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This year on the 28^th of January saw the 35^th J&B Met, the country’s most prestigious horse race and a chance to dress to the nines, held annually at the Kenilworth Racecourse. This year’s theme was ‘Made Different’ which refers to the Mets sponsors, J&B whiskey, made from a blend of 42 whiskeys. The theme also encouraged South Africans to bend and break the rules of fashion.

The 50 000 people that attended the event this year took the theme very seriously and many came decked out in extravagant creations, some even resembling a Madi Gras costume rather than an outfit for a day at the races. The award for the most elegant couple was awarded to Celeste Steyn and Daniel Malan, while he was dressed in a quirky version of a black suit, she wore an innocent peach and floral dress complete with white gloves and a tea cup for a hat.

Many local designers use the Met to get exposure for their work, often sponsoring celebrities to show off their designs. Guests of our Cape villas who attended the affair may have spotted some celebrities also decked out in their finest, including current Miss South Africa Melinda Bam, Jo-Ann Strauss, Michael Mol and Roxy Louw, looking as fresh as if she had just walked out of the sea in an ice blue low cut dress.

While we have a few Cape Town villas situated near the Kenilworth Racecourse, in Constantia and Bishopscourt for example, it is well worth the quick 15 minute drive from any Cape Town villa located in the city center. The J&B Met is also a time to bet on the horses and any guests of any of our Cape villa who bet on Igugu in the main race will have walked away with a heavier wallet. Bravura came in second place while Gimmiethegreenlight came in a respectable third place.

Boulders Beach in Simons Town is home to a thriving colony of breeding penguins. These charming little creatures roam the beach quite freely and remain unperturbed by their many human visitors and are happy to share the white sand beach and the cool turquoise sea with them. It is not uncommon to go for a swim on this beach and have a penguin join you amongst the waves and large boulders for which the beach is named.

It is important however not to become too complacent with these cute flightless creatures and disturbing or petting them is not advised, they are known to bite. Sometimes they will warn you before they strike by moving their head from side to side, but you might not be so lucky, so it is best to simply observe them.

Boulders Beach makes for a wonderful day out and can be accessed quite easily from the train line that begins in Cape Town central and runs through the Southern Suburbs to its last stop at Simons Town station. From there you can walk or take a Rikki taxi to Boulders Beach. As the beach is part of Table Mountain National Park you will be required to pay a small fee, this contributes to the conservation of the penguins.

The 3000 or so penguins can also be admired from the wooden boardwalk that runs along the beach and also happens to be wheelchair friendly. The colony was set up in 1983 and is one of the few mainland colonies that exist. The penguins have since thrived in their new home and their breeding season is from February to August where they nest in burrows in the sand or under plants. For guests staying at our elegant Cape Villas and seeking an authentic activity that locals enjoy, the Boulders Beach Penguin Colony is definitely worth a visit.