Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60FOCUS - APRIL 2017 55 Fortunately most flights from Canada to Europe arrive early in the morning. Most flights to South Africa depart Europe in the evenings, offering you enough time to sightsee or get a day room and nap. For the more anxious travellers, South African Airways flies through New York and then a direct (fifteen hour) jaunt to Cape Town. Enough said about the travelling, because once you arrive you will be transformed into a world of magical pro- portion. Cape Town is by far the prettiest city in SouthAfrica and is a starting point for the famed Garden Route excursion, which takes you up the coast to Port Elizabeth. Cape Town is also a great centre point for activities from whale watching and sightseeing to fine dining and great wine tastings. The city of Paarl, on the outskirts of Cape Town is world famous for its South African wines as well as being the cul- tural centre for the official languages of South Africa. By far my favourite winery is Boschendal (Afrikaans for forest and dale) located in an old, Dutch style building with acres of lush green hills, trees and vineyards. No matter what your wine tastes are you will find it here, in one of the world’s finest wine regions. There is also a Language Monument, dedicated to the cohesiveness of the nine languages of South Africa and well worth the visit. It is not only artistic, but also very informative. Perhaps the most famous attraction in Cape Town is Table Mountain, a flat outcropping visible from the air as you approach the city. A cable car, which turns 360 degrees, as it rises, takes you to the top. Don’t let the rain deter you, because Table Mountain is above the clouds and the views are spectacular. Small animals and a variety of bird spe- cies inhabit the elevation and pathways are clearly marked for leisurely strolls atop the world. Also located near Cape Town is the meeting of the two oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian, which are separated by a ten-meter Gulf Stream causing the water temperature to vary by ten de- grees on either side. It is also the sight of a photo op beside a sign indicating the southernmost point on the African continent. Beautiful vistas are everywhere, especially those overlooking the tur- bulent waters of the Cape of Good Hope, known for its fierce gales and the final resting place for more than 2,300 shipwrecks. The often-sunny skies are always accompanied by strong winds so hold on to your hats and belongings, as it is a steep drop and long climb to try and retrieve them. A tour of the city is a must and a definite stopping point is the Victoria and Alfred Shopping district, located on the water and named after Prince Alfred, the second son of Queen Victo- ria who was responsible for developing the Cape Town area. With more than 20 million visitors each year this centre is the most visited tourist site on the ...................... Please turn to page 56 The various sections of the Taal (languages) monument.