One of the many things I love about Cape Town is that one is always discovering cool new things to do, see and experience. Last week I was invited by Cape Town Tourism to a race day at Killarney race track. It was a totally new experience for me and most enjoyable. I didn’t really know what to expect, but it was way more than I could have imagined.

On arrival we were presented with racing overalls, shoes and gloves. We all got changed before sitting down for a presentation on safety as well as tips on the track. It’s important to understand when to brake and turn, etc, to ensure maximum speed with minimum incidents! We paid attention during the presentation because we were a little nervous, after all, these are proper racing cars!

Then it was time to race. We had some photos taken with the cars, which had our names on! (I know I’m using a lot of exclamation marks, but really, they are necessary). Check out the gallery link below for more pics. The cars are Reynard race cars with a top speed of 240km/h. They look like small F1 cars. The first group was assisted into their cars (it’s difficult to get in, ok) and off we went for a lap with the instructor leading so we could familiarise ourselves with ‘the line’.

The first session we slowly got used to the track and the capabilities of the car. After about 7 laps we were waved in so the second group could have a go. The second session I was put at the front and I gunned it. By the time I got to the last few laps I was really starting to push the car and when I eventually pulled into the pit lane and got out the car, I was shaking with adrenaline.

The whole time there are snacks and cooldrinks available and they also have a rad setup of Playstation with a F1 game loaded and the proper race seat, steering wheel and pedals etc. This passes the time between racing sessions very effectively.

At the end of the racing, they present the lap times and the winners in various categories (eg most improved) get to stand on the winners podium and spray each other and us with champagne, completing a very close to real racing experience.

This is something really different and exciting to do. I would recommend it for corporates or batchelor’s parties or for anyone who is crazy about racing cars. It is also very appealing for tourists because you won’t get this experience anywhere else in the world at even double the price.

Fantastic Racing
Killarney Racetrack 
Tel: 021 461 1414
http://www.fantasticracing.com/

I recently treated myself to a morning at a spa and walked away from it feeling refreshed and looking new and shiny. When i got into my car I realised that my car needed to get the same sort of treatment. It was looking (and smelling) as tired as I had felt before my spa session.

Normally my car is washed once a week by one of the workers at my apartment block, he gets some extra cash and my car stays reasonably clean. Then once a month I take it to a car wash to be properly washed and vacumed. But it was time for more than just a wash, it was time for a valet.

I remember when I was a kid that my parents took their cars to be valeted once in a while and I loved how clean the car looked and smelled for weeks afterwards. It’s weird how you are more appreciative of your car and careful with it when it is clean.

I decided to check out Plush Boutique car wash because they were the closest I could find. They are on Main Road in Greenpoint, in the basement parking of the building with the Vida and Bravado (ex Melissa’s). I went fairly early on a rainy Saturday, so Plush wasn’t busy. My car went straight into the wash bay and one of the owners, Daniel, offered to show me around while my car was being washed.

There is certainly more to washing cars than I realised. I was exposed to the wide array of machines, tools, soaps and waxes that do much more than just clean a car. Light scratches are removed, the colour is restored and the car is covered with a protective coating.

What impressed me about Plush is that they take pride in their work. They seemed as pleased with my shiny looking car as I was. There are cctv cameras dotted around the wash bays and Daniel keeps his eye on the work being done.

The biggest hassle for me when I wash my car is finding something to do while it’s being washed. I normally need to kill at least an hour and there isn’t anywhere decent for me to go. Most washes at Plush entitle you to a complimentary coffee at Vida upstairs, so you could pass some time at Vida with your laptop or reading the paper. By the time I’d had my coffee and been given the grand tour by Daniel, my car was ready.

Wow, I wanted to frame it. I think if you’re wanting to sell your car, definitely get it valeted and it will sell the same day. My car looked great and smelled rad after they had sprayed the freshner of my choice.

I think I’m going to move my monthly wash from the garage to Plush. They have some memberships for regulars which will reduce the cost. I just hope my car won’t develop a complex being parked next to all those Aston Martins, Porsches and Ferraris which frequent plush.

I went for the special they were offering which was a Wash, Engine Clean, Polish, Vac, Leather conditioner, Wheels, all for R300. The price list is quite long, ranging from interior only (it is winter after all) for R50 all the way through to one serious valet for R600.

What’s nice is that they offer quite a few add on services. They can do fallout removal, scratch repair (paint or wheel rim), even smash & grab laminate protection for your windows. You can also arrange to have your car collected and returned.

If you want to treat you car and make it look like new again, visit Plush.

Plush Boutique Car Wash
Basement parking, Portside Centre
Upper Portswood Road, Greenpoint
021 434 5361

I’ve never been into massages, facials, pedicures and all those ‘treatments’ that women seem to be having all the time. This form of relaxation and body treatment has definitely increased in popularity, evident from the number of spas around these days. I don’t know much about spas. Although it seems they are mostly frequented by women, I would imagine they are not only for women. I was quite surprised to learn about a place in The Foundry in Greenpoint (next to Beluga) which is a spa for men only. Glasshouse describes itself as a grooming emporium for men. I thought this would be a good place to start investigating.

I booked in for a hot stone massage, facial and pedicure this last saturday morning. I arrived at 9:45am and left at 12:15pm, two and a half hours of pampering. I use the word, pampering, for a reason. Women use this word when they describe their visits to spas and I think I know what they mean now. Whilst I may not necessarily have had any pressing grooming requirements, the value is not just in the grooming but in the great feeling that is brought on by being pampered. I definitely felt spoilt.

I arrived and was offered something to drink, I opted for a cup of filter coffee while I filled out the ‘first time visitor’ form. A few basic details about what products I use (soap), skin problems I have (none), etc. While finishing my coffee I looked around and was impressed with the decor, stylish and definitely oriented toward men.

Ashton came and collected me for my first treatment, the hot stone massage. I was a bit nervous because I’ve only been for a massage once before and it was terrible. I was in pain the whole time and the only relaxing thing about it was the release of tension I felt when she told me it was over. This was completely different, Ashton asked me how much pressure I liked and she did it just how I liked it. I’m a firm believer in the power of touch. I’m sure that massages are very good for your muscles etc, but I think that there is a lot to be said for human contact. I became very relaxed after a few minutes and enjoyed the sensations of stone and skin and heat. When she as finished, she left me for a few minutes to ease myself back into the real world. I walked down the passage to find the shower running for me. I nice hot shower was a great and I enjoyed washing my 20 strands of hair with awesome smelling fancy shampoos.

After my shower I was handed a glass of cold water and shown to the next room for my facial. Ashton rubbed some stuff on my face and wiped it off again and then examined my skin to see if it needed any special attention. Apparently my skin is ‘mixed’ and in relatively good shape so she just did a few treatments to clear the pores, exfoliate and what not. The facial included a short face, neck and head massage which was pleasant.

Then off to the next room for my pedicure. My toenails got more attention than they’ve ever had in their lives. I thought my feet were in good condition but by the time my cuticles had been sorted out, my toenails clipped, filed and buffed and my heels sanded, they were looking brand new. This was all followed by a short foot massage.

This whole process took two and a half hours and I was sad to leave. I felt spoilt. I loved it. I’ll be back. There are many other treatments on offer as well as hair cuts and various shaves. Glasshouse offers hair removal, body scrub, body bronzing and more, as well as packages which combine various treatments. If you’re pressed for time, there are ‘express treatments’. Check out their website for info and prices.

Glasshouse
Unit 110a, The Foundry, 74 Prestwich Street, Greenpoint
Tel: 021 419 9599
www.glasshousemen.com