment. I really fell in love with hiking during the winter months when most public spaces were off limits. A wonderful App I discovered was https://www.alltrails.com/. We will still have waterfalls during spring and flowers make the scenery extra beautiful.
7. Wildlife: Animals become active in spring. They arise from winter sleep, migrating, breeding. Animals that have been hibernating come out to seek food and mates. Love is in the air. You can even hear the birds chirping way more that they usually do. Some of the best places to go during Spring is the Kruger National Park (located in the north-east of South Africa) as well as Hermanus for the annual Whale Festival. Hermanus is known as the capital of whale watching for Southern Right Whales. The whales arrive in early spring as they come to calve, mate and raise their young in the sheltered waters in Hermanus. There is the definite excitement in the air.
8.) Surfing: If you’re up for a good time and a laugh then I really recommend surfing at Muizenberg. I’m not sure you can call what I did surfing but I did manage to stand…and fall off. My belly ached from all the laughter which is definite soul food and welcomes Spring. There are quite a few Surf Schools that rent out equipment and give great surf lessons.
If surfing is not quite your thing then I would recommend taking a drive through Muizenberg to Kalk Bay. Kalk Bay has some very interesting shops, a vast selection of restaurants and stunning views. You could easily spend a full day in this little fishing village gem.
9.) Shopping: Some retail therapy is always a good way to spend a few hours. The V&A Waterfront is a great outdoor shopping mall with many activities to choose from. Whether you’re visiting Two Oceans Aquarium, viewing the awesome yachts, spoiling yourself with some new clothing or enjoying one of the many great restaurants, you can always find something to do at the Waterfront to celebrate Spring.
10.) Braai, family & friends: This must be my favourite reason to celebrate Spring. Being able to get together with family and friends again after the lockdown and have a good old South African ‘braai‘. A ‘braai‘ is short for ‘braaivleis‘ which means to grill (meat, fish, anything really) over an open fire. It is a wonderful social occasion and opportunity to catch up on all the happenings…also to plan on doing all the above.
Spring is here, let’s celebrate life and the fact that we made it through the toughest of Winters and lockdown. Cheers to Spring!
xx Nades