Newbie from South Africa - Page 2

Michele-In-SA · #11 (**permalink**) 18th March 2008, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeautifulMystique

Hi Michele! I love Cape Town. I just came back from Cape Town 3 days ago. Went there for the second time - am really thinking of relocating to Cape Town.

Wow Beautiful Mystique, that's awesome! What part of Cape Town were you in? You must have left just before the beautiful weather kicked back in. Yesterday and today are super super days. No wind, sun smiling.

Where are you now? UK? Would love to hear more about your experiences.

BeautifulMystique · #12 (**permalink**) 18th March 2008, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michele-In-SA

Wow Beautiful Mystique, that's awesome! What part of Cape Town were you in? You must have left just before the beautiful weather kicked back in. Yesterday and today are super super days. No wind, sun smiling.

Where are you now? UK? Would love to hear more about your experiences.

I was in Durbanville, Cape Town. The last 2 days I was there, it was very sunny but with the cold wind. It was superb. I'm not used to the coldness but one thing for sure, you guys sure have 4 seasons in one day!

I am in Malaysia - born and bred here.

The first time I was in Cape Town, it was the winter. Again, something new for me. In Malaysia, we have all year hot and sunny season which at the same time, we have the monsoon season. At the moment, it's been raining cats and dogs in the late afternoon. Winter for me was something new which I got used to after a few days spent in Cape Town.

The last visit was just last week - it was summer, as you know. This time around I got to go out more than I did the last time. Went to Milnerton Beach, Bloubergstrand and V&A. It was quite an experience eating fish & chips with birds flying everywhere above me!

I must say Cape Town is one of the most beautiful destinations I have ever been to. People are friendly and they are not just friendly to tourists but also with the locals - from what I have seen. Sad to say that certain parts of Malaysia, Malaysians are only friendly to foreigners/tourists. You don't get a lot of them wishing you a good morning or saying hi to you. Even neighbours don't do that!

MichelleAlison · #13 (**permalink**) 18th March 2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michele-In-SA

Michelle, I know just how you feel. I am forever picking up strays and end up having to keep most of them. There are just so many here. And there is absolutely no support for animals in SA which is one thing that really makes me somewhat angry. Most organisations rely on donations but that doesn't go very far. A lot of them have to close down due to lack of funds. I have another pet related business which I am hoping, as it grows, will be able to support animals organisations worldwide. My main aim in that is to get as many as possible spayed and neutered in order to cut down the population explosion of millions of unwanted litters. Oh dear, best I run along, this is a subject I could write on forever.

Chow for now,
Michele

It's such a sad situation and I hope to try and do something about it in the future.

Rachel_Heath · #14 (**permalink**) 18th March 2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

So what were you doing in Cape Town? Were you on holiday? You certainly chose the best of SA to visit I must say. The Cape is extraordinarily beautiful.

I was actually working at the time doing some IT work for Shoprite Checkers (the [then] new warehouse they set up in Brackenfell to replace the aging Parow one.

I did get a lot of opportunity though to do plenty of sightseeing to the vineyards (not Stellenbosch), Hout Bay (Houtbaai) (where I watched the sunset on more than one occasion), Simon's Town (Simonstad) and Fish Hoek (Vishoek).

I also took a trip up to Signal Hill and was captivated by the view of, not only Cape Town but also those huge arc-lights that lit up the side of Table Mountain.

Even today nearly 15 years later I still remember the feeling of awe I got when I first traveled into the city on the N1, seeing the new glass buildings along the landscaped streets of Adderley, Long and Loop, juxtaposed against the sheer might of the ancient Table Mountain.

Mesmerizing!

BeautifulMystique · #15 (**permalink**) 18th March 2008, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michele-In-SA

I am forever picking up strays and end up having to keep most of them. There are just so many here. And there is absolutely no support for animals in SA which is one thing that really makes me somewhat angry.

My BF's mother picks up stray cats and dogs too. He told me she'd get them neutered and let them stay at home with her! I love animals and would love to open up an animal shelter for cats and dogs. In the city of KL, we see a lot of stray cats and dogs - sometimes even when we bring them over to the shelter, they are often put to sleep!

Michele-In-SA · #16 (**permalink**) 19th March 2008, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeautifulMystique

I was in Durbanville, Cape Town. The last 2 days I was there, it was very sunny but with the cold wind. It was superb. I'm not used to the coldness but one thing for sure, you guys sure have 4 seasons in one day!

I am in Malaysia - born and bred here.

The first time I was in Cape Town, it was the winter. Again, something new for me. In Malaysia, we have all year hot and sunny season which at the same time, we have the monsoon season. At the moment, it's been raining cats and dogs in the late afternoon. Winter for me was something new which I got used to after a few days spent in Cape Town.

The last visit was just last week - it was summer, as you know. This time around I got to go out more than I did the last time. Went to Milnerton Beach, Bloubergstrand and V&A. It was quite an experience eating fish & chips with birds flying everywhere above me!

I must say Cape Town is one of the most beautiful destinations I have ever been to. People are friendly and they are not just friendly to tourists but also with the locals - from what I have seen. Sad to say that certain parts of Malaysia, Malaysians are only friendly to foreigners/tourists. You don't get a lot of them wishing you a good morning or saying hi to you. Even neighbours don't do that!

Sounds like you had a really awesome time! Durbanville is beautiful as well - I have family that stay there and we so enjoy the trip out there. As for 4 seasons in one day, yes, that's Cape Town! We are quite used to wearing layers of clothing - starting with summer outfit, add on some spring and autumn, and then top off with a winter jacket! One has to in this place otherwise you either freeze or boil!

Michele-In-SA · #17 (**permalink**) 19th March 2008, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichelleAlison

It's such a sad situation and I hope to try and do something about it in the future.

Me to. Let's keep in touch so that we can continue to encourage each other not to give up !!

Michele-In-SA · #18 (**permalink**) 19th March 2008, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rachel_Heath

I was actually working at the time doing some IT work for Shoprite Checkers (the [then] new warehouse they set up in Brackenfell to replace the aging Parow one.

I did get a lot of opportunity though to do plenty of sightseeing to the vineyards (not Stellenbosch), Hout Bay (Houtbaai) (where I watched the sunset on more than one occasion), Simon's Town (Simonstad) and Fish Hoek (Vishoek).

I also took a trip up to Signal Hill and was captivated by the view of, not only Cape Town but also those huge arc-lights that lit up the side of Table Mountain.

Even today nearly 15 years later I still remember the feeling of awe I got when I first traveled into the city on the N1, seeing the new glass buildings along the landscaped streets of Adderley, Long and Loop, juxtaposed against the sheer might of the ancient Table Mountain.

Mesmerizing!

Gee Rachel, you make me want to go on a tour of my own city again! You should be a travel writer or something. You seem to have a knack for describing things beautifully!

Michele-In-SA · #19 (**permalink**) 19th March 2008, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeautifulMystique

My BF's mother picks up stray cats and dogs too. He told me she'd get them neutered and let them stay at home with her! I love animals and would love to open up an animal shelter for cats and dogs. In the city of KL, we see a lot of stray cats and dogs - sometimes even when we bring them over to the shelter, they are often put to sleep!

Gee, there are so many passionate animal lovers here. I think as i said to Michelle, we should stay in touch so that we can encourage each other to do this and not quit when/if the going gets tough. First place to start I reckon would be getting advice/input from others who have done this? What do you all think?

BeautifulMystique · #20 (**permalink**) 19th March 2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michele-In-SA

Sounds like you had a really awesome time! Durbanville is beautiful as well - I have family that stay there and we so enjoy the trip out there. As for 4 seasons in one day, yes, that's Cape Town! We are quite used to wearing layers of clothing - starting with summer outfit, add on some spring and autumn, and then top off with a winter jacket! One has to in this place otherwise you either freeze or boil!

Oh I sure did have an awesome time! The guest house I was staying in is situated near a small town so it's a walking-distance to Woolworths supermarket and Mugg & Bean (I love the Chicken Mayo sandwich!). At the back of the building, there is the Durbanville's vegetable market - I love it because I could find all sorts of munchies. Good for watching TV before dinner!

The thing is, when BF said it was summer and that it was roughly around 15 - 23 (am I right?) - I thought it couldn't be too bad. I didn't bring any sweater or jacket with me. I walked around with my smallish Ts and shirts! I sleep without the fan switched on though - it's too cold for me at night! Just remembering the time I spent there... makes me want to go back very soon!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michele-In-SA

Gee, there are so many passionate animal lovers here. I think as i said to Michelle, we should stay in touch so that we can encourage each other to do this and not quit when/if the going gets tough. First place to start I reckon would be getting advice/input from others who have done this? What do you all think?

I'm in for staying in touch! It is sad to see all the stray animals. Just a few months ago, I found 3 kittens in the big garbage bin. They were in a box so I assumed someone must have gotten rid of them. I took them in and bathe them. Feed them using those small bottles. I couldn't keep any at the moment as it is only my father and I at home. My mother passed away recently, if not she would have loved to keep them while I am at work so I had to give them up at the animal shelter but I made sure it was the one that didn't put animals to sleep. I can't bear the thought of those younglings being put to sleep.