Western Cape Article - South African Vacations

Flea markets: Flea markets arevery much part of the CapeTown culture. The Pan AfricanMarket in Long Street is believedto be the largest of its kind in thecountry. It sells African arts andcrafts and many of the artists canbe seen at work in their studios.Other flea markets includepermanent markets at CapeTown Station and at the Victoria& Alfred once used as a militaryparade ground in the eighteenthand nineteenth centuries. Today,it operates as a giant car park oras a thriving open-air market,depending on the day of the week. The stalls offer an astonishing collection of fabrics, plasticware,haberdashery and food. The Khayelitsha Craft Market is situated in Khayelitshatownship and offers a variety of uniquely crafted African items. Visit it as part of a townshiptour. The Philani Flagship Project in Crossroads trades in hand-printed fabrics.Greenmarket Square: At the heart of the citylies Greenmarket Square, home to apermanent flea market and lined with shopsand restaurants. The adjoining pedestrian mall,St Georges Street, has many interesting stallsand shops. Greenmarket Square is bounded byShortmarket, Longmarket and Burg Streets andused to be a fruit and vegetable market. Today,the market bustles with flea market stalls thatsell everything from art to clothes. The fleamarket is open from Monday to Saturday.Locals and visitors congregate here to shop,eat good food or simply to relax .Monwabisi: The coastal resort off BadenPowell Drive boasts the largest man-made poolin the Southern Hemisphere and its many otherfacilities make it a popular resort.Ratanga Junction: This theme-park offersunparalleled entertainment for young and oldand will keep the entire family entertained forhours. Ratanga activities range from adrenalinepumpingrides in day-time to night-timeentertainment for adults such as night clubsand pubs.Shopping Centres: Cape Town has several modern shopping centres, such as CavendishSquare in Claremont, the N1 City Centre with its indoor Putt-Putt centre and Sanlam Centre inthe northern suburbs.42