Another rainy weekend in Cape Town

By Liezel van der Westhuizen

The Mother City is known for its breathtaking scenery, but since moving here I have learnt that as soon as the winter weather arrives, the locals stay indoors. Now this weekend looks as if it’s going to be another one of those weekends and I thought I’d make a list of things to do if it rains in Cape Town. There really is no need to stay at home as there are so many activities to choose from to keep yourself and the entire family entertained over the next 48 hours.
Here are a few winter activities to partake in this weekend despite the weather.

• Pay a visit to the Irma Stern Museum in Mowbray. Erma Stern was one of South Africa’s major artists who went unrecognised for many years before her vibrant canvases achieved recognition. The museum is on the corner of Cecil and Chapel Roads in Rosebank and is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10am to 5pm. Entrance is R10 an adult and R5 for children and pensioners.

• Go wine tasting and enjoy the delicious wines on offer along the various wine routes just outside our city. Take a drive to Franschhoek. There are plenty of little coffee shops, book stores and specialty shops that will not only keep you occupied, but you’ll almost feel as though you’ve travelled to a little piece of Paris – right here in Cape Town! Most wine farms will have a fireplace and comfortable seating inside. Relax and enjoy and have a glass of wine or two. Order a plate of bread and tasty cheeses or enjoy a full farm style lunch.

• Another source of entertainment is The V&A Waterfront where you can choose from a variety of activities such as Cave Golf; a large craft market; superstores; high fashion; movies; and there are also lots of things to keep the youngsters occupied, like the scratch patch located near the aquarium.
The Two Oceans Aquarium is another treat for young and old that will keep you occupied for hours. The Aquarium is one of the top tourist attractions in Cape Town and over 3000 living sea animals, including sharks, fishes, turtles and penguins can be seen in this spectacular underwater nature reserve.

• The District Six Museum is also well worth a visit if you want to learn more about the thriving community that was uprooted during Apartheid. It’s only R15 entrance fee for adults, and R5 for students. Visit them on 25A Buitenkant Street. (Call 021 466 7200 for more information.)

• Another ideal activity on a cold rainy day is to pay a visit to The Planetarium, which is housed in the South African Museum building in Cape Town. It is a celestial theatre in the round, utilising the complex Minolta star machine and multiple projectors to transport the audience through the wonders of the universe: the ultimate in armchair travel.

The city also has a variety of indoor markets such as The City Bowl Market in Hope Street, which is a wonderful creation consisting of stalls featuring vintage clothing, great coffee, wooden arts and crafts and so much more. Walking around and chatting to the warm and friendly locals will cost you absolutely nothing. The market is open every Saturday between 9am and 2pm. Just outside the city is the Bay Harbour Market, described as a real place for real people. Also informally called the Hout Bay Market, it is the epitome of Cape Town’s relaxed atmosphere. Trading times are Friday 5pm to 9pm; and Saturday and Sunday 9:30am to 4pm.
With so much to do this weekend, there’s no reason to sit at home and brood over the weather.

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