Blogs from Franschhoek, Western Cape, South Africa, Africa - page 7

Bei unserem Finale in Suedafrika liessen wir es uns einfach nur rundum gutgehen. Was will man in dieser genialen Region auch anderes machen. Man wird ja quasi fast gezwungen dazu ;-))))))))))). In 2 Tagen erkundeten wir das schoene Oertchen Montagu und machten eine saftige Wanderung auf den Bloupunt. 1000 felsige Hoehemeter kletterten wir ueber Steine und wateten durch Bachbette, heilfroh, keine Schlange getroffen zu haben. Ja, der Cape Cobra sollte man nicht begegnen. Dann ging es weiter nach Worcester, wo wir mal wieder eine saumaessige Unterkunft hatten, aber sonst sehr schoene Erlebnisse. Wir besuchten die Brandyfabrik Klipdrift und genossen ein echt suedafrikanisches Abendessen mit Bobotie und Malva Pudding (und natuerlich einem Amarula). Weiter ging es ueber den Bainskloofpass nach Paarl und dann ins wunderschoene Franschhoek, dem wohl edelsten Ort Suedafrikas (mal abgesehen von... read more

It was an early start on Christmas Eve for breakfast before heading down to Port Elizabeth airport for our flight back to Cape Town. We were slightly behind schedule leaving the hotel for the 70km drive to the airport (after the grand opening of the golden sack and me providing G with extra things to go in the 3 tightly packed suitcases) so G was a little stressed as we had no idea where the airport was - it didn’t seem to be on the Port Elizabeth map we had! However, my navigation skills were exemplary (and G drove at the speed limit all the way!) and we arrived at the airport about 50 minutes after leaving the hotel - ahead of schedule! After handing back the car, we headed for check in with our 3 ... read more

Sunday, June 29 - Monday, June 30 Early Sunday morning we were collected from Birkenhead house and transported to Franschhoek. Franschhoek is extremely safe given its remote location, quaint small town feel (only 13,000 residents), maintained shanty town, and wine subculture. With a fell of Napa, this area was settled by the French escaping religious persecution from Louis XIV and has strong Dutch undertones throughout the town. We stayed at Franschhoek Country House and Villas and although BradJolina frequents Franschhoek as does the likes of Elton John and other celebs, they typically lodge at the poshest place in town - Le Residence. The town center about one mile from our hotel, it was a brilliant day - sunny and crisp - although chilly. It felt like a small mountain town that boasts of ski slopes ... read more

THE GRAPES ARE IN, IT’S TIME TO PARTY! Her body moves like water shifting in slow motion. It’s elegant. She looks to have been transported into another plane. The powerful memory in every one of her muscles is overriding the Shiraz. The band is amped up, and a unique form of Afrikaans dance music has the crowd moving, grooving, swaying. It’s contagious. How could I possibly describe it? A wild cross of American Country and Western, Reggae, and Polka? You listen and decide. I am being swept along in the flow of the Oesfees (Harvest Festival) for farm workers in the Franschhoek Valley at the Solms-Delta Vineyard. Farm workers. Let me stop here. I’m afraid there is no direct translation of these English words, “farm worker,” for an American or a Brit. I suspect that the ... read more

As we sat watching Dominic gyrate his hips back and forth while pantomiming the baboon mating process, I couldn’t help but laugh about how his professional demeanor had digressed. Gina and I had thoroughly relaxed by our third morning in Cape Town; So, too, had Allan and Dominic, who by this point consistently had us in stitches and seemed more like friends than guesthouse hosts. The hospitality they’d shown us over the first two days at Twenty Two was unparalleled by any other accommodation in our lives. The third day was no different. Once Dominic was satisfied that his standup comic routine had us choking on our breakfasts, he paused to ask what our plan was for the day. Having realized not long after our arrival that we had not nearly allocated enough time to explore ... read more