Tag Archives: Nap

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 12/13 April

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Forbes has published a wonderful article by Fathom travel website about Cape Town and the Winelands, describing it as a ‘mix of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Napa Valley – with a little Bilbao thrown in‘.  It recommends Table Mountain, penguins at ‘Boulder Bay’ (sic) ‘Beach‘, ‘design-centric’ shopping at Cape Quarter, Lion’s Head, Robben Island, ‘Victoria and Albert (sic) Waterfront‘, a township tour, Simonstown, Surf Shack in Muizenberg, Delaire Graff Restaurant, and Babylonstoren.  For shopping O.live, Nap, Merchants on Long, Monkey Biz, and African Nova are recommended.  Restaurant recommendations include Harbour House, Live Bait, Grand Café on the Beach, Bungalow, Bistro Sixteen82, The Greenhouse, The Test Kitchen, and The Round House.

*   Henco J (his surname is not revealed) from Pretoria is one of three winners of the Jameson First Shot awards, an annual opportunity to have a short film produced given to a resident of South Africa, Russia, and the USA by Oscar winning actor Kevin Spacey.  The three winners will have their film produced in Los Angeles later this year, with actress Uma Thurman in the lead role in each.  Henco’s script is called ‘The Mundane Goddess’, and tells the story of Hera, the queen of Greek gods.

*   Palm Beach Illustrated writes with praise about South African wines, in an article entitled ‘South Africa Rising: Wine and Vineyard Renaissance’, and how these combine old-world tradition with cutting-edge techniques.  The article features Continue reading →

Department of Home Affairs Sweet Service and Primi Piatti Sour Service Awards!

Department of Home Affairs ID bookThe Sweet Service Award goes to the Department of Home Affairs in Barrack Street, which I had to deal with to replace my ID book after my handbag was stolen at the Nap coffee shop in the Cape Quarter in January.   I had not been in the building for many years, and was impressed that they supply SARS-style metal seating, which I did not recall, one having to stand in the past.  I was fortunate to have decided to go in the afternoon, so that I only had to wait for 90 minutes to have my queue number called. Luckily one has an ID book for a lifetime, and therefore one seldom has to enter the Department’s building a second time!  I was impressed with the efficiency of the staff behind the counters, and then noticed how much faster they worked, the closer it got to closing time at 16h00, hearing them mutter that the queue number issuer was still letting in people close to their closing time.  I was told that the ID book would take about 8 weeks to arrive, and was more than delighted when I received the sms to collect it after only 3 weeks. I only arrived at 15h00 on a Friday afternoon, and it took only 20 minutes waiting time to collect the ID book!  Perhaps this efficiency had to do with the registration for the upcoming General Elections! Continue reading →

Rocksole Shoes & Repairs Sweet and AIMWEB Sour Service Awards

RocksoleThe Sweet Service Award goes to Rocksole Shoes & Repairs in Wale Street in Bo-Kaap, for their make-good in repairing the zip of my handbag.  I had handed the bag in just before they closed for a Christmas/New Year break, and was promised the bag back on their last working day.  They were clearly under pressure, and the bag’s zip broke immediately when I used it.  The owner apologised for the shoddy work of his staff, and invited me to bring back the handbag, for the zip to be repaired again.  He did the repair in a speedy two days, and did not charge for it.  Ironically and sadly the handbag was stolen at Nap coffee shop in the Cape Quarter two days later! Continue reading →

Pick ‘n Pay Sweet Service and Exclusive Books Sour Service Awards!

Pick 'n Pay gift cardsThe Sweet Service Award goes to Pick ‘n Pay Garden’s Centre and its ever efficient Annie Hendricks, who assisted in getting Pick ‘n Pay gift cards, with high values loaded on them for use in paying municipal accounts, replaced when they were blocked after my handbag was stolen at Nap coffee shop in the Cape Quarter.  She also assisted in getting the value of the points on the stolen Pick ‘n Pay Smart Card transferred to a new card. Continue reading →