Wine, Cheese and Seafood and Sights in Cape Town, South Africa

The weather has cleared and it revealed the most beautiful city to us. When we arrived in Cape Town last Saturday, it was cold and rainy. It stayed that way for 4 days, but suddenly, the mist dispersed and Table Mountain was revealed. I had read and heard that Cape Town is the most beautiful city in the world and now I see why. It really is stunning.

Cape Town, Souh Africa

Table Mountain towers over the beautiful colonial buildings. The waterfront is gorgeous and the coastline is the most magnificent in the world.
We took a drive to Simon’s Town to see the penguin colony and farther down to the Cape of Good Hope to visit the southern tip of Africa. En route, we were privileged to drive along the most scenic highway in the world. Chapman’s Peak is featured in many a film and commercial and I can see why. The enormous cliffs fall into the water with a two-lane highway carved into its side. Breathtaking.

Simon's Town Penguins

We ran into our Canadian Ambassador at Cape Point. He had taken some VIP’s to see where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet from some of the worlds highest sea cliffs.

Cape Point

There is so much to see and do around Cape Town, but the number 1 attraction has to be Robben Island; home of the infamous prison where Nelson Mandela was detained for 29 years. The half hour boat ride made me think of what little hope prisoners must have had as they were taken to isolation, surrounded by frigid shark infested waters.
The guides are former inmates who make the experience that much more gripping. They told personal stories of their time there and on further conversation, our guide told us that he uses this experience now as a sort of therapy and way of coming to terms with his experience. These men are true Hero’s. It was amazing what they managed to accomplish from behind bars and eventually bring the end to apartheid. We saw Nelson Mandela’s tiny cell in the maximum -security wing, the quarry where he chipped away with crude tools and where the secret meetings took place as well as the yard where he took fresh air and I assume worked out.

Entrance to Robben Island

Our guide also told us that near the end, several guards were sympathetic, and treated them well bringing them uncensored newspapers and they actually had to transfer guards often because they were so sympathetic to the prisoners.
I think about how horrible it must have been, but also how happy they must feel to see that their sacrifice was not in vain. How often do freedom fighters actually live long enough to see change and to see what they are fighting for actually happen? From what we have seen, in our limited view of course, is that South Africa has a long way to go, but at least progress is being made.

Nelson Mandela's Cell

So, it was time to see some more….

Stellenbosch, home to some of the finest wineries in the world.
After getting used to driving on the other side of the road, we were off. We decided to stay in Franschhoek, the wine capital of the country. We stumbled upon the most charming Bed and Breakfast “The Centre Ville” run by Jacko and Elsa. There was a literary festival taking place and the only room they had available was a suite, so we just had to take it. We sat by the fire drinking wine and listening to stories about life in South Africa and had a wonderful evening. What I love about staying in B+B’s are the conversations that you have with people. In hotels it rarely happens, and tonight this house was full.
The energy was magnificent as one of the Authors and keynote speakers from the festival, Anne Landsman was staying here as well. Unbeknownst to her, her long lost Aunt that she hadn’t seen in 10 years was also staying here. It was an evening filled with serendipity, as later that night, Anne had another surprise. Her college friend came walking in looking for a room. Anne, by they way has lived in the U.S. for over 20 years! It didn’t stop there. A group of men on a motorcycle tour were staying here and we saw them in Zambia. Another lady used to live around the corner from us in Toronto and the Elsa and Jacko’s doctor was the father of one of the guests. All unbeknownst to each other until conversations started. Amazing.

Franschoek

While in the region, you cannot go without doing a wine tasting and we went to Grande Provence for lunch. The meal was incredible and it was made clear why afterwards. When we saw all of the awards on the wall. Who would have thought that Ox Tail Ravioli would accompany sirloin fillets so nicely. And the caviar tasted so sweet!

Mandatory Wine Tasting

The chef had won chef of the year in 2007 and it was voted as the 1 of the top 10 best restaurants in South Africa. Mmmm Mmmm, we are pampering ourselves this weekend. But after living 4 months in the bush, I think we deserve it!
We went down to the book festival and bought Anne’s book. We didn’t realize the company we were keeping. O Magazine, Publishers Weekly and The New York Times all recommended her novel The Rowing Lesson. I am looking forward to reading it and sending here an email.
So we are gaining back weight quicker than we want to and itching to get back on the bike. I never thought that I would be saying that, but you can quote me, I really want to ride! It is time to stop drinking wine and living the life of a bourgoise and time get back into the bush, or jungle or anywhere like that. It gets old hanging out in the city day after day!

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