Cape Town, June 2016 Day 1 and 2

Going home

     
CAPE TOWN
JUNE 2016

First few days 

               

My annual holiday has come and gone, and as usual the destination was Cape Town.  Flights from Bangkok via Singapore and Johannesburg, and 24 or so hours later I arrived at Cape Town International Airport.  My very reliable car-rental lady from Cape View Car Hire was waiting with my rental car, and soon enough I was on my way, in my disheveled state, to my first stop at the old-age home in Panorama where mom lives. Greetings and hugs and too soon the visiting hour was over.

Next stop Bellville to collect keys from my son who kindly hosted his mother for the duration of the holiday.  Onwards to Pinehurst, and a much needed soak in a hot tub, before a quick shop at the Pinehurst centre to pick up few necessities, like wine.  The Cape does indeed have the finest wines, and surviving the cold winter weather certainly demands some of the Cape's best reds.

Since I never learn to catch up on a bit of sleep when I arrive (5 hour time difference), I was up late into the night, enjoying a few glasses of wine and catching up on the local news with my son, followed by a steak dinner at Saddles in Pinehurst with Sonja and her mom. Thumbs up to Saddles on delivering a perfect order.

On the fourth night, late nights caught up with me, and I faded at about 8pm.  

Each day was the daily routine of visiting my mom in the morning, leaving the rest of the day free for meeting friends, road-trips, sight-seeing, shopping and dining, The first few days involved getting my mom prepared for her pending eye operation, meeting with the staff at the home, and sorting and stocking mom's cupboards.  No need for too much detail.

Stellenbosch
My first drive out was to Stellenbosch which used to be a lovely, picturesque town mostly inhabited by "old money" and students attending the University.  There was one small Mall and many quaint eateries and watering holes.  Beautiful houses and wine farms made up the rest of this "once upon a time" town.  I was shocked to see what a dump this place has become.  It's dirty with more of an "industrial" look, crime-ridden, and seemingly the "hoody" gangs ruin and rule the town.  The Mall is still standing, but many shops are vacant and theft is rife.  Wine farms still appear to be flourishing - good news.  As I'd already fallen victim to a bunch of thieves the previous day at Cape Gate Mall nearer home, I went into the Mall clutching my bag tightly and then to lunch with my nephew who works there.  Dros was the only place which wasn't a fish or chicken take-away hut out on the street, so we had a fairly okay lunch there, but spent more time chatting than really caring about the food and service.
We found ourselves back at the Dros on my 2nd last evening before leaving, and then we did mind the food and service, which was appalling, and led to us cancelling our Don Pedros after 40 minutes of waiting.

Palms in Brackenfell

Definitely deserves a mention in the dining department.  Snuggled away on a road I don't remember, this restaurant / pub is well worth a visit for a few drinks outside while watching whatever sport or music is on the tele outside, or for quieter dining inside with a hot fire to unfreeze the winter bones. The waitrons are attentive and helpful and the food is delicious.  I opted for a 200g fillet with pepper sauce on the side and fries. while Sonja chose a "bit of both" burger which featured a chicken breast, beef pattie, bacon, cheese and mushroom sauce, and the usual tomato and lettuce on the rolls, with fries.  Cooked to perfection, with more than enough to take home for the Rottweilers later on.  Lovely evening, good food and great company.

                      

 

More to follow .... 

Gordons Bay, South Africa.

Check out @debzeaton's Tweet: https://twitter.com/debzeaton/status/748868901916717061?s=09

Going home

    First stop on the way to Cape Town - overnight at Baiyoke Sky Hotel in BKK.  Last minute shopping if space allows, perhaps a massage and then winging my way via Singapore to Johannesburg, then Cape Town.  Been counting days for months, and now it's only a few more sleeps.

Cape Town coming up.

Trip to Cape Town

Not too long now and I'll be winging my way to my home country, South Africa.  It's been a year since my last visit, and I've gone from mildly excited to Come On Already!!   Fortunately a lot of work will keep me busy for the next week, and then it's time to finalise my packing, weigh my luggage and be on my way.
I have a terrible issue with luggage on any travel destination, somehow I have to leave half of the contents at the airport.  Many airport staff around the world have had unexpected Christmases at unexpected times of the year.  I never learn!
I'll be going from a very hot Thailand to a very cold Cape Town with frightfully few warm things which I will buy in SA - it's easier to get the bigger sizes there than in Thailand where clothes are made for the tiny Asian people.
I have a suitcase fully packed with souveniers for family and friends,  and another with my meagre assortment of appropriate attire.
My mom is the first and foremost reason for my annual visits, and this last year has been particularly difficult for her.  She is 83 and, although in fair health, cataracts have developed, causing blindness. She is going to have surgery (hoping to get it done during my 3 weeks there), so it's not going to be all holiday.
Nevertheless, it's time for some of the best red wines in the world, visits with my family and friends still living in Cape Town, and my 57th birthday celebration.
Flight from BKK to Singapore to Jhb to Ctn is a bit of a long haul, but worth every boring moment to reach Ctn and marvel at the ever beautiful Table Mountain.   I'm picturing wine farms and peninsula drives, foods I love and miss, beautiful sunsets and jolly times around the "braai".

Bon voyage to me :-)

Cape Town, South Africa

My count-down is at 100 days for my next visit to Cape Town, so it seems like a good time to recall last year's visit. For those who don't know, June is winter, June is cold, It rains in June, and my birthday is in June. Follow my blog with Bloglovin I go to Cape Town every year during Uni break to see my mom, my son and my nephew and his wife. Sometimes I'm fortunate enough to meet with friends during my 3-4 week holiday, but my primary purpose is to see my mom who is in a home for the aged. She is going to be 83 years old this year, and sadly I cannot spend her birthday or Christmases with her anymore, but at least we get to celebrate a little on my birthday. Last year, on the morning of my birthday, I went to the home with cakes and savoury snacks for all the residents. When I got there, they were not sitting at their usual sunny spot in the lounge. For a moment I thought that I had arrived too early, and that they were perhaps still going through their morning routines, so I went along to the kitchen to start cutting the cakes and tarts. Well, surprise surprise, there they were, sitting in the dining room waiting for me. When they saw me they broke out in Happy Birthday song, clapping and cheering and they had even painted birthday cards for me. It wasn't long before music started, and the staff and residents (especially mom), were on the floor and dancing away. What a wonderful surprise, and a birthday to remember - certainly one of my best birthday memories. I see mom everyday during my holiday, usually in the morning, as she naps in the afternoon after lunch. I'm at a loose end until the evening, so I usually do some shopping and run errands for mom. I spend the evenings with my son, sometimes out for dinner, having a braai (weather permitting), watching movies or just chatting and sipping red wine to warm the cold bones. Weekends are reserved for long, leisurely peninsula drives, wine tasting at some of the many excellent wine farms, and pretty much anything else that can be crammed into a short weekend. The unfortunate thing about going to SA in June is that I'm a tourist and everyone is working. However, I do manage to catch up with some friends who do have time. A lovely drive to Gordon's Bay takes me to see my nephew and his wife, have lunch or dinner and spend hours catching up. I rent a car while I'm in Cape Town, so getting around is easy. Last year my daughter was in Cape Town at the same time as me, so we spent some days being tourists together. Inasmuch as there is a lot of negativity about SA, and rightfully so, I do enjoy going back to Cape Town. It's a stunning place with so much beauty surrounding the entire peninsula. Table mountain is a sight to behold, and long before the plane descends to the runway, I'm already peeping out of the little window for my first glimpse. Cold or not, I've no doubt that I'm going to have a fabulous holiday again this year. Most importantly, I'll be spending time with the people I love and miss so much. Count down continues :-)