False Bay in September - Strand Pavillion?

Hello fellow travelers,

My sister and I (both early-to-mid 20s) are planning a weeklong trip to Western Cape in mid-September. For reasons too complicated to explain here, we have to stay at the Strand Pavillion, which is in Strand, about 50km from Cape Town center.

Has anyone on the board stayed there before? How was it?

This is my sister's first trip abroad, but not for me. Most of my international travels have been through studying abroad or backpacking - I'm used to being independent, going off the beaten track, and my favorite part of travel is getting a feel for the place aside from all the tourist stuff. How possible is this going to be when our lodging seems so far away from Cape Town? Maybe it's not as far as I think - is there public transportation we would be able to take?

I'm also hoping to get some general advice on things not to be missed when we get tired of lounging on the beach! ;) We're interested in everything - nightlife, local culture, history, the Winelands - and my sister is a zookeeper, so recommendations on wildlife or safari tours are welcome!

Thanks very much in advance!

..in short! South Africa is not a safe place to travel and it doesn't matter where you go in that country! I lived there for a very long time and my advice will be for you to look somewhere else to travel...

do you drive? i would hire a car - you can easily get to the winelands from strand

not sure about public transport from there to town and strand is a bit far if you are relying on public transport to do the centre of town things

"SportsArtist" sounds like a troll - registered on 14 June 2007 and 6 posts in one day. Maybe all his/her posts are as worthless as his comment above.

OP - I live in Cape Town, South Africa and what "SportsArtist" says is complete rot and should be ignored. SA can be as safe as anywhere provided you exercise reasonable caution. For a more complete discussion of safety in SA and Cape Town look at this thread from a couple of days ago.

There are regular trains from Strand to Cape Town ; see MetroRail timetables on the web. The route you want is "STRAND - STELLENBOSCH - WELLINGTON - BELLVILLE - CAPE TOWN" (look for "Strand" about midway down the list of stations). The journey takes about 90 minutes and there is generally 1 train an hour from Strand to Cape Town. It costs R14-50 one way in first class (MetroPlus). Strand train station is close to the Strand Pavilion - about 5 minutes walk straight up Main Road (which intersects Beach Road at a "roundabout", opposite the pavilion).

There isn't much culture in the Strand I'm afraid ; however, Stellenbosch is quite close by and is definitely worth a visit. There are trains there as well. Stellenbosch station is about 10 minutes walk from town.

Enjoy sunny South Africa !

Well what a negative reply from SportsArtist. Sports Artist ????? I wonder what made you so negative ? Are you an expat living in the USA ? If SA was such a dangerous place, what made you stay so long ????

I am not in denial about the crime rate in SA, but then neither am I in denial that it is bad all over the world - Chicago has a higher crime rate than Soweto.

Safety is pretty relative - so where would you consider safe ? Iran, Iraq and Afganistan are out of the question for obvious reasons, and so to is any country that has Oil, for the same reasons. South East Asia has avian flu & then there is always the posibilty of a tsunami. Korea, Guatemala, Cuba, Libya, El Salvador Nicaragua, Chile and Sudan need a regime change according to the only super power - this will also includes Zimbawe, but for other reasons as well. Brasil, Papua New Guinea and Nigeria, you can forget - there crime rate is just as high. Burundi, Cote d Ivoire, Congo, Liberia & Somalia have either a civil war or unrest. The rest of the countries in Africa -not safe due to Malaria, Aids, Cholera or TB. Haiti - also civil unrest.

U.S. Department of State's Travel Warnings list includes : Philippines,Zimbabwe, Liberia ,Côte d'Ivoire'
Algeria ,Libya ,Bosnia-Herzegovina ,Sudan ,Burundi 'Somalia ,Kenya ,Iran ,Afghanistan ,Nepal ,Iraq ( But not SA )

Pakistan is a so-called haven for terrorists and Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia would also be included as unsafe - I suppose why don't we say all Islamic countries.

Columbia has the drug wars or narco-terrorists as some people like to call them.

Israel & the middle east have a on going war and Kyrgyzstan has clashes between pro-government and opposition forces.

Europe, USA and Australia are terrorist targets due to there involvement in the Iraq War, so that to makes them unsafe

Are there any countries I've left out ? Oh Yes - lets say all coastal countries, due to global warming, I think that about wraps it up.

SportsArtists, I think the whole world is unsafe for you, so best stay in bed and not travel

I"ve met hundreds of people that have travelled through Africa, myself included, and have done so safely.
I met one particular woman, who was travelling on her own around the world. She had just come through Africa. The only trouble she had, was when she was mugged in the Vatican City.

Thanks for posing the info for the trains PKilfoil I would have been late for work if i'd looked up the timetable then

...well, go ahead and visit South Africa! If you want to follow the advice of a few 'backpackers'... enjoy!

I am not a backpacker. I have lived in South AFrica all my life. I still live in Johannesburg - by choice. And I disagree completely with the Sports Artist.

OP - I have booked a time-share midweek break at the Strand Pavilion for early October. For 5 years now I have been hankering to go and stay there and I regret very much having cancelled my reservation of 5 years ago. The Strand is very much a beach town and in September it will pretty quiet with the upcountry vsiitors waiting for the end of the year holidays. The weather should be perfect. The trains do run into Cape Town from there, but it may be a little inconvenient if you want to spend most of your days in the city. If you were to hire a car it would be perfect - you would have easy access to Cape Town; you would be close to Somerset West and Stellenbosch for the wine route; you would be within easy reach of Hermanus (there should still be some whales there in September). And if you have a room out over the ocean or have a view of the mountains, what could be better?. The Strand has developed a lot since I lived in Somerset West and there are enough places to eat in both of those neighbouring towns. Stellenbosch, also nearby, is a university town and I would imagine that the night life there is as bawdy as it always was.
The Starnd Pavilion has its own web-site, of course. I think it is www.strandpavilion .co.za. Otheriwse you can look it up through www.RCI.co.za.<BR>I think you will love it there.
Enjoy.

RudiK, are you in the 'travel business' in SA by any chance? Due with all respect, it sounds like it!

Chris, I am a retired old white South AFrican, born and bred in the Westren Province, an old Matie, one who loves this country and who likes to travel - both at home and abroad. I am a registered tourist guide, but do not and have never practiced it professionally. I have travelled extensively all over southern Africa and have lived in Randburg for the last 38 years. My wife and I often receive guests at home, from various countries around the world, and I enjoy taking them on day trips through Johannesburg and through your home town of Pretoria and the surrounds. Or to the Kruger Park and Mpumalanga. I have no problem with visiting Soweto, downtown Johannesburg (i.e the CBD), the Mai-Mai market or downtown Pretoria. I will not take anyone into Hillbrow on foot. The only incident of crime that has befallen me was that my TV set and VCR were stolen from my home 13 years ago and on another occasion there was an attempted burglary at my home while we wer away on holiday.
And I grew up in Somerset West, hence my reply to this particular post.
Anything else you would like to know?

Not sure what's up with the South Africa bashing but I can say that as an American female I traveled by myself to South Africa this past March, drove all over the place, and had a great time with no problems. OP, if you can rent a car you'll be fine driving around.

SportsArtist, you'll discover that there are some posters who try to answer questions with as much detail as possible. I do so on the American board because I've traveled a lot in my country. I post on other boards where I've traveled as well. That, as far as I can determine, is one of the main reasons for the forum. When I'm deskbound it's nice to pop in and see where other people are going--it's a hobby and probably a habit, too. Plus I get to find out about places I wouldn't otherwise and can perhaps visit them at some point. If you're afraid of places such as South Africa, that's something you'll either work through or not. As far as I know there is no government agency that's going to force you to travel there or anywhere else.

Would someone please tell me what the word "troll" means in this context?

And I might add that my typing has never been good and that my keyboard is dyslexic.

Rudik, if you feel it's safe to travel in SA, good luck and enjoy it! ...90% of my family left SA because they were victims of crime! (not once or twice, but many times) Maybe you're lucky?! It's your choice to stay there but not mine. I gave my opinion and I'll rest my case.

Good luck to all!

I just told somebody that the Thorntree SA branch is a friendly one and relatively "troll" free(compared to Mexico for example) and here it all gets ruined a bit - though I still think it is generally true. Well done you SA TT regulars!

Answering Dianne (#10) I see the word "troll" used on other branches more regularly and has a few variations but basically refers to posts that add nothing to the real discussion and trolls (like the mythical figures they got their name from) normally start ugly pointless fights. Troll posts are normally very extreme statements discrediting a place or another thorntree poster (often claiming ulterior motives for posts - quite ironic in many cases) and often hijack a thread that the OP´s real question gets lost. Sometimes they are reincarnations of previously banned posters, sometimes they are really new and some manage a lengthy tight-rope walk staying on the edge but just within the forum rules. An unfortunate and probably unavoidable byproduct of an open to all forums with limited moderation or participation identification requirements. Trolls are generally best ignored (thereby the phrase: don´t feed the troll) focusing rather on the real question(s) at hand.

Meanwhile Back to the Strand...I imagine the Strand Pavillion is one of those large buildings on the beachfront. Can´t say much about the Pavillion but the Strand in general is basically more a local beach - a long sand beach stretch - but if you are not looking for a particularly international beach scene with loads of upmarket restaurants etc. not a bad one to catch the September spring sun (though there can be a lot of wind at that time) - water will be a bit cold though. Nearby Gordon´s Bay has more scenic and protected beaches.

In spite of the option of the train, I agree with missalaska and RudiK recommending a rental car as Strand is actually very well-located from the airport (where car rental pick-up and drop-off is easiest) just down the N2 highway, and a very easy self-drive to Stellenbosch (Winelands and university town - definitely more diverse night-life than in Strand), or the Cape Peninsula (back via the N2) or Hermanus (September is part of whale season, especially good in that town further east).

The Strand Pavilion was built right next to the old jetty of yesteryear. It is built so that part, if not most, of it juts out over the sea, so that if you have one of the better rooms you will be completely over the sea with the waves breaking under or behind you. The views of many of the rooms must be outstanding - looking across the sea to the Hottentots Holland Mountains behind Gordon's Bay, or looking across False Bay and seeing the Peninsula or possibly even Table Mountain (although I doubt that) in the distance. The main swimming beach (Milk Bay beach) is (used to be) reached by walking along the beachfront (or on the beach) for a kilometre or so.

ah, ok, thanks RudiK, now I know which place it is. Haven´t visited Strand recently (while in the Western Cape earlier this year) but have seen it in the past and also vaguely remember driving past when it was being built several years ago, recalling that I wondered how it will do in a really strong South-Easter (wind). Since it is still there and obviously doing fine, I imagine it is well insulated.

Should have checked earlier on the website you mentioned. Here is the Link: Strand Pavilion

OP, As far as Strand goes, I don´t think there is a better location than that!

Thank you, qbpackback.

If in the Strand I would also recommend to do some hiking in the Hottentot Holland park or Helderberg nature reserve. Similar to Table Mountain but no muggings (Recently there have been quite frequent muggings on Table Mountain. The police wants to do something about it but I do not know how successfull they are.

For more support and some pictures look at:

Pictures of area around Sir Lowry's Pass 8 km off Strand

Strand does have a lovely beach, however i have always found the place to be rather dull..Gordons Bay (which is the town next to Strand) is far more pleasant IMHO. However it must be said that neither of them would be my first choice of places to stay at in the Cape. Sorry Rudi but is really is a place for retired Afrikaners!

It is worth hiring a vehicle and driving from Gordons Bay, to Rooiels, Bettys Bay etc - fab scenery and some great places to stop off at.

If you are into the outdoors then the Hottentots Holland mountains are at your doorstep. There is a place called Crystal Pools which is above Gordons Bay which is a beautiful place to spend some time. For the more adventurous Suicide Gorge is tops (and perhaps one of my personal faves in the Cape). Both require permits and guides would be preferable (certainly for Suicide Gorge - you need to go as part of a guided tour). I am sure that there are plenty places that will organise them for you.

I cannot disagree with you GM.

We too will be staying at the Strand Pavilion the first week of August. We are two women with three teenagers. What would be good to do with them? As far as a safety factor in South Africa, we have been there on 6 different occassions and have treasured every experience, always looking forward to our next trip.

August is not exactly the best time for the beach, however, you may be lucky with the weather. If you do have a nice day make use of it.
Day outings:
1) Hermanus for the whales.
2) The 4 passes drive (Sir Lowry's Pass, to Villiersdorp, Franschhoek Pass, Helshoogte)
3) The Stellenbosch Wine route
4) A day outing (walk) in the mountains at the top of Sir Lowry's Pass to see, inter alia, the tracks carved into the rock by the oxwagons when they crossed the mountains in bygone days.
5) A drive around the coast via Gordon's Bay and Rooi Els to Betty's Bay - visit the Penquin Colony at Stoney Point.
6) There must surely be sailing at Gordon's Bay (Bikini Beach ?) or surfing at The Strand
7) Macasser Beach and Sheik Josephs tomb (check this out - it may no longerr be possible)
Enjoy.