Best Destination Marketing Campaign Award One Year Anniversary!

We were reminiscing this morning as it was exactly a year ago that the Cape Point Route Association walked away with top honours in Southern Africa for Best Destination Marketing Campaign at the Best in Tourism Marketing Awards hosted by South African tourism and Thebe Tourism and Events. The awards ceremony was held to acknowledge and reward outstanding achievement, excellence and creativity in marketing business tourism. The awards are not being hosted in 2008 so we are delighted to retain the title for another year.

It is hard to believe that a year has flown by and the destination marketing campaign has gone from strength to strength. Cape Point Route made a huge impact at Indaba 2007 with all the participants racing around Durban in bright orange t-shirts and talking with passion about our beloved destination. The www.capepointroute.co.za website has been upgraded and is being well received by visitors and product owners alike. The 2008 Guide to the Cape Point Route was launched in November 2007 for the summer season and distribution and demand has exceeded all expectations with requests coming from embassies worldwide to get stock of the brochure!

Despite the accolodes and recognition the true success of the destination marketing campaign continues to lie with the people who live, work and play in the beautiful Cape Peninsula. Without their commitment, enthuiasm and passion for their products and their home this destination would be just another pretty place to drive through and take pictures. Which just goes to prove once again that we are not a one night stand, we are worth at least three!

Love and Romance on the Cape Point Route

Hi there,

With the festive season and summer I have slacked off on the blogging but it is time to get back on track. Romance is in the air with Valentines Day on Thursday 14 Feb and most restaurants on the Cape Point Route have special offers for couples. Some of our suggestions are Boulders Beach Restaurant in Simon's Town, Thorfynns Restaurant at Monkey Valley Resort, Fish Hoek Galley at Fish Hoek Beach or try one of the restaurants at Noordhoek Farm Village. Rioja has opened at the old Solole Game Reserve and Pure at Hout Bay Manor is a great fine dining option. Do contact us for suggestions if these are fully booked or you looking for a sneaky alternative.

There are countless romantic options for lovers on the Cape Point Route - long walks on the beach, sunset picnics on Chapman's Peak Drive, boat cruises, or moonlight walks. There are some great delis to grab a picnic basket and don't forget the candles and the flowers!

Here is a selection of some of the events taking place on the Cape Point Route this week and into the weekend. Have a good one.

Thursday, 14th February 2008
Valentines Dinner at Fogeys Restaurant. Instead of a set menu we will be offering a selected menu from our new revised A la Carte menu with some tantalising specials. Amanda Tiffin will be playing some classic love songs accompanied by Shaun Johannes on Bass. We are normally fully booked for this event so please book early. Cover is R25 per head. Call 021 7883252 to make a booking

Friday, 15th February 2008
Mixed Brew will be performing at Fogeys Restaurant. Come watch as they present their magic entertainment and talent. Paul and Mike play a wide variety of music to fulfill your evening out. Come along and create the party with Mixed Brew. You can be reassured of an awesome evening out. Cover R25 – music starts at 8pm. Call 021 7883252 to make a booking.

Saturday, 16th February 2008:
Robin Auld will be performing at Cape Farm House. The Robin Auld Trio with Kevin Gibson and Schalk Joubert will be playing an electric and definitely plugged set, showcasing an album of new material and a selection of older tunes in classic rootspop style!
Address: Junction M66 and M65, bottom of Redhill Road 3km Past Scarborough
Phone: 021 780 1246
Time: 13h00 Gates 15h00
Cash bar and light meals available…. Al la carte menu available till 15h00
Cost: R50 Adults and R40 Students
Call 021 7883252 to make a booking

Festival Fever

It sure has been busy. I attended a workshop in Somerset West on the 3rd and 4th September - fresh from my spring splash and was great to hear the planning and action from the region in preparation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup to be hosted in South Africa - made me really excited.

Of course World Cup Rugby 2007 has started in France so eyes glued to the TV screens and we wish the Springboks the ultimate success and hope they bring the trophy home! Meanwhile the action is happening on home soil with Twenty 20 cricket, so more major sporting distractions for us all.

But somehow despite all the international competitions, the Cape Point Route has still been a buzz with festival fever. Last weekend was the Simon's Town Penguin Festival - we were priviledged to be invited to the opening launch and auction which was a real BEACH PARTY at Boulders Beach Lodge. Thanks to the team there for a fantastic evening and hope you raised loads of money for the penguins and SANCCOB. There seemed to be generous opening of wallets!

The weekend was jam packed with the environmental marquee on Jubilee Square as one of the main hits of the festival. Fascinating shows and talks, displays and activity were centered around the festival theme of preserving the environment in which we live. I am absolutely convinced no other festival is as environmentally conscious as the Simon's Town Penguin Festival - well done to the organisers and the community for highlighting the needs and concerns we face in today's global world.

But it was certainly not all doom and gloom - we had fun by participating in the Anything that Floats competition. Cape Point Route made an iceberg and had penguins on holiday cruising into the Simon's Town harbour where we were proud to win the most Seaworthy craft. (not too hard as we cheated and used a existing boat!)We were super impressed with the Girl Guide's Yellow Submarine float and faced stiff competition from King Neptune and his maidens from Mach 1 Security, although it may have been more leisurely to be pulled along by a kayak?!

The 5 km Fun Run/ Walk/ Waddle was just a little to close in time for us to get off the water and to the start line for a jog past the penguin colony, but we were delighted to see Darden Lotz of SANCCOB coming in for 3rd place in the Ladies section. Well done.

I will try and get some Penguin Festival Pictures up soon despite more excitement with the Baysider.com Spring Regatta on its way this weekend. When you see spinnakers and sails out in Fish Hoek Bay - it's the regatta. And if you want to get closer to the action call the False Bay Yacht Club on 021 786 1703 to book a spot in the spectator boat that will be heading out for the start of the day's racing. A chance not to be missed.

Cheers for now and enjoy the whales - daily sightings, lots of playing, leaping, lob tailing and spyhopping action from the sea giants!

Sally

Spring has Sprung

WOW - where did the time ago. Suddenly the weather is getting warmer and the days are longer and boy oh boy are things gearing up towards summer.

We started September with a Spring Splash! “Spring has sprung” declared Peter Davies, of Moonbay Guesthouse after a refreshing swim with a group of like-minded souls in the ocean at Fish Hoek beach on Saturday morning the 1st September.

With the official start of spring, Cape Point Route resuscitated the South Peninsula with an invitation to the people of Cape Town to join them for a group swim to shrug off the winter blues and celebrate the start of season.

A crowd gathered in front of Fish Hoek Galley and onlookers cheered as the winter coats, fleeces and beanies were peeled off by the brave swimmers. An apparently dreary day was not evident in the slightest as the crowd shouted “Freeze” for the group photograph.

Barbara Elshove-Schmidt of the Cape Point Route Destination Marketing Organisation for the Cape Peninsula welcomed young and old to the Cape Point Route and was delighted to see such a large turnout. Mr Eichel of Fish Hoek Galley blew the siren which heralded the dash for the waters of False Bay.

The yelps, shrieks, laughter and splashing surprised 3 whales who were having a morning cruise around Fish Hoek Bay but with true southern hospitality they welcomed everyone and in fact put on a show for swimmers and onlookers alike.

“We’ll be back next year” echoed the voices; “We feel so good” and “what a great way to start the weekend”, were some of the comments as the swimmers chatted after the splash with freshly brewed coffee in hand.

“This is sure to be an annual event for the peninsula” said Sally Grierson of Cape Point Route as everyone has been so enthusiastic to welcome spring and share this beautiful part of the world in which we live, work and play. “It’s a celebration of the south and the upcoming events in September – including the Earthwave Swim in Muizenberg on Sunday, the Simon’s Town Penguin Festival on the 15th and 16th and the Baysider.com Spring Regatta on the last 2 weekends of the month” concluded Barbara. Thanks to everyone who participated and we will see you all next year.

By Sally

Spring Splash on Fish Hoek Beach

CAPE POINT ROUTE is celebrating spring and the start of season

with a SPRING SPLASH on 01 SEPT at FISH HOEK BEACH ….

...Just because we can and so can you!

DATE: Saturday 1 September 2007

TIME: 09h30.

VENUE: Fish Hoek Beach, in front of Fish Hoek Galley

BRING. Cozzie, towel & ATTITUDE

Join the celebration of the People of the South to shrug off winter and welcome the start of season. Tourism is everyone’s business so let’s do it together. It’s free, it’s fun and we want as many people as possible to join together for a spring splash. No registration, no entry fee, no charity, no fundraising.

Bring your friends, relatives, kids, grandparents, staff …and yourself.

See you there (rain or shine!!)

THE CPR GIRLS

Sally, Barbara and Kelly

Images courtesy of Polar Bear Club (Clifton)

World first for the peninsula baboons - Art Exhibition

Baboon Matters is hosting the first ever art exhibition inspired by baboons in the world!

Over many years the issue of baboons has been the subject of heated emotions with people equally polarised in their attitudes. Those who dislike the baboons vent their fury and often go out of their way to hurt the animals. Conversely, the people who like the baboons and want to see them protected generally stay quiet on the subject and have not voiced their support and concern as loudly and the vociferous anti-brigade.

That is all changing – the pro-baboon masses are making their concerns heard and challenging the authorities to make adequate funds available for the successful management of these intelligent primates, and certainly more people than ever are expressing sympathy for these beleaguered primates..

Now the artists have become involved and this dynamic exhibition is a multi-media collection of creativity that captures the fascinating, humorous and contemplative side of baboons.

The picture attached is of Masiphumelele resident, Lebo Lefuma. He is fascinated by everything about baboons and has poured his passion for these creatures into his unique ceramic sculptures which show the many similarities between baboon and man in a humourous way.

View this diverse range of paintings, ceramics, photographs, metalwork, beaded work and wooden sculptures at the Sanlam Centre at Kirstenbosch Gardens.

Dates: 24 – 31 August
Times: 09h00 – 17h00 daily
Entrance:Free – all are welcome
Venue: Sanlam Centre, Kirstenbosch Gardens.

For more information contact Baboon Matters 0n 021 782 2015 or better still go down to Kirstenbosch to see the exhibition.

Sally

Whale song

At the southwestern tip of the African continent, we are privileged to have more than a total experience of land, sea, people and culture – we also have some of the most incredible whale watching destinations in the world.

Nowhere is this more evident at the moment, than on the Cape Point Route where there are daily whale sightings anywhere along the False Bay Coast. Yes the whales are here and you can see these giants of the sea from the road or even the train in some of the best land based whale watching venues on the globe. But the most astounding experience of viewing whales is seeing from the water.

I recently had the privilege of going to Cape Point on the high speed boat called “Awesome” operated by the Simon’s Town Boat company. And AWESOME it was indeed. We left Simon’s Town Waterfront on a perfect day – the ocean was mirror like, the sky a faultless azure and we whizzed to Cape Point with False Bay all to ourselves. We gazed in wonderment at the dramatic cliffs and wild waters of the very point itself and if you have never encountered this view of one of Cape Town’s star attractions then do yourself a favour and make a plan!

As we turned to head north, we saw a steam of spray in the distance and that means one thing – whales blowing! The spray was 3 – 4 metres high and is a distinctive sign of the presence of whales. We did not realize initially that this was a pod of approximately 9 humpback whales.

The spray was followed by a show of acrobatics – massive heads poking above the surface and a synchronized rehearsal of arched back and fins in the characteristic motion that gave the humpback whales their name. It is impossible not to awed at the sight of an enormous tail appearing out of the water and floating in the air, being swung around and slapped back down onto the surface of the water. I discovered that humpback whales have a patch of white on the underside of their flukes (tails) which are unique to each individual whale- just like a human fingerprint. A humpback whale tail is extremely good looking because of the colour contrast and the wavy shape. It must be said I was gobsmacked and it’s not often that I am speechlees.

Then these glorious creature disappeared- arched backs, tails high and Houdini-like they vanished into the ocean depths, leaving no sign of their presence whatsoever. Devastation for us boat based creatures, until WHOOSH – an extremely loud grunt, a stream of vapour and whale song right next to the boat. The songs were complex and beautiful, almost eerie with their haunting lingering squeaks and groans, clicks and moans. Humpbacks, it seems, are the most vocal of all whales and they should make a best selling CD.

So if you want theatre, a concert, a spectacle and the experience of one of the greatest shows on earth this weekend – book a whale watching extravaganza. You are likely to see Southern Right Whales (more common than humpbacks) or Bryde’s Whales. You will definitely see African penguins and Cape Fur Seals. If you are lucky you may see bottlenose dolphins for all these creatures have chosen the Cape Point Route as home.