Hout Bay June 2016

Going Home - Ep 3 

Right, so I've done the getting there story and some foodie stuff, a video about the Gordon's Bay day (as I like to call it), so here's a little about Hout Bay, or as the locals call it -"The Republic of Hout Bay".

The trip to Hout Bay is always unique, albeit traveling along the same roads.  Mountains and the ocean along a long and winding road, with a couple of routes to choose from. The views are breathtaking, even on the not so bright winter days. Our chosen route was through the outskirts of the city, over Kloof Nek and bypassing the always busy main roads of Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay.

On a "good weather" day there are many boats available for cruises to Seal Island,  The weather wasn't that good on the day we went, hence no boat trips.  Fishermen however, braved the seas and went off on their daily forage for fish to sell at the harbour later on.

Usually there are rows of vendors selling their wares, from paintings to African style jewellery, caps, shirts and a huge variety of souvenirs, but again, it was rather quiet on our day due to the icy weather and the possibility of rain. A few formal curio shops are available for the less frugal shoppers.  For the kiddies, there is the joy of watching the seals in the harbour, usually lured by the local harbour guys with fishy treats.

     

There are a couple of sit down restaurants as well as take-away options for those so inclined. After a short walk and a peek at the seals, we chose the refuge of the Lookout Deck Restaurant, where we enjoyed a rather yummy lunch.  Since many locals and the scatterings of tourists had the same idea, we weren't fortunate to get a table at the "window" which is really just a plastic sheet covering an open deck on a good day.

On our way back we stopped at the ever popular lookout area just after the Llandudno turnoff for another breathtaking view of the ocean and the mountains, with the little "town" of Llandudno in the foreground - home to the rich and famous.  

  

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 :-)