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Published: January 27th 2021
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The strong wind from last night even increased in strength as we got up. It became so intense that we could not stand without holding on to our verandah. Our car on the parking in front of the house was shaking violently and Nenad contemplated if the car is insured should the wind turn and damage it? Although the sky was clear and the sun was shining the wind made certain activities impossible. The hike we planned for today on the top of the Table Mountain had to be postponed for two days. It was simply to dangerous to climb the rocky exposed walls of the mountain. Also the Table Mountain cable car, we planned to take down, was shut for the day . So an alternative plan is needed. Choosing a sheltered side of the city a visit to the Kirstenbosch National Botanic Garden seems a good alternative, as it it nested on the Eastern side of the mountain hence sheltered from this violent south westerly wind. And thereafter a little ride around the Cape Peninsula.
The park land originally was owned by Cecil Rhodes, mining magnate, ardent British imperialist and politician (Prime Minister of the Cape Colony from
1890-1896) and one of the richest and most influential individuals at the time. After his death in 1902 he donated the land to the city. With the help of the Oxford Botanist Henry Harold Pearson, who lived and died on this property, eventually a beautifully landscaped area was constructed. For the last 20 years is jointly managed by the Botanical Society of South Africa, the National Botanic Gardens of South Africa, the National Botanical Institute, and the South African Biodiversity Institute. Kirstenbosch places a strong emphasis on the cultivation of indigenous plants. When Kirstenbosch was founded in 1913 with the objective to preserve the flora native to the South Africa’s territory, it was the first botanical garden in the world with this ethos, as at that time invasive species were not considered an ecological and environmental problem yet.
Nui loves flowers. So this alternative plan brought a huge smile on her face and she could not get enough looking at and photographing and be photographed with the million and one varieties of the Protea flower. The Giant Protea also called the King Sugar Bush is the national flower of South Africa. The Protea symbolizes the continuous change and gradual
transformation of the variety of cultures among the people of South Africa. This mimics the diverse forms of colors the protea possesses from, red, pink, to yellow. Proteas flower from autumn to spring. Whether left on the bush or picked, protea flowers are long lasting and eye catching. They are also bird and insect attracting plants. Over 80 varieties can be found in South Africa, most of them present in the garden. It's photo time !!!
After this green visit we rode leisurely via Hout Bay back to Camps Bay. The weather improved visibly, allowing us to have dinner in the open air restaurant of 'The Lawns'. Ask a local for a nice outdoor place in summer for drinks and Western food with a South African twist, and surely The Lawns at the Roundhouse (as it is officially known) will be mentioned. That is what happened to us. Nui reconnected with her former boss from the Triumph lingerie and swimwear company in Thailand who lives for the past 8 years here. For more than 10 years the two ladies have not seen each other and Nui was all excited and looking forward to the gettogether in a couple of
days. Alice, originally from Vienna, followed her love from Thailand to Hongkong and down to Cape Town. She was the one recommending The Lawns to us. We were not disappointed. Between sunset atmosphere and the wild appeal of the Table Mountain we ate our food and drank of course South African wine.
Parking in South Africa has a special twist. Black fellows hang around the spots and will in a friendly manner direct you and will take care of the vehicle, whilst you leave it there. Some offer to wash the windows, or the entire car. Of course a tip is expected. 5 to 10 Ran is appropriate (less than a USD). In Camps Bay the "parking boys mafia" was firmly in Congolese hands. Nenad speaking French to them and pointing out that he did visit Kinshasa, made him get a bit of a special position. But he still payed the tip !!!
As we finished our dinner and started checking on our return travel arrangements to Switzerland, a drama stated to unfold which will keep us busy for the next five days and ultimately alter our travel plan in a way we never envisaged.
Bern, 21.12.2020
/ Communiqué from the Swiss Federal Council: "Following the discovery of a new, more contagious variant of the coronavirus in the UK and South Africa, the Federal Council today decided to take steps to prevent the further spread of this new virus strain. All persons who have entered Switzerland from these two countries since 14 December must go into quarantine for 10 days..... The Federal Office of Civil Aviation FOCA yesterday ordered flights between Switzerland and these two countries to be suspended as of midnight on Sunday, 20 December". ?!?!?! So what will happen to our flight of the 25th? More on this when we wake up the next day ....
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