Two Oceans Marathon

The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon presented by Nike is run under the rules of IAAF, Athletics South Africa and Western Province Athletics.

A marathon with global appeal is the Two Oceans Marathon. Hosted in the beautiful sea side city of Cape Town, the Two Oceans marathon attracts some 20 000 participants who willingly taken on 56 kilometers of open road and challenging mountain climbs. An interesting feature of the route of Two Oceans Marathon, is as the name indicates, it passes both oceans surrounding the South African shoreline - the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. It is therefore as stunning as it is challenging.

Runners will be begin their journey in Newlands and head out towards Noordhoek. It’s then that the most spectacular portion of the marathon begins - Chapmans Peak. The Two Oceans Marathon route didn’t include Chapmans Peak for a few years because of the danger of regular rock falls that led to the closure of this mountain pass. However, R156 million and a few engineering and construction feats later, Chapmans peak was reopened and was re-included into the Two Oceans Marathon route - much to the delight of regular entrants.

The toughest part of the Two Oceans Marathon, is undoubtedly the mountain climb known as the ‘Suikerbossie Pass’. After you’ve enjoyed the scenery of Chapmans peak and you’ve passed through the relative flats of Hout Bay, every ounce of remaining energy will be used as you climb this monstrous hill. The screams of supporters will edge you on to the top of this hill where you’re greeted by the welcome sight of the Atlantic Ocean.

Ultra Marathon Route: Chapman’s Peak Drive re-opened in December 2003, nearly 4 years after the scenic road was closed because of dangerous rock falls. The new road includes a number of additional safety features, such as 1560 metres of high energy catch fences and two curved canopy structures totalling 81 metres in length. The construction costs were in excess of R157 million.

Half Marathon Route: The half marathon route is along the same course as the ultra marathon for the first 6 km. Thereafter runners veer west through Plumstead and Constantia before reaching Rhodes Drive in Newlands and finishing at the UCT Upper Campus sportsfields.

Race Distances:
ULTRA Marathon 56 kilometres (34.8 miles)
HALF Marathon 21.1 kilometres (13.1 miles)



When: Saturday, 23 April 2011
Where: Cape Town
Categories: Sporting Events


If you would like to experienced the two Oceans Marathon and need accommodation contact us for more information: e-mail: riverlodgebackbackers@gmail.com or call us 0027214480526

12th Annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival has grown into a hugely successful international event since its inception in the year 2000. Attendance figures have increased from the initial 14 000 to 34 000 in the last 11 years.

Melodytrip has ranked this proudly South African event as No.4 in the world, outshining events such as Switzerland's Montreaux Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland.

The festival’s winning formula of bringing more than 40 International and Local artists to perform over two days on five stages has earned it the status of being the most prestigious event on the African continent.

Known as Africa's Grandest Gathering, the festival which will be in its twelfth year when it takes place on Friday 25th and Saturday 26 March 2011 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Once again Cape Town International Jazz festival will thrill loyal and new fans with world class music.



The community concert, part of the build–up to the 12th Annual CTIJF will again this year be held at Green-Market Square.

This well-attended event will start at 5pm on 23 March 2011 and features some of the top headliners that will also be performing at the Jazz Festival.




Cape Town International Jazz Festival organisers had to wait for more than three years to be able to find space in saxophonist Wayne Shorter’s busy schedule and get him to perform at Africa’s Grandest Gathering. According to espAfrika and festival director Rashid Lombard, as organisers they have always wanted the 77-year old saxophonist to appear in Cape Town. “For years, it’s been our wish to get Wayne Shorter to the festival. As a touring artist we could never get the time right. We are thrilled that this round this living jazz legend could make”. Cape Town International Jazz Festival: Packed with the Best

At the centre of every innovation that occurred in jazz in the last 50-years, Shorter leads his stellar quartet made up of pianist Danilo Perez, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Brian Blade at the festival that takes place at Friday 25 and Saturday 26 March at Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). The quartet, whose members are bandleaders of note has been together since September 2000. Shorter whose introspective saxophone tone is engulfing assembled the acoustic group as he took a turn towards music that predate his association with bands like the jazz-rock fusion outfit, Weather Report.

To join Shorter as headline acts is the 1970s band Earth, Wind and Fire (EWF) and US saxophonist Dave Koz. Rooted in soul, funk, gospel, blues and jazz, EWF emerged as the other wing of pop music of the 1970s, a wing based on Afro-American musical sensibilities. To produce its sound, EWF members used their skills as jazz musicians to produce brassy music that transcended categories. The results were everlasting hits such as “Shining Star”, “Mighty Mighty”, “Let’s Groove” and “Kalimba Story”. Although he comes from a different period, Koz’s approach is similar to that of EWF, production of well-crafted music that appeals to a wider audience.

A multifaceted artist, Koz not only plays saxophone masterfully, he runs a yearly Smooth Jazz Christmas Tour, owns a record company, promotes an annual Dave Koz & Friends Jazz Cruise and hosts a syndicated radio programme that is broadcast through smooth jazz stations across the US. It will not be for the first time that the saxophonist appears at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. He appeared as a guest at the festival’s 10th anniversary in 2009 where he shared the stage with guitarist Jonathan Butler. A sign of how popular Koz’ music is on these shores, the first country outside of the US where his recording gained platinum status is South Africa. His 1999 The Dance sold over 100 000 units.

As in previous years, there will be at this year’s event an equal split between African artists and those from abroad. To lead Africa’s contingency is West African griot Youssou N’dour and reigning queen of Afro-soul, Simphiwe Dana. In musical career that goes back to 1975 when he became a professional musician, N’dour has grown to be a musical ambassador of the African continent. With his voice he champions the cause of the entire continent. In many ways Dana is taking the same path. Since the launch of her 2004 debut album, Dana’s contemplative voice has won her one award after the other. It has also won her a huge following locally and internationally. In 2005 which is the last time that the silky-voiced singer appeared at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, her show was rescheduled and moved to a bigger venue as more than the expected number of music lovers came to hear her. With a stunning new Afrocentric recording Kulture Noir, those wanting to hear her sing will definitely exceed the 2005 crowd.

Part of the African squad this year is South African-based Mozambican saxophonist and flautist Ivan Mazuze as well as up-and-coming Angolan vocalist Sandra Cordera. Cordera who fuses bossa nova with strong Afro-jazz styles, was selected last year by Radio France Internationale (RFI) as one of Africa’s best 10 musicians. Cordera is the second Angolan artist to perform at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. She follows in the footsteps of singer Paulo Flores whose reception at last year’s festival is a testimony of how the audience at the festival is open musically.

Festival organisers are again sticking to programming that makes the two-day event not only memorable but a music show where attendees have choice that ranges from straight-ahead jazz sounds to more urban and contemporary styles. For those for more jagged chords and notes, they will have the opportunity to hear hot-blowing US trumpeter Christian Scott; Patricia Barber who is revered for her pianism and her contralto voice; and Cape Town-based guitarist, pianist, vocalist and gifted composer Dave Ledbetter. Known for his work with groups like the energetic Truly Fully Hey Shoo Wow Band and Boereqanga, the talented musician leads at this year’s musical extravaganza his own band, The Clearing. The band is presently putting final touches to its recording.
Programming at the festival continues to provide a stage for younger but serious musicians. On this year’s lineup is South African singer Lisa Bauer, Hong Kong-based Singaporean singer and producer Hanjin, and bassist/vocalist Esperanza Spalding. In addition to leading her band Spalding is a member of Joe Lovano’s new band, Us Five. Spalding, saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and drummer Francisco Mela were the rhythm section that accompanied McCoy Tyner at the CareFusion New York Jazz Festival in June last year. Always determined to cross barriers, Spalding is a rising star. Her latest recording weaves chamber music and jazz improvisation. Her bass-playing transfixes audiences and her multilingual singing hypnotisises listeners.

The lineup will be incomplete if there are no artists and bands that create nostalgia and a sense of déjà vu. One artist that will definitely create such feeling is US flautist Hubert Laws. Laws is one of the musicians that secured a place in jazz for flute. In the 1970s, Laws was the No.1 flautist in Downbeat readers’ poll for 10-years in a row; a position he held for seven year in the critics’ poll. He achieved this without abandoning his love for classical music. Throughout his career, the 71-year old flautist has demonstrated his ability to straddle effortlessly the worlds of jazz and Western classical music. After a partial withdrawal from the music scene in the mid-1980s, Laws is back, starting where he left off.

Surely to bring down the house is the old South African band, The Flames. Steeped in Atlantic soul and Motown sound, before disbanding in 1970 The Flames was one of the country’s top pop groups. The band was the first non-white South African group to reach the Top 20 charts of the whites-only Springbok Radio. The Flames is also the first group in the world to record with the label that the famous Beach Boys owned. The band’s appearance in Cape Town will definitely be a reunion and connect the group with thousands of its fans.

To provide contemporary sounds will be “lieutenants of funk, corporals of beat and renegades of rhyme”, Gang of Instrumentals, South African group that fuses electro, disco, funk, pop and African rhythms; Gazelle, and Monique Bingham whose name is synonymous with the live band Abstract Truth.

The artists revealed at the first artists announcement who will appear at this year’s festival are: Earth, Wind and Fire (US), Christian Scott (US), Dave Ledbetter and the Clearing (SA), Dave Koz (US), Esperanza Spalding (US), Gang of Instrumentals (SA), Gazelle (SA), Hanjin (Singapore/Hong Kong), Hubert Laws (US), Ivan Mazuze (Mozambique/SA), Lisa Bauer (SA), Monique Bingham (US), Patricia Barber (US), Sandra Cordera (Angola), Simphiwe Dana (SA), The Flames – Official Reunion (SA) and Wayne Shorter Quartet with Brian Blade, Danilo Perez & John Patitucci (US) and Youssou N’dour (Senegal) .

As part of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival’s commitment to the sustainable development of the Music Arts industry, the festival proudly presents a series of Workshops that takes place at various venues throughout the CBD and greater Cape Town area over an 8 day period. This social investment component explores various elements of the jazz world and includes Arts Journalism, Music Workshops, Music Business, Master Classes as well as many other workshops. Another element of the CTIJF is the esteemed Duotone Photographic Exhibition that documents the emergence and growth of jazz globally. The Community Concert (free to all) will take place prior to the festival on the Wednesday at Green Market Square and is a showcase of some of the international and local acts scheduled to perform at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

Two exciting new additions to this year’s workshops is The Juilliard School, New York - Conversations 2011: A Trans-Continental Jazz Event and The Berklee College of Music (US) -Auditions, Interviews and Clinics.

For accommodations or shuttle contact us at

riverlodgebackpackers@gmail.com
...Tel. Office +27 (0) 21 448 0526
Mobile +27 (0) 82 515 0407

Cape Town Pass .. for discounted rates on many many things :-)

The Cape Town Pass

I've found just what you've been looking for - A single card that provides cheaper access to numerous Cape Town attractions, as well as offering various special discounts.

You can use your pass card to hire a car, visit scenic locations such as Kirstenbosch Gardens and the Winelands, and dine at selected restaurant venues.

When you buy your Cape Town Pass you also get a comprehensive 160 page guide book printed in four languages, containing lots of maps and attractions. You could use the book to make the most of the flexibility you'll have available with the card.

You won't find a better way to get to know the best attractions in the Cape and get real value for your money at the same time!

The Cape Town Pass is an initiative which enables you to make the most of the most interesting and scenic tour attractions around the Cape Peninsula as well as provide you with access to various museums and restaurants. I fully recommend it.

When you buy your card you also get a monthly newsletter containing special offers, tips, articles and news about various well known Cape Town happenings, such as the Argus Cycle Tour, the Two Oceans Marathon and the Cape Town Festival. Not to mention useful information about local events such as the Cape Town Jazz Festival.

Your Cape Town Pass is prepaid and flexible. It is valid for between 1 and 6 days and you can choose the child (4-17yrs) or the adult version. You can also arrange for it to be validated from a specific future date.

Follow this link to buy yours now :-)
http://securebooking.org/bookings/?action=book&resource=407&skin=4

Joining the Argus Cycle Tour? .. Here is a few Do's and Dont's

Welcome to the greatest cycle tour. Since 1981, this writer has done the tour about 14 times and humbly advises the following dos and don’ts for Sunday’s Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour.

Don’t

l Don’t arrive late. Nothing beats being there with enough time to greet old mates; hoot at how fat or bald they’ve all got; hug with surprise compadres you last saw as a child; or settle your little sister’s nerves – this Cycle Tour’s only her first. Just savour the spirit. Ready, steady, go. Hoopla.

l Don’t be disheartened if, before you cross the start line at 9am, the winners are announced. If you put your back into it and crack about 2h28min yourself, you’ll still be declared winner.

l Don’t stress if, heading up Eastern Boulevard, you feel weak and pathetic after just a few hundred metres. You’ve probably been standing for the past hour. Your bony twigs will warm up soon. And you’ll soon be roaring down Hospital Bend at 60km/h.

l Don’t expect to see your bosom buddy and training partner for the rest of the race. Your most trusted companion will often turn into “Gus the Gasman” with a bit between his teeth, and you’ll only see him at the finish.

l Don’t forget to pay your respects to Capetonian statesmen like Just Nuisance as you pour a litre of liquid relief down your gullet at Simon’s Town’s water break. The Great Dane is just one of many esteemed citizens who deserve a doff of the cycling helmet as you pass through their home territories.

l Don’t eat too many raisins. The world will fall out of your bottom sooner or later.

l Don’t bodysurf at Fish Hoek – the dried salt in your shorts will leave you with a burning ring of fire for the next 70km.

Do

l Do savour the company of the girl or guy on the road next to you. Camaraderie’s far more valuable than all those hours on the road.

l Do ride like the wind if you’re feeling like a million bucks. Or if your body’s telling you to cool it, you don’t need a heart-rate monitor to start reading you the riot act. There’s only one perfect pace: the one that feels right.

l Do “eat, drink and be merry” at every stop. It’s going to be hot, it’s going to be draining, so fuel up.

l Do imagine seeing a collection of delights that the average tourist to Cape Town has flown around the world to see – the old historic mill before UCT, Constantia’s gracious vineyards, the first hint of salt air, the first glimpse of the sea, Surfer’s Corner pealing, kids at St James leaping into the tidal pools, the Greek Island vistas above Smitswinkel Bay, cresting the climb up to the Cape Point gate, the freewheel into Scarborough, songs out of Masiphumelele, the climb into heaven atop Chapman’s Peak.

l Do say a prayer of thanks at the top of Suikerbossie. It’s a metaphor, you see… you’ve climbed every mountain.

The Cycle Tour is one grand adventure – Cape Town’s finest experiences distilled into a few hours of perfect celebration.

In the words of the South African rock band Prime Circle: “And we say, live for today and not next week.”

Or, in the words of Dr Seuss: “Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to great places! You’re off and away!”

5 of the Best for Cape Town Backpackers

There are activities and activities. The things you would like to do when you go on vacation and what you can afford to do, and quite often they are not the same. But this is Cape Town, and we have something for everyone. And as a backpackers lodge we don't just offer budget accommodation, but activities to suit the pocket as well. Following is our top 5 activities for backpackers:

1. Penguin Kayaking Day Tour

This is a full day tour with a bit of everything! Starting off in the morning we head via the train to Simonstown, once there we take a short walk from the station to the harbour where your guide will relay some interesting historical information. At Simonstown harbour you get kitted up for the sea kayaking and spend the next two and a half hours paddling in 2-man kayaks to Boulders beach to view the penguins in their natural surroundings. Quite often other fauna like Cape Fur Seals and a number of different birds are to be seen as well. Before heading back we take a break and you can snorkel, swim or just relax. Once back at Simonstown harbour we take the watertaxi to Kalkbay where we have a well deserved lunch at the harbour. After satisfying the tastebuds we take the historical walk through Kalkbay through to the station and head back home after an exciting and fun day. No previous experience necessary.

2. World of birds & Seal Island

This tour is yet another popular full day tour based in Houtbay, with your trip to Seal Island in
a glass bottomed boat first thing in the morning. A variety of animals can be seen, but the seals take most of the attention. After returning we head for World of Birds where you can have a tasty lunch at their restaurant while relaxing in their lush garden while listening to all the different bird calls. With curiousity triggered we start walking through their many huge domed avaries after lunch. A wide variety of South African and other birds can be found here, and if you are not careful and owl might come and perch on your arm for a closer look :-) They have some primates as well and in one of the enclosures you can have the opportunity for some monkeys to come and say hello to you as well.

3. Lions Head Sunset Walk

Late in the afternoon we drive up to Signal Hill armed with a basket of snacks and some great
local wine. Once parked at Signal Hill we take the walk up to Lions Head and watch the sun set. The views are amazing of both the city and the sea and makes for a fantastic way to end the day in our beautiful Mothercity.

4. Sandboarding

In the mood for some excitement? This activity is guaranteed to get the blood flowing and is
the perfect half day activity with no previous experience required.

5. Harbour Cruise

Board a pirate ship and step back in time :-) This is ideal to see the harbour and coastline all
the way to Llundundo with great views of both giving a different perspective while enjoying a
drink of choice from the bar. The crew will also entertain and be sure to get smiles from all onboard. This can be organised at various times during the day and will take about 2 hours of
your time.

For pricing or bookings on these activities please contact us directly on (021) 4480526 or send us a mail at riverlodgebackpackers@gmail.com

A brief history and information on backpacker hostels :-)

History

In 1912, in Altena Castle in Germany, Richard Schirrmann created the first permanent Jugendherberge or "Youth Hostel". These first Youth Hostels were an exponent of the ideology of the German Youth Movement to let poor city youngsters breathe fresh air outdoors. The youths were supposed to manage the hostel themselves as much as possible, doing chores to keep the costs down and build character as well as being physically active outdoors. Because of this, many Youth Hostels closed during the middle part of the day. Very few hostels still require chores beyond washing up after self-catered meals or have a "lockout".

Differences from hotels

There are several differences between hostels and hotels, including:
Hostels tend to be budget-oriented; rates are considerably lower, and many hostels have programs to share books, DVDs and other items.
For those who prefer an informal environment, hostels do not usually have the same level of formality as hotels.For those who prefer to socialize with their fellow guests, hostels usually have more common areas and opportunities to socialize.
The dormitory aspect of hostels also increases the social factor
Hostels are generally self-catering
Communal accommodation. High-tech hostel lockers with electronic key locks.
There is less privacy in a hostel than in a hotel. Sharing sleeping accommodation in adormitory is very different from staying in a private room in a hotel or bed and breakfast, and might not be comfortable for those requiring more privacy. The lessened privacy is also an advantage in some ways, because it encourages more social interaction between guests.
Theft can be a problem, since guests may share a common living space, but this can be avoided by securing guests' belongings. Most hostels offer some sort of system for safely storing valuables, and an increasing number of hostels offer private lockers.
Noise can make sleeping difficult on occasions, whether from snoring, sexual activity, someone either returning late or leaving early or the proximity of so many people. This can be solved by carrying earplugs.

Types of hostels

The traditional hostel format involved dormitory style accommodation. Some newer hostels also include en-suite accommodation with single, double or quad occupancy rooms, though to be considered a hostel they must also provide dormitory accommodation.
In recent years, the numbers of independent and backpackers' hostels have increased greatly to cater for the greater numbers of overland, multi-destination travellers (such as gap-year travellers, and rail-trippers).
The quality of such places has also improved dramatically. While a few hostels do still insist on a curfew, daytime lockouts, and/or require occupants to do chores, this is becoming a rare exception rather than the rule, as hostels adapt to meet the changing expectations of guests.

Hostelling International (HI)

Richard Schirrmann's idea of hostels rapidly spread overseas and eventually resulted in Hostelling International, an organization composed of more than 90 different Youth Hostel associations representing over 4500 Youth Hostels in over 80 countries.Some HI Youth Hostels cater more to school-aged children (sometimes through school trips) and parents with their children, whereas others are more for travellers intent on learning new cultures. However, while the exploration of different cultures and places is emphasized in many hostels, particularly in cities or popular tourist destinations, there are still many hostels providing accommodation for outdoor pursuits such as hillwalking, climbing and bicycle touring; these are often small friendly hostels retaining much of the original vision and often provide valuable access to more remote regions.Despite their name, in most countries membership is not limited to youth.

Independent hostels

Independent hostels are not necessarily affiliated with one of the national bodies of Hostelling International, Youth Hostel Association or any other licensing body. Often, the word independent is used to refer to non-HI hostels even when the hostels do belong to another hostelling organization.The term "youth" is less often used with these properties. These non-HI hostels are often called "backpackers' hostels". Unlike a hotel chain where everything is standardized, these hostels can be very diverse, typically not requiring a membership card.As the hostel industry evolves, independent hostels and HI hostels are becoming more similar, with the word "backpackers" also now applying to many Hostelling International hostels.

Boutique hostels

The general backpacking community is no longer exclusively typified by gap year student travelers and extreme shoe string budgets. In response to demand, as well as increasing competition between the rapidly growing number of hostels, the overall quality of hostels has improved across the industry. In addition to the increase in quality, new styles of hostels have developed that have a focus on a more trendy, design interior.The phrase "boutique hostel" is an often-arbitrary marketing term typically used to describe intimate, luxurious or quirky hostel environments. The term has started to lose meaning because the facilities of many "boutique hostels" are often no different from hostels that aren't referred to with that label. Also, marketers and online booking websites sometimes include boutique hotels in lists of "boutique hostels," further diluting any specific meaning of the phrase.

Mobile hostels

A mobile hostel is a hostel with no fixed location. It can exist in the form of a campsite, a temporary building, or a short term agreement in a permanent building. Mobile hostels most often sprout up at large festivals where there exists a shortage of budget accommodation. As with regular hostels, mobile hostels generally provide budget accommodation for backpackers or travelers on a shoe string budget. As long as there has been a hospitality industry there has been temporary or otherwise unconventional accommodation. Seasonal B&B's and opportunistic locals who offer their private dwellings during high season are examples of this. The first ever commercial example of a mobile hostel can be linked to Hostival. It has sprouted up at Oktoberfest, Carnival,San Fermin, Las Fallas, and the 2010 World Cup.

Some usefull tips for the international travellers on car rental in Cape Town

What you should know when renting a car in South Africa

In Cape Town Car Rental can be arranged easily, but sometimes this simple task can develop into a nightmare if you do not do your homework beforehand and research your options.

During the last years we have rented cars with various companies in the Mother City for family and friends and also for business purposes but the vast array of experiences with rental agencies did give us some real insights I want to share here with you.

You would expect a rental car to be in excellent working condition and well serviced and certainly not to be with worn down tyres, broken windscreens or failing ABS, wouldn't you?

This did happen to us and could happen to you too. So make sure to book with a reputable Cape Town Car Rental company and check your rental vehicle, when you book it out!

Often it is better to have an extra day to get used to your car before going on your South African safari trip and noting that something with the car is wrong! Especially beware of run down tyres which are a weak point at many car rental companies even the bigger ones.

In this little Expat Cape Town Car Rental guide I will give you some tips for getting the right rental car in Cape Town and where you might find it.

Car rental companies in Cape Town

There are many car rental agencies operating in the Mother City. The major car rental agencies that also have got a desk at the Cape Town International Airport are as follows: • Avis Car Hire: www.avis.co.za

• Budget: www.budget.co.za

• Dollar Thrifty: www.thrifty.co.za

• Europcar: www.europcar.co.za

• Hertz: www.hertz.co.za

• National Alamo: www.national.co.za

• Tempest Sixt: www. www.tempestcarhire.co.za

Remember: Cape Town Car Rental prices often differ significantly.

Check also the insurance cover and excess which all the companies handle differently.

Even with these companies I would recommend you confirm your pick-up date via telephone the day before you want to collect the car. We experienced twice with different companies that the selected rental car was not available for the time and day we booked it and had a written confirmation for.

Always leave a little time window in your travel schedule for these inconveniences.

Car Rental in South Africa

When you rent a car in South Africa choose your car size wisely. Driving off the main roads even outside of Cape Town you will find that you really would drive more comfortably in a bigger car with better suspension because of potholes and untarred roads or roads with potholes.

Then to have air-condition in your rental car is quite a must in South Africa, especially in summer when the temperatures can feel scorching. I personally would not consider renting a convertible as I would advise to keep your windows closed most of the times to avoid confrontations with street vendors.

What to consider when hiring a car in South Africa:

• Get full/comprehensive insurance cover. Not all motorists in South Africa do have insurance cover, so you have to make sure you and your passengers will be insured.

• Insist on unlimited mileage. Distances often are longer than expected and calculated. Should you encounter roadclosures, the distances increase significantly here.

• Opt for Zero Excess, this means you will not have to pay for any damage to the car, like chipped windows or scratches even if you have to pay additional fees.

• Get written confirmation for one way rentals when booking. Transfers are often possible at additional cost, but must be confirmed to you in writing.

• Consider carefully the length of your contract. Often renting more than 14 or 30 days gives you more value and better prices. Depending on the length of your stay, consider taking out an annual insurance for the car too.

• Opt for a rental car agencies with Round-the-clock-breakdown service or check if your national automobile club offers a partnership with the local AA in South Africa. In any case you should have an emergency contact number in case of an accident or car breakdown.

• When booking with a frequent flyer card, check if special rates apply. Most of the car rental companies are members in an airline mileage program.

Cape Town Car Rental: Important Documents

• Valid Driver’s Licence: International Drivers Licence advisable, only mandatory if your national driver’s licence is not in English.

• Passport or Picture ID Card

• Credit Card or Cash Payment

Cape Town Car Rental: When something goes wrong...

Make sure you take out sufficient insurance cover for your car and maybe take out a passenger insurance too.

Always take along the break-down emergency number which you will receive from your car rental agency.

Should you have a car tyre puncture which is happening fairly often in South Africa due to debris on the roads, get the tyre fixed at a local Hi-Q or SupaQuick or KwikFit Tyres or Speedy Tyres Shop, just to name a few. There they check the puncture and repair it for you in less than an hour. It usually costs R30-40 for repair.

South Africa Driving Tips

Driving in Cape Town and surrounds is not much different than driving in many western cities, but if you drive through the countryside untarred roads will become more and more a common sight.

Capetonians are known for a quite aggressive driving style, but often you will feel less pressure driving in Cape Town than driving in any other metropolitan city in Europe or the US. In South Africa in general driving is easy with less cars and less congested roads outside the cities.

When renting a car in Cape Town, you should however be aware of the bad track record of Minibus operators and Truck Drivers. Taxi drivers in Cape Town are known for their aggressive and often offensive driving style and there are also some really typical South African road rules to observewhen driving in South Africa.

Cape Town Carnival

Cape Town Carnival at various locations

Event: Cape Town Carnival at various locations
Date: March 19th


Taking place on March 19th, this year's procession aims to replicate the success of 2010's inaugural event, which was attended by 2,500 costumed performers, who danced and sang their way along the route.

This year's carnival gets underway at 20:30 local time and will be led by 150 Harley-Davidson riders, who will precede over 2,000 dancers moving to the music being emitted from nine floats.

A special carnival corridor will be set up on Long Street featuring lights and lasers and once the last float has completed the route, the area will turn into an outdoor party.

Organisers claim the event "will have all the glamour and sensuality of Rio but with a distinctive African beat" and participants will be picked from more than 23 local communities in the Cape Town metropolitan area.

Image via Wikipedia

Great white sharks 'akin to serial killers'

Seth Borenstein

WASHINGTON: Great white sharks have some things in common with human serial killers, a study in Cape Town's False Bay has found: they don't attack at random, but stalk specific victims, lurking out of sight.

The sharks hang back and observe from a base that is not too close, not too far, hunt strategically, and learn from previous attempts, according to a study being published online today in the Journal of Zoology.

Researchers used a serial killer profiling method to figure out just how the fearsome ocean predator hunts, something that has been hard to observe under water.

"There's some strategy going on," said co-author Neil Hammerschlag, a shark researcher at the University of Miami. "It's more than sharks lurking at the water waiting to go after them."

Hammerschlag worked with researchers from UCT and other universities in initital research, and observed 340 great white shark attacks off Seal Island in False Bay.

The sharks feeding at Seal Island could simply have hovered where the seals congregated if they were random killers of opportunity, Hammerschlag said. But they weren't.

The sharks had a distinct mode of operation. They were focused. They stalked from a usual base of operations, 90 metres from their victims - close enough to see their prey, but not close enough to be seen and scare off their victims.

They attacked when the light was low. They liked their victims young and alone. They tried to attack when no other sharks were around to compete. They learnt from previous kills. And they attacked from below, unseen.

There's a big difference between great white sharks and serial killers and it comes down to motive. The great whites attack to eat and survive, not for thrills.

And great whites are majestic creatures that should be saved, Hammerschlag says.

"They both have the same objective, which is to find a target or prey or victim," said study co-author D Kim Rossmo, a professor of criminal justice at Texas State University-San Marcos. "They have to lurk. They want to be efficient in their search."

The human criminal has to worry about being caught by police and thus is even more careful, said Rossmo, who was a police officer for more than 21 years in Vancouver, Canada.

R Aidan Martin, a Canadian shark researcher who has since died, was reading a mystery that detailed the fairly new field of geographic profiling, which tries to find criminals by looking for patterns in where they strike.

He connected with Rossmo, a pioneer in that criminal field, and they applied the work of tracking down criminals to shark strategy.

Martin and Hammerschlag watched sharks from sunrise to sunset, applied the "fancy maths" of geographic profiling and came out with plots that showed there was some real stalking going on, Hammerschlag said.

Older sharks did better and were more stealthy than younger, smaller sharks, demonstrating that learning was occurring, he said.

The study focused on just one location, but the same principles are likely to be applied to other shark hunting grounds.

They can't really apply to shark attacks on people because those are so infrequent, Hammerschlag said. But if you could figure out the base of operations for the great whites, it would give you a good idea of places to avoid if you were worried about attacks.

Other animals, such as lions, also reveal strategies in their hunting, Hammerschlag said. Land animals have been observed more easily from the air or elsewhere on the ground.

Cape Times 22 June 2009 2nd Edition