because i travel: December 2006

So where was i... oh yes, on our way to Cape Town! We were up at sparrow's fart to get catch out 7am flight to CT... we flew the ever entertaining kulula.com! Upon arrival we picked up our hired car... a Ford KA, the cutest little car you'd hope to find! :)

So now to put my plan in action... get from the airport to the Cape Peninsula, drive along there to Stellenbosch where we would be spending a couple of nights. Once we found our way to the Peninsula it was plain sailing... and let me say, one of the most beautiful drives you will ever take! Our first of many stops was Camps Bay for brunch... wow, the beaches and buildings are amazing! We arrived there on Sept 1 (first day of spring), our waiter informed us that it was the first time in 7 years it wasn't raining on the first day of spring... of course Steve claimed to have something to do with that! After eating and a walk along the beach it was back into the KA, making our way towards Cape Point... stopping at regular intervals to take photos of the amazing scenery!

Just before we eventually arrived at the Cape Peninsula National Park we stopped the Cape

Point Ostrich Farm and an impulsive decision was made to have a look! We were given a tour of the farm... very interesting stuff, baby ostriches are very cute. Then it was time to reach the South-western most tip of Africa... and what a view and feeling standing there looking out to the horizon! The trek up to the look out point was not that much fun tho! We arrived at the park with only 2 hours left til closing time... much to the disappointment of Steve.

Once we had taken in all we could and the sun started to disappear we jumped back into KA and made our way towards Stellenbosch... eventually arriving in the dark... i think i should take up a job as a navigator! :) We checked into our hostel... The Stumble Inn and hit the student town of Stellenbosch for a great dinner and some live music.

Next morning... Wine Tour! :) We joined a group of about 10 people and were driven around the beautiful wine regions, visiting 5 wineries (Simonsig, Fairview and Boschendal are 3 i remember) and sampling large amounts of delicious wines! Steve... who loves his wines fell in love with Simonsig's Tiara... very yummy (not sure that is the correct way to describe an award-winning wine)! It was an amazing day... i honestly couldn't believe how stunning that part of South Africa was... just breathe-taking, something i'll definitely do again! We were dropped off back in Stellenbosch are 5pm... a long day of drinking, so nap time before a night out! We went back to the restaurant we'd eaten at the previous night for another delicious dinner... not before being insulted by a drunken man insisting that he was our bodyguard!!

Sunday morning dawned... time for a yummy breakfast and back in KA to make our way back along the Cape Peninsula to Simon's Town and Boulders Bay! We were treated to a frolicking display by Humpback whales in Kalk Bay on route to Simon's Town! A tour of the South African Navy Museum in Simon's Town was a must since Steve was in the US Navy... i even found it interesting! Next up... a visit to the penguins of Boulders Bay. There are thousands of them going about their daily lives, not really worried about the thousands of people gawking over them... very cool!

On our way back in Cape Town we came across a troop of baboons taking over the road, there were cars everywhere trying to get the perfect photo! Once back in CT we damped our stuff at The Big Blue hostel and made our way down to the V&A Waterfront to meet up with my aunt and cousin for coffee! Once they left Steve and i enjoyed a very romantic dinner and walked around the waterfront to see what we could see. Back at the hostel bar we drank and chatted with fellow travellers... always fun! :)

The final morning of our whirlwind adventure arrived and thankfully it was a perfect day to make our way up Table Mountain! Another breathe-taking experience... 360 degree views of CT and beyond. We decided to do what we thought would be a little trek to one of the highest points of the mountain... turned out to be a 3 hour hike, nothing like getting the blood pumping! We managed to get back to the cable car in one piece and in time to get back to the airport!! I'm not gonna go any further with the details because leaving Steve and returning to Durban is something i never want to repeat!

I had an absolutely amazing 2 weeks and still remember every detail like it was yesterday! I know Steve loved his time here as well and will definitely return one day! :)

Thanks again to Steve for the use of his fotos... see you in 3 months! :)

On Friday morning my gran, mom and myself set off for Cape Town to attend my cousin, Cindy's wedding to Ryno! We landed in Cape Town and true to form were almost blown back to Durban... well my gran was anyway! The weather forecast for the next day wasn't looking pretty, which was concerning since the wedding was set to be outside at the Ashanti winery.

My aunt took us off to the V&A Waterfront to meet up with my uncle (mom's brother) and his family... i finally got to meet my youngest cousin who is now 5 and my 2 other cousins i haven't seen in many many years! My aunt then got a text informing her that Ryno (Cindy's husband to be) might have appendicitis... things weren't looking good at all between that and the weather!

Almost the whole of my mom's side of the family... family reunion!

Anyway... saturday morning dawned with blue skies and the news that Ryno would be able to hold out for a few days... the wedding will go ahead! :)

It was an absolutely amazing wedding... everything was beautiful, my cousin looked amazing and the groom looked pretty dapper himself! Many beautiful and thought provoking things were said... it was just an amazing day! A very simple and down to earth kind of day... perfect in my eyes!