My South African Adventure: Week One

My South African adventure has been slightly less adventurous than planned due to the unfortunate timing of a back injury on my part! However, always looking to make the most of things, I have managed to get my ass on the tourist trail and re-visit some of the sites I loved so much when I was here on my gap year (“gap-yar“) but also check out some of the ones I missed!

First up is the most obvious one of all whenever you think of visiting Cape Town…Table Mountain! When I was last here, it was closed every day I went to visit due to bad weather, but not this time folks! It was the most beautiful, clear summer day where the view from the top seemed never ending. I opted for the cable car option due to my damaged spine but I’d loved to have climbed up…although the people who were doing it looked rather hot and sweaty! I got really lucky because it was practically empty and I had free run of the entire mountain top and I took lots of snaps as well as stopping to munch ice-cream and drink! I wore one of my favorite white Dahlia dresses which is light and cool to wear but looks so sweet and eye-catching too. I threw round a thin, black studded belt to cinch in my waist and really show off the shape of the dress. The lace detail round the sleeves and neckline sold it to me, but what I fell in love with was the Marilyn Monroe style skirt! It is…adorable and I had a few Marilyn moments myself which is when I realised why they lined the skirt; it saved my modesty! The day ended at the famous Waterfront, watching the Volvo Round the World Yachts come in and sipping some seriously satisfying Gin and Tonic!

Next up was Spier, a vineyard in the heart of the wine-land of Stellenbosch. I’d been here on my last visit as part of a wine-tasting day but missed out on one of their star attractions…the Cheetah Outreach Program! Here you get up close and personal with these majestic creatures whilst learning all about them and the programs main goals. Cheetah’s, like many of Earths most magnificent animals, are on the endangered species list. This program helps raise awareness, takes in Cheetah’s who have been abandoned or rejected by their Mother and the personal interaction they allow brings their plight for survival to life.

I met Enigma, commonly known as Iggy (exactly the same name as my pet cat!) and got to stroke him and hear him purring as well as watch him play-fight with his brother. My choice of clothes here was supposed to be practical but in the end, the lose clothing flapped in the wind making Iggy think I was a toy he could play with! Don’t worry, they got me out of there safely!

Also at Spier they have a Birds of Prey “encounter” where you can watch flight demonstrations, stroke and feed some of the tamer birds and learn all about the risk to their future. I have to admit, I have always been quite freaked out by birds and although I can appreciate how beautiful strong and smart they are…I have never wanted to “encounter” one close up. However, I am also rubbish at turning down a polite salesman so reluctantly agreed to go meet some Owls…how much damage can they do??

Well…I nearly jumped out of my skin as one landed on my head at the same time as one landing on my gloved hand. I had not expected that! The bird-man (?!) was brilliant fun though and made the whole thing so fascinating that I enjoyed in equal measure to meeting the cheetahs. I ended up “encountering” more than Owls, falling in love with Barney the old Barn Owl! Annoyingly, I cannot remember the names of any birds because I was too busy coo-ing over them! One of them even had this little hat on to cover his eyes and keep him calm before his flight…amazing!

Another day, I took a ride to the Kenilworth Races. I haven’t been to the races before and the only bets I’ve ever made was a lucky one at last years Grand National and some not so lucky ones! However, in South Africa, my luck held out and in 8 races, I won 7 times…much to my Step-dads dismay as he lost 7 out 8! By the end of the day, I was up R178…which is about £17 but I was CHUFFED! I went dressed “smart/casual” in my favorite polka-dot dress I picked up from a boutique in Manchester (Dolly Daydream) and teamed it with my baby-pink boyfriend blazer I scored in Pri-mark for £4! With my cute feather fasinator purchased just days before from Cape Towns own, The Little Hattery, I think I just about pulled off a suitable racing-ensemble!


Franschhoek, where I am staying, is as famous for its food as it is for its wine! I’ve visited a few vineyards here which all have restaurants with stunning views but I think Cellars was my favorite. The food wasn’t pretentious, over-priced nothingness which you so often get when seeking out good-views, but homey, down-to-earth food with a modern interesting twist. I sipped a glass of Graham Beck Rose Champagne (famous in these parts), looked out across the fields of grapevines and just thought to myself…”how bloody lucky am I?!” I wore a dress which arrived as a surprise from Dahlia, a gorgeous burgandy handkerchief hemmed number with lipstick to match. I felt so fortunate to be alive…and yes I realise that sounds a little lame but it’s true!

One place I have seen a lot of this week is the inside of Dr Tracey’s office! I have had scans, physio and even acupuncture… thought I’d share the needle picture with you!!

I finished off the week visiting a Township, something I was keen to do again after being so moved by the experience last time. However, that particular day deserves a whole blog post of its own…so more about that next time!

 

I still have a week left so let me know some good place to go eat, play and view!

This entry was posted in Fashion & Beauty, Travel and tagged Birds of Prey, Cape Town, Cheetah, Dahlia Fashion, franschhoek, south africa, stellenbosch, Table Mountain, Vineyard, Waterfront. Bookmark the permalink.

7 thoughts on “My South African Adventure: Week One

  1. Love it! So glad you are enjoying your trip :-) May I suggest a trip through Theewaterskloof, Grabouw & Elgin to Arabella Hotel & Spa, then onto Hermanus for a seafood lunch at Bientang’s Cave. Afternoon drive back via Clarence Drive, stopping to see the Penguins at Betty’s Bay. Where you staying in Franschhoek? Looking forward to reading the next installment ;-)

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    • Thank you!! I’ll make sure I do, I can’t resit great Seafood! I’m staying on Protea Street so near the Monument. I had a great time at the “Celebrating Bubbles Festival!”

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  2. Hey Kate:
    Thanks for sharing your adventures… I really enjoy the photos.

    Best Wishes.
    Vista

    South Africa Restaurant Suggestions:

    http://www.dining-out.co.za/South-Africa-restaurants.asp

    http://www.eatout.co.za/

    http://www.capetownmagazine.com/

    http://www.cape-town.info/pages/information/restaurant-guide.php

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    • Thank You!! I am having a great time and getting a never ending photo collection!! Thanks for the suggestions, I’ll make sure to check the sites out and try some of it next week.

      I hope you are well

      Kate x

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  3. Love it! Thank you for taking me on this venture! I have never had the fortune to travel abroad and loved this post! Jenn

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    • Thanks for your lovely comment and for reading it. I hope you get to travel soon xx

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  4. Ah, it brings back some good memories. My brother lives in Hout Bay so I’m often down that way. We were there at the beginning of September when the weather wasn’t the best but it’s always such a cool city

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