The Glen, Cape Town, South Africa
Phil Thurston
by Joseph Schmitt
Originally from London, Phil Thurston left
a career composing music for advertising and film for
a more hospitable life in paradise. “I regard Cape
Town as one of the world’s most spectacular destinations.
Scenic beauty, cultural diversity, gourmet delights, and
breathtaking views and sunsets all conspire to make Cape
Town and its surroundings a truly inspired choice for
a vacation or a home. I am blessed to be living in such
an amazing city,” says Thruston. Having worked with
corporate clients and the general public in his previous
career, Thurston says he has a common-sense approach to
the hospitality business. “People are our most important
asset—both our team at The Glen and our customers.
Working as a team, we aim to make our guests’ stay
the best it can be.” As a manager with The Glen Boutique
Hotel and Apartments (http://www.glenhotel.co.za),
a popular gay property, Thurston is excited to share the
wonders of Cape Town with Passport readers.
Cape Town is said to have amazing
beaches. Can you tell us about the city’s beach
culture and where to go?
With a beach for every season and a beach for every
reason, I believe Cape Town is one of the best sun,
sand, and sea destinations in the world. South Africa
was the first country outside of Europe to have blue
flag beaches, which signifies a high level of water
quality, facilities, cleanliness, and safety.
The lively beaches of Clifton (a nearby
suburb) are separated by huge boulders and are considered
the most fashionable in Cape Town. Clifton has four
beaches, all hidden away from the road by massive apartment
blocks and accessed by private steps. Clifton 3rd, most
popular for the gay crowd, is where you’ll find
gym boys draped in designer swimwear and shorts.
The platinum mile that is Camps Bay
plays host to a number of street cafés, bars,
and restaurants. There is no better experience than
having sundowners while the sun sets over the ocean!
Sandy Bay is recognized as the only nudist beach in
South Africa, and it offers relaxation away from the
other packed beaches (It’s also a very well-known
cruising spot in Cape Town).
 Speaking
of natural beauty, what are some of your favorite options
for exploring nature and wildlife while visiting Cape
Town?
The Garden Route Getaway (http://www.gardenroute.co.za)
is a leisurely drive out of Cape Town that has you pass
through the valleys of Worcester, Montague, and Calitzdorp,
arriving at Oudtshoorn at the foot of the Swartberg
Mountains. This historic town was built on the success
of the ostrich feather boom at the end of 1800s. Your
readers can enjoy the ultimate “Ostrich Experience”
when they visit a show farm with thousands of the birds
on view, from hatching chicks to full-grown adults.
They can also explore the spectacular Cango Caves (http://www.cangocaves.co.za),
where millions of years of dripping water have transformed
the limestone rock into massive veils of stalactites
and strange candle-like formations. A scenic drive over
the Outeniqua Pass to George, situated in the heart
of the Cape’s floral Kingdom, is where you can
board the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe (http://www.onlinesources.co.za/chootjoe)
for a unique and unforgettable steam-train journey along
the coastline between George and Knysna. You can spend
time exploring Knysna, the lush forest, the Garden of
Eden, and Plettenberg Bay, ending another glorious day
in Africa with a sunset cruise and dinner in the tranquil
waters of the Knysna Lagoon.
Also, a trip up to spectacular Table
Mountain (http://www.tablemountain.net)
in a cable car is not to be missed, and a visit to Cape
Point Nature Reserve (http://www.capepoint.co.za),
a protected paradise of fauna and flora that is situated
at the southern tip of the peninsula. It’s an unforgettable
journey to the mythical meeting place of the two great
oceans.
Meanwhile, The Winelands (http://www.about-capetown.com/wineroutes.htm)
is a hugely popular destination. Tourists can enjoy
a relaxing day traveling through the spectacular mountain
scenery and enjoy wine and cheese tasting in the cellars
of the finest historical wine estates.
Cape Town has a reputation for being
quite the hot spot for gay travelers. Can you tell us
about the nightlife and where to go?
There are so many good clubs and bars to choose
from, it’s impossible to list them all here, but
I can tell you that my current favorites are: Bronx
Action Bar (35 Somerset Road, De Waterkant. http://www.bronx.co.za).
It’s one of the top dance bars in Cape Town with
topless barmen and great music. Bronx is currently adding
a second floor and a rooftop expected to be ready for
use this year. The Loft Lounge (24 Napier Street. De
Waterkant. Tel: (27) 21-425-2647. http://www.loftlounge.co.za)
is aimed at the more sophisticated segments of the gay
market and their friends. The venue is chic, elegant,
and metropolitan, offering a unique meeting place with
stunning views of Table Mountain. With two levels and
two bars, the downstairs has a funkier, retro café
mood with predominantly black, white, and red décor.
The second level is more luxurious, with couches to
sink into. Rhythmic lounge beats set the tone, with
volumes set at conversational levels to encourage social
interaction. Beaulah Bar (28-30 Somerset Road Road,
Green Point. Tel: (27) 21-421-6798. http://www.beaulahbar.co.za)
has a relaxed, yet vibey atmosphere where boys can meet
boys and girls can meet girls. The party really kicks
off on Friday and Saturday nights with local DJs mixing
it up until the early hours of the morning. Roosevelt
Juice (160 Bree Street. Tel: (27) 21-426-0738. http://www.theroosevelt.co.
za/roosevelt.html) is Cape Town’s
newest, premium gay party, taking place monthly at The
Roosevelt Club. Here you’ll find cutting edge music
played by DJs who know how to please the boys, and a
masculine environment with a high level of sophistication
that’s not pretentious. Café Manhattan (two
locations. http://www.manhattan.co.za)
is where locals and tourists come together. Half restaurant,
half bar, they also offer live performers twice weekly,
regular art exhibitions, and parties. Meanwhile, Hemisphere
(31st Floor, ABSA Centre, Riebeeck Street. Tel: (27)
21-421-0581. http://www.hemisphere.org.za)
is a mixed (gay/straight) club offering 180º views
of Table Mountain, the city, and the ocean. Dancing
high above the city with the lights of Cape Town spread
out below you is an awesome experience. We like to say
this club is 31 floors closer to heaven.
Continued
1
| 2
NEXT>>
|
On
the Road, A Mini Gay Film Fest