Bianca Coleman
It’s all very confusing: some schools went back yesterday, some are only going back tomorrow.
Something to do with a bunch of public holidays all close to each other around the end of April – and as we all know by now, Capetonians will grab any opportunity to take some extra time off, and single days in-between holidays are considered the same way a dieter knows food eaten directly out the fridge contains no kilojoules.
They are free and our God-given right. Work on a Tuesday between a Monday and Wednesday public holiday? Don’t make us laugh!
Whether your sprogs have already been dragged kicking and screaming into the classroom or not, chances are they’ll still get those days off anyway, so we’ve rounded up a few activities that you might want to keep in mind for that eventuality, or for what might be the last day of freedom today. There is some stuff for grown-ups too.
l Butterfly World, just off the N1 (exit 47) is an indoor tropical garden full of hundreds of exotic butterflies in the most eye-popping colours and patterns (and a few other creatures too). It’s a magical place where you can not only have the butterflies flit around you or land in your hair, but you can learn about them too.
Such as that they are more active on hot days because they like the sunlight. If you go on a cloudy, cool day they’ll be lazing around and you can get a good close-up look at them.
Butterfly World is open daily from 9am till 5pm. Besides the displays, there is a gift shop and restaurant. Entrance is R43 for adults, R25 for children older than three and R37 for pensioners and students. Ask about group and family rates. Telephone 021 875 5628.
l Ratanga Junction (Century City) is only open during school holidays and weekends, so leap at this chance to ride the Cobra, which is by far the main reason to visit the theme park.
Sorry for you little ones who are too small. The roller-coaster hurtles you along 779m of track, up to a height of 32m, and at speeds of close to 100km/h at four times the force of gravity. It’s pretty darn cool.
The Slingshot is quite amazing too. They strap you into a giant sleeping bag then pull you back in the manner of a catapult and let you go. Crocodile Gorge and Monkey Falls will get you wet, and the Congo Queen swinging boat might seem tame in comparison, but for some reason there are people who can’t handle that stomach-churning drop.
Me, I love it, but I’m still a wuss when it comes to Ferris wheels, so go figure, and don’t judge.
Other attractions include those balls in which you can walk on water, bird, science and magic shows (separately, not all together), arcade games and a children’s play park.
Besides the high-adrenalin rides, there are loads of smaller ones for the children under 1.07m (which is the general height restriction for the hard core rides). If you are 1.3m or smaller, you pay R70 to get in for a day of fun, fun, fun. Adults pay R142 and non-riders R45. More info at 021 550 8500 or www.ratanga.co.za
l Sadly, I didn’t get the chance to try this out myself this season, but I’ve heard it’s excellent fun – the Cool-Runnings tobogganing out in Tyger Valley, opposite Bellville Velodrome. It’s a 1.25km twisty, steel half pipe you can hurtle along screaming at up to 40km/h, sitting on a glorified wooden plank.
It should appeal to the kid in all of us, for who didn’t build similar – although much less sophisticated – contraptions and launch ourselves from high places, thus giving our mothers premature grey hair?
Open weekends and school holidays 9am till 6pm, Tuesdays to Fridays noon till 6pm. For children up to age 14 rides cost from R20 for one to R160 for 12 goes, and an unlimited day pass is R220. For 15-years-old and upwards its R25 to R190 or R240 for the day. Multiple ride tickets (but not day passes) can be shared. Book at www.webtickets.co.za or buy at the gate. More info: 021 949 4439.
l They say there’s nothing as much fun as messing about on a boat. As long as you don’t get seasick, I suppose. What I do know for sure is that a cruise out of the V&A Waterfront offers a wonderful new perspective on Cape Town, the mountain and yes, even the Cape Town Stadium, and there is no denying the romanticism of a sunset cruise.
The Waterfront Boat Company does a number of cruises, such as one that includes either lunch or dinner at 221 restaurant. I reckon you could score serious brownie points come Valentine’s Day if you surprise your significant other with a 90-minute champagne cruise followed by dinner.
For the less sedate there are also combo packages like a spot of power sailing on the Esperance and then a high-speed ride to Clifton on a jet boat. Add in a helicopter flip for a triple whammy.
There are a number of other water-based packages and activities, from shark cage diving to learning to sail. For more info, call 021 418 5806 or see www.waterfrontboats.co.za
l The Peninsula is blessed with outstanding scenic beauty and if nothing else, you can simply go for a drive following the coast from one end to the other, through Hout Bay, over Chapman’s Peak all the way to Cape Point and then back along through Simon’s Town, Kalk Bay, St James and Muizenberg.
Or take Ou Kaapse Weg and take in the Constantia winelands or a tour of the brewery at SAB.
Do it in your own vehicle – or splurge out on renting a classic car, limo, Harley Davidson or old-style motorcycle with sidecar.
But for a unique road trip that will turn heads, call up Dieter Losskarn (021 791 4366, 082 343 3229). He’s got one of those big ol’ yellow New York City checker cabs, lovingly restored to pristine condition, and it’s available for hire by the hour or for the day. It’s a thing of great beauty and if you want to learn more about the cab itself, have a look at Dieter’s website, www.lossis.com
l Find Escape Times articles online, at www.capetimes.co.za