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🚭 No smoking (not even on the balcony)👟 No shoes in the house (not even for one minute)🐶 No pets (not even cute ones)🕺 No parties (not even quiet ones)💁♂️ No extra guests —other than those we agreed upon— are allowed.
Lights: Most (but not all) ceiling and bedside lights throughout the flat have light bulbs with built-in rechargeable batteries; they will continue to work for a few hours if the power goes out. WiFi: We have a Gizzu UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply battery) connected to the WiFi router. This gives uninterrupted WiFi internet for an additional 5-6 hours. It also has USB plugs for charging your phone/devices.Stove: Since this is a gas stove, it will work, you’ll just need to use a lighter to light it. There should be a lighter in the second drawer (beneath the cutlery). However, you will not be able to use the oven, air fryer, electric kettle, or anything else plugged into the wall sockets. Coffee: The coffee beans grinder won’t work; there is a hand grinder in the cupboard above the stove. Find our stovetop kettle in the cabinet as the electric one won’t work.Hot water: Since we have a solar geyser, you should continue to have hot water, unless there has been more than a few cloudy days in a row.
Close all windows and the balcony door when you leave the flat.Don’t place breakable items next to open windows, in case the wind starts up ;) Don’t put anything on the balcony railing Bring in your laundry when you leave the flatIf the forecast is for it to be very windy or rainy, please move the balcony sofa cushions indoors 🙏Make sure nothing is left outside on the balcony when you leave it — including ensuring that the little braai (barbecue) is back inside the cabinet when you’re done cooking (Once, we left our braai on top the cabinet and the wind ripped the metal lid off and sent it flying into our neighbour’s garden. Luckily, nobody was harmed!)
Tables: On all wooden furniture, please use coasters and place mats. Don’t put plates and cups directly on the wood.Fireplace: We don’t have fire insurance for guests using the fireplace, so please only use it if you are 100% sure you won’t smoke up the house or cause damage to our house. Don’t leave the fire unattended and always keep the door latched (else ash will go flying in the house if the wind picks up). You can purchase firewood at most supermarkets. Please keep wood stored on the patio, and not inside, as firewood in SA often carries invasive insects which will burrow into and destroy other wood (which all our floors & much of our furniture is made of!). Ceiling fan & light: The main switch (on the wall) gives electricity to the fan-and-light. So, if it’s off at the wall, it doesn’t get power. But when it is on at the wall, you still need to pull the drawstrings (the long one for the lights, the short one to set the fan speed). Music & speakers: We have a Sonos receiver connected to some good (and retro — 50 years old!) Bang & Olufsen speakers. Once you’re connected to the WiFi, you’ll see it listed as “Living room” in your Spotify or other streaming account. You can also download the to use with Pandora or Tidal, or alternatively connect via Bluetooth (the amplifier is called Ampie Omo). It’s in the cabinet under the speakers in the living room, if you need to fine-tune the bass. Please be mindful of the music volume not to disturb the neighbours.Guitar and piano: We have an acoustic guitar and electric piano next to and inside the cabinet. Feel free to use these (at an appropriate level) ☺️
DishwasherWashing machine / Dryer / Clothes horse Trash / RecyclingCleaning supplies
Use of coffee/tea - Please help yourself to some coffee or the teaUse of condiments, spices, etc - Please feel free to use condiments in the fridge (e.g. mustard, Sriracha) and oils/spices (in the pantry) for your cooking!
Hot water geyser - We have a solar water geyser — it provides hot water warmed by the sun— with an electricity backup (for cloudy days). In summer we run completely on solar-heated water. The electric backup is scheduled to turn on twice a day, at 6:30-7:30am and 7:30-8:15pm, during the colder months. We’ve found that the water is hot at all hours with this schedule, but let us know (or ) if you need to adjust it. Please take short showers to conserve water 🙏Toiletries - Feel free to use liquid soaps, shampoos, and conditioners. Towels - We left a grey body towel and a face towel per person. Please don’t use any of these for the beach or park picnics. For that, we’ve left a picnic blanket and a pair of Turkish towels for you, in the main bedroom cupboard.
Linen: Unfortunately, we won’t be able to provide a change of linen, but you’re welcome to wash yours if needed (or request that our cleaner Charles, who is available on Wednesdays, to wash and change them for you).Cupboard space: Any unlocked space that’s empty is yours to use! We’ll clear out some space for you in both bedrooms closets / drawers, and will leave you some extra hangers. Too cold? Guest slippers: There are four pairs of guest house slippers, please use them!Space heaters: Unfortunately, we had an issue where previous guests left a space heater unattended for a long time, and it melted the socket (as these aren’t intended for long hours of use). Due to the fire risk, we don’t use space heaters anymore, but we have very, very thick down duvets on both beds and extra blanketsExtra blankets: We’ve left an extra cotton blanket in the main bedroom cupboard, in case the winter duvets are insufficient. Air conditioner heater: The bedroom air conditioner also has a heating function. Please keep the door closed and don’t leave this on when you are not in the room. Remote in the bedroom.Too warm? Fans: In the warmer months (Nov to Mar), use the floor/table fans left out or in the bedroom cupboard. The white table fan has a solar panel and a battery, so can work during load shedding. Ceiling fans: As described in “Living room” above, there are ceiling fans in the main bedroom and living room.Air conditioner: Please consider opening windows and using the ceiling/floor fans first instead of air conditioning, as nearly all electricity in SA is powered by dirty coal. But there are of course nights when the heat could be insufferable, so there is an air conditioner for that purpose (but only in the main bedroom). The remote is in the bedside table.Negative airflow: After a lot of experimenting, we’ve found the fastest (and greenest) way to cool down the bedrooms at night is to create a negative pressure draft. Keep all windows in the flat closed except the one in the bedroom and one in the living room. Point one fan inside the bedroom and point the other one outside the living. This should create a draft that sucks in cold air from outside and pulls it through the bedroom.
Braai (barbecue) - We have a little Weber gas braai (barbecue) in the cabinet, which you’re welcome to use. Please remember to close the gas cylinder when you are done and put it back in the cabinet when done. (See note above re: the crazy Cape winds blowing the last braai off the balcony!!)Wind! - We know we’re being repetitive here, but it bears repeating. 😅
If you’re staying less than two weeks: You don’t need to water the plants. Charles, will water them before and after your stay. If you are staying for longer than two weeks (and Charles won’t be cleaning while you are here): Please water (not too much!) once per week. We’ve specifically chosen low-water, low-admin plants, so over-watering might kill them.
on Kloof is where we do almost all our grocery shopping. You can also order groceries to be delivered using their app, (meet them on the street, they don’t carry the groceries upstairs for you).We also stock up on grains/oils/etc at the zero-waste shop in town, and sustainable cleaning/toiletries products at (shop at the V&A Waterfront mall, or online).
Werner: +27796370767Charlie: +27768260999
Cape Town fire, police, and general emergencies: +27214807700South Africa general emergencies: 112 (from a mobile phone)Wilderness Search & Rescue: +27 21 937 0300 (all mountain, ocean, and outdoor emergencies — save this number if you plan to hike Table Mountain or Lion’s Head)
The apartment guide
In short: this is our home. We love our space very much and hope you will take care of it the same way we do.
There are a few things we expect you to follow:
🛜 WiFi
WiFi network: Perro de Colima
Password: 0796370767
The unit has fast internet (100mb upload / 100mb download speed). Perfect for streaming and work videos.
👀 Monitoring devices
Note that we have a nanny monitoring cam in the entrance area. This is in place to communicate with our cleaner when we’re not at home. Once you’ve entered, you can simply unplug the camera (just remember to plug it back in after checkout again!).
There is also a pink air quality monitor in the flat. It measures moisture, humidity and carbon levels; please leave it plugged in.
🇿🇦 Cape Town. Not enough power, too much wind
🔌 Electricity
Sockets and voltage
South Africa has for many years used the big and unique “type M” sockets, but these are being phased out in favour of “type N” and “type C” sockets. .
We have equipped the apartment with travel adapters that should work with most laptop and phone charging cables from Europe, Japan, India, China, and North America.
Note that we use 220v ~ 50Hz electricity in South Africa, so appliances that are rated only for 110v use, like some from the United States should not be used. Those rated for only 220v or a range of 110v to 220v (like almost all laptops or chargers from elsewhere in the world) will work.
Electricity use
As in the upcoming page, South Africa experienced a (which peaked in 2023 and is mostly gone now). Still: please be mindful of your electricity use.
Consider using a fan before the air conditioner; close the windows if you’re using the air conditioner or heaters; turn off lights when not in use; and don’t leave anything playing when you leave the apartment.
Load shedding
As noted earlier, South Africa experienced “load shedding” — scheduled power outages in different parts of the country. It peaked in 2023, and we’re happy to say that we haven’t had any load shedding since March 2024.
We’ve tried to make load shedding as non-disruptive as possible:
💨 Wind
Portuguese explorers called this the “Cape of Storms,” and one big reason for that is the crazy wind. It gets intense. As in: we regularly have had storms with wind of over 100km per hour, taking trees and roofs with it. The wind generally gets stronger in summer but can happen year-round.
In the apartment, this just means:
🛋️ Dining & living room
🍳 Kitchen
For other things:
Gas
Open the gas valve in the cupboard after arrival (and close it again after using and before departing)
The big 9kg gas cylinder under the sink runs out every 4-6 months. If it runs out while you’re staying, you can swap it out with a smaller spare cylinder. There is one under the sink and one attached to the braai in the cabinet on the balcony. You will need to use the copper attachment (that is on the outside gas cylinder).
Otherwise, you can arrange for Simply Gas (WhatsApp/call: 061-147-2044) to come swap out the big gas tank for you. Right before it runs out, there might be a faint gas smell (something about the ratio of air to gas in the tank, we’ve been told); this is the signal that you need to change it. I think generally they send an invoice (so you can just have them send it to us, thewerlotte@gmail.com).
🛁 Bathroom
🛌 Bedrooms
🪟 Balcony
🚭 Smoking
As per our description, this is a strictly no smoking apartment.
You may not smoke cigarettes, nor tobacco, nor cannabis, nor e-cigarettes (vape), not anywhere in the apartment, not blow it from inside to outside the windows.
Unfortunately, some non-smokers like us are allergic to smoke or suffer from asthma. Complaints and penalties will go to Home Exchange against those who break this rule — including recovering the costs to steam clean the curtains, linen, mattress, duvets, pillows, blankets, rugs, sofa, and more.
🌳 Plants
🛒 Supermarkets
Both supermarkets have liquor stores or wine shops next to them.
📦 Deliveries
Save the full address and your South African phone number in the app before ordering. Collect from the delivery person downstairs on the street. It’s common to tip 10% for deliveries (in the app or in person using cash).
If you ordered something online for delivery ( and are popular), they can only guarantee the day of delivery, but not the time (they just say “sometime from 8am to 5pm” 🙄). The delivery person will then call you when they arrive at the property, to hand you your parcel in person. This is often inconvenient, unless you work from home, so you might find it easier to collect from one of their pickup points instead. (The closest Takealot one is Foreshore, the closest Amazon one is Engen on Orange)
🏢 Building (Bagamoya) rules
Noise & Quiet hours
This is our home. Please be respectful of our neighbours, and keep music and noise to a reasonable level.
The building has quiet hours between 10pm and 8am each day. It is strictly a “no parties” building (there are many bars, restaurants, and clubs nearby for that sort of thing).
Other rules
All residential buildings in SA have a Rules of Conduct document that applies to all residents and guests and says what can and can’t be done in the building. These rules apply to you and your stay.
You can view them here:
Bagamoya - Conduct rules January 2021 (3).pdf
155.9 KB
📞 Phone numbers
You can always reach us via WhatsApp.
Emergencies
🧯There are fire extinguishers on each corridor of the building (go outside the flat, go to the middle of the corridor, and you will find the fire hose. We also have another small extinguisher in the kitchen cupboard.
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