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Stellenbosch Travel Blogs

Background: After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments, but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902). The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races. The 1990s brought an end to apartheid politically and ushered in black majority rule.

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By Brimster
December 5th 2009

Not so much wine but lots of beautiful views Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Stellenbosch

The road to Geyton

So we left Hermanus on Saturday morning but first things first and we had wanted to visit the craft market and finish off some of present shopping since the end of the trip is getting nearer. Presents bought and a picnic lunch purchased from Woolworths we jumped in the car and headed for Greyton. The drive was a straightforward one but did afford us some beautiful views. Just outside of the town we passed a small creek and Paula thought she spotted an otter causing an emergency stop and a U-turn however whatever it had been that she had seen it [View Full Entry]

By Tammie217
November 9th 2009

Tiara for the Birthday Girl Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Stellenbosch

Birthday Girl

Today is Leslie's birthday! The reason for the trip. Or at least the impetus for the trip. Leslie wore a tiara all day and was a little unsettled that noone commented (other than the three of us.) We were allowed a rare late start to the day -- Brian was meeting us at 11:00. Last night after Elephant and Barrel, we went to Burgandy's for dessert. It was a nice place to go for dessert and coffee . . . other than "smooth operator" playing on auto-replay on the radio (we asked the waiter, who said it was an actual radio [View Full Entry]

By workshyandshameless
October 19th 2009

Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Stellenbosch

Lording it

The last time we were here in the South African winelands was at the very beginning of this trip back in December. Before we arrived then I hadn't known anything about the winelands, or the town of Stellenbosch other than it was close to Cape Town international airport, we like wine, it seemed like a good place to begin in South Africa. Back then we went on a mini-bus tour of the winelands run by the backpackers we were staying at 'The Banghoek Place'. After this little taster at the vineyards and seeing some of the scenery we realised we should [View Full Entry]

Cape town over the ocean with table mountain behind

By Aub
October 5th 2009

weeks 10-13! Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Stellenbosch

Lex's 21st!

Hellloo again! I cannot believe how fast the month of September flew by! In just three days I will have completed my 14th week here, and only have 5 left - - the time has just flown by so incredibly fast. I will try and re-cap the past few weeks for you, which for once will be easy because it has been fairly uneventful in terms of extravagant excursions go. As soon as we got home from spring break we got swept into 2 straight weeks of birthday frenzy. Lex had her 21st the Monday upon our return, the twins had [View Full Entry]

By Aub
September 12th 2009

spring break-take two:SA Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Stellenbosch

Wilderness

Hello again everyone! I have just arrived back in Stellenbosch after an absolutely incredible 10 days! It was our mid-semester break this past week and this will just be a brief blog to show you some photos of my adventures, as well as tell you about the ones that no camera's were allowed on. We left early Friday morning, our form of transportation for the week being a hop-on-hop-off bus, and headed off on our journey across the Southern coast of SA along the Garden Route. Our first stop was Wilderness, about a 4.5 hour drive from Bosch. We went to [View Full Entry]

By Aub
September 1st 2009

weeks 7&8! Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch

Well hello again everyone! In true South African tradition, I am sitting here drinking a nice hot glass of Roobios Tea. It is..well, one in the morning now I guess, and I would estimate that 75% of this residence hall just made some tea to perk them up for the long night of studying ahead. It is mid-term week here at Stellenbosch University, or "writing week" as they call it. Almost all student have 5 days in a row of tests at 8am. It is run much like finals week at home would be. Besides that, here is the update on [View Full Entry]

By k herm
August 20th 2009

Who's YOUR favorite Springbok? Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Stellenbosch

Wine by the barrel

Finally, another blog. Turns out motivation for these things is not as high as I thought it’d be. Here are a few updates from life in the Bosch. Fun stuff: The carnivore inside me roared the other weekend when we returned to one of my favorite places: Mzoli’s Meat. It’s an outdoor restaurant where literally all they sell is meat. You go inside to the butcher attached, select your meat, they season it for you, you pay, take it to the braai masters (who are very, very good at their job), and pick it up grilled and perfect and amazing. It’s [View Full Entry]

By Aub
August 20th 2009

weeks 4-6!! Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Stellenbosch

V&A

Hi everyonee! I am sorry that it has taken me this long to update my blog, but I was waiting until I had some more interesting experiences to share with all of you! If I remember correctly, I had just started classes during my last blog, and was learning how to sookie. Since then, classes have started to pick up and the work is coming in quicker then I would like, but I need to remember that I am actually going to school while I am here in Stellenbosch. I wrote my first paper this past week on the underdevelopment in [View Full Entry]

By SayLittle
August 15th 2009

Wine Country Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Stellenbosch

Last Morning in Lion

Finally we entered South Africa, the final country in our tour. Our first stop was this amazing little vineyard called Highlanders, which is located in a small area called Trawal. It is so beautiful. I LOVE WINE COUNTRY!!! Sparky was our wine guide for the tasting and the wine here was very good. South Africa is supposed to be famous for the pinot age grapes; however, so far I have not found one that I have liked enough to buy. I did buy a bottle of their Merlot after the tasting. This night was also the last night that we had [View Full Entry]

By k herm
August 1st 2009

I met the first lady. Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Stellenbosch

Table Mountain View

More than another week has passed, and I’m still loving Stellenbosch. I’m learning about the difference between traveling and studying abroad. Traveling is about moving around, seeing and experiencing everything I can before the sad day comes too quickly when I have to leave to go back. I guess that still somewhat applies to studying abroad, except that in the midst of the trips to Cape Point, rugby games, hiking, and seeing the “big five” game of South Africa, I am in the process of establishing a life here. I found myself telling friends, “Don’t let [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Africa » South Africa » Western Cape » Stellenbosch