We had heard a rumour that the best Port making region in South Africa was only a short drive from where we were staying...well it would be rude not to visit. A little town called Calidtzorp was calling us.
Monday, 26 September 2011
Port and lots of it
Monday 26th September 2011
We had heard a rumour that the best Port making region in South Africa was only a short drive from where we were staying...well it would be rude not to visit. A little town called Calidtzorp was calling us.
All i will say is Pink Port is the future...along with White, Ruby, Tawny, Vintage, Vintage Reserve and well anything that has the word Port in it. An informative morning and was pleased that Kip decided to drive - Result !
We had heard a rumour that the best Port making region in South Africa was only a short drive from where we were staying...well it would be rude not to visit. A little town called Calidtzorp was calling us.
A long drive finished with a Braai & beer
Sunday 25th September 2011
We were up early and had a long drive ahead, 350Km+ , but it flew by (and no Kip didn't sleep, as she did a lot of the driving!). We were heading further East and aiming for a town called Oudtshoorn the osterich capital.
We arrived mid afternoon and headed for the Cango Caves, a series of caves and tunnels deep in to the Cango mountain range - pretty impressive.
We stayed in a nice hostel in Oudtshoorn and had our first Braai (South African BBQ). It started well....
All in all a successful day, athough we wimped out of buying some osterich steaks..!
We were up early and had a long drive ahead, 350Km+ , but it flew by (and no Kip didn't sleep, as she did a lot of the driving!). We were heading further East and aiming for a town called Oudtshoorn the osterich capital.
We arrived mid afternoon and headed for the Cango Caves, a series of caves and tunnels deep in to the Cango mountain range - pretty impressive.
We stayed in a nice hostel in Oudtshoorn and had our first Braai (South African BBQ). It started well....
and turned out more like this - although in the end the food was cooked and no one has died
Whales ahoy !
Saturday 24th September 2011
So after leaving the wine regions (with regret) we headed to the coast to start the long drive towards Port Elizabeth. Our first stop was Hermanus, a great little seaside town to sit and watch the world go by. Oh yeah, and WHALES ! From here we managed to see various whales just off the coast in all their glory. It is the start of the season so we were very lucky.
We liked it so much that we decided to stay the night and what better way to get to know a place then to sit on one of its finest beaches and chill.....so that's what we did.
So after leaving the wine regions (with regret) we headed to the coast to start the long drive towards Port Elizabeth. Our first stop was Hermanus, a great little seaside town to sit and watch the world go by. Oh yeah, and WHALES ! From here we managed to see various whales just off the coast in all their glory. It is the start of the season so we were very lucky.
We liked it so much that we decided to stay the night and what better way to get to know a place then to sit on one of its finest beaches and chill.....so that's what we did.
Saturday, 24 September 2011
The Wine Regions (hic!)
After leaving Capetown behind we headed North to the wine regions. What i thought would be an easy choice of a few little vineyards...i was mistaken. There are loads to choose from - so what better way to make up your mind by trying quite a few. We spent yesterday afternoon driving round many of the Stellenbosch's finest. The best by far was one called....CAMBERLEY ! No seriously it was - we even met the owner who named it after the one and only Camberley. He got his inspiration whilst living in Surrey for a few years - random.
We left Stellenbosch and headed for Franschhoek, another wine region just a little further west. This was a very nice and up market little town with a French/American feel (if that is at all possible). We stayed here overnight in a little backpacking place, with the owner joining us for drinks. I found out he used to run a large carpentry business near by, so it wasn't long before i was oggling his workshop! The night continued with open fires and a night with a few other South African couples on holiday for the weekend.
We left Stellenbosch and headed for Franschhoek, another wine region just a little further west. This was a very nice and up market little town with a French/American feel (if that is at all possible). We stayed here overnight in a little backpacking place, with the owner joining us for drinks. I found out he used to run a large carpentry business near by, so it wasn't long before i was oggling his workshop! The night continued with open fires and a night with a few other South African couples on holiday for the weekend.
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Cape Town and Beyond
It has been a busy first few days on the trip in ZA. On our first day we managed a trip to Camps Bay (very nice beachy area with lovely restaurants), a drive round the top of the Cape (past the World Cup football stadium), window shopping at the Victoria & Albert Waterfront and a trip to Robben Island.
After staring at Table Mountain from everywhere we went, it was time to go up. So we got the cable car up to the top and spent a good few hours wandering around the top. It was colder than we expected but well worth it for the views. We managed to get a tour guide all to ourselves, who took us round and showed us the various sights and floral/fauna on the top of the mountain. This was a bonus and really made the most of our time up there.
Our first proper night's dinner was spent at a very nice restaurant in Camp's Bay. Although Kip tells me that i should not get used to such fine dining as "Travelling" is not all like this.
Today we took the long leisurely drive down the cape to the tip of Africa and the Cape of Good Hope.
There was some stunning coastal views along the way and with our own car we have been able to stop at will and take in the views as we please. After reaching the bottom, we slowly made our way back up, stopping in Kalk Bay.
Ted and Camilla had recommended a fantastic restaurant the "Harbour House". AMAZING ! Now back at the hostel after rolling out of there will ful tummys. An early night before we leave Cape Town behind and head for the wine country....!
After staring at Table Mountain from everywhere we went, it was time to go up. So we got the cable car up to the top and spent a good few hours wandering around the top. It was colder than we expected but well worth it for the views. We managed to get a tour guide all to ourselves, who took us round and showed us the various sights and floral/fauna on the top of the mountain. This was a bonus and really made the most of our time up there.
Our first proper night's dinner was spent at a very nice restaurant in Camp's Bay. Although Kip tells me that i should not get used to such fine dining as "Travelling" is not all like this.
Today we took the long leisurely drive down the cape to the tip of Africa and the Cape of Good Hope.
There was some stunning coastal views along the way and with our own car we have been able to stop at will and take in the views as we please. After reaching the bottom, we slowly made our way back up, stopping in Kalk Bay.
Ted and Camilla had recommended a fantastic restaurant the "Harbour House". AMAZING ! Now back at the hostel after rolling out of there will ful tummys. An early night before we leave Cape Town behind and head for the wine country....!
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Cape Town
Well it has begun - that start of a very long honeymoon and what better way to start than to open your window in the morning to this view.....
We have had a busy first few days seeing the sights of Cape Town, Robben Island and Table Mountain. Although i had forgotten how much me + boats + choppy waters didnt mix - i will say no more.
Monday, 19 September 2011
And so it begins....
Well today is the first day of our travels...well kind of. I am currently sitting at home contemplating how on earth i am going to pack a large amount of stuff in to a rucksac (not a suitcase!)
Here goes nothing !
Here goes nothing !
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