South Africa break

We went for a 10 day break to the Cape area.
First a few days shopping in Cape town. I found a Cameroon T shirt at Woolworths. It took us an hour to debate and ask the friendly assistants which one was Cameroon. England, Italy, Spain etc.. they all had the country's name on it, but there was one without. Was it Ghana? Red, green and yellow doesn't really narrow it down in Africa. My web research today confirmed it was Cameroon, yeah.

We drove via Hermanus to Swellendam, a cute, small town with not much but a church and the Drostdy hof winery.

The road continued to Oudtshoorn. The main attraction not the town but the surroundings. We drove the road over the Swartberg maintains, including Swartberg pass. Stunning sights from the dust road crawling up the mountain. The photos really don't do it justice.

The area is famous for its ostrich farms. Lots of them, they look like yummy birds.

We love Afrikaans by the way. Like Dutch spoken by one of my young nices. 'Druk knoppie' 'Gaan voort' the best is the word for traffic light 'ROBOT'.

After two lovely meals at the restaurant (one for me as I was not feeling well) recommended by Bill and Maria we left for Franschhoek, one of our goals of the trip.

A quick check of my email learned that I still didn't know my next posting. It was 17 March and the email read: '... will start sending emails 18 March ...'. I am not brought up with swearing...

18 March a bit of shopping, driving around, some more shopping. Sat down to check internet. Several minutes in of trying hopelessly to get a connection the secretary calls from Rwanda: emails have been sent. Some more words my parents haven't thought me. Luckily Jojan offers to check the mail for me at the embassy. Two minutes later we know: Ouagadougou. So we open some bubbly wine not sure if it is to celebrate or drown the fact it is not Lusaka. In our heads we knew already though.

Me on our new gadget a mini laptop, or whatever the popular name is.


They evening sees us going to the restaurant of the Dutch chef. Nice food, the only problem is that I don't know if it is art or food, and how to start eating it.

The last few days in Capetown. It still is a lovely city. Not too big, lots of shopping possibilities and nice food.

We staid in the Bo kaap area. Brightly coloured houses, lively street life and Cap malay food.

This is food, not art, if you know what I mean. Brilliantly balanced spicing.

Table mountain from the waterfront.


Capetown from up the mountain.



And people wonder why I don't like cable cars.



The last night we were lucky enough to see the Longstreet carnival. People from all ages parading, including some rolling racks of washing, not joking.

So overall, if you don't count the delay on the return flight that made us arrive at 2 am, a very relaxing, food, sun and wine rich holiday. BRILLIANT!