Monday, August 27, 2012

Protea Fire and Ice Hotel

If you ever want to indulge yourself a bit, you should definitely try out the fantastic milkshakes at the Fire and Ice Hotel in Cape Town CBD.

Situated in New Church Street, Cape Town, this hotel is part of the Protea Hotels group.  The hotel is beautifully decorated with ultra-modern furniture and breath-taking chandelliers.  They are especially known for their trendy bar that is covered in ice, and their extensive list of delicious and exciting "American-style" milkshakes.


This hotel does not just offer the conventional strawberry, chocolate or vanilla milkshake, but instead, guests can choose from chocolate varieties such as Kit Kat, Tempo, Peppermint Crisp, Crunchie, Aero, Ferrero Rocher, Mars, and the extremely decadent Lindt chocolate milkshake.  There are also options such as peanut butter, oreo cookies, berry buzz, coconut milk, brownie pieces, and Turkish delight, to name just a few.

On their extensive menu, they also have a few outlandish options such as the chili chocolate milkshake, and the pumpkin, marshmallow and caramel combination - definitely for the more adventurous type!  The hotel has now even made a selection of milkshakes with an "adult twist" allowing guests to have alcoholic milkshakes such as rum and raisin, "Tequilish" and "SprinkBokkie" varieties.

Whichever one you end up choosing, they are all equally delicious and indulgent, and definitely worth a try.  The half pints are more than sufficient, which go for R35 each, or if your appetite is working overtime, you could try the full pint for R45 each.

While you're there, don't forget to try out their individually themed restrooms.  These include "Loo Rolls"; "Long John"; "Temptation"; "Outhouse"; and "Stage Fright."  Each restroom is superbly designed, each with different elements that are true to the theme, while some might leave you with a few surprises!

Conventional is a good fallback position isn't it?

If something is thought to be conventional, it is usually something that is regarded as being generally acceptable or something that is generally done.  In other words, it could be considered as the 'norm' or the safer option that you could choose.

Granted, being safe is often considered boring or mundane, but it would definitely be a good fallback position.  If all else fails, definitely stick to the safer, more conventional option as you are more likely guaranteed success.  If you try to be outlandish and different all the time, you may find yourself not achieving the results you wanted.



I would always encourage others to think outside the box and to try something a little different and exciting whenever they are able to.  Life would be so boring if everyone just stuck to the rules or complied with the norms as set out in society.  If nobody tried anything new, there would never be new inventions or discoveries that lead to exciting developments in our lives.

So take the different approach and try different things and just have fun.  The worst that could happen is that it fails and you have to start again from over.  Nothing in life is guaranteed, so just remember that conventional is always there as a good fallback position.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Get your Mexican on at El Burro!

Do you enjoy Mexican food and feel like having a delicious, authentic Mexican meal in a vibey restaurant?  If you do then you should definitely try out El Burro restaurant!

A week ago, a few friends and I went to El Burro, situated at 81 Main Road, Green Point, for a friend's birthday.  A few people had raved about this place to me so I was very eager to try it, especially because I love Mexican food!

The restaurant, filled with lots of chilled, free-spirited, young and trendy guests, has an absolutely awesome vibe.  The waiters are dressed in traditional Mexican outfits - sombreros and all - adding perfectly to the theme.  The look of the restaurant is rustic, and they have a beautiful balcony section that would be absolutely amazing during the summer time.


The food on the menu is authentic Mexican, consisting of a wide variety of choices, such as pablano, quesadillas, enchiladas and chili poppers.  You can even build your own tacos with your choice of filling and corn or flour tortillas.  Be careful though, some of the meals might be a bit on the spicy side.


This restaurant is extra perfect for you if you are, unlike me, a lover of tequila, as all the cocktails on the menu have tequila in them - sure to get the party started properly!  Drinks are very reasonably priced, but the food is a bit on the steep side (especially if you are a student like me), so be prepared to pay at least R80 for a main meal.

Unfortunately they don't have an up-and-running website at the moment, but if you are feeling adventurous and are looking for an authentic Mexican experience, call them on 021 433 2364 to make a booking.  Bookings are essential as they get really packed, so try to call quite a while in advance.  Muchas Gracias.

You cannot chase two rabbits at the same time

Confucius once said: "The man who chases two rabbits, catches neither."

I agree with this statement because if you actually think about it properly, what are the chances that the rabbits are going to run in the same direction?

The probability of it is that they are most likely going to run in opposite directions, making it impossible to catch both of them.  If you are lucky, you may end up catching at least one rabbit, but there is a big possibility you could end up with no rabbits at all!

An excellent real-life example we can relate to this statement is cheating on someone or being unfaithful.  For me, cheating is one of the worst things you can do and there is no forgiveness for it.  Some may think this is a bit harsh, but I always maintain that if you are going to cheat on someone, the feelings that you had for that person are obviously no longer there, otherwise you would not be doing it.  So what is the point in trying to maintain that relationship?



You may very well think the other person will never find out, but the truth will always come out.  Either it will eat at you until you can't take it anymore, or chances are the other person already has his/her suspicions about it.  And while you're enjoying your time having the best of both worlds, just remember that you cannot chase two rabbits at the same time, and in this situation, you will most likely end up with no rabbits at the end of the day!  Don't let the temptation of chasing two rabbits at the same time, make you give up the one good rabbit you already have.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Celebrating Women's Day 2012

To celebrate Women's Day this year, a few friends and I went to Banana Jam Cafe, a Jamaican restaurant in Kenilworth.

A friend of mine had been telling us about this place for quite some time and had been raving about their delicious cocktails and mouth-watering pizzas.  Banana Jam has their happy hour every weekday from 5pm - 6pm, where all cocktials are only R17.50 each.  We decided that because it was a public holiday (and because we wanted an excuse to celebrate being women :)) that this was the perfect indulgence for us!


Banana Jam, situated at the beginning of Kenilworth as you enter from Claremont Main Road, has a great Jamaican vibe with palm trees outside the entrance and Jamaican music playing in the background.  We opted to sit inside as it was a very cold evening, but if you choose to sit outside, you are surrounded by beautiful fairy lights that drape the trees and walls, as well as blazing fires to keep guests warm.

We tried to sample as many new cocktails as we could, as they have a great variety on their menu.  Along with our drinks, we shared a few delicious pizzas, with special mention to be made to the rocket, camembert and caramelised onion pizza - a new and exciting variation I had not tried before.  If you are not a pizza lover, their menu also boasts great burger choices, salads, and chicken dishes (seasoned with their famous jerk spice).  Along with our food, we were spoiled with great service from our friendly waiter.


This is a great restaurant to go to if you are looking to try something a little different.  It is also a great venue for a relaxed afternoon, expecially during the Summertime where you could sit outside with your cocktail in hand and soak up the sun!


Booking is essential, so if you are keen on experiencing a great Jamaican treat, visit their website on www.bananajamcafe.co.za/ for more information.

"Nothing is more dangerous than an idea, when you only have one idea" (Alain)

I am the type of person that, when something pops in to my head, I am determined to see it through.  I will not rest until I have achieved it or until it has been completed.  So when I get an idea, the saying is true that "nothing is more dangerous than an idea, when you only have one idea."


I say this because when you only have one idea, you focus all your attention and energy on that idea alone, not noticing anything else around you which may very well be more important!  With all your attention focused solely on one thing, you may become oblivious to more important things that are happening, and you may fail to see the bigger picture.  Focusing only on implementing one idea inhibits you from thinking clearly or being objective.  When we become so caught up with something, we often develop a bias towards it,
and when it ends up not working out, we are completely devastated.


It is not good to focus everything that you have on one idea, because there is always a very big chance that the idea may not materialise - which could leave you ending up with nothing!


Some advice I think I should reiterate to myself the next time a little idea pops in to my head - remember that focusing on one idea only will leave you missing out on something else happening at the same time.  So while you focus all your attention to one specific thing, always remember that there is a chance that the grass may be greener on the other side.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Jonkershoek Hike

A few weeks ago, a few friends and I went on a hike in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, near Stellenbosch. 

The pathway we started on towards the hiking trail
(Image supplied by Capenature.co.za)


The Swartboskloof-Sosyskloof route offers a circular hiking route - easy scenic walks with forests and a waterfall in winter.  The hike starts as an easy scenic walk with the Eerste River in sight for most of the way.  After approximately 2.5 km, we reached the first waterfall which was absolutely breathtaking.  It was too cold to experience the fresh water in the waterfall, but seeing the first one only made us more eager to reach the second one.



The first waterfall after 2.5 km
As it had rained the night before, we were faced with a few obstacles such as rapid flowing rivers going down the mountain.  This required us to remove our shoes and socks, and roll up our pants so that we were able to cross the river.  After one of my fellow hikers nearly lost her shoes as it got swept up in the current and began making its way down the river, we knew we were in for a tough hike.


The second waterfall that we saw, just as we turned the corner



The trip to the second waterfall is 6.4 km there and back.  It is fairly easy hiking until you reach the very steep section to the gorge.  It had begun to get extremely hot as we reached midday, and us not being professional or extreme hikers, decided to turn back just before reaching the second waterfall.  We were just able to catch a glimpse of it as we turned the last corner before the steep incline.



On the way back, our shoes got extremely wet and we decided to just mission our way through the river with shoes and socks and all.  At the end we were very tired, but felt refreshed after taking in the fresh Jonkershoek air and beautiful nature that surrounded us.

This is definitely a great trail to hike and is not too extreme for those who are used to a little bit of hiking.  Closed shoes and comfortable clothes are definitely a must!  Entrance is R30 per person.  For more information you can visit their website on http://www.capenature.co.za/reserves.htm?reserve=Jonkershoek+Nature+Reserve

Happy hiking!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Have you figured out the second head fake?

The 'head fake' was something that Randy Pausch, a professor from Carnegie Mellon University, spoke about during his "last lesson" that he conducted with students after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

The message that Pausch is trying to convey by referring to the 'head fake' was that "the best way to teach somebody something is to have them think they're learning something else."  In other words, indirect learning.

He is also trying to tell you that if you lead your life the right way, you don't have to worry about karma.  Everything will take care of itself.



Think about it, when you are learning something (A), there is always a deeper underlying message trying to be conveyed to you (B).  This is usually something that you may not be aware of, but subconsciously it is there and you are learning about it too.

So have I figured out the second head fake?  I don't think so.  I don't think anyone has.  Often when we are learning something, we will never know what the underlying thing is that we are learning about.  But it is still there.  And without it, we definitely would not be where we are today.  It is about how we lead our lives and how we perceive things.



So here's some great advice to think about the next time you are questioning the reason for learning something.  Everything happens for a reason.  And when you are meant to learn something, you can be sure that it is not a waste of time.  Think the 'head fake!'