Happy New Year 2007 to our guests from Phaedra and all the staff at Blue Waters Guesthouse in Bakoven.

We have had a very busy October and November, and a festive December with a mixture of International and South African guests.  The weather was good to us over Christmas, without the winds we sometimes come to expect at this time of year.  Whales continue to be a regular feature for our guests, who are making good use of the new binoculars to take a closer look.  The breakfast spread changes slowly with the seasons and the available fruits, offering ever more exotic varieties in the summer months.  Some guests surprise themselves by enjoying the variety of fruits, which they wouldn’t normally experience at home and we have received many comments to that effect in the guest book.  We’ve also added hard boiled eggs to the breakfast spread, and these are going down well (no pun in intended) with the guests.  We continue to offer eggs prepared in multiple other ways (such as fried or scrambled) with your breakfast if you prefer.  Decaffeinated coffee is available if you don’t need the morning jolt to wake you up. 

We are continually making improvements to the guesthouse which should be noticeable to those of you that visit us on a regular basis.  We’re bringing in more touches of blue to the rooms and the breakfast table.  We’ve added paving stones from the lower patio to the back gate and are replanting the back lawn, as well as adding plants for colour around the pool.  New state of the art pool loungers are available for those cheese and wine afternoons poolside.  There are cushions on the upstairs balcony for our guests to relax on while enjoying the sunsets.   We’ve added a water feature in the entrance hall and some original art work to enhance the Blue Waters theme. 

Fruit Galore		Best table for Breakfast
Christmas morning		Touches of blue

A comfy height adjustable swivel chair has been set up at the computer for guests who would like to check their email, or just browse the web for directions, things to do and places to eat.  We continue to update our website (now the default screen on the upstairs computer) to provide more and more features in a single easy to use manner.For those ‘techno’ travellers, take advantage of the complimentary wireless computer access allowing you to stay in touch with family and business matters from the comfort of your room, the balcony or the pool). 

We have also put up new pictures in the lounge area and in many of the bedrooms.  If you can’t remember your room name, you can say “We’d like to stay in the Jellyfish room again” or “We’re in the Aquarium room with Nemo” and we’ll know what you mean.

Our guests comment on the great meals at Marika’s, where our new neighbours Marika & Frank serve wonderful Mediterranean fare.  Always a favourite on the first jet-lagged evening when a walk of a few paces is all one needs before a comfortable night’s sleep.  The atmosphere is friendly and the food is plentiful and delicious.  If you haven’t been there, please pop in next time you stay with us.  They’re open for dinner Tuesday to Sunday from 6.30 p.m. and lunch on Sundays.  As with all the Camps Bay restaurants, there are no worries about drinking and driving as all this choice is within easy walking distance (restaurants are listed on our web site under ‘Things to do’).  If you like great steaks with a variety of sauces, Cattle Baron’s is a short hike up the hill.  Well worth the walk back down and hearing the waves as you near Blue Waters.  Tuscany Beach Restaurant, an easy 10 minute walk away in Camps Bay, has great cocktails & sushi and serves enormous portions of paella – as we found out while eating there during the week of Christmas.  A great light lunch can be had at the newly renovated Sandbar where the Sandblaster Cocktail and the Prawn Wrap make a tantalizing combo. 

We’ve just ordered in a new stock of Knorhoek and Napier wines this week.  Eating or staying at Knorhoek is an excellent way to view the winelands.  They have a lapa where lunch is served and 7 en suite rooms in converted stables – some with old fashioned claw foot baths.   You can find out more on their website: www.knorhoek.co.za.  There is little to beat a few nights under the stars in the middle of the winelands surrounded by the local mountain peaks.  One guest described Stellenbosch as the place where ‘Napa meets Yosemite’!

Friends recently returned from Savanna Game Lodge in the Sabi Sands reserve.  They saw all of the Big 5, and were astounded at the quality and quantity of lion sightings.  The Savanna rooms have been updated with new bathrooms and outdoor showers.  If you are looking for a luxury African Experience, Savanna will provide you with the holiday of a lifetime:  http://www.savannalodge.com/ If you don’t have the time available in your itinerary to enjoy this truly world class experience, we can help you plan a local ‘malaria free’ safari at Aquila Game Reserve (90 minutes outside of Cape Town) or Inverdoon Game Reserve (2½ hours outside of Cape Town). 

As always, we’re more than happy to help you with all local arrangements to visit any of the places highlighted in this newsletter and assist with any restaurant bookings or travel ideas while staying with us.  Email me at info@bluewaters.co.za and we’ll happily start working on your next holiday in paradise.  

Table Mountain from the Blue Peter Restaurant		Serene Hout Bay
Clifton beaches		Blue Waters sunset

Cape Town is gearing up for the following annual events:

2007 Argus Cycle Tour      – Sunday 11^th March 2007

Two Oceans Marathon      – Saturday 7^th April 2007

We still have room availability for these dates, if you’re planning to come to Cape Town to participate, support a participant, be a spectator or to relax and enjoy the ambiance.  The Cycle Tour passes right by our entrance so you can set up an exclusive water stop for your friends at the top of the driveway.

To all our guests, do come back soon.  We look forward to seeing you again.  Please do also let us know if you have friends or family visiting and we’ll be sure to say a special hello to them on your behalf.  For the more adventurous, if you have any surprises of your own that you’d like us to spring on their arrival (champagne and strawberries please…), please send us an email and we’d be happy to oblige and email you the pictures to prove it…

To our regular business guests, please do come and see us when next in Cape Town, we treasure your company on those quiet winter evenings…

Please remember you can check availability and make reservation requests directly on the Accommodation tab of our website: www.bluewaters.co.za.  Please send an email to me at info@bluewaters.co.za if I can help with any questions you may have.

Take care, hope to see you soon!

Phaedra and the Blue Waters Staff