All the blurb about Hermanus promises that you can stand on the shore and watch whales do their thing out in the bay... without even needing to leave dry land. We were a little skeptical about this promise when we arrived in town, but 20 minutes later, after we’d seen a Southern Right Whale repeatedly throw itself out of the water to the east of town, we stood corrected! Arriving in the late afternoon, when a soft orange light was settling over the town, we sat and watched the whales breach and show their tales until sunset. When we weren’t whale [View Full Entry]

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Hello All! We done quite a bit since leaving Cape Town. Our first stop was just outside of Stellenbosch, wine country. We stayed 3 nights in a really nice cabin built over a lake. The bird life there was amazing and the lake was filled with large mouth bass. The country side there is beautiful rolling hills of vineyards and the wine estates are done in the most beautiful Cape Dutch architecture. Some of the wineries have been there producing wine since the late 1600's. We did a great hike while there and I had one of the most amazing meals [View Full Entry]

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A Lemon in Paradise Dec. 27, 2008, Agulhas, South Africa “Where ya headed,” asked the girl, who was probably eight years old. I rolled my eyes and chuckled. She was cute, but after her fiftieth question, it was getting to be a bit much. I was busy with some last minute fixes on a Land Rover that my girlfriend, Sarah, and I just bought. I can only do one thing at a time. Sarah, thankfully, was handling most of the girl’s questions and organizing our stuff, helping us to get on our way. Sarah met up with me in Cape Town [View Full Entry]

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After seeing the whales last night, we sat down for dinner and the chef was happy to cater for my ever whim so I had a super yummy dinner. G really enjoyed his too, although I wasn’t impressed that Santa will have one less little helper after G’s meal (G was quick to point out that I could help Rudolf with my red nose from the sun - well at least I am not patchy!). We then headed back up to our room and the hotel was spectacular at night - there were 2 little tea light candles on every step [View Full Entry]

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Dinner last night was lovely (as was the restaurant) - and was amazingly cheap 2 courses each and drinks for less than G’s main course in Gleneagles (and also almost the same as 2 hot chocolates there!). After dinner we headed back for an egu in the bar before going for an early night following our busy day and put a Christmas film on - the opening credits were great! (I didn’t see anymore) After breakfast this morning, I headed out to catch some rays while G packed the car. All the cases and new purchases fitted in the boot so [View Full Entry]

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Yesterday was shark day. Today, it's the penguins' turn and they prove to be better subjects. The group has loved Birkenhead so much that Ngaire, our travel agent, arranges for a late check-out plus lunch around the pool area. We're thrilled to spend a few extra hours in this beautiful location. The back patio overlooking the ocean has been calling Alan for a little early morning whale watching. This morning he makes it down for the spectacular scene. I catch up with him for breakfast and a cappuccino. Then we explore the property before lunch beside the pool with three tables [View Full Entry]

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Great white sharks. Who wouldn't mind adding them to their life list of wildlife sightings? The main reason Alan and I are here in Hermanus is to see them. Oh, and to stay at the wonderful Birkenhead House . We wake this morning to the sound of the ocean. Will it be too windy for our great white shark viewing adventure? After an omelet breakfast in the dining room, we sit on the back patio watching whales playing in the ocean. Steps from the property, a walking path meanders along the coas [View Full Entry]

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After another animal-filled safari at [url=http://myitchytravelfeet.com/2009/03/09/combining-luxury-with-adventure-at-madikwe-hills-private-game-lodge/] Madikwe Hills , we boarded the small plane that would take us back to Johannesburg and the perils of the Johannesburg Airport. All I can say is, don't let a porter get hold of your luggage and don't trust the agents at the South African Airlines counter. Upon returning to the states, we discovered that our United VISA card had been compromised [View Full Entry]

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This morning I took the Baz Bus and started moving up the coast. I had one final drive through the winelands. East of the Cape, are mountains that have to be passed over to continue East. Past them, the area is called Overberg (over the mountain). We snaked our way up the mountain, having a perfect view down onto George, the Strand with it’s lovely beach and right around and across False Bay for one last view of Table Mountain. I love love love this part of the country. I could happily spend a very long period of time there. Cape [View Full Entry]

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Thanks for the news from home - good to read. I cant believe Obama has been elected - excellant news. Anyway on with the blog.... We left Stellenbosch at a reasonable hour and headed in the searing heat to Boschendal. We were overwhelmed by the beauty of the place and enjoyed a good few hours in the house, gardens and wine tasting experiance. I even found Mr Pritchard's visitors log entry for earlier this year!! From then we travelled to Franshoek. Very disappointing comparred to Stellenbosch and to make it worse we got very lost serval times trying to leave the [View Full Entry]

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