Getaway May_2019

getaway.co.za 25

UNIQUEFINDS

‘Kalidas(akaHarry’sSurfShop)

is a familybusinessthat’sbeen

aroundfordecades,

sellingclothing,shoesand

beachwear.’ 116 StGeorge’s

Street,021-786-1885

‘Craftart& Galleryis my

go-toplaceforgiftswith

a localflavour.’128 St George’s

Street,021-786-1997

CUratoratthESImoN’StowNmUSEUm

‘Themuseumwasestablishedin 1977 tocollectand

preservethehistoryofthecommunity,withtheemphasis

onitsdiversityoforigins,culturesandreligions,andto

highlightthesignificantroleweplayedinmaritimeand

globalhistory.Atfirstthemuseumwasintheold

Headmaster’sHousebutnowit’sinTheResidency,built

backin1777.I startedworkingat themuseumin1988,

doingtheexhibitionsandresearch.Evenafterallthese

years,everydaybringsnewactivitiesandeveryday

I learnsomethingofvalue.Simon’sTownis spreadout

alongthecoastlikea ribbon,squeezedbetweenthe

mountainsandsea.I likethatit stillhasa small-townfeel

andI loveournaturalresources– oneofmyfavourite

walksis theoldbridlepath(WillisWalk)alongthetopof

Boulderspenguincolony.’CourtRoad,021-786-3046

ESCapE Neighbourhood

Simon’s town, Cape town

Characterful port and HQ of the SA Navy, this nautical enclave with its cobbled alleys and secret coves

is a popular stopover on weekend Peninsula drives. History buff CATHY SALTER gives us a local’s tour

Tara Osborne, suppliedDo a historic ghostwalk in the ‘most haunted little village in SA'. Friday and Saturday nights. R100 pp. Find it on Facebook.

GraBaCoFFEE

‘You’ll find the best in town at

Think Coffee – that’s where

I get my cappuccinos.’

It also serves milkshakes, juices

and smoothies. 92 St George’s

Street, 073-472-5487

‘Or I’ll have a chai latte at The

Lighthouse Cafe.’ [See above]

GEtSoCIaL

‘Jubilee Square is the heart of

the town and hosts musical

events, markets, celebrations and

commemorations. The town jetty

is a nice place to relax, and

from there you can take a

cruise with Simon’s Town Boat

Company.’ 083-257-7760

‘The Two & Sixpence Tavern

is the most popular for the

young crowd.’ 88 St Georges

Street. 021-786-5735

‘I prefer to have a drink

on the veranda at Bertha’s,

overlooking the waterfront.’

1 Wharf Street, 021-786-2138

LoCaL CUISINE

‘The Lighthouse Cafe does

wonderful lunches and dinners,

and often has specials on the

menu. My favourite is the

chickpea burger.’ 90 St George’s

Street, 021-786-9000

‘For a treat, go to The Sweetest

Thing and order a fruit tartlet or

the brownie mousse cake.’ 82

St George’s Street, 021-786-4200

‘Thebaywasnamedby Simon van der Stel in 1687. For centuries Simon’s Town existed in relative

isolation because the Dutch and British found the land route from Muizenberg treacherous. But

due to the port, our interaction with foreign sailors, settlers and travellers gave Simonites their

distinct character. We have the blood of nations from the four corners of the globe running

through our veins, as proved by a DNA research project held at the Museum. Simon’s Town

developed around the West Dockyard, where the VOC built the Pakhuis in 1743. It was later the

Royal Navy’s South Atlantic Base for 144 years. The greatest tragedy was when more than three-

quarters of the people were forcibly removed during apartheid. Every Heritage Day since 1996,

the Museum has an event bringing former residents back to Simon’s Town.’ simonstown.org

looking back