Page 165 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

FUR THER AFIELD  163

good friends, Rudyard Kipling. the electronic impulse that
The focus of the memorial, triggers the daily Noon Day
however, is the bronze eques- Gun on Signal Hill (see p120),
trian statue, titled “Physical thus setting standard time for
Energy”, which was executed the entire country.
by George Frederic Watts.
The sweeping views from
the monument across the p Ratanga Junction
southern suburbs and out to Road map B5. Off N1, 10 km (6 miles)
the distant Hottentots Holland N of Cape Town. Tel (021) 550-8504.
mountains are superb. Mixed Open phone for information.
oak and pine woodlands cover Closed 25 Dec. & ∑ ratanga.co.za
the mountain slopes around
the memorial, and there Ratanga Junction is the
are hiking trails from country’s first full-scale
Mostert’s Mill, a prominent landmark near the car park. The theme park. This
the University of Cape Town Rhodes Memorial imaginative
Restaurant is venue is
re-created operating theatre. a lovely spot situated north
Tribute is paid to both the heart for lunch or of the city centre
donor, Denise Darvall, who had afternoon tea at on the N1, at
lost her life in a car accident, and outdoor tables. the Century City
the recipient, Louis Washkansky. Ratanga Junction theme shopping, hotel and
park logo office complex.
E Irma Stern Museum o South African Ratanga Junction
Cecil Rd, Rosebank. Tel (021) 685- provides entertain ment for
5686. Open 10am–5pm Tue–Fri, Astronomical the entire family. Chief among
10am–2pm Sat. Closed public hols. Observatory its many attrac tions are the
& ∑ irmastern.co.za thrilling tube ride through
Road map B5. Off Liesbeeck Pkway,
E Heart of Cape Town Museum Observatory Rd. Tel (021) 447-0025. Crocodile Gorge, the spine-
Groote Schuur Hospital, Main Rd, Open 8pm on 2nd and 4th Sat of chilling Cobra roller coaster
Observatory. Tel (021) 404-1967. 8 every month. 8 groups of 10 or and a breath taking 18.5-m (60-ft)
9am, 11am, 1pm & 3pm daily; book in more must book. ∑ saao.ac.za log- flume drop on Monkey Falls.
advance. Closed Good Fri, 25 Dec. & Also on offer is a nine-hole
∑ heartofcapetown.co.za The site for the Royal Obser- crazy-golf course and various
vatory was selected in 1821 shows, “jungle cruises” and fun
by the first Astronomer rides specifically designed for
i Rhodes Memorial Royal stationed at the Cape, younger children. There are also
Road map B5. Groote Schuur Estate. Reverend Fearon Fellows. family-friendly games that allow
Exit off M3. n (021) 687-0000. Today, as the national players to test their strength
Open May–Sep: 8am–6pm daily; headquarters for astronomy or their aim in a fun way.
Oct–Apr: 7:30am–7pm daily. in South Africa, it controls The Food Court, situated in
Restaurant: 9am–5pm daily. the Sutherland labor atory The Walled City on Ratanga
∑ rhodesmemorial.co.za in the Great Karoo and is Island, offers a variety of food
responsible for transmitting outlets.
Directly opposite Groote
Schuur homestead – the state
president’s official Cape Town
residence – the Rhodes
Memorial overlooks the busy
M3, and affords sweeping views
of the southern suburbs.
The white granite, Doric-style
temple on the slopes of Devil’s
Peak was designed by Sir
Herbert Baker as a tribute
to Cecil John Rhodes, and was
unveiled in 1912. It contains
a bust of Rhodes by J M Swan,
who also sculpted the eight
bronze lions which guard the
stairs. Beneath the bust is an
inscription from “The Burial”,
written by one of Rhodes’ The Rhodes Memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker

162-163_EW_South_Africa.indd 163 25/05/17 2:45 pm