After an absolute gorgeous day yesterday in Jo’burg, I arrived this morning in Amsterdam. How exciting! I was so looking forward to this trip. Many things planned for these 2.5 weeks in Europe. It’s going to be SO much fun AND good for business as well. It began with spending the day with my family in the Vondelpark in Amsterdam. One of my favourite places in the world, especially in Summer and especially on a Sunday. The weather was fab, families were having picnics everywhere and to top it all off a wonderful Portuguese concert in the open air theatre. Wonderful music, free entrance. one can enjoy this throughout summer on Friday, Saturday & Sunday so if you around, it’s great spending your Sunday afternoon here. Now chilling! Hm, another lovely week in this magic place!!
Time to travel
Everytime I have to leave Cape Town for traveling, I have all kinds of rituals that I do before leaving this magic place. It feels like I’m homesick even before having left. Oh, I MUST have that last glass of Chardonnay with that special friend and oh yes, I must have a last look at my favourite mountain, Lion’s head. And then of course I can’t leave without a last look at the beautiful beach of Hout Bay and oh dear, forgot to phone that friend and that one. And then there’s always the saddest thing: I have to bring my dog LEE to the kennels. As much as they love him there, ofcourse it’s nothing like home. But I just tell him that’s a holiday for him too. That he doesn’t need to look after me, that he can just relax and eat. Who am I kidding? He’s probably bored to death because he’s always out and about exploring, just like his mum I guess and that’s why we’re a good team. LEE def. is the coolest dog on the planet!! And when coming back from the kennels, only then I take my suitcase out of the cupboard, to cause as little stress as possible to LEE.
So this afternoon I packed all my prezzies for family and friends and tomorrow at 7am Wouter will pick me up. Still another day to enjoy in Jo’burg with Julia. Yay! Hopefully some nice shopping… And then?? Of to Amsterdam! Oh, how I love Amsterdam!! I guess I have best of both worlds. No complaints here.
!Khwa Ttu, a celebration of the San culture
Every month I organise a day outing for XL members & families. Yesterday we went to a San culture and training centre, just 1 hours drive from Cape Town. The San (also known as Bushmen) are the first people of Southern Africa. They used to be hunter-gathering people but in more recent decades they mostly have encountered poverty and discrimination. !Khw Ttu is a living celebration of past and present San culture, an uplifiting and inspirational experience.
Although in the morning the weather was quite horrible we still decided to go anyway. After a nice capuccino at Newport Deli in Mouille Point we drove up the R27.
Upon arrival we were welcomend by the most friendly person EVER. His name was Andre and he introduced himself to us. The weather was still not looking great so we decided to sit next to the fire and first enjoy a hearty lunch. And hearty it was! WoW! Aubergine & Camembert Tart, delicious Bobotie and Risotto with Roasted Butternut to name a few.
At 14h00 we really had to make a decision what we were going to do. Rain was pouring down and to go for a walk or on a tractor ride was not really very appealing to any of us. We decided to just watch the introduction video and learn about the language, all the different click sounds are quite interesting. A well put together museum and photo gallery tells you about the history, culture and hardships of the San. One of the most amazing things I found the fact that the San have been able to negotiate with the pharmaceutical industry about the medicinal use of the Hoodia plant. The Hoodia plant takes away appetite and you can just imagine how this can be used in weight loss products. As with most traditional medicine, this knowledge his discovered by indigenous people but the pharmaceutical industry just uses this knowledge without sharing their profits with the indigenous people. Well, the San and their lawyers have done some groundbreaking work and have secured share in profits which is fantastic.
We will def. be back to learn about tracking skills and to gain botanical knowledge. Also the replica of the Traditional Village will have to wait until the weather is a bit better.
We had a great day out anyway. Other day outings: bicylce tour in Masiphumelele, Soekershof succulent gardens near Robertson, Bike & Wine, hikes and much more!
Andiamo @ Cape Quarter, delicious pasta
Yay!! Winter has definitely kicked in in Cape Town. Lots of rain, snow on the mountains inland and restaurants offering fabulous deals for all the locals. Yesterday I had another wonderful evening with first some delicious pasta with wild mushrooms & Parma ham at Andiamo’s + a glass of Merlot, for 2 people: ZAR 99. Can you believe it?? And they told us that on Saturdays they even throw in a Malva pudding for desert!! Say no more and check it out. Booking adviced though!! We sat in the deli, haha, which was a lovely table by the way! Service was also excellent!
Then agreat gig from Chris Chameleon @ the Cape Diamond Hotel. I’m his newest groupie I’m afraid. jee, it was really awesome. He’s also quite well known in The Netherlands and had a full house in my favourite theater, de Kleine Komedie in Amsterdam. Will tell all my friends they must go and see him.
Now off to Myoga,hmmm, Great expectations there again…
Old Biscuit Mill Market – Woodstock, Cape Town
Oh, this is such a favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning. I don’t go often enough but when I go, I ENJOY! Last Saturday I met a friend for breakfast at the Old Biscuit Mill Market. My usual routine is to be there quite early, between 9h – 9h30 because it tends to get very very busy a bit later. First I go get my coffee at Origins Coffee stall. Hm! Yam! The best way to start the day. Then, while sipping coffee we go in search of the most delicious breakfast of the day. I ‘eyed’ already a chef cooking up a storm and selling ‘the ultimate breakfast tart’,! Still, let’s check out the other places. Ran into another Dutch friend that was helping out at a pastry stall, YAM! That would be desert. The atmosphere in this place is just fabulous. I think the Hungarian stall would have to awarded with most beautiful stand in the whole market. Bit early though to have a goulash soup. Yes, we WILL taste the ultimate breakfast tart and it IS to die for! Filo pastry, topped with caramalized onions, mushrooms, crispy bacon and a runny poached egg, surrounded by marinated cherry tomatoes. Do I need to say more?? What a party at 10h00 in the morning. Make sure who ever visits our fabulous city, not to miss out on the market in Woodstock. After brkfst there’s still some shopping to do with handmade clothes, bags, jewelry, choose and much much more. What a delight!
Indaba Durban
Just a quick note to say that I had a nice & productive time over the weekend in Durban at the tourism Indaba, the 3rd biggest tourism conference in the world.
It’s always such a well organised event and I just enjoy connecting and chatting to many people that I don’t see throughout the year. There was the launch of the 2010 marketing campaign for SA tourism which was super exciting. Have you even been on a frogging safari? Well, it’s possible in the beautiful wetlands of Cape St Francis in south africa, quite unusual but I can imagine the fun, especially with kids.
Saturday night there’s always the long -awaited beach party, shame, this year we were evecuated as the rain was pouring down and the tents might have collapsed. We sprint accross the road to the Balmoral hotel and had a party there instead. That’s where karaoke and Dolly Parton came in…
Greyton, lovely village in the Overberg
I almost forgot to write about our little get-away after Easter! My friend Fiona and me spend 4 nights on a farm just outside Greyton, about 2 hours drive from Cape Town. Greyton is really of-the-beaten-track and for those that really just want to relax, drink coffee in the local cafe and mingle with the locals. Within in no-time you’re up-to-date about everyone! We choose Oewerzicht farm as they allow dogs to come along as well so my dog also had a nice outing. He loved to be on the farm! Oak & Vigne was the local coffee place with YES, Origin Coffee, which is simply the best coffee in the world. On Saturday there’s a little market across the road from the church and we were so lucky to even attend a concert of Daniel Pascale at the Hotel. I tell you, Greyton’s on FIRE!! There are quite a few people offering massages and all kinds of other treatments so you can really enjoy some YOU-time. We didn’t explore very much the restaurants as we had a lovely braai every night and enjoyed the view and sunset from our farm cottage. You can hike from Greyton to McGregor which supposed to be one of the most beautiful hikes of South Africa. Will let you know when I’ve done it!
Winter specials in Cape Town
YES! The wonderful secret season in Cape Town has started. Although it will not be secret anymore for a long time because I share it now with you! Winter is about to begin and restaurants & guesthouses offer great value for money. Weather might not always be great but for example today, we had a stunning sunny 20 degrees, blue skies, no wind. REALLY!
We enjoyed a 4 course dinner with matching Paul Cluver wines at the Vineyard Hotel for an incredible ZAR 225 a head last Friday. Can you believe it!! There was even live entertainment as well and the food was absolutely delicious (we\’re talking beef fillet, pork belly, dark chocolate tart, THE WORKS!).
The 6 of us had a great evening and will def. go more often. They organise them twice a month. See you there!
Then in a magazine I saw an add for the Harbour House in Kalk Bay offering 3 course luncheons for ZAR 150. People, I\’m talking about the fabulous HARBOUR HOUSE!!! Can you believe such an incredible deal?? Check it out and enjoy Winter. We all need a little break from the credit crunch, right?
Another lovely spot in Hout bay is La Cuccina on a Saturday night with live Jazzzzz by the wonderful Ike. Ya, i\’ve been quite busy this weekend, I agree.. But so nice to share all the good stuff! Jessy @ www.extraordinary-travel.com
Elephants Eye Cave Hike – Silvermine Reserve
On such a FABULOUS day as today, one should take advantage and be OUT in nature. So yes, finally, I went for a hike again. After all family and friends visiting I now have some time again to go hopefully on some more hikes.
I had never been up to Elephants Eye so it was exciting to add this one to the list. Although there was a rescue helicopter, rescueing someone off the mountain, I thought it was a fairly easy hike up. Well signposted, many people around, not too streneous. And the VIEWS! WoW!! False Bay looked stunning, the sea not a single little wave, nature was quiet (quite rare for the Cape with winds and storms all most all the time). It was just perfect. And, what a bonus to see the king proteas bloom. Beautiful! It was the first time that I saw them in the wild so I was very excited about that. The cave is huge and you can walk into it. See pics for views. We were in AWE! Bit slippery becasue of the sand, yes, I also landed on my bum!
You park the car near the dam in the Silvemine reserve. With a wild card you can take your dog as well.
View over False Bay from the cave
King proteas
Camps Bay!
Oh, how wonderful was the Easter weekend! We had STUNNING weather, sunny, no wind, up to, I think, about 28 degrees and yes, even me, I spend 2 days at the beach. WoW! In summer I can hardly bear the heat but last weekend I just looooooved the sun. I felt like an absolute beach bum, with my umbrella, mat, towel and water supply. Camps Bay Beach was my favorite place! Lovely, with Vida e Caffe to get my daily shot of superb coffee and vendors that make sure you won’t fall asleep…How lovely it is to see the ocean on one side and then look up to the 12 Apostle mountain range on the other side. And of course not to forget the paragliders coming down Lion’s head. Ah, it was FABULOUS!
