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Removals from the UK to Cape Town with Hamiltons Removals
Cape Town is one of the most popular places to move to, particularly for work reasons; this South African city always had a thriving economy, and it has recovered well from the recent global financial problems. It’s also one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, thanks in no small part to the level of migration which played a large part in establishing it as one of the world’s biggest trading ports.
Here Hamiltons Removals, who can help if you are interested in removals from the UK to Cape Town, take a closer look at the city.
The History and Heritage
Although there is evidence of a primitive settlement in the area more than 10,000 years ago, the modern city of Cape Town has its roots in the 17th century and, more specifically, the United East India trading company. This Dutch concern was using the port as a stopover on its way to the East Indies; however, it was hard to find local labour to service the ships, so the company imported its own workforce which helped the population grow.
The city has always had close European links – apart from the Dutch influence, the French and the British occupied the city before it became part of modern South Africa. Today, Cape Town continues to be one of the most multi-racial and cosmopolitan of places throughout the country.
Major employers include the finance and retail sectors, shipping and petrochemical companies, publishing, fashion and food and drink. Tourism is also a big contributor to the city’s economy, employing around one in 10 of the workforce (and making up a similar percentage of Cape Town’s Gross Domestic Product).
Getting There and Getting Around
Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is the second largest airport in the country; only Johannesburg’s is larger. The airport runs daily flights to all the major cities in South Africa, as well as to the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and France, plus Far Eastern destinations such as Hong Kong and Singapore.
Most trains running to the city run different classes and fares. For instance, the inter-city service has Economy, Tourist and Premier Class, while even the local routes have a choice of MetroPlus (first class) and Metro (third class). You get what you pay for in terms of comfort and service; if you are travelling on your own, or at night, it may be better to opt for a higher class of service.
There is no underground network, but the roads are in generally good condition and hiring a vehicle is usually less expensive compared to other countries. There are two major bus companies operating in the city – the older Golden Arrow service, which runs services mostly during the day, and the newer MyCiti network, which operates from the airport as well as in the city centre.
The Main Attractions
Table Mountain dominates the skyline of Cape Town; you can walk up to the summit, which is around 1,000m above sea level, or you can get a cable car. There are spectacular views over the surrounding countryside and coastline as well as over the city of Cape Town itself. The National Park, which the mountain is part of, attracts more than 4million visitors every year.
The nearby V & A Waterfront (named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert) is a mixed-use development which contains shops, restaurants, hotels and museums. Part of the area is a former harbour where the original merchant ships used to berth.
Students of history should head for Robben Island, the notorious former prison where Nelson Mandela served the bulk of his prison sentence after he failed to renounce his opposition to apartheid. The island, which is in Table Bay, can be reached through one of the three daily tours which depart from Cape Town’s Waterfront.
Shopping Around and Eating Out
Cape Town has plenty of other shopping areas away from the V & A; try Greenmarket Square for its vibrant flea market, or any of the new shopping malls for a more upmarket experience. Canal Walk, Tyger Valley and Victoria Wharf all have their own shopping centres.
Favourite native dishes include the Bobotie, a spiced minced meat dish with a cheese topping; if you only have time for a snack, then try the Gatsby – a bread roll full of chips and a variety of other fillings and sauces. But whatever type of cuisine you are used to, you should be able to find it in Cape Town, thanks to the cosmopolitan nature of the city.
Cape Town is also a major player in the South African and international wine industry. Shiraz, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are all grown in the region, and many of the vineyards offer guided tours and tastings.
Removals from the UK to Cape Town with Hamiltons Removals
If you are interested in international removals to all parts of South Africa, then Hamiltons Removals can help. We have moved people, and businesses, to Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Pretoria as well as Cape Town.
If you would like to know more about our removals packages for South Africa – which can include insurance, packing and unpacking, and cleaning services – then follow this link. To help make starting the process easier for you, we also offer video surveys and online quotations.
Key Differences Between Thanksgiving and Christmas
Americans and Canadians have just celebrated Thanksgiving. But what’s it all about – and how does it differ from Christmas? If you are considering house removals to America or Canada, you will certainly need to know. Here is Hamiltons’ Removals guide to the differences between the two, and how both are celebrated in the two countries.
The Roots of Thanksgiving and Christmas
While Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus on December 25, Thanksgiving Day is more of a movable feast, just like Easter. It is most widely celebrated in Canada and the USA; in the former on the second Monday in October, whereas in the latter it takes place on the fourth Thursday in November.
There are several different theories about when Thanksgiving Day started in America. Many believe it dates back to the Pilgrim Fathers, who first came to America in 1620 on the vessel the Mayflower; a tradition developed where they sat down with Native Americans to give thanks for the previous year’s harvest.
Others dispute this idea, saying that the tradition began earlier than that, and in other parts of the country where new settlers had also arrived. However, the underlying reasons for the celebration are widely accepted.
In Canada, it is also unclear when the tradition began; some say it was down to 16th Century English migrants, while others have traced it to French explorers in the following century. Originally Canadians observed Thanksgiving Day on November 6, but a Canadian Act of Parliament saw it moved to the October date.
What Happens on Thanksgiving Day?
On Thanksgiving Day, the principal tradition in the US is to share a family meal, go to church, or to either attend a sporting event in person or watch it on TV. There is a full programme of basketball, American football and ice hockey games not just on the Thursday but across the whole weekend.
Different cities also have Thanksgiving parades; examples include the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York, the ABC Dunkin’ Donuts Parade in Philadelphia, and the more traditional American Hometown Thanksgiving Parade in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
There is no great tradition of decorating the home or buying presents for Thanksgiving; those are reserved for Christmas. However, what Americans call ‘the holiday season’ generally begins with Thanksgiving, and the Friday after Thanksgiving Day is known as Black Friday. This originally marked the start of the Christmas shopping season, but has now become a day when stores across the globe offer special discounts.
In Canada, because it is celebrated a month earlier, Christmas isn’t so much of a factor. Thanksgiving Day is still a national holiday (apart from in the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia) as it is in the USA.
In both countries, families often travel long distances to be together on the day itself. Turkeys are the centrepoint of most traditional Thanksgiving meals, accompanied by gravy, stuffing, vegetables and other foodstuffs native to the respective countries.
Christmas in the USA and Canada
In both countries, Christmas Day is celebrated much as it is in the UK; presents are generally placed under the tree and opened on Christmas morning (although sometimes the adults might open family gifts on Christmas Eve). Children hang stockings by their bed or the fireplace, ready for Santa to fill them overnight.
The main meal is usually turkey, although some households prefer ham or roast beef. However, while Canadians generally have a Christmas pudding after the main course, Americans opt for a range of desserts, including pastries, biscuits and cheesecake. As a member of the Commonwealth, Canada also broadcasts the King’s Christmas Speech.
House Removals to America and Canada with Hamiltons Removals
If you are interested in international removals to Canada or the USA, then Hamiltons Removals can provide a complete package. We offer a choice of deep-sea removals options: with our dedicated service you have sole use of a shipping container, or you can choose the groupage option where the container will be shared with other customers’ belongings. Smaller items can be sent via airfreight.
Hamiltons also offer plenty of optional extras, including a packing and unpacking service, insurance, professional cleaning, and storage facilities.
We can help you move to all the major and minor destinations in both countries, including Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec in Canada, and New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco in the USA. For more details about moving house to Canada, click here; and if you are interested in an American move, follow this link.