Wednesday, August 22, 2007

The Wine Route...in Cape Town!

Being in South Africa and not doing the Wine Routes would be unforgiving! Personally, this was the best part of the visit……..the wine tasting! Helen, an Afrikaner from Johannesburg and I drove down…. to some of the finest Wine Estates of South Africa.


Our first stop was NEETHLINGSHOF which is just outside the town of Stellenbosch. The long Pine Avenue leading you to the estate is simply stunning and pictures do not do justice. A picture of the same is reflected in the wine bottles from this estate. We stopped to click pictures for posterity and savoured the view to be locked forever in our memory.

We did our first wine tasting……


Joe was our Wine Guide……….is that what one would call him? Got our first tips on being a Wine Connoisseur……….. the tipping, the sniffing and the rolling of the wine. The RED and the WHITE wines ….Classic Cabernet Sauvignon, Lord Neethling Pinotage…. We tasted 7 or was it 9? different wines. We graded the wines to our liking…..taste, smell, …and Joe of course helped us in distinguishing what the wine was all about and why it was famous and won a particular award and many other things. Not having the heart for spitting such good wines out…. as “Wine Tasters” would do, we left Neethlingshof with a warm, nice & light feeling and a couple of bottles of wines!

Next, KANONKOP – where the big guns roar! That’s what they say and at the gate of the estate there is a huge canon placed and smaller versions scattered everywhere, once when you get in.


At Kanonkop our Wine Hostess ……….I’m trying out different names to call these Professionals………. was a lovely lady by the name of Tina. She took us through some of the estate’s famous red wines….and we now knew why Kanonkop Estate’s Pinotage is so famous!





At the entrance of the doorway there is an interesting inscription explaining what the Pinotage is all about!
“Pinotage is the juice extracted from women’s tongues and lions’ hearts. After having a sufficient quantity one can talk forever and fight the devil.”

Onwards, we drove to the MURATIE WINE ESTATE. The farm echoes old-world hospitality and the environment from the olden days…..as if left untouched……….complete with cobwebs!
We just looked around as we had decided not to taste any more…….we had to get back without getting lost……….Helen was driving while I was navigating……with a map on my lap!


Don't miss the cobwebs all over the place!






At the gateway to the Franschhoek valley lies the legendary farm of Boschendal and this is where we headed finally. "Bossendaal" (wood and dale) farm, one of the oldest wine producers with a French viticultural heritage.

We soaked in the Art….exhibited (one could buy too!) right next to the café…….looked at the curios & of course the wines!



Lunch was at the Le Café.....outside in the dappled shade of the spreading oaks. Perfect weather & delicious food and far from the Madding Crowd!

After soaking in as much as we could we headed back via Franschhoek Town …………a day filled with wonderful experience that will live with us.... came to an end.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Wandering around Cape Town

I flew into Cape Town to do a bit of solo travelling and I did not regret it at all. After checking into the bed and breakfast place I was all ready to for some exploring.

I took the local buses wherever I could and I also used the "Hop On Hop Off" bus to look around. 


One of the Hop On Hop Off bus stop. Had to get off to soak in the view!


View from Table Mountain!



Castle of Good Hope


Table Mountain

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Nelson Mandela......towered over me too!

In 2007 when I travelled to South Africa, while in Johannnesburg, I got to visit the Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton City. And of course as you can see, the old man towered over me too! Nelson Mandela's life story is one of inevitable triumph. He was a symbol of struggle for justice, equality & dignity not only in South Africa but around the world. He will be truly missed.


Coming so far, I had to see Robben Island, an island Internationally known for the fact that Nobel Laureate and Former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela was imprisoned here. So I flew to Cape Town and from the harbour took the boat to the island....Robben Island. 

Nelson Mandela was on this island for 18 out of the 27 years he was imprisoned. Seeing the tiny cell where he lived and the stone quarry where he had to work come rain or shine.....it was truly a humbling experience.

Robben Island Prison Entrance

The Prison

The Stone Quarry

Nelson Mandela's cell




Monday, August 13, 2007

Around Durban

South Africa, breath taking ….rolling hills and vast stretches of pristine beaches……. a real picturesque destination! I was there beginning of the year…for 4 weeks! Johannesburg…. Durban…. Sun City… Pretoria …. Cape Town ……..I enjoyed all!


Somewhere in Kwazulu Natal


Durban Beach 

Well meaning “advises” from friends & strangers poured in when they heard that I was travelling to South Africa. Reaching here even the locals – the Whites & the Indians cautioned me to be “careful”…..to be wary of the Blacks! Why? I hate this racial segregation! In spite of my liberal outlook, I couldn’t help clinging on to my handbag especially when a Black Man passed by. Who was to blame? Myself? The people? The environment? Believe me, I tried but still ended up being prejudiced.