100 Things To Do In Cape Town For Under R100 – Part 4

61). Test drive your Dream Car! Go test drive the car you have always wanted – it’s free and you get to live your dream (even if only for a few minutes!) No charge.

62). Help the Homeless by buying “The Big Issue” The Big Issue is many things to many people. To the reader, it is considered to be a refreshing read with its alternative take on the news and issues of the day. To the vendor it is seen as a lifeline to earn an income and often a welcome port in a storm. The Big Issue is a product that people are encouraged to buy through a street vendor. Vendors are self-employed agents of the organisation. They buy the magazine at just under 50% of the cover price and sell it on to the public at a healthy commission. Some vendors sell over 250 magazines a month! Support Cape Town’s Homeless and feel good… Visit: The Big Issue Cost: R12.00

63). Watch the firing of Cape Town’s Noon-day Gun on Signal Hill Signal Hill’s main attraction is the battery with the Noon Gun positioned just below the mountain top. Here a cannon shot is fired every day at 12 noon, to uphold an old Cape Town tradition. Then all people in the city look at their watches and smile. An officer of the Lion’s Battery hurries some minutes before 12 with a little powder bag to the Noon Gun and pushes the bag carefully into the cannon-barrel. Everybody steps back behind a white line for cover and the cannon gets automatically ignited by an electronic signal sent by the Cape Town Observatory in the suburb of Observatory. On special occasions, up to 21 shot salute can be fired. The access to the Noon Gun is through Bo Kaap (Military Street). Watch out for the sign-post on Buitengracht Street. Source: South Africa Travel Guide. No charge.

64). Go Cycling in Cape Town You can hire a bicycle from the guys at Downhill Adventures and go cycling around Cape Town for a day. They have the largest selection of bikes to suit all riders with maps and advice to get around the City and nearby beaches! Bicycle Type includes bikes with front suspension, high-performance Trek & Giant bikes. Rentals Include helmets and bicycle Lock. You need to bring bring a credit card (Visa or Mastecard) as a security deposit. Where to find them? Shop 10 Overbeek Building on the corner of Kloof, Long & Orange Street in Cape Town. Telephone: 021 422-0388. Bicycle hire is R100.00 per person per day

65). Champagne sunset from Clifton Beach Stop of at a bottle store and purchase a bottle of bubbly and head on down to Clifton Beach from about 4pm onwards. Spread out your blanket, open the bubbly and sit back and prepare to be wowed by a spectacular Cape Town Sunset! Cost: A good bottle of sparkling wine costs anywhere from R40.00 upwards.

66). A Site-seeing Carriage tour through the streets of Cape Town Cape Town Carriage Company offers the experience of exploring Cape Towns Central Business District and the Company’s Garden in style and allows a more sedate way of viewing the historical landmarks in this area. The tour is guided and your guide will provide a detailed and interesting narrative, about the history and occurrences that happened within Cape Towns wide and varied History. The Tour takes approximately 75 minutes (dependant on traffic) and the tour times are scheduled to allow visitors to the Castle to experience the free tours around the Castle prior of after there tours. Booking: 24 hours in advance. Where? Castle of Good Hope Carriage Tours. When? Mondays to Saturdays from 09:30 to 17:00. Telephone: 021 703-4396. Cost: Guided Carriage Tour from the Castle is R100.00 per adult.(Kids R50.00)

67). Help save a life by donating blood! Safe blood saves lives. Every day thousands of people would die if others did not donate their blood. By donating blood, you are giving a patient something money cannot buy and science cannot create. A single blood donation can equal three gifts of life, as nearly every blood donation is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets. The majority of transfusions are given to: Women who haemorrhage as a complication of pregnancy; Children with severe anaemia; Accident victims; and Surgical and cancer patients. By donating blood you make a difference! Visit the website to find out where you can donate and for additional info. Western Province Blood Transfusion Service Cost: No charge

68). Visit the Comedy Warehouse for a good laugh! For those looking for a guaranteed laugh – visit the The Comedy Warehouse, Cape Town to watch and experience Comedians from all over the world! When? Fridays and Saturdays. Where? 55 Somerset Road, Green Point. Tickets are R5.00 at the door. For additional Telephone: 021 425-2175. Cost: R5.00 per person, at the door

69). Enjoy a feast of Sushi at Willoughby’s at the V&A Waterfront Top-class sushi is only the tip of the iceberg of what’s on offer at Willoughby’s. This popular venue is a well-run outfit and always busy – the daily lunchtime queue for tables gives a clear indication of the quality and value for money offered. And if consistency is a measure, then they get the nod. Knowledgeable waiters will guide you through the varied sushi options and explain the rest of the balanced menu – always excellent Calamari and Linefish and do top off the meal with one (or two) of their tasty dessert selections. Well-priced wine list with a good selection of wines by the glass. Open daily for lunch and dinner from 11:30 to 22:45. Where? Shop 6132, Lower Level, Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront. Telephone 021 418-6115. The Rainbow Nation dish will cost you R64.00 per person.

70). Take in a show at Artscape Theatre Take in a show at the popular Artscape Theatre. Artscape Theatre Centre is the main performing arts centre in Cape Town. It was opened in 1971 and is located on reclaimed land in the Foreshore area. The complex includes an opera house, theatre and studio theatre. Telephone: Dial-a-Seat 021 421-7695 or book at Computicket. For details on What’s On visit the website at: Artscape Theatre. Show costs vary. Expect to pay from R60.00 per adult, kids from R30.00.

71). Breakfast at Cape Town International Airport Enjoy a breakfast at Cape Town International Airport and watch the flying beasts take off and land. For any person with an appreciation of both aerodynamics, science and man made machines (and food), this is definitely a unique morning experience. The airport offers a few restaurants to choose from. Breakfast from R30.00, watching the aeroplanes take off: Free

72). Beading… Go beading mad at the Long Street Bead Shop. With R101.00 you can buy a ton of beads and you will have yourself making earrings, necklaces, ankle chains and more before you know it! Where? 223 Long Street, Cape Town. Telephone: 021 423-4687. For more information, visit their website at Long Street Bead Shop (Beading classes also available) Beads start at about R9.95 for 100gms.

73). Side-splitting Comedy at Theatre Sports Cape Town’s longest running live show, TheatreSports, has become a tradition as it continues to delight audiences at Artscape. Similar to “Whose Line Is It Anyway” only live, local and funnier. Improvisation comedy at its wackiest. Teams of actors compete against each other by playing a series of games based on the crazy suggestions of the audience. Every show is different so you can keep going back for more. For an evening of highly original hysteria call Megan on 021 447-5510 or 083 440-3961 to reserve seats. Theatresports is on every Monday at the Intimate Theatre in Orange Street (R40 adults, R30 students) and every Tuesday at the Kalk Bay Theatre in Main Road, Kalk Bay (R50 adults, R40 students). Shows start at 20h30. From R40.00 per adult, R30.00 for students.

74). Buy a bunch of flowers from the Adderley Street Flower Sellers Between Strand Street and Darling Street, lies the famous Adderley Street Flower Market. Freshly cut flowers have been sold here on weekdays for over a hundred years. why not buy an exquisite and colourful bunch of flowers for a loved one? Freshly cut … Cost: A bunch of flowers from R25.00.

75). Pick your own Roses at Chart Farm in Wynberg Chart Farm is situated in Wynberg (adjacent to Wynberg Park) about 15 minutes from Cape Town city centre. Visitors can hand pick roses, fresh apples, grapes and nectarines. The farm boasts a beautiful rose garden where you can pick your choice of magnificent roses. There is also a farm stall selling a variety of tasty treats, and a coffee shop where you can relax and enjoy the view. Telephone: 021 762-0067. Cost: R4.00 per Rose (picked yourself)

76). Visit Ratanga Junction Theme Park More than 30 attractions including 24 rides ranging from Kids Rides to Family Rides and Thrill Rides for the more intrepid adventurers. Train Rides and Boat Rides add to the offer. Snake Shows and Birds Shows are guaranteed to enthral audiences, adding spice and variety to the full day’s entertainment. The white-knuckle thrills and spills, are only one element offered by Ratanga Junction. The other attractions are designed to entertain children, families, and those who prefer to take their thrills in more manageable doses. Where? Century City, Cape Town. Telephone: 0861 200-300. Phone to check days and times! Cost: Rides start at R50.00 per person

77). Summer Concerts at Kirstenbosch (Sundays). Picnic on the lawns or enjoy high tea at their Restaurant. Explore the Kirstenbosch Gardens with its indigenous trees, plants and ferns whilst taking in the magnificent mountain views. If you are in Cape Town on a Summer Sunday evening you can join the rest of Cape Town for one of the popular open-air concerts. Concerts last about an hour – very sociable vibe. Bring a blanket and a picnic basket! Where? Kirstenbosch Gardens, Rhodes Avenue, Newlands. Telephone: 021 762-9585. R35.00 per person for entrance fee and the concert.

78). LaserQuest LaserQuest is the world’s most popular and exciting brand of Laser tag game. Whether you’re 7 or 77 you’ll love the adrenaline-pumping exhilaration of stalking your opponents and unleashing a volley of laser fire in the battlezone of the 21st century. Where? Stadium on Main Rd, Claremont. Telephone: 021 683-7296. Cost: From R30.00 to R40.00 per person (depending on time of day).

79). Visit “Just Nuisance” in Simon’s Town Just Nuisance was the only dog ever to be officially enlisted in the Royal Navy. He was a Great Dane who from 1939-44 served at HMS Afrikander, a Royal Navy shore establishment in Simon’s Town. He died in 1944 and was buried with full military honours. You can read the full story about Just Nuisance at : Time Magazine: Just Nuisance.

Visit the Simons Town Museum the famous mascot is appropriately remembered in an exhibition of his exploits. In the collection you can view all Just Nuisances’ official papers, his collar and many photographs. A special display and a slide show giving the story of this famous dog is shown daily to children and tourists from all over the world. Where? Simon’s Town. No charge.

80). Go see a Movie at a Theatre near you! Have a night out and go watch one of the latest movie releases on circuit. With tickets and pop corn, you should still have change over from your R101.00. There are a number of cinemas around Cape Town including Ster Kinekor, Nu Metro and The Labia. Depending on the Theatre & time of day – From R30.00 – R40.00 per person.