Agendaart, travel, design and lifestyle

Art - Riaan van ZylTravel - Incredible IndiaDeco - Welcome to Sunset Avenue

Pretoria'sCafeCulture

Lifestyle supplement by WealthWise magazineClick to read!

Dec/Jan 2012FREE

Contents

Art page 4 Riaan van Zyl

page 8 The Gallery at Duncan Yard

Lifestyle page 1 4 Pretoria'sCafe Culture

Design

Comments or suggestions? Email us ateditor@wealthwisemag.co.za.

Dec-Jan 201 2 3

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Agenda

Travel page 26 Incredible India

page 39 Westin Mumbai

page 44 Welcometo Sunset Avenue

Art

Riaan van Zyl

RAs an Artist, Riaan van Zyl is always looking for new and

exciting projects to work on.

A lot of reading, visual research and thought goes into every

single work. This creates a lot of substance that the artist

then leaves open for the viewers to come to their own

conclusions. Riaan speaks passionately about his art. “I

usually get very much into what I do. I would forget the world

around me and end up being covered in charcoal as much

as the canvas”, he says with a smile.

Riaan’s approach to sketching and painting is refined and

expressionistic. He is concerned with the movement and

quality of marks within his overal l compositions. A patchwork

of mark making including stripes, complex l ines combine in

harmonious brush strokes within his different but

recognized subject matter.

Many collectors and art critics marvelled at the way he

confidently commits paint and charcoal to his large

canvases. Riaan's work is truly different and reflects his

focus of becoming one of the most recognized artists in the

world.

"I would forget the world around meand end up being covered in

charcoal as much as the canvas"

iaan van Zyl's sketches are truly unique in their style and

construction. They bring a strong, yet gentle view of his world

and focus on the nostalgic beauty, movement, pattern and life

found around the world.

Dec-Jan 201 2

Van Zyl has worked

with known artists and

has been part of an

extensive number of

group exhibitions.

Riaan is a member of

the 'ART Professionals

Worldwide',

'Association of Art

Museum Curators' and

'Dubai Business

Network' among

others. He worked

within a closed society

of artists in Kalkbay

and has exhibited

around the world.

He continues to exhibit

regularly both locally

and international ly and

is currently showing

his works in gal leries

around Cape Town,

Johannesburg and

Pretoria. He has

recently hosted his

very successful 1 6th

solo exhibition -'Pulse'

in conjunction with

Vergenoegd Wine

Estate at the 'NGR' in

Buitengracht Street,

Cape Town.

Exhibitions

5

Art

What motivated Riaan van Zyl to become an artist and choose

painting/sketching?

I wanted to be an artist since I can remember. While travell ing

through Europe, I was moved by the history and wealth of art.

People there use art to enrich their surroundings and life. That was

something that spoke to me. I decided to do art professionally while

sel l ing my art on piazza Navona in Rome. I t is there that I found that

people responded to my work and that I find a lot of pleasure in this.

On my return to South Africa, I wanted to keep creating and

enriching l ife with art. I love to work with l ine and form and although

I studied different mediums, working with charcoal just progressed

natural ly. I now combine oil painting and charcoal to create strong

emotive images.

How would you describe your work? Do you have a ‘favourite’

object or scene in mind when you choose to paint/sketch?

My work is bold, expressive and a lot of visual research goes into

every work I create. For me it is necessary to try and bring the

viewer closer and make him/her actual ly look and confront the work.

I do this by careful ly considering the subject matter. . . for the last

three years my work concentrated mainly on trees and the

sketching of trees in the landscape. I must say that I am very

fascinated with trees and find them always in balance, sculptural

and growing against gravity with great strong l ines and form. Thus I

think that trees are my favourite objects to draw at the moment.

Do you draw inspiration from the African continent in your works?

Since I returned from overseas, I find that Africa has always been

boil ing in my blood. I t is what I know and what I feel the closest to.

From long road trips through the Free State and Karoo, camping

out in the bushveld or sleeping on the beach, there is inspiration in

every landscape and every community in this country that cannot

be found anywhere else.

What is the message of your latest art exhibition, “Pulse”, and how

is this different from your previous exhibitions?

In the last few years my conscience turned towards re-thinking the

way we live and do things. My art has focused on the

environment and living greener without giving up our comfort. In

other words, being clever about how we do things. I now create

works of the best quality from recycled materials. I worked on

Xanita boards with recycled car oil and oil charcoal. The main

theme running through all the work in 'Pulse' is that trees form an

almost cardiogram against the surrealist skyl ine, creating a pulse

of the earth that we humans share every day.

If your works of art could be described in just one word, what

would that word be?

'Layered'

text by Denisa Oosthuizen

photos by Riaan Van Zyl

7Dec-Jan 201 2

Art

The Gallery atDuncan Yard

The circular space sti l l gathers the nostalgic feel ing of Duncan Yard’s

appearance, but it is the variety and density of modern art creations that

makes The Gallery so different. The limited space was cleverly used to

incorporate as much as paintings, sculptures and instal lation art as it can

accommodate, starting with the outdoor walkways and ending with the

sunlit courtyard.

Among the medieval turrets, spiral staircases, narrow cobbled alleys and

vintage-inspired shops of Duncan Yard l ies an unconventional gal lery

where modern art is given a well-deserved twist in a both welcoming and

engaging atmosphere. The Gallery at Duncan Yard speaks out present-

day art without the white, cubic walls and the intimidating atmosphere of

galleries in general.

The Gallery atDuncan Yard

The Gallery we see today is the creation of owner, curator and artist Cecily

Pohl and manager, artist, styl ist and chef Robert van den Berg. First opened

as a student art gal lery (initial ly upstairs), the space was given a whole new

look with Cecily’s arrival in January 2007, herself a ful l-time artist who

previously used to manage the fine arts department of a retai l store in

Pretoria, while sti l l taking part in exhibiting her own work after hours. A year

later, The Gallery has doubled in volume, incorporating the corner courtyard

and establishing itself on the ground floor.

“I have reopened the gallery with the money I received from sell ing my own

art. The aim was to create a platform for young and upcoming unknown

artists, to build in them the confidence they need to exhibit at bigger galleries.

We often look at students’ work and final exam exhibitions in search of new

talents. Most importantly, we wanted the gallery to be in a public space,

where everyone can feel at ease”, says Cecily.

The gallery now stocks impressive works from over 70 local artists. Along

with exhibitions of her own and Robert’s pieces, the Gallery invites works by

guest artist, careful ly selected in terms of technique, concept, content and

size. One can virtual ly find everything from Perspex jewelry, wooden lamps,

ceramics, mixed media work and collage, printed t-shirts and animation to oil

paintings and sculptures and even local art magazines. Most of the art is

brought by l ittle known artists and it’s not surprising at al l that this exposure

gives them the chance of being noticed.

Such is the case of self-taught artist Hosea Matlou, now an award-winning

artist, whose range “pen and fire” is now in demands at solo exhibitions and

overseas. Regular exhibitors include new artist Thelma van Rensburg,

painter Louis van der Heever, Kobus Walker, Ronel Kellerman, Estie van der

Merwe. The Gallery also features works of established artists such as Helena

Hugo, a frequent exhibitor at ABSA Gallery in Johannesburg and Nicolene

Louw, whose animation paintings and printed t-shirt make great humouristic

gifts.

9Dec-Jan 201 2

Art

“We strongly feel that everybody should be able to buy art. We have both

art col lectors and the general public among our cl ientele. I t helps that we

have very affordable prices and unique art. We try to keep our gallery very

different and we’re lucky to be in this public space”, says Cecily, who

reports cl ients from as far as Switzerland, England and France.

Cecily’s own work has its own strong signature design. I t’s contemporary,

described as a mixed media work incorporating collage, paint, crayons,

metal and wood, but at the same time evokes a rustic, nostalgic feel. She

likes to use blues, orange and rusty browns in her compositions, most of it

landscapes and people portraying the South African look and feel.

Sculptor, styl ist and chef Robert van den Berg adds his own distinctive

touch to the gallery. His works represent an unusual green, functional

design, incorporating elements such as wire, cement and found objects

into architectural creations.

“We’re moving towards green design”, says Robert. I mostly recycle

elements – branches, wood and metal - to recreate new works of art and

revive old memories by using antiques and old objects brought by other

people. Basical ly I bui ld everything from nothing and give it a meaning”, he

adds.

For Robert, the journey into art began with a piece of left over cement

transformed into functional art. His creations caught Cecily’s eye and now

include oil burners, pot plants, lamp fittings, sculptures and carvings, al l

exhibited in The Gallery’s courtyard. The gallery’s sculptor is also a

qualified chef and regularly exhibits his unusual work of art at other local

gal leries.

There’s no doubt that The Gallery at Duncan Yard is a popular place.

There’s always something fresh inside and the artwork exhibited changes

on a monthly basis to keep the visitors interested and guessing. And to

make it even more fun than it already is, Cecily and Robert often organize

events and workshops to interact with the public at large.

“We had so much fun with the World Cup on our shores – we had a strong

focus on our African arts and culture and we created small souvenirs for

tourists to take home. We also had a Women’s Day workshop in August to

celebrate aspiring female artists and some of our work is regularly

exhibited next door inside Papa’s Restaurant, at various functions and

other exhibitions if requested”, says Cecily.

The Gallery’s events and projects are another reason to keep in touch. A

couple of years back, the owners organized a special exhibition of works by

children of the Art Cradle Project, a non-profit organization aiming to teach

life’s values to under privi leged children by means of art. “We started with a

group of children from Sunnyside, Pretoria that encourages the use of creative

arts. They had never been exposed to art, didn’t know what a painting or

gallery was”, said Cecily. The public was invited to support the children’s very

first exhibition and purchase their art works at a nominal amount.

The Gallery also attended the “He(art) in the Garden” small exhibition,

annually held in a private home in Centurion, where art lovers truly feel at

home. But perhaps the most spectacular events is the Christmas exhibition, a

perfect occasion to pick up unique and affordable small gifts and presents.

“We are focusing on theme-orientated exhibitions and events. I t’s a concept

we have started with various embassies – Ital ian, Mexican and Indian for

example – which brings together elements that apparently don’t mix in unusual

artwork. This way we encourage artists to bring out their creative spark”,

explains Cecily, whose idea of organizing a “Boere Chinese” expo might just

be a good, fun start to get in touch with South Africa’s creative voices.

“We strongly feel

that everybody

should be able to

buy art. We have

both art col lectors

and the general

public among our

cl ientele. I t helps

that we have very

affordable prices

and unique art. We

try to keep our

gallery very

different and we’re

lucky to be in this

public space”

11Dec-Jan 201 2

Art

The Gallery at Duncan Yard is so much more than a place crammed with

affordable original art. Both Cecily and Robert would call it an inspirational

journey in African art. Leaving the gallery empty-handed is hard to imagine –

the venue’s magic feel wil l fol low you everywhere you take your purchase with

you. And that is just one of the reasons of what makes The Gallery a must-

visit destination.

text by Denisa Oosthuizen

photos by Denisa Oosthuizen

1 3Dec-Jan 201 2

Lifestyle

Pretoria'sCafe Culture

Pretoria'sCafe Culture

South Africa’s administrative capital has seen a bustl ing café culture

society since the early 1 900s. We uncover some of the greatest street

style coffee spots in the Jacaranda city, with delicious cappuccinos and

the occasional del i , art gal lery or shop. Enjoy!

Café Riche is the oldest coffee shops and bistros in Pretoria. Situated on Church

Square in the very heart of Pretoria CBD, Café Riche was original ly established in 1 905,

closed down and re-opened in 1 994. The pictures on the walls and the wooden furniture

tel l a rich history of the city, being instant attractions.

Famous for its mix of local tourists, international visitors and VIPs, the quaint street

coffee shop is unpretentious, with fresh pastries, sandwiches and daily specials and a

fast and friendly service to match with. Order a cafe latte or creamy cappuccino (R20),

lay back and watch the passers-by through the tal l glass windows or stay outside on the

wooden benches.

Popular food choices include sandwiches, Mediterranean pastas, Tabouleh style

vegetables and summer salads. For a l ight snack, go for a fresh sandwich – the salami

and mozzarel la sandwich served with rye brown bread (R45) and butter is del icious.

Café Riche is more than a hot spot for bistro lovers. Fresh pastries are baked daily from

6am to midnight and the bistro is ful ly l icensed, with several famous Belgian beers on

the menu. The place regularly opens for concerts and events. Every last Friday of each

month, known as the Philosophy Café, sees a multi-cultural event with famous lectures

from local and international speakers.

Café Riche is located at 2 Church Square, Pretoria central. Visit www.caferiche.co.za

for more information.

1 5Dec-Jan 201 2

Lifestyle

Tribeca Coffee Co. is a popular place among locals for its friendly, buzzl ing

atmosphere, synonym with the bustle of city l ife. The walls inside are

covered in impressive past and present photos and the outdoor vibe is

great.

The food complements the ambience with extensive options for breakfast,

lunch or dinner, including salads, wraps, burgers and pizza. We relished in

the Hot Dog Duo (R48) and the Chicken Caesar Wrap (R60), both delicious.

The best part is their coffee specialties, in any way you might think of: hot,

cold, frozen or iced. The Frozen Mocha, a frozen latte with chocolate syrup

(R27) is out of this world and certainly addictive.

Tribeca Coffee Co is well worth a visit for its decadent coffees and state-of-

the-art coffee roaster (the company has its own impressive coffee factory).

Launched in 1 996 in Pretoria, Tribeca has grown into a playful and

cosmopolitan brand, with a countrywide network of 55 cafes and a huge

crowd of fol lowers. We are definitely fans of their coffee cuppa.

There’s a Tribeca Coffee Co. at the Design Square in Brooklyn, in the

vicinity of Brooklyn Shopping Mall and another in Pretoria’s CBD, 220

Vermeulen Street, Mutual and Federal Building. Visit www.tribeca.co.za for

more detai ls about the brand’s rich history and coffee shop locations.

+27 Design Café is different. Doubling as a designer hot spot and gallery,

with art and local design visibly on display, exhibiting the work of young

Pretoria designers and photographers, the café has its own urban street

vibe. Breakfast or lunch is served outside overlooking Hatfield’s busy

Duncan Street or in the courtyard, where the student crowd often meet for a

quick drink and bite (the place is a walking distance from Hatfield Gautrain

Station and the University of Pretoria). A huge bonus is the free WiFi zone.

The menu is simple, mainly consisting of croissants, sandwiches and mini

burgers at very affordable prices (R30 on average). The chicken breast, sun-

dried tomato and olive croissant is heavenly and the cappuccinos and

smoothies are just great. Highly recommended for a l ight snack or lunch and

fairly priced designer gifts, this is a real gem. Look out for the monthly

exhibition openings with l ive music. Find +27 Café Design on the corner of

Duncan and South Streets, Hatfield and check their Facebook page (27

Cafe) for latest updates, news and exhibitions.

1 7Dec-Jan 201 2

Lifestyle

Café 41 is best known for its buzzl ing, welcoming and cosmopolitan

atmosphere and great selection of food, from Ital ian paninis to ful l

Mediteranean mezze platers. Both and indoor and outdoor eatery, it’s the

outdoor laid-back ambient we love the most. Brunches are a pleasure in the

outside quaint l ittle garden, complete with a fish pond, in Eastwood’s Vil lage

Café 41 . There are a couple of Café 41 franchises around Pretoria, the original

located in Groenkloof.

The cosy café with continental fare has a nice selection of coffees, hot

cappuccinos, espressos, frappes and iced coffees. The upside down

cappuccino, with layers of espresso, milk and foam served in a tal l glass (R20),

is highly recommended. For breakfast or lunch, try one of their gourmet

sandwiches or design your own with the fi l l ings of your choice from an

extended list. We loved the small I tal ian ol ive Panini with smoked chicken and

Rigatto cheese and the smoked beef with haloumi cheese (R35 each). I f you

are in a hungry mood, the menu offers salads, pasta and meals, including a

variety of seafood and meat dishes. Freshly baked cakes, Turkish delights and

ice creams complete the savoury experience.

With orange burnt walls, classy contemporary furniture and a retro-inspired

menu, Café 41 has its own personality. The extensive menu and the wine

pairing recommendation for the mains (a good selection of wines is available)

make it a winner experience even for the amateur foodies. We are definitely

coming back, even just for the mezze platters!

There’s a Café 41 at Eastwood Vil lage in Arcadia, corner Eastwoods and

Pretorius Street, one in 57 George Storrar Street, Groenkloof and if you are

l iving in Joburg, you might want to try the newly opened Café 41 in Sandton

Eye, corner Rivonia and West Street, opposite Gautrain Sandton station. For

more information visit www.cafe41 .co.za.

Carlton Café and Delicious is a quaint hip street-style coffee shop, daytime

restaurant and deli in the popular Menlo Park suburb, Pretoria East. With a few select

pavement tables and an enviable menu with wholesome, seasonal food made with the

freshest ingredients, Carlton Café is a favourite among locals thanks to chef-patronne

Rachel Botes, a law graduate turned out cooking aficionado, and her inventive dishes.

Expect breakfast and lunch fare with a twist, l ike the French-style three egg omelets

served with sun-dried tomatoes and buttered spinach or the oven toasted grissone

with beef biltong and creamy blue cheese, served with fresh papaya and sweet chil l i

sauce. The menu has everything from deli sandwiches, ciabattas, sarmies and

croissants to salads, prego rol ls, main dishes and delectable cakes and tarts.

There’s so much to try, but to make it easier for you, look out for the recommended

daily specials written on the blackboard. I couldn’t resist their spicy deboned chicken

breast served with mushroom, leek, new potatoes and sherry sauce (R72), paired with

a small cappuccino (R1 3,50) on a Tuesday lunch meeting. I t was absolutely delicious.

I f you’re not a coffee drinker, enjoy a variety of chil lers, lemonades, fruit juices and

soda, but do bring your own wine to accompany their food as the premises are not

l icensed.

1 9Dec-Jan 201 2

Lifestyle

I f you want to bring the flavors home, try their del i fare, Delicious, where

jams, ol ive oils and baked goodies can be bought. Carlton Café and

Delicious are a best-kept secret and gem for delicious and unusual food

that wil l make you come back for more. Carlton Café and Delicious is

located at 71 1 3th Street, Menlo Park, in Menlo Park Center (opposite

Hazelwood shopping center). Visit www.carltoncafe.co.za for detai ls.

Boston Kitchen and Deli has been an institution in Pretoria since December

2007. This intimate, Parisian-style street del i and coffee shop, also referred as

Boston Café by its connoisseurs, is famous among locals for its home-made

cooking fare, decadent sweets and delicious coffee. With less than 20 tables,

inside the deli and spil l ing outside on the pavement, it is the perfect place for a

quiet meal or cappuccino.

Situated between the suburbs of Menlo Park and Hazelwood in Pretoria East,

Pretoria’s unmistakable coffee district, Boston Deli del ights with its unique

food fare, from weight-and-pay lazy lunch and dinner buffets (vegetables,

salads, curries, gri l l) to an a la carte menu with toasted sandwiches, paninis,

pancakes and gourmet burgers. Breakfast is open daily unti l 1 1 am, with

various dishes to choose from, including omelets, French toast or croissants

(prices ranging from R20 to R60).

For lunch, we tried their del icious bacon and cheese pancakes, topped with

black pepper and golden syrup (R32) paired with a creamy cappuccino (R1 2).

The light menu (prices ranging from R30 to R80) is so varied, with toasts,

pancakes, prego rol ls, salads, burgers, pasta and bakes, that it’s just difficult

to indulge in just one choice: a good reason to come back, whether you are

bringing a friend or a business partner.

I f you are looking for more than a cappuccino and snack, try their sumptuous

dinners, with fi l let steaks, chicken schnitzel, lamb mint pie, pork ribs or home-

made duck confit as most popular dishes (prices ranging from R75 to R11 0). Ask

for the ever-changing specials and you might just be surprised. And don’t forget

the sweet treat – their cakes are delicious.

Boston Kitchen and Deli is situated on the corner of 1 6th Street and Hazelwood

Road and is open from Monday to Sunday (dinners from Monday to Saturday).

There is l imited space available and no reservations are made. For more

information, visit www.bostondeli.co.za.

Besides the eatery,

Boston Deli offers a

complete shopping

experience, with a

deli and a gift shop

with random artworks

and fashion items

(the vintage lover

would be certainly

pleased).

21

Deli(cious)

Dec-Jan 201 2

Lifestyle

Pure Café is the place to go for seasonal, fresh, wholesome and comforting

food in Pretoria. The simplistic menu features all-round café favourites such as

paninis, salads, pastas and wraps made with the freshest ingredients. Even

vegetarians have their fair share of great green pasta, muesli or home-baked

ciabatta and the extensive drink menu has everything from lattes to smoothies

and non-alcoholic cocktai ls. Recently, a wine l ist has been added to the menu.

You can’t go wrong with the Paradise Explosion, a blend of peach, pineapple

and mango smoothie served with coconut flakes on top (R25) or the Divine

Intervention Salad with chicken, bacon, baby spinach, haloumi and toasted

almonds, topped with a honey and mustard dressings (R53,95). We absolutely

loved the combination of flavours and the food presentation. The little detai ls

and the designer ambience with striking greens and whites make Pure Café a

fabulous place to enjoy breakfast or lunch. The service is friendly and

unobtrusive.

There’s a great bakery and deli on the premises should you want to bring fresh

bread or tasty fresh made cakes home and catering is also available. Pure Café

is located at 1 37 Thomson St. West, Colbyn. Call +27(0)1 2 342 1 443 or visit

www.purecafe.co.za for the latest updates and news about Pure Café.

Karoo Café combines delicious food with a creative hub atmosphere. Situated in

the Karoo Lifestyle Center, the open spaced venue has an adjoining art gal lery and

a bookstore, with local art exhibition changing every couple of weeks.

The food is fresh and rich in flavor, with a good selection of l ight lunches, salads,

al l day breakfast and dinner fare. For a healthy lunch, try the Fusion Chicken

(R45), l ime marinated chicken breast served with a citrus, red onion, banana and

avocado salad or the butternut and blue cheese quiche (R45) and order one of

their del icious smoothies (R26). We were delighted with the “Assegai”, a mix of

acai, banana, blueberry and apple juice and “Soul Mate” with blueberry, raspberry,

banana and apple juice.

The lifestyle hub also includes a pottery studio, a nursery and gift shops, to

complete your Karoo experience. Karoo Café is located at 1 41 Lynwood Road, Die

Wilgers, Pretoria, opposite Wil low Way Center. For bookings or detai ls cal l

+27(0)72 408 0909 or visit www.karoocafe.co.za.

23Dec-Jan 201 2

Lifestyle

Pretoria's Cafe experience does not end here. Try the al-fresco Milkplum Cafe, situated in

the heart of Pretoria Botanical Gardens on Cussonia Avenue, also a good choice for events

and conferences; tuck in delicious mezze platters and sandwiches in the country-style 1 8th

Ave Bakery Cafe, located on 232 1 8th Avenue, Riviera; try clasic cuisine with a twist at

contemporary chic Full Cream Cafe on 89 Pony Street, Tiger Valley Office Park,

Hazeldene or go for huge croissants and the upmarket street vibe at The Tea Cafe,

Waterkloof Towers, corner Long and Milner Streets in Waterkloof.

There's plenty to discover when it comes to Jacaranda city's buzzing cafe scene.

text Denisa Oosthuizen

photos Denisa Oosthuizen

25Dec-Jan 201 2

Travel

IncredibleIndia

Namaskar (Hello)!

Visiting the Republic of India for two weeks, covering one National Capital

territory, three states and four cities does not begin to describe all that

incredible India has to offer. Although this visit only gave a small peep into

the country and its people, I have gained fresh insight on what it means to

l ive in the seventh largest country in the world, being second (only to China)

in terms of population, which stands at over 1 .2 bil l ion people.

I t is interesting to note that the Indian economy is the world’s eleventh

largest by nominal GDP and fourth large by purchasing power parity.

Fol lowing market-based economic reforms in 1 991 , India has become one

of the fastest growing major economies, and is considered a newly

industrial ized country; however, it continues to face the challenges of

poverty, i l l i teracy, corruption and inadequate public health. At the time of my

travel in Apri l 2011 , one Rand equaled 6.5 Indian Rupees (INR).

DelhiDelhi , the capital of India, dating back to 1 450 BC, has historical ly gone through three

eras: the Lal Kot and the middle ages, the Old Delhi during the Mughal area in the 1 7th

century and the New Delhi, developed by the British and leading into independent India.

Today the city of Delhi is home to more than 1 2.6 mil l ion people and sti l l growing,

featuring a beautiful new airport since 201 0, built just before the Commonwealth Games.

Delhi is in Northern India and a hub for many international destinations in Asia, Middle

East and Europe.

We stayed in South Delhi at the very pleasant Lutyens Bungalow, a guest house offering

1 7 rooms, sparkl ing clean pool, garden with cute squirrels and parrots, as well as the

resident dogs. The guest house has very informal and relaxed atmosphere and is central ly

located to reach the airport, New Delhi station, Connaught Place, Khan Market, India

Gate, Humayun’s and Safdarjang’s tombs.

Lutyens Bungalow has spacious, comfortable rooms, del icious local vegetarian and non-

vegetarian meals, as well as other l ight snacks. The staff is very friendly and helpful and I

wil l forever be grateful to the owner, Shukla, for sharing her valuable information on

moving around in Delhi as a female traveler.

The guest house refers to Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens (29 March 1 869 – 1 January

1 944) who was a major 20th century British architect, known for imaginatively adapting

traditional architectural styles to the requirements of his era. He has been referred to as

“the greatest British architect” and is known best for having an instrumental role in

designing and building a section of the metropolis of Delhi, known as New Delhi, which

would later on serve as the seat of the Government of India. In recognition of his

contribution, New Delhi is also known as “Lutyens’ Delhi“.

27Dec-Jan 201 2

Travel

In col laboration with Herbert Baker, he was also the main architect of several

monuments in New Delhi such as the India Gate; he also designed the

Viceroy’s House now known as the Rashtrapati Bhavan. For more information

about Luytens Bungalow, visit www.lutyensbungalow.co.in .

Moving around in Delhi, l ike anywhere else in India, with taxis and auto

rickshaws, is an experience like no other. I am incl ined to say that it is

impossible to describe; one has to experience it in person. The bottom line is

that without nerves of steel and a horn you wil l achieve nothing. Surprisingly,

we have had many close shaves in the taxi and auto rickshaw but seen no

accidents during our visit. Note that a large percentage of the auto rickshaw

drivers are il l i terate and poor English speakers. The only words they can

communicate in English is referring to the price. Showing them a map or a

business card of the address where you are staying is total ly ineffective.

Fortunately, they ask around for directions and you are quickly on your way to

your address.

ATM’s (auto tel ler machines) posed quite a challenge and I experienced some

difficulty withdrawing cash. I t worked on day one and three but not on day two,

when I needed it most. I t is also quite common for ATMs to run out of cash by

mid day. The best alternative currency to have on hand is US $.

India Gate

Due to only spending one and a half day in Delhi, I managed to see only a few of the famous

landmarks, namely the India Gate, designed by Herbert Baker and Edwin Lutyens, the war

memorial commemorating 90 000 Indian soldiers being kil led fighting for the British during the

World War I and Rajpath, a wide street flanked by gardens and fountains l inking the Presidential

residence with the India gate, also featuring Parliament buildings and the National Museum.

The Presidential residence or Rashtrapati Bhavan, is the official residence of the President of

India.

I have also visited New Delhi Station , with very clear instructions from the owner of the guest

house as to what to do, more importantly on what not to do: do not l inger, do not talk to anyone,

just go straight to the stairs leading to the first level and buy my ticket for Agra. I t al l went

without a gl itch, actual ly I could even explain the process to a French couple, Stefan and Olivia,

who went and bought their train tickets for Agra for the next day. I regret not having the time to

visit the Ref Fort, the Jama Masjid mosque, as well as Humayun’s and Safdarjang’s tombs.

AgraAgra, with a population of approximately 1 .4 mil l ion, is in Uttar Pradesh, the state also known

as ‘the Northern State’ and referred to as the Hinduism and Hindi heartland. I travelled with the

train from Delhi to Agra. The Shatabdi Express leaves the New Delhi Station at 06:1 5, returning

at 20:30. I t is a two hour express trip in both directions and much better than the other option I

had, which would have taken approximately three hours.

I was prepared for the worst, expecting crowds and people hanging out the train. I was

pleasantly surprised to enjoy a train journey similar to anywhere else in the world. The coach

was clean, air-conditioned, train was on time, breakfast and dinner were served and due to the

departure and return times, I enjoyed the maximum time in Agra. All of this cost a mere INR

790. Please note that there are also cheaper, much more crowded coaches without meals or

aircon included.

Connaugh Place is

a commercial hub

of New Delhi with

offices, restaurants

and shopping, well

worth a visit, while

Khan Market offers

a smaller and

cheaper shopping

experience.

The Parl iament Building in Delhi

Shoppingin Delhi

29Dec-Jan 201 2

Travel

I met Audrey from Paris, France; she sat next to me on the train and was also

travell ing on her own. We started chatting and decided to spend the day together.

In retrospect, that was a great idea because we could share the thri l l of the Taj

Mahal, share the cost and somehow just feel more comfortable being two women in

strange country.

Arrival at Agra Cantonment (Agra Cantt) station was easy and we managed to

secure an auto rickshaw for the day. We made a good choice, because driver

Sameer went out of his way to entertain us and show us the most important sights

in Agra. He also took us to a local restaurant, some shopping options for fabric and

a marble demonstration. With Sameer’s assistance we managed to see a lot of

what Agra has to offer for just INR 600 for the day.

Taj Ganj is an area adjacent to the Taj Mahal with shops and mostly inexpensive

restaurants and accommodation options. Audrey pre-booked at the Sheela hotel, a

very basic hotel but a good choice for a night or two in Agra. The hotel is only a few

metres from the East Gate entrance to the Taj.

Taj Mahal is truly a very impressive structure, overlooking the Yamuna River, bui lt

over more than 20 years and completed in 1 653. The romantic tale behind it makes

it even more special.

Taj Mahal

I also learnt that the white and red marble used to build the Taj Mahal and brought

from Makrana, near Amjer in Rajasthan (a state bordering Uttar Pradesh on the

Southern side) is translucent. Entry to Taj Mahal is INR 750 for foreign visitors and

you also receive a bottle of water and shoe covers in an attempt to preserve the Taj

Mahal for many more generations. The entry fee for locals is only INR 1 0 per

person.

Agra Fort is situated two kilometers North West of the Taj Mahal. Built of red

sandstone, it was completed in 1 573. The sheer size of this Mughul stronghold, with

a perimeter of approximately 2.5 km, makes it a very impressive structure.

Admission fee is INR 300 and if you can show your Taj Mahal entrance ticket, you

get INR 50 discount.

After arriving in Agra, I real ized that the different sites are quite spread out and was

pleasantly surprised when I almost l iteral ly bumped into my French friends from

Delhi, Stefan and Olivia, at Agra Fort. I have also visited two other tombs; Itimad-

ud-daulah , also known as the Baby Taj , was built before the Taj Mahal and was the

first building in the Mughul era to be faced entirely in marble. The second tomb,

Chini-ka-rauza, bui lt between 1 628 and 1 639, belonging to a Persian poet, is of

Persian design and the only such building in the area.

Mehtab Bagh and Mehtab Gardens, on the opposite side of the Yamuna River,

directly opposite the Taj Mahal, gave an uninterrupted view of the mausoleum and

the tapered minarets on each corner.

At Green Park, a local restaurant with a small garden, I enjoyed Dal Masala,

Cheese Naan and a cold drink for a mere INR 1 80 (approximately R28). Shanti

Lodge, in Taj Ganj area next to the Taj Mahal, is the perfect place for a drink on the

roof, watching the Taj as night descends on Agra.

Agra Fort

31Dec-Jan 201 2

Travel

We had a busy day and achieved quite a lot, but unfortunately did not experience

the local special ities of petha (crystal l ized pumpkin), ghazak (rock hard candy) and

dalmoth (crunchy mix made with black lenti ls).

Seeing that I only spent one day in Agra, I did not have the time to visit the ghost

city of Fatehpur Sikri , a city built between 1 569 and 1 585, 40 km southwest of

Agra. Should one stay in Agra for longer than a day, visiting this former imperial

capital is recommended.

PatnaPatna, with a population of approximately 1 .6 mil l ion, is an hour and half fl ight from

Delhi, towards the northeast. Patna is the capital of Bihar state and one of the

oldest cities in India, dating back to the sixth century BC. Patna is located in the

North Eastern part of India and borders Nepal.

Located on the south bank of the Ganges River, a l ifel ine of water making this a

very ferti le area, Patna is unfortunately an area that needs to cope with flooding

during the monsoon season, which takes place annually between June and

September. We crossed the river by using the Mahatma Gandhi Bridge en route to

the vil lage of Muzaffarpur, and were amazed to see that the bridge measured more

than five kilometers.

We used Go Air to fly from Delhi to Patna at a cost of INR 5 083 and were very

impressed with the brand new aircraft and the good service on board. Note that

there are a number of cheap domestic airl ines in India with regular and convenient

daily fl ight schedules al l over India. They include Jet, Jet Lite, IndiGo, Kingfisher

and SpiceJet.

We stayed at the Maurya Patna Hotel, opposite the Gandhi Maidan park. Although

this hotel is definitely not on a five star standard, we did enjoy our stay, the food

was good and I managed to enjoy a guided tour of the kitchen, learning quite a few

things about Indian cooking. This hotel has extensive conference and function

facil ities.

Some interesting experiences and thoughts on Patna include strol l ing through

Gandhi Maidan park in the city centre, general ly used by locals for playing cricket

and enjoying time outdoors.

The Gandhi Memorial is a must visit. I t is interesting to note that Mahatma Gandhi

spent 11 9 days of his l ife in Patna, on his numerous visits spending between one to

four days at a time. The Gandhi Museum sheds more light on his time spent in this

area. Bihar state is also the first centre for Buddhism in North India.

Golghar

Whilst in Patna it is recommended to visit the Golghar, a huge grain storage house dating back to

1 786. One can climb the 1 43 steps to the top and enjoy a great view of Patna and the Ganges.

The Patna Museum and Khuda Bhaksh Oriental Library, although run-down, is also worth a

visit.

We enjoyed a very tasty dinner at Elevens on Frazer Road , where most of the better local

restaurants are situated. This restaurant is owned by the well known Indian cricketer and captain

Kapil Dev. The food was great, very reasonably priced and the service was good. For five guests,

a main meal including soft drinks and beer totaled at around IND 3 000. The meal included roti , fish

tikka, nargisi kofta (lamb), murg noorani korma (chicken), dhal and steamed rice and although we

tried our best, we could not finish it al l .

In Patna, once again, we experienced road travel in India. We travelled to Muzaffarpur,

approximately 1 20 kilometers from Patna. I t took us 5 hours, from 1 2am to 5pm, due to traffic and

single lane roads with road works currently underway. There were lots of trucks involved with the

construction of the new road and building of bridges. Luckily we returned in the evening and it only

took us three hours, from 7pm to 1 0pm, on our return journey.

The reason why we did this road journey was to visit a plant of Husk Power Systems. Indians are

world leaders in decentral ized generation and distribution of electric power. Husk Power Systems

lighted the first vi l lage in India from its first 1 00% biomass based power plant that uses discarded

rice husks to generate electricity. I t happened in August 2007 and today there are 60 mini-power

plants instal led that power 25,000 households in more than 250 vil lages and hamlets, impacting

the l ives of approximately 1 50,000 people in rural India. For more information on ‘Electrifying

Rural India’ visit www.huskpowersystems.com .

33Dec-Jan 201 2

Travel

Patna is not a tourist centre, only at most a stopping point for travelers en

route to Buddhist sites. During my six days in Patna I did not encounter any

non Indian / Asian women. The area has also had numerous problems with

safety and tourists are advised to be careful and to check the status of the

area before travell ing.

MumbaiMumbai is situated on the east coast of India, in the state of Maharashtra.

Known as Bombay unti l 1 996 (the name change was very unpopular

initial ly), Mumbai is in many ways the gateway to India and for good

reasons.

The opening of the Suez Canal in 1 869 made it easy to reach India from

Europe. Today, Mumbai is a hub for many international fl ights and the

shortest route / direct fl ight from South Africa to India, just around eight

hours flying time.

The second most populated city in India and the fifth most populated city in

the world, Mumbai has a deep natural harbor and it is also the richest city in

India, with the highest GDP of any city in South, West or Central Asia. As of

2009, Mumbai was named an Alpha world city, meaning a global/world city

or sometimes alpha city or world centre, namely a special ized city deemed

to be an important node point in the global economic system.

Crawford Market in Mumbai

The concept comes from geography and urban studies and rests on the idea that

globalization can be understood as largely created, facil itated and enacted in strategic

geographic locales according to a hierarchy of importance to the operation of the

global system of finance and trade.

Mumbai also incorporates one of the biggest slums in Asia, namely Dharavi , an area

of just 1 ,7 square meters, with a density of almost 600.000 people per square meter.

By comparison, Delhi and Mumbai have an area of less than 600 square meters, with

a population density between 20.000 and 30.000 per square meter.

Looking at the information above, I can only say that India is an incredible country. In

spite of the challenges of population density, poverty, i l l i teracy, malnutrition, corruption

and inadequate public health, the Indian people that I have seen and spoken to have

an energy and a sense of entrepreneurship that I have never encountered anywhere

else in the world.

I am humbled by the way they live, and in spite of their circumstances, they see an

opportunity around every corner. Although they can drive you nearly insane with their

ongoing attempts to sell you anything and everything, most of the time they are ready

with a big smile when you ask for information or want to take a photograph.

My three exceptional and l ife changing experiences in Mumbai are visiting the

Dharavi slum, with an estimated 5 000 businesses and 1 5 000 single room factories.

I t provides a cheap alternative, where rent was as low as US$4 per month in 2006.

Not surprisingly, Dharavi exports goods around the world. The total (and largely

i l legal) turnover is estimated to be between US$500 – US$650 mil l ion per year!

Daravi slums

35Dec-Jan 201 2

Travel

Dabbawallahs (spell ing differs from different sources) is the name given to

the approximately 4 500 to 5 000 packed lunch carriers who deliver freshly

cooked meals (in dabbas or tiffin boxes) from between 1 80 000 to 200 000

suburban kitchens to offices in downtown Mumbai. Each Dabbawallah earns

between IND 4 000–6 000 per month.

In 2002, Forbes Magazine found its rel iabi l ity to be that of a six sigma

standard, a business management strategy where 99.99966% of products

manufactured are statistical ly expected to be free of defects thus 3.4 defects

per mil l ion. In a recent survey it was discovered that the Dabbawallahs make

less than one mistake in every 6 mil l ion deliveries, despite the fact that most

are il l i terate. One can witness the action every business day from either

Victoria or Church gate stations at approximately 11 .30am.

Dhobi Ghat, in downtown Mumbai, is the place where local men (Dhobis)

wash clothes and other articles from all over Mumbai. I t consists of a large

area of rows of open air concrete vats (wash pans) where washing is soaked,

thumped and hung to dry. The area was developed and the water is supplied

by the municipal ity. We have spoken to some locals in Mumbai making use of

this service and one can hardly believe that white laundry returns from there

spotless!

Furthermore, some other sites well worth a visit include Gateway of India,

the city’s defining landmark; built in 1 924, it has an interesting history, but

today is mainly crowded by locals and tourists, feeding the pigeons and

people watching; Prince of Wales Museum, now known as Chhatrapati

Shivaji Museum , with its beautiful white dome; Victoria Terminus (station)

now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, bui lt in 1 887; a very British

building, although very few of the mil l ions of passengers using the thousand

plus trains every day notice the architecture; the Mumbai University with the

beautiful Rajabhai Clock Tower, another very British building, also built also

in the late 1 800s.

One can also visit Oval Maidan , opposite the university, for informal cricket

matches, family outings and more people watching and Crawford food

market and the central bazaar, where you can find anything and everything

and the more you haggle, the more interesting the shopping experience

becomes.

Other sites to consider visiting are Marine drive and Chowpatty beach , with

beautiful views of Back Bay and Mani Bhavan , now a museum, but former

Bombay residence between 1 91 7 and 1 934.

The Bandra-Worli Sea Link is an astonishing cable-stayed bridge which

l inks Bandra and the western suburbs of Mumbai with Worl i and central

Mumbai, and is the first phase of the proposed West Island Freeway

system. All eight lanes were opened to traffic on 24 March 201 0.

FoodI have not quite mastered the eating with the right hand technique, mainly due to the fact that

I am left handed and eating with the left hand is not cool in India. The food is also very saucy,

which causes quite a mess for the inexperienced right hand eater. Although South Africa is

home to a huge Indian population, I have never had a two week intense Indian food

experience and other than India being an incredible country, I had a great foodie experience.

Some interesting tastes and perceptions are l isted below:

! Gulab jamun, classic Indian sweet made from deep fried dough balls served in syrup

! Jalebi, flour batter deep fried and soaked in sugar syrup, the end result looking l ike

deep fried onion rings in batter, often served with breakfast. I t reminded me of South African

koeksisters.

! After the meal, anise seeds and small sugar cubes to clean the mouth and freshen the

palate

! Ghee, clarified butter used instead of oil or to flavour food; the result, amongst others

is the most delicious potatoes (alu)

! Lassi, yoghurt drink served salted or with fruit (sweet)

! Chia, tea, sweet and made with milk, offered to visitors everywhere

! Pani, water; not being used to the water, al l visitors are advised to drink only bottled

water

! Vegetables, mainly gaajer (carrots), gobi (caul iflower), kaddoo (pumpkin), piaz

(onions) and okra (also referred to as ladies fingers) cooked with ghee, ginger and some

spices (Masala), usually mild

! Dhal, curried lenti ls; sometimes a broth, traditional ly served as an accompaniment to

any Indian meal; I have never realized there are so many different types and accompanying

flavours, some mild, some quite hot for my taste

Street food in Patna

37Dec-Jan 201 2

Travel

! Riata, chi l led yoghurt flavoured with spices, some mild and some not

so mild to my palate, sometimes with diced tomato and cucumber; usually

served as accompaniment to the main meal

! Cardamom, a very versati le spice used in rice and meat dishes and

most desserts (the vanil la of India); also used in tea and as a mouth

freshener

! The bold use of cinnamon, coriander, cumin, fenugreek and ginger, not

to mention cayenne pepper, chi l l ies and garam masala (translated as hot

spices)

I t’s easy to be a vegetarian in India and in my case I preferred the vegetarian

options as the meat and meat cuts, often sold open on the street, are not

very appetizing. Prior to travell ing to India, I was famil iar with roti , naan and

poppadums. I never realized that there are such a wide variety of other bread

and pancake type options. My favourites include:

! Appam, south Indian-style rice pancake with holes and soft in the

middle

! Chapati, unleavened bread made of wholewheat flour and bakes on a

round griddle-dish called a tawa

! Dosa, crispy, savoury, south Indian rice pancake

! Iddl i , south Indian steamed rice cake

! Phulka, a chapatti that has been made to puff by being placed directly

on the fire

Another personal observation is that I l ike to cook a four or six course meal

for four to six guests. In India it is definitely a case of ‘the more the merrier’.

For rel igious festivals or at traditional weddings, the temple kitchens often

serve meals to hundreds or thousands of people and they do not stop ti l l the

last one is served.

Last, but not least, one can easily fal l into the trap of traveler’s diarrhea, in

India also referred to as Delhi bel ly or Bombay belly, usually caused by

contaminated food or water. I t is recommended not to drink tap water at al l ,

but always bottled water. Also it is not advisable to eat raw or seemingly fresh

food, especial ly on the street, e.g cut fruit, lettuce, tomato, cucumber.

Although some juice bars look very inviting, the unwashed glasses pose a

serious risk for the more sensitive western tummy.

Two weeks is not nearly enough time to learn about Indian cooking and

although I toured the Patna hotel kitchen, I would love to spend quality time in

an Indian kitchen. My consolation prize at the moment is my ‘Simple Indian

Cookery’ book by Madhur Jaffrey.

India is a truly incredible, remarkable experience.

Namaste and Shukriya (Goodbye and thank you)

WestinMumbaiGardenCity Hotel

39Dec-Jan 201 2

Travel

Westin Mumbai

Garden City Hotel

has 32 floors,

restaurant, lounge

bar, gym, spa with

convenient access

to an international

business park and

shopping mall .

Luxury andcomfort

The hotel opened in January 201 0. The ground floor welcomes guests to a double volume,

spacious and modern reception area, a ballroom and Prego, an authentic I tal ian restaurant and

deli , suitable for quick lunches or a longer, more relaxed dinner.

The Westin Grand Ballroom seats 200 pax banquet style, with a private pre-function area

leading out to an outside area also used for functions, seating 300 pax banquet style. This

outside area is weather permitting.

The first floor offers a ful ly equipped business centre as well as a variety of meeting rooms for

smaller groups (1 0–30 pax) and boardrooms (8-1 4 pax). I t also incorporates the Westin

Executive Club. The entertainment zone is on the fourth floor, complete with a pool with Splash

bar and restaurant offering l ight meals, a kids zone, Westin Workout gym and Heavenly Spa.

Floors five to 1 7 are used as offices.

On the 1 8 floor, visitors would be thri l led to find Seasonal Tastes, an all day dining restaurant

with spectacular views towards the South. Seasonal Tastes serves an expansive western and

eastern buffet breakfast, a la carte lunch and dinner options, as well as a dinner buffet

incorporating International, Indian and Asian options. The set-up is open plan kitchen areas,

were some of the food is pre-prepared, but you can also order ‘prepare while you watch’ type

options. Furthermore, on the same floor, guests can enjoy Eighteen, the Lounge and Bar, the

ideal space to unwind at the end of the day, as well as Kangan, a chic specialty Indian

restaurant, with spectacular views towards the North.

The 269 hotel rooms are located on floors 1 9 to 32, with a variety of options starting from

Deluxe rooms to Executive Club Rooms, Executive suites, a Chairman’s suite and a Presidential

Suite. The Presidential Suite is located on the top floor and has lounge, TV room, study, bar,

kitchen, guest toi let, 2 en-suite bedrooms with the option of a third inter leading bedroom. All

rooms are spacious, from 42 m² for a Deluxe option to 230 m² for the Presidential suite.

The rooms have floor to ceil ing windows providing natural l ight and views, coffee / tea making

facil ity, mini bar and snacks (only complimentary for Executive Club members), a work desk with

high speed internet access available, a 46 inch LCD screen television and DVD player (selection

of complimentary DVD’s available from reception), in-room safe (suitable for laptops) and iron

and ironing board. All bathrooms have heavenly bed and bath signature Westin products and

new range of spa bath amenities. The hotel also offers a small garden as well as a heli pad on

the roof, which is probably the best way to escape the notorious Mumbai traffic.

The hotel is part of the bigger Oberoi Garden City in Goregaon (east), a development

incorporating an international business park, green belt and residential development. I t is

conveniently located next to the lovely Oberoi Mall offering great shopping with a variety of

traditional and modern Indian clothing shops as well as the international brands such as Levi,

Adidas, Reebok and so on.

We concluded our trip to India in Mumbai, staying at the five star Mumbai

Garden City hotel, a Westin hotel, part of the Starwood Hotels and Resorts

Worldwide. This hotel is suitable for both business and leisure travelers.

41Dec-Jan 201 2

Travel

The hotel is approximately 1 0 kilometers from the international airport and

1 2 kilometers from the domestic airport. I t is also in close proximity to the

emerging business districts of Malad, Andheni and Powai, as well as the

Bombay Exhibition Centre. The hotel offers easy access to the Western

Express Highway to the South (Bandra, Worl i , and South Mumbai) and the

North (Navi Mumbai and Thane).

Although there were some small issues that needed attention, I had a very

positive experience at the Westin, Mumbai Garden City and can

recommend this hotel to any traveler visiting Mumbai.

text by Carla Rossouw

photos by Carla Rossouw

Incredible India is based on Carla Rossouw's personal experience in

India. Carla Rossouw is a Professional Conference Organiser based in

South Africa. She writes reviews on Venues, Hotels and Restaurants as

well as International Destinations. She regularly writes for our Agenda

section in WealthWise magazine. Visit www.carlarossouw.com formore

travel reviews.

Design

WelcometoSunsetAvenue

Si tuated on 26 Sunset Avenue, Llandudno, just south of Western Cape’s

scenic town of Oudekraal, miles away from the bustl ing Cape Town in the

north-east and Camps Bay beach, this luxurious vil la has breathtaking views

of the Atlantic Ocean.

All six rooms with en-suite bathrooms are specifical ly designed to frame the

incredible sea views. Two suites are situated on the upper level of the vil la,

with the remaining four suites on the pool deck level. Spacious and light-

flooded, the suites open up onto large private sun decks and feature floor-

to-ceil ing glass doors that completely retract into the walls, exposing the

interrupted, magnificent sea views.

The styl ish combination of wood, steel and glass and tasteful art creates a

modern space with natural tones of beige, grey and amber. The lounge area

is brought to l ife by a modern fireplace and hints of warm orange.

45Dec-Jan 201 2

Design

Standard rates for this Llandudno vil la start at R5890.00 per night on a bed-and-

breakfast basis. Rates include access to the vil la and all its facil ities, including

outdoor pool deck, ful ly equiped kitchen and braai area, mini bar and fridge, high

speed internet, DVD player and flat screen televisions among others.

The exclusive luxury vil la on Sunset Avenue can be rented for fi lming, shooting

and accomodation. To book or enquire, cal l Villas and Hotels for Africa at

+27(0)21 975 81 92 or email stay@vilasandhotelsforafrica.com .

For more information on luxury vil las in Western Cape and nationwide, visit

www.villasandhotelsforafrica.com .

text Denisa Oosthuizen, Vil las and Hotels for Africa

photos by Vil las and Hotels for Africa

"All six roomswith en-suitebathrooms

are specifical lydesigned to framethe incrediblesea views"

Rates start at

R5890.00 per night

on a bed-and-

breakfast basis.

Rates include

access to the vil la

and all its facil ities.

Rates

47Dec-Jan 201 2