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Foliage Restaurant Franschhoek, Franschhoek, Grande Provence Winery, South Africa, Wine Valley Western Cape
Lovely parts of South Africa
During my recent trip to South Africa, the wine regions of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch were recommended for me to visit. I decided on Franschhoek (Afrikaans for French Corner) mainly because after some internet searching the township looked lovely. It has centuries-old vineyards and traditional Afrikaans architecture as well as a lovely little tram that takes visitors to those old wineries.
source: internet
On my first day I decided to walk around the local area and have lunch in town. What a beautiful town with the main street packed with cafe’s, restaurants and shops selling beautiful ornaments and other items. Franschhoek has many cute statues around its streets, even a bicycle hanging from the roof of a restaurant. I chose a sweet little restaurant and enjoyed a glass of delicious South African wine and a mushroom risotto.
Even Foliage Restaurant where I dined on my last evening had interesting statues on its tables. I pre-booked this restaurant before I travelled to South Africa as it had very good recommendations on-line and its essential ingredients are foraged plants and mushrooms; very suitable for vegans.
My entree and main meal were beautifully presented and tasted so fresh.
My second day I took a ride on the wine tram, however I woke up feeling very unwell but as I had paid the tram fee and wanted to see the wineries I decided to go. Once on the tram we were offered a glass of wine but I really couldn’t stomach it so went upstairs to enjoy the view. Our first stop on the Blue Line was the Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate. The winery is 325 years old and spread over forty-seven acres and quite beautiful. We had an hour stop-over and I decided to walk around the grounds rather than taste any of their wines; just wasn’t feeling up to it. The walk around the grounds were really lovely though.
There is a small open gallery within the grounds displaying paintings and other art from leading South African artists and an evolving sculpture garden. There is also a cheetah outreach centre within the estate where you can spend time for about R160 ($16AUD) as part of a conservation drive to help stop the reduction in their numbers. I went and spoke to the young lady but decided not to visit.
I had no idea why I was so unwell. I was trying to push through however once I returned to the wine tram I had to ask the driver to drop me back into town so I could return to my hotel. That afternoon my illness had passed which was good as I didn’t want to be unwell for my next location; Thornybrook Riverside Lodge at Kruger National Park (more on that later).
I arrived into Johannesburg after a fourteen-hour flight from Sydney (thanks Qantas). I had an overnight stay in Johannesburg and my friends who live in Pretoria advised me for safety reasons not to leave the hotel, so I didn’t …nor did I need to. I arrived around 3pm and left the next day at 8am. I stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel and having jet lag was up at 3.30am at the gym after which I took a seat to relax overlooking the indoor pool.
Next day I head off to CapeTown on South African Airways (lovely airline) and went straight to the Table Bay Hotel on the Victoria & Albert Waterfront colloquially known as the V&A Waterfront. The waterfront is situated on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and comprises residential and commercial properties, hotels, retail stores and dining. It’s a huge area with over twenty-three million visitor every year.
I sat out the back of the hotel once I had checked in as my room was not ready and enjoyed great views of Table Mountain the flat topped mountain that you can hike or take the cable car to the top for stunning views all over Cape Town.
There are quality statues all around the waterfront and the coolest are the ‘crash’ of life size sculptures of rhinoceros found all around the complex; there to bring the world’s attention to the plight of Southern Africa’s endangered real rhinos. Each is painted by artists from South Africa’s creative communities who benefit by having their work exhibited and appreciated by visitors.
Whilst the waterfront is still technically a working harbour with fishing boats and container ships, these days it caters more for visitors with waterfront restaurants and cafes, shops and markets. On my first day, I walked past this lovely looking restaurant and decided to make a booking. It was a seafood restaurant but as I loved the look of it, the waiter said the chef could definitely make me a vegan dish and he did; a delicious plate of warm vegetables which I enjoyed with a glass of South African Sauvignon Blanc and finally finished a book I had started some time ago whilst in China.
The V&A Waterfront is divided up into five different shopping districts: Victoria Wharf, The Watershed, The Alfred Mall and Pierhead, The Clock Tower, and Breakwater Point. There are more than 450 stores selling everything from local designers to international brands. Also the V&A Food Market was a wonderful place to spend an hour or more with so much to buy; great smells and yummy food. I bought a delicious vegan chocolate cake and some warm cashews. The Clock Tower was a particularly lovely structure as were the buildings all around the complex.
Late one afternoon I took a ride on the Cape Wheel to get a 360-degree panoramic view of Cape Town. The cabins are fully enclosed and air- conditioned and takes about fifteen-minutes for a four-revolution ride.
The waterfront has many lovely places to sit and relax. Each day I had something planned which included the hop-on-hop-off bus, walking through the Botanical Gardens, driving along the coastline, boat ride to Robben Island where Mandela was imprisoned, photographing the coloured houses of Bo Kaap and a day trip to the National Park and the Cape of Good Hope which is the rocky headland on the Atlantic Coast (but more on these later). Then after a busy day I would walk around the waterfront to ensure I reached my 12,000 step minimum looking at various sculptures and wall graffiti along the way then finding a different place each day to enjoy a drink and snack.
I did dine at a South African restaurant but unfortunately I was extremely disappointed with my meal; one forkful and I didn’t eat the rest! I think when you see the photo you will understand why!
But apart from this one and only bad meal, I loved Cape Town and would recommend it to anyone visiting South Africa…it’s fabulous!
Three weeks ago I arrived in South Africa and have been travelling around a bit with a visit to Kruger National Park in the mix. My friends who live here in Pretoria recommended I visit Hermanus, a seaside town south east of Cape Town. My travel agent booked me into Birkenhead House, a gorgeous cliff top hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
I was driven from Cape Town to Hermanus which took about an hour and a half and upon arrival at Birkenhead House, I was offered lunch as my room was not quite ready. I decided to sit outside and was brought a complimentary cocktail followed by a glass of wine and freshly baked bread.
I had advised the hotel of my dietary requirements and the chef made me a delicious salad and a warm new potato dish. Both so good! 
It was then time to go to my room but first decided to take a look around the hotel. It is beautifully decorated, so stylish with huge sofas to sit in to read a book or just take in the fabulous vista.
There are two pools, one inside the building complex and the other an infinity edge pool overlooking the ocean. Bit too chilly to swim but could imagine relaxing in the pool with ocean views.
Then to top it off my room also had its own pool along with a nice outdoor area and a really lovely bathroom.
The staff had left me a small bottle of champagne as a welcome gift which was very kind and I was told the mini bar contents were complimentary as I had paid for an inclusive food and beverage package.
I decided to go out and explore the area so walked along the cliff tops for about an hour to reach the township. It was rather windy but the views were spectacular so I made up my mind that every morning I would take a long walk along the cliff tops where I was greeted by many friendly people out walking or jogging.
The town of Hermanus is quite small but has some lovely quaint paved small streets and great bookshops.
Before I arrived in Hermanus I found out it was Whale watching season so booked a tour as they are very popular and book out quickly. We were given a ten minute talk on the history of the Southern Right Whale after which we went out in the bay for about two hours. We were very lucky and followed a mum Southern Right Whale and her baby near the shore (not great photos though).
Most afternoons I would sit on a day bed reading my book and enjoying uninterrupted views of the ocean and on one occasions saw a whale breaching. Now that was a magnificent sight.
All meals at Birkenhead House were delicious and made with fresh local vegetables and on my last evening I had my dinner inside with an American couple then stepped outside to watch the magnificent sunset.
And so after four days it was time to move on…taking with me my beautifully presented clean laundry!
After a fabulous time seeing lots of animals in Africa, I arrived in South Africa to stay a few days with two Aussie friends who are living in Pretoria. My friends organised a private driver to collect me at the railway station (after my trip on Rovos Rail). It was a pretty confronting part of town and even though I was in a car I still didn’t feel all that safe. My friends told me later that is why they don’t come into that part of town ie it’s unsafe and nor do a lot of taxi drivers hence the private driver.
But before we reached the top, we were so lucky to see a couple of zebra and some other animals – photos not so good as took them from a moving car.
It was amazing to see the zebra with a backdrop of the city just standing there next to the road…
Geoff who was driving pulled up very close to the zebra and as we were quiet they didn’t move for quite some time. This allowed me to take some photos close up; it makes you realise how stunning [and unique] these animals really are.
That evening we went out to dinner at a local restaurant – a fun night where we enjoyed pizza and some great South African white wine. 
Geoff told me that he and his wife Sue regularly go out early for dinner but he is very careful on the roads especially when stopped at traffic lights – the chance of carjacking is very high both during the day and evening!
Driving from Pretoria I saw many shanty towns along the way and our driver explained that some are connected to electricity and water but many others do not have any electricity or running water and I dread to think how hot these homes are in summer as the majority are made from corrugated metal and sheets of plastic and others are made from plywood and cardboard boxes.
(photo courtesy of Wikipedia)
The second was the Hector Pieterson Museum. Hector was a student at a local high school in 1976 who was marching with 10,000 other students from his high school to the Orlando Stadium. This was a result of what is known as the Soweto Uprising. Mass protests erupted over the government’s policy to enforce education in Afrikaans rather than their native language.
Once there we were able to go inside and see Mandela’s bedroom, study, lounge and tiny kitchenette all with many photos and posters on the walls. It was so incredibly small and this is where Mandela was held under house arrest for all those years.
We were also shown the bullet hole in the wall above a red framed window and told this came from one of the many attacks on Mandela and his family by the Apartheid Police…
And an interesting fact from our tour guide…the name Soweto comes from South West Townships of which Orlando is part of…a huge day of learning for me.
My first day in Pretoria I took a bus trip to Soweto which was really interesting to see the Apartheid Museum and learn about the history [I will write on that separately]. On day two my friends took me to the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve which is a privately owned game reserve covering about 1200 hectares which opened to the public in 1990. I am always a bit worried about these private owned parks as I always hope the animals are not caged but allowed to roam free. In the main this one was very good.
Our next stop was to the cafe just outside the park where there is a giraffe that comes up close to the landing as knows we will all have food for her which can be purchased from the cafe. I stroked her and she was so beautiful.
Then it was time to drive into the park, there is a small cost per person (goes to the running of the park) and after paying this, off we went on our adventure. We first saw some cute little warthogs and Impala and various other animals…all roaming free.
Zebra was next for our viewing pleasure…
We also saw several large horned animals – in photo order I think from memory they are Sable Antelope [what a beautiful animal], Wildebeest and either Waterbuck or perhaps Springbuck.
We drove a little way towards the predator enclosure [I was happy that it is huge and took us ages to drive around] and first saw some wild dogs relaxing under a tree…
As we were driving along the road one of us pointed out (think it was Geoff as he spotted most of the animals) this incredible lion…what a sight – I think I took sixty or so photos of the same thing as the lion didn’t really move but did change the position of his head a couple of times.
A short distance away was the lioness – beautiful animal too.
I could not of been happier at this stage and we reluctantly left to find the rhino; which I also could not wait to see! We drove around for some time and Geoff told me he had purchased tickets for the animal creche so we could pat the lion cubs and cheetah. How lovely! Again money goes towards the reserve and the upkeep of the animals.
I did pat the white lion cubs; there were two of them and they were awfully sweet. The public is allowed to interact with the cubs and cheetah for five minutes at a time which allows us to pat and take photos whilst being monitored by the keeper.
The cheetah was very beautiful too; another magnificent animal. 
As were the white tigers especially the ‘teenagers’ who were playing and one jumped into a waterless well and looked like she was loving it.
And in the next enclosure was the cutest Pygmy hippopotamus; quite a bit of room to roam around which was good.
We left this area and drove around again trying to find the rhino; but to no avail – very disappointing but Geoff said he had seen them the week before but they didn’t want to be found on this day.
On our drive throughout the reserve, we also saw some lovely birds including baby Ostrich [how cute] and then it was time to leave; fantastic to see these amazing animals in this enormous reserve…maybe next time for the Rhino!
Really glad I went and really grateful for my lovely friends taking me there!!
After spending just over a week in Zimbabwe and Botswana, my friend Jenny and I took the Rovos Rail, a private railway company that operates out of Capital Park Station in Pretoria, from Zimbabwe to Pretoria over three nights.
Inside is pretty stunning too…
The grounds also have a stunning view of the spray from Victoria Falls and the bridge that marks the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
After a complimentary glass of champagne and a briefing on our impending travel, we boarded our train and within minutes had departed.
The suite also has an en-suite bathroom with shower. 
Before we departed the chef and his team came and spoke to me about my dietary requirements – a lovely personal touch.
One afternoon I walked up to the one of the two lounge cars; this one being near the rear of the train. It was 4pm and afternoon tea was being served. Fruit, biscuits, petit fours and small sandwiches are on offer along with whatever beverages you wish.
I managed to take some photos of African homes and the countryside.
Positioned at the rear of the train past the lounge car is the observation car which can seat thirty-two passengers. It’s a lovely area to sit and watch where the train is travelling and of course see that lovely countryside. Permission was sought and granted by South African Railways to place the observation cars at the back of the trains, which allowed windows to be enlarged and an open air type balcony to be built. 
During the trip we passed along the edge of Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife reserve travelling south-east to Kennedy Siding for an overnight stop.
We saw zebra, giraffe, elephant and many unusual and beautiful birds…
We then head for Bulawayo whilst Jenny and I exchanged Christmas presents – nice to do this on a train! We then crossed the Botswana border at Plumtree during the evening and in the morning we travelled south through Francistown and on towards Gaborone, the capital of Botswana. A short time later we crossed the South African border and lunch is served as the train passes through the farmlands of the Marico Valley.
Finally [and sadly] we arrive in Pretoria on the day after Boxing Day around mid-morning. A lovely surprise to see Mr Rovos himself waiting to welcome all the passengers. I still had my train legs (bit wobbly) for some time after disembarking the train.
