A very warm welcome to the ExpatCapeTown Newsletter in December 2009 .

It is summer in Cape Town and holiday time in the Mother City. This means relaxed easy living and life is slowing down.

Deep blue sky and balmy evenings lift the mood instantly and Christmas time being near the Capetonians are more relaxed than ever with family gatherings and parties with friends. Expat families enjoy showing the best of the Mother City to their families and friends from overseas.

The Final Draw for the Soccer Worldcup was mastered with pride early this month and showed the world how beautiful Cape Town is and what really makes the Mother City so special.

And so it doesn’t come as a surprise that in one of the most recent surveys Cape Town was voted among the top Expat Cities worldwide for expat experiences again.

More about the survey here.

Tourists and expats from all over the world as well as the multicultural locals enjoy the relaxed life in the Mother City. Many of you also have experienced the great atmosphere during the Worldcup Draw with its well organized events when thousands of happy fans were celebrating all over town together peacefully.

If you want to experience the wonderful multicultural atmosphere in town any day make sure to visit any of the wonderful open-air concerts either at the V&A Waterfront or any of the joyful Christmas Concerts.

Christmas time is also the time to cherish good friendships and relationships with some special attention or gifts. So here in this edition of my newsletter you will find some special treats for your loved ones.

This is what you will find in this issue:

1. Hot Tips for Travelers and Expats: South Africa Shopping Tips for your last minute gift shopping

2. Event of the Month: What's on this Festive Season

3. Inside Cape Town: Living in Green Point

4. Typical South African: Ayoba and Robots

5. Cape Town Insider Tips: Know where to get…?

Hot Tips for Expats and Travellers: South Africa Shopping Tips

Christmas is very close now and if you are one of the last minute shoppers or want to select a special treat here are five great tips for wonderful and special gifts for your loved ones:

• Cooking Class Gift Vouchers If you want to surprise a gourmet or foodie, giving a voucher for a cooking class with a South African chef in Cape Town is a real treat. More info.

• Concert Tickets: Get tickets for one of the great ballet or musical shows in Cape Town this festive season. Check www.computicket.com for more info or even get an annual membership at one of Cape Town’s theatres. www.computicket.com

• Sponsorships Get a sponsorship for a really good cause and show you really care.

Sponsor a disadvantaged child or sponsor a fledgling chef or show your interest in nature and adopt a penguin . The good causes to choose from are numerous.

• Join in the Soccer Fever Have a makaraba made for a soccer fan and you can be sure he/she will appreciate this special South African soccer accessoire. www.makaraba.co.za

• African Gold Book a table in one really special restaurant, the "Gold"Restaurant in Cape Town’s CBD adjoining to the Gold of Africa museum. You will not only enjoy wonderful food where even the chocolate beans are coated with golddust but also experience a fun drumming session the whole family can enjoy.

More about the best Cape Town Shopping

Event of the Month: Have a Merry Christmas!

And there are many wonderful things to do with your kids when in Cape Town during the Summer school holidays. Check out my special listing of great ideas on what to do with kids in Cape Town.

What else is on in Cape Town in December?

More great events and shows in December.

Living in Cape Town Greenpoint

This month I choose to bring you some more info about living in Greenpoint as more and more expats and tourists chose to live in the up market apartments in the heart of Cape Town.

Why Greenpoint? Safe and central, lots of Cape Town attractions are nearby. Sports facilities and international grocery shops in Greenpoint and adjoining Sea Point.

Where to stay? Lots of new housing is offered in Green Point’s apartment complexes. There are many Cape Towns Hotels within walking distance to the Cape Town CBD and the V&A Waterfront.

Where to go? Enjoy leisurely walks at the lovely Greenpoint promenade, see Cape Town’s oldest lighthouse and check out the newly built Cape Town Stadium. The area around the Stadium is still to be developed and improved but the new Stadium was all finished by last week and looks fabulous.

Where to do your grocery shopping in Greenpoint? If you enjoy Italian specialties you have to go to "Giovanni's" or try the homemade delicacies at "Melissa's". Many bigger supermarkets will be found in nearby Sea Point.

Typical South African terms

What is a robot? Something you really will need to know when driving in South Africa. A robot is a traffic light at an intersection. You might also see signs like "Robots Ahead". If a South African gives you road directions you should know that if you have to turn left at the robots, that means turn left at the traffic lights. Be sure to know about the South Africa driving rules, you can find more info on my "Getting Around" pages.

Cape Town Insider Tips

Enjoy the Cape Town summer at the AquaFestival at the Waterfront. There are many concerts with South African top stars held over the next weeks in beautiful surroundings at the lively V&A Waterfront. www.aquafestival.com

Where to spend a great day out in the Cape Winelands? Have you ever seen white lions? If not you definitely should make Vredenheim Wine Estate your next destination for a great day out in the Stellenbosch Wine Region. Enjoy the lovely food at Hudson’s Bar and Restaurant and book a tour in the lion park which only opened on the estate in October. They currently also have very cute lion cubs to admire which are only around three month old.

Where have a wonderful breakfast and splendid views of Table Bay and Table Mountain? Head to Big Bay in Blouberg and spend the morning at Café Sofia where your breakfast is not only reasonably priced but is soooo delicious. Not to mention the fabulous views towards Table Mountain from the promenade at Eden on the Bay.

A big Thank You

With your subscription to my Newsletter and spreading the word about my website you give me much joy and make it very rewarding indeed to write more articles about living in Cape Town.

Thank You for your wonderful support during the last year and may you all have a Merry Christmas with your loved ones and a Happy and Prosperous New Year 2010.

What’s coming in the Next Newsletter?

Just be assured, there will be lots of more great tips and advice, so be sure to subscribe my newsletter and take a look at my website which is ever expanding.

And please come back with more great tips from your site, all kinds of comments very welcome! Contact me here.

Have a great time in Cape Town or wherever you are!

Regina