Hello! South Africa

Thursday dinner

2011-02-25T00:42:00.001Z

Thursday dinner, originally uploaded by nataliej.

After a busy day spent doing DIY it was nice to go to Laura's parents'
house for dinner. Especially as the kitchen is a work in progress at
the mo.

photo.JPG

2011-02-19T11:35:00.001Z

photo.JPG, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Home

2009-02-20T15:34:00.002Z

I'm home (and so are Scott and Vaughan). I've unpacked, showered, done some washing, been shopping, eaten two massive pan au chocolats (and why not?!) and I'm now clearing some space on the laptop for the photos. Oh boy, are there some photos....

Weather

2009-02-20T08:56:00.001Z

Weather, originally uploaded by nataliej.

A bit cold and foggy. Haha, and I'm still wearing my shorts and flip-
flops! :D

Back in the UK

2009-02-20T06:31:00.000Z

Oooh, and the weather looks lovely! Cloud and light drizzle. Niice.

Plane

2009-02-19T17:54:00.000Z

We're on. In our seats. Plane is FULL.

Goodbye South Africa!

2009-02-19T17:16:00.001Z

Goodbye South Africa!, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Well, the holiday's almost over. Blimey. I'm pretty sure I'll be back
though. South Africa is an amazing country and one that's surprised me
so much.

Everyone over here is really friendly and they almost always seem to
go about their business with a smile on their face. Even the guy who
waves a red flag for 8 hours a day to warn oncoming traffic about
roadworks, does his job in the most enthusiastic way possible.

It's a great vibe. I'm sad to be leaving if behind, but not that sad
as I will defintely be back x x x

Free stuff

2009-02-19T17:05:00.001Z

Free stuff, originally uploaded by nataliej.

We're making the most of our free drinks and snacks :D

Premier Lounge

2009-02-19T15:15:00.001Z

Premier Lounge, originally uploaded by nataliej.

We pre-booked a seat in the Premier Lounge at Cape Town departure
lounge before we left the UK. It's fab. Free drinks and snacks,
Internet, wifi, showers. Very swish.

We had a little bit of fun and games at check-in though. We were SO
over our baggage limit! It was comical. In total we were 8kg over and
Scotty definitely didn't get away with taking his 3ft giraffe on the
plane under his arm! Haha, and my rock sculpture definitely could be
classed as a weapon, so that couldn't go as hand luggage.

But the check in lady was really nice and helped us jiggle things
around to somehow get us under. I have no idea what she did but we
managed it and didn't have to pay by excess. Phew!

Anyway, we're through all the checks and just chilling out. Gonna do
some shopping in a bit. Need to stock up on Amarula :)

View towards cape point

2009-02-19T12:42:00.001Z

View towards cape point, originally uploaded by nataliej.

From Table Mountain.

Top of the mountain

2009-02-19T12:34:00.001Z

Top of the mountain, originally uploaded by nataliej.

It's the last day so I wanted to get one last view from that mountain.
After a cloudy start the skies cleared and I got a great view at the
top of Table Mountain.

In a minute we're off to the airport and our adventure will almost be
over.

This time tomorrow I'll be home! Crikey.

Up the mountain, one last time

2009-02-19T11:10:00.001Z

The skies have cleared, so while Scotty and V enjoy a steak, I'm heading back up the mountain one last time to see that view. Love it.

Last day

2009-02-19T09:43:00.001Z

It's the last day. Boo :( We fly at 8pm so we'll be off to the airport later this afternoon.

We're just off for a quick explore around Llandudno before having a late lunch x

Bye bye mountain

2009-02-19T07:51:00.001Z

Bye bye mountain, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Gosh, somehow today is our last day. I'm going to miss this mountain :(

Bloubergstrand

2009-02-18T14:19:00.001Z

That water may look tempting, but believe me it's bloody freezing!

Gorgeous

2009-02-17T22:27:00.001Z

Gorgeous, originally uploaded by nataliej.

The sunset tonight in Cape Town was just lovely.

After staying to watch the sun disappear below the horizon, we left to
meet up with Scott's cousins for dinner. Kim, Jason and his girlfriend
Katie were all really nice. We went to a sushi restaurant in a bit of
Cape Town we hadn't been to before and had a great meal for a total of
about £30. Bargain.

The wine tasting and cheese eating this morning was really good, but
drinking wine before lunchtime is a really bad idea! I think I was
starting to feel the after effects by late afternoon. I bought three
bottles at the estate (a riesling, a rosè and a sweet wine) and I look
forward to drinking them when I get home.

Cape Town Sunset

2009-02-17T17:21:00.001Z

We're sat on the lion's rump, watching the sunset. There are lots of people up here with wine and picnics. Top tip if you cone to Cape Town: watch the sunset from here with take away chips and some nice plonk.

Cheese board

2009-02-17T12:32:00.001Z

Cheese and wine at Fairview. I tried blue cheese... and I liked it :)

Paarl Monument

2009-02-17T12:29:00.001Z

We stopped here on our way to Fairview vineyard. The view is amazing, you can see the entire valley and in the distance, Cape Town and Table Mountain.

Nederberg Vineyard

2009-02-17T12:26:00.001Z

Vines and mountains at Nederberg. It was 36C in the shade when I took this.

Tasty

2009-02-17T09:54:00.001Z

We're at Nederberg tasting wines. Just done the tour (it's like a massive big wine factory) and now we're tasting the different wines. Rather stupidly, the tour lady had gone off for lunch and left us with a whole bottle of sweet wine. Haha, foooool!!!!!

Road tripping

2009-02-16T22:10:00.001Z

Road tripping, originally uploaded by nataliej.

After leaving Cape Town last week via the very scenic Route 62, today
we drove the 500km return journey from Knysna along the Garden Route,
which is basically just the N2 national road.

The mountains weren't quite as spectacular today, but they were still
stunning and beautiful on their own distinct way. I really do love
driving long distances across country like this.

The best part of the journey was towards the end when we negotiated
Sir Lowry's pass to be greeted by the greater Cape Town area and the
whole of False Bay stretching out in the distance just as the sun was
getting low in the sky. Beautiful.

Tomorrow we're off for some wine tasting :D

Hello Table Mountain!

2009-02-16T19:43:00.001Z

Hello Table Mountain!, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Back in Cape Town (for the last time!) and there's that mountain again.

Nice Knysna

2009-02-16T17:32:00.001Z

Nice Knysna, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Taken this morning from a viewpoint near a golf course. In the
distance you can see the Knysna heads.

Good morning Knysna

2009-02-16T06:09:00.001Z

Good morning Knysna, originally uploaded by nataliej.

The view from my window this morning as I had a jacuzzi

The luxury

2009-02-15T22:26:00.001Z

Had another lovely day today. After our last gourmet breakfast from Flo, we left PE and drove to Knysna.

After checking in to the Waterfront Lodge we headed to Swartvlei beach and walked out over the rocks to the point. On our way back we had a dip in the sea and Scotty impressed us with his human surfboard impression. On our way back to the car we saw a gigantic jellyfish. It was easily the size of a car hubcab and totally clear. Yikes. I still don't 'get' jellyfish. Weird.

For dinner we went to a restaurant ar Knysna waterfront. I tried my luck at Oysters, followed by a catch of the day special. The food was gothtous and the waitress was really helpful and friendly - a good thing when you're trying Oysters for the first time.

I'm now back at the lodge and ready for bed. We've had our Sundowners and Scotty and V have gone to bed so I've got the giant deluxe suite to myself. It's fab. :D. The shower has two heads, I've got a whirlpool bath and believe me, the view is to die for

Wine / Oysters

2009-02-15T19:43:00.001Z

Nice wine. Vaughan has just informed me that when we stopped to get some air in our way to Knysna, he pee'd near the vines at Robertson vineyard. Niiice.

When in Knysna...

2009-02-15T19:01:00.001Z

...eat Oysters. You have to (I think if may actually be law) as Knysna is a big Oyster place. Tonight we all ate Oysters. First impressions? I like.

We all ordered another one each (with sparkling wine). Second one was just as good, although part of me thinks it kinda seems pointless when you just swallow them whole. Hmmm.

Mika

2009-02-15T07:03:00.003Z

Aw!

Mika and Vaughan

2009-02-15T07:03:00.001Z

Enjoying our last breakfast at the Conifer B&B. We sure are gonna miss Flo's cooking.

The other day we took breakfast outside and a huge insect landed on Vaughan's face before falling into his food. Somewhat put off his breakfast, Vaughan fed most of it to Mika, the B&B's dalmation.

So now Mika knows exactly where to come for breakfast :)

Last night in Port Elizabeth

2009-02-14T21:17:00.001Z

Tonight is our last night in PE. Tomorrow we hit the road and we're back in Knysna for a night before continuing back on to Cape Town on Monday.

This morning we went to the PE aquarium and museum. The highlight was seeing the dolphin show. The museum was great and chock full of crazy things.

This afternoon we just chilled out a bit and went to the boardwalk (a pretty shopping and entertainment village). Scotty made us play on the go-karts and it was really good fun. We had lunch at Wimpy (or knife and fork burger as I call it) to appease Scotty and it was nice, but as SA fast food goes, I definitely prefer Steers burgers and shakes.

Tonight we had dinner with Scotty's mum and nan (she's 89 you know!) at Guidos, a mix between an Italian restaurant and a sports bar.

Rather worryingly it's now dawning on me that the holiday is entering it's closing stages. By this time next week I'll be home, but that's probably just as well because all this food and wine is taking it's toll...

Racing go-karts

2009-02-14T18:30:00.001Z

Scotty on the start line for the go-karts at the Boardwalk in PE. Note his new Oakleys (bling bling!)

Braai

2009-02-13T17:26:00.001Z

Unusually, it's pissing down with rain in PE. Luckily Patrick and Sarah have a covered braai area :)

More sweeeeeets!

2009-02-13T17:23:00.001Z

Tonight we're round at the house of Patrick and Sarah (old school friends of Scott) having a braai. Gareth, one of their friends, has been following the blog so tonight he brought along more sweets for us to try! Awesome :)

Tragedy!

2009-02-13T13:59:00.001Z

Whilst cooking food on the braai, Scotty performed an impromptu rendition of Tragedy by Steps...

More sweets

2009-02-12T14:45:00.001Z

More sweets to try :)

Elephant at Addo

2009-02-12T14:44:00.001Z

We've been to Addo Elephant Park today. Scott's mum and nan joined us so we swapped the hire car for a van to provide a bit more space.

The park is VAST, covering 164,000 hectares and houses the big 5. We only saw elephants out of the 5 today, but boy did we see a lot of them. Must have been at least 40.

This is a photo of a bull elephant that walked right past our vengabus. Bloody scary when it's just feet away from your window.

Aside from huge elephants we also saw baby warthogs (so, so cute), kudu (which tastes like woody blue cheese - I'm not a fan!), herons, a buzzard and lots of snakes in one of the waterholes.

And that pretty much concludes our animal spotting for the trip. But that's probably a good thing, anymore animals and I might start getting a bit jaded. "oh look, MORE elephants. Wowwww"

We're now heading back to PE for a braai (BBQ) and to play on the beach and the rock pools.

City Golf

2009-02-12T14:22:00.001Z

A classic example of the City Golf. This one was quite old and adorned with various surf, country and university stickers. A nice colour scheme too.

Elephants

2009-02-11T17:15:00.001Z

We were reversing at this point!

Safari

2009-02-11T17:02:00.001Z

Halfway through our safari at Pumba and we're sat having dinner at the lodge.

This afternoon we saw a female lion, two male lions playing, two buffalo, a herd of elephants, zebras, giraffes (in the distance) warthogs, an eagle, various bucks, wildebeast, impalas and monkeys. At one point when viewing the elephants, they started walking towards us, so the guide put the jeep in reverse, at which point we found it was a really unfortunate time to get stuck in the mud. Much frantic revving and we escaped. Phew!

After dinner we're off for the night time expedition. :)

Golf

2009-02-11T13:02:00.001Z

When I get back to the UK, I think I'm going to have to import a
classic SA City Golf. The cars are everywhere over here and they look
*so* cool. Seriously, every seventh car you see is a golf. The
exterior is the same 80s design but now it comes with airbags and
crumple zones. I want mine in light blue and white. Mmmm.

Gourmet Breakfast

2009-02-11T10:12:00.001Z

The chef at the Beach House where we're staying in PE has a bit of a flair for cooking. Yesterday she served us fruit salad followed by a toasted breakfast bap. Today we had warm apple pancakes followed by toast layered with spinach, mushrooms and bacon omelette. Delicious.

Lions and beaches

2009-02-10T21:42:00.001Z

Today has been good fun. This morning we picked up Scotty's mum and nan and had lots of fun at Seaview. Playing with a lion cub is totally as much fun as you'd expect. I'm now missing one cheap rubber bracelet after getting it chewed off, but I have the bits and that's a fab reminder of my day :D

This afternoon we went to a beach near to where Scott's mum lives and went for a play in the rock pools and surf. It took us about half an hour to walk there, but the bonus of that is that we scarcely saw another sole all afternoon. Before we left we balanced some rocks (like the ones we saw at the cape of good hope), so you never know, this may start a trend...

Tomorrow morning we're off for a swim and then in the afternoon it's time for the big safari at Pumba. We start off with a game drive in the late afternoon, followed by a traditional African dinner, then another drive at sunset. Sounds like fun :)

Wild Giraffe

2009-02-10T11:53:00.001Z

A wild giraffe as we drove around Seaview Game & Lion Park. They were just stood there chewing the leaves.

Playing with lions

2009-02-10T11:50:00.001Z

Vaughan at Seaview Game & Lion Park playing with an 8 week old lion cub. When I held one it chewed off my bracelet! :D

Road over the gorge

2009-02-09T23:39:00.001Z

This is how the road traffic crosses the gorge. We stopped at the adjoing service station and had a late lunch and admire the view. Afterwards we walked all the way over thd bridge and then all the back. And oh my, it was quite a bit scary! That gorge is DEEP.

The Storms River Gorge

2009-02-09T23:36:00.001Z

Only accesible by boat, incredibly deep and totally unspoilt.

Vaughan on the Storms river bridge

2009-02-09T23:34:00.001Z

Storms River Suspension Bridge

2009-02-09T23:33:00.001Z

Today we travelled from Knysna to Port Elizabeth and stopped off along the way at Storms River in the Tsitsikamma National Park.

The park lies on the coast and is really beautiful. We walked a trail through indigenous rainforest to reach this 77m suspension bridge that crosses the mouth of the gorge. After that we took a boat ride up the gorge and had a peek inside a huge cave (with bats in it) and marvelled at the 'gorgeous' scenery before zipping back to shore.

Beach Walk

2009-02-08T23:12:00.002Z

Maybe it's because I grew up near the coast, but there's something I find so satisfying about a relaxing stroll along the beach.

At this one near Sedgefield in South Africa, I felt like it was a beach only I had discovered. Clean and long, the beach was so natural and wild and unspoilt. I walked for ages with just the sound of the waves as company.

Oh, and Scotty and V were there too x

Beach near Sedgefield, SA

2009-02-08T22:55:00.001Z

Beach near Sedgefield, SA, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Deserted Beach

2009-02-08T22:51:00.002Z

Tonight we had planned to dine out on an old paddle boat on Knysna lagoon, but after arriving at this amazing beach near Sedgefield late this afternoon we decided instead to do that next week on our return visit.

So under dramatic clouds and with sporadic sun, we walked the beach, flip-flops in hand and feet paddling in the warm Indian ocean water. At one point I stripped off (to my bikini! - come on, Scott and V were there, it wasn't that deserted!) and went for a swim. I got as far as my chest before I decided that the rip current and combined threat of sharks and blue bottled jellyfish was too much and I ventured back to shore.

The beach was amazing though. A hidden gem. Known only to locals, it doesn't appear on any tourist maps and other than a couple of surfers back near the car we had the place to ourselves.

Ostrich Massage

2009-02-08T22:23:00.001Z

Ostrich Massage, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Two frisky ostriches (or is it ostrichii?) give Scotty a massage.

Cango Caves

2009-02-08T22:13:00.001Z

Cango Caves, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Just one of the impressive formations at Cango Caves, SA

hellosouthafrica.blogspot.com

Ostrich riding

2009-02-08T13:57:00.002Z

Hehe, we've just been to an ostrich farm where we got to sit on an ostrich and Vaughan trotted around the paddock on a particularly speedy one called Hamilton. Haha, just wait until you see the video! We also got to hold an egg as a chick was hatching and then hold a chick that was just 3 hours old. Amazing.

This morning we went to the Cango Caves, which were impressive but very touristy. Back in the 60s the main chamber used to hold a thousand people for classical concerts.

Right now we're off for a walk along a wild stretch of beach. Tonight we're having dinner on a paddle boat in Knysna lagoon.

A day of amazing scenery (part 2)

2009-02-08T08:09:00.001Z

All the way along the journey today we stopped to admire the view and take photos. Climbing out of the cool car interior we were blasted by the heat.

Our route eventually brought us down two amazing mountain passes that stand clear in my mind as truly the most spectacular things I've seen. Surpassing even the beauty of previous wonders such as Chapman's Peak drive.

The photos I upload will no doubt fail to do justice to the view I saw, but believe me it was good!

At Kynsna we met up with Scotty's mum and checked into the gorgeous Waterfront Lodge. Yet more stunning views as we visited the Kynsna Heads before going out and eating dinner at the Kysna waterfront which overlooks the lagoon.

Back at the hotel, time for some more sundowners, followed by a late night swim and then just before bed (as I type) nature is putting on a show with a well needed thunderstorm.

A stunning end to an amazing day. South Africa continues to exceed my expectations every day.

A day of amazing scenery

2009-02-08T08:08:00.003Z

Today saw us pack our bags and journey east, leaving Cape Town for the time being and heading onto Knysna (pronounced niyzna).

We left Cape Town at 9am and picked up Route 62, which is like a South African version of US Route 66.

The scenery for the entire day has just been breathtaking. South Africa truly is an unspoiled wilderness of nature at it's best. First we snaked our way through spectacular mountains towering over the road, jagged and daunting, then through the long Huguenot tunnel heading on through little towns with names like Worcester, Robertson, Ashton, Montagu and Barrydale.

Next we passed row upon row of vines, then more mountains, different colours though this time. More passes, more distant peaks. The ground turned more orange as we went further inland.

At Ladismith the 2,000m peak was split in two.

As the scenery changed, so did the temperature: 34C in Cape Town, peaking at 40C in Oudtshoorn before falling to a pleasant 25C in Knysna....

Hotter and drier

2009-02-08T08:08:00.001Z

The ground seemed to get more orange as it got hotter

Bewitched Peak at Ladismith

2009-02-08T08:07:00.001Z

The ledgend goes that a witch cracked it with her wand...

Mountains as we left Cape Town behind

2009-02-08T08:06:00.001Z

Sunset at Knysna

2009-02-07T23:18:00.001Z

Waterfront Lodge

2009-02-07T23:17:00.001Z

Vaughan on his balcony (as viewed from my balcony) overlooking the Knysna lagoon from the Waterfront Lodge.

Wilderness

2009-02-07T23:16:00.001Z

The Wilderness coast between George and Knysna

Breathtaking

2009-02-07T23:14:00.001Z

View from the Outeniqua Pass

A few things I've noticed about car travel in South Africa

2009-02-06T23:41:00.005Z

A few things I've noticed about car travel in South Africa, originally uploaded by nataliej.

The little differences:

1. Most cars are white or silver - something to do with the heat. Makes are mainly Toyota, Mercedes, Audi, Hyundai.

2. People use pick up trucks as people carriers. There were 10 in the one we were following today. They also like to stand up in the back as they whizz along the motorways.

3. Speaking of motoways, they don't have crash barriers in the middle, instead they have flower bushes. Pretty, but not exactly known for their car stopping power.

4. Garbage trucks make u-turns on the motoway, like the one we saw today pulling out in front of us.

5. Roadworks are random and appear without warning. Temporary traffic lights are two guys, each with a red flag. You go when the guy starts waving you through. The flag means nothing.

6. Gas stations are full-serve (you don't have to leave your car) and petrol is very cheap - 50p/litre.

7. Parking is cheap (see picture), but you're supposed to tip the parking attendant when you return.

8. When being overtaken, it's courtesy to pull aside onto the hard shoulder.

9. Production of classic cars hasn't stopped (you can buy a brand new Mark I Golf).

10. The Corsa comes in a saloon style. Who knew!

11. Almost all the cars are shiny...

12. ...with the exception of the ones that are being held together with tape with wonky wheels and a crowbar to steer them.

Look, a mountain!

2009-02-06T23:40:00.004Z

Look, a mountain!, originally uploaded by nataliej.

So I hear there's a bit of a snow problem back home? Shouldn't laugh really, it's snow joke ;)

Here in Cape Town it's still hot. When we arrived back at the hotel after dinner it was still 27C. Lucky then that the room has air- conditioning.

Here is a picture of yours truly on the very windy top reck of the Robben Island ferry. Even now, on my fourth day in Cape Town, I'm still mesmerised by that view. I don't think I could ever grow tired of it. It's become something of a joke now to Vaughan and Scott as I exclaim "Wow! Look at that" as I gaze up at yet more mountains.

Tomorrow we leave Cape Town and head to Knysna, then on to Port Elizabeth (see the map link on the right of the blog for the distances). We'll be back in Cape Town soon though and I fully expect yet more "wows" when I see the mountain again.

Swimming Penguin

2009-02-06T23:07:00.001Z

Swimming Penguin, originally uploaded by nataliej.

At Boulders Beach

Another hot sunny day

2009-02-06T18:11:00.001Z

It's been another hot, sunny day here in Cape Town. When we left the hotel this morning it was already 34C. Over on Boulders beach it was a bit cooler (25C) but the sea is much warmer so that makes up for it, oh, and they have penguins :D

After setting up camp, we explored the boulders and got up close with our new friends the penguins. We didn't get too close as the penguins have really sharp beaks, although there was one scary moment when me and Vaughan somehow managed to find ourselves surrounded by them. Oops! Vaughan took some really funny video as one almost went for him.

Swimming and watching the penguins is something I won't forget in a hurry. Truly a magical experience. And what was nice is that we never felt crowded. Perhaps that's because it's relatively hidden. The few other people that ventured through the cave and over the rocks to reach the beach seemed just as awestruck as us and all did their best to respect the penguins home. Amazing.

This afternoon we had a rather hurried journey to V&A (traffic!) to catch the ferry over to Robben Island where we got a great tour of the island and prison. Our tour guide was a former member of the ANC and spent 7 years incarcerated for simply belonging to a political party. He was really insightful and it was amazing to see just how far SA has come since the Apartheid days. Next weeks is 12 years since the last prisoners left the island.

Off out now for dinner... at the V&A again!

Penguins

2009-02-06T10:22:00.001Z

Penguins, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Where we're eating our picnic right now :)

Penguins

2009-02-06T08:05:00.002Z

Baking hot again today. On our way to the beach to go swimming with the penguins. This afternoon we're off to Robben Island.

The need... for speed!

2009-02-05T20:26:00.002Z

Whilst walking around V&A this afternoon looking for a boat trip out to Robben Island, we spotted this speed boat coming back from somewhere.

"Oh, that would be so cool!" we all said, almost in unison. A few minutes later we found the jetty where it sailed from and asked when the next trip was. "Right now, you wanna come?" was the response and the next thing we know, we're signing indemnity agreements and strapping on life vests.

And then for the next hour we enjoyed the most amazing white knuckle ride around the bay at speeds of 55 knots (I could see the speedo!), with spray around us and hair totally windswept. Fantastic.

At one point we headed far offshore and got up close to a giant container ship - the MSC Stella (google it) - that was anchored waiting port. We were so close I could almost touch it. It was immense. At the back of the ship (the stern?) we actually went underneath the overhanging end.

I wish I could have taken my camera, but I'm glad I didn't as I got soaked.

But I'm sure you could google Waterfront Boat Company if you want to see pictures.

So a fun packed day. Earlier, we had lunch of fish and chips at Haut Bay and then walked along the beach. Tomorrow we're going back to Boulders to swim with the penguins and also visit Robben Island assuming the wind dies down a bit.

Oh, and today's highest temperature? 34C

Dinner at V&A Waterfront

2009-02-05T18:50:00.001Z

Just eaten this ostrich starter. Yummy. Main course still to come - Twelve Apostles (lots of meat!) with roostebrood. Oh, and wine :)

(And there's free wifi tooo)

Me at V&A

2009-02-05T17:38:00.000Z

Table Mountain!

Seal Island

2009-02-05T17:36:00.002Z

Seal Island, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Just had fish and chips at Mariner's Wharf in Haut Bay. Earlier we took a boat ride around the bay on The Nauticat and visited seal island.

Tribal Movements

2009-02-04T21:56:00.002Z

Tribal Movements, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Tonight we went out for dinner at The Africa Cafe in Cape Town. The food is a set menu of different dishes from Africa and various tribes. My favourite was the curried springbok. Early in the evening I took up an offer to get my face painted. Afterwards, after seeing mine, everyone else in the restaurant seemed much more eager to get theirs done ;) Back at the hotel and time for some more Amarula (sundowners is a South African tradition I'm told...) And speaking of Amarula, on the plane over here, Vaughan (slightly merry on sparkling wine) somehow coined the nickname Natalie Amaruglia - and it seems to have sticked :)

Cape Point

2009-02-04T17:47:00.002Z

See, we really are here!

Boulders Beach

2009-02-04T17:22:00.002Z

Boulders Beach, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Didn't really get many photos of the penguins and beach on my iPhone (which is what I'm using to get photos onto the blog) but this shot gives a good idea of the beach, the boulders, the mountains and the penguins (bottom right).

Balanced rocks at the Cape of Good Hope

2009-02-04T17:21:00.005Z

Balanced rocks at the Cape of Good Hope, originally uploaded by nataliej.

When we arrived at the Cape of Good Hope there were hundreds of little piles of balanced rocks on the rocky outcrop, so we made our own piles. This was mine.

Me and a penguin

2009-02-04T17:21:00.004Z

Me and a penguin, originally uploaded by nataliej.

This is me, sat on a boulder at boulders beach with a penguin behind me. There are a few beaches at Boulders National Park with penguins. The main one, Foxy, has restricted access and you view the penguins from a series of platforms and walkways. This is the breeding area. The other beaches though, including Boulders, aren't restricted and you can swim and walk amongst the penguins. It's absolutely *amazing*. The penguins seemed quite used to human company and although we tried to keep a sensible distance, we still ended up with the little fellas swimming passed our feet and waddling around us. It was awesome, and I haven't even mentioned the scenery yet. Huge rounded boulders, clear turquoise water, sand, vegetation and then in the distance false bay and mountains. Stunning. We've already decide we have to go back for more, so we're planning a beach day there later in the week.

Penguins

2009-02-04T17:20:00.001Z

Penguins, originally uploaded by nataliej.

At Boulders Beach (well, Foxy Beach more precisely)

Lunch

2009-02-04T12:34:00.000Z

Just had lunch in Simonstown, sat not more than 10 feet from the sea.
Off now to go and see Boulders Beach and Cape Point.

Sundowners

2009-02-03T21:10:00.002Z

Had dinner tonight at the V&A Waterfront with an amazing view of Table Mountain.

Back at the hotel we enjoyed a sundowner of Amarula at the bar terrace. Vaughan misread the ingredients though and was convinced it contained elephants (a mix up between favoured and flavoured). Now off to bed to get some sleeps.

Table Mountain

2009-02-03T16:35:00.002Z

Table Mountain, originally uploaded by nataliej.

When we arrived in Cape Town the weather was great, so we decided to make the most of it and headed up Table Mountain - obviously we took the cable car! The view at the top is amazing. Just slightly beating the view from down town Cape Town itself. At one point a little black lizzard scurried across a rock before disappearing into a crevice. After about an hour or so the famous table cloth started to descend, but we'd finished our sight seeing and Scotty was getting hungry, so we headed back down. Amazing.

Table Mountain, Twelve Apostles and the Lion's Head

2009-02-03T16:25:00.002Z

Table Mountain, Twelve Apostles and the Lion's Head, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Vaughan and Scott

2009-02-03T15:32:00.001Z

Vaughan and Scott, originally uploaded by nataliej.

My travel companions at the top of Table Mountain

We're here

2009-02-03T09:49:00.000Z

Arrived at 11.40am - about an hour and a half late, but none of us
care about that we're just glad the plane took off at all!

Temperature at London Heathrow: -3C
Temperature at Cape Town: 24C

30,000ft

2009-02-03T09:47:00.001Z

At 30,000ft, night is slowly giving way to dawn, the sun ready about to appear from below the horizon. For the last hour or so I've been awake. Out of my cabin window I've watched the sky change as it first turned from starry night, through to the most surreal blueish glow, punctuated with pin pricks of light like a living advert for O2, then onto the blinding light of dawn.

My camera fails to capture the beauty of this moment, so it exists only in my head, these words acting as a jog to my memory.

We're on the plane

2009-02-02T20:14:00.001Z

Huzzah

We've found our plane!

2009-02-02T19:27:00.001Z

We've found our plane!, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Hurrah! It's here! Hiding at Gate 56 all along!

And the weather forecast is definitely improving. No more snow seems
to be forecast.

Looks like we might be in business.

Weird plug

2009-02-02T18:11:00.002Z

Weird plug, originally uploaded by nataliej.

So it turns out that South Africa have their very own special plug. The pins are fatter than a European plug and crikey, that third pin is gigantic. It's like a British plug on steroids.

Giraffe!

2009-02-02T16:25:00.001Z

Phew!

2009-02-02T15:55:00.001Z

It's o so quiet...

2009-02-02T14:24:00.001Z

It's o so quiet..., originally uploaded by nataliej.

...and here's the reason why. Our flight is still scheduled. But boy,
Heathrow is so empty! There's nobody here!

Waiting

2009-02-02T12:55:00.001Z

South African Airways are still waiting for BAA to decide if our
flight tonight will still depart. Eeek.

On the road!

2009-02-02T10:42:00.002Z

On the road!, originally uploaded by nataliej.

Ten hours before our flight is due to take off and we're on the road, braving the 'TRAVEL CHAOS' (as Sky News insists on calling it). The motorway seems fine... so far. But I feel this may just be the start of a very long day.

Flights

2009-02-02T09:47:00.002Z

Well, if we manage to battle through the snow and make it to Heathrow *and* our flight isn't canceled, you can track the flight status here.

Am I really going on holiday tomorrow?

2009-02-01T16:54:00.002Z

It's so strange, but I still can't believe I'm actually going on holiday tomorrow. I'm about to start packing (I've got the suitcase open on the bed), the holiday is planned out, I've done my research, yet the prospect of stepping onto a plane and getting off 6,000 miles later seems unreal. And it's going to be surreal leaving behind the predicted blizzard conditions of London and swapping them for the cloudless skies of Cape Town. Weird. Anyway, that suitcase isn't going to pack itself... better go.

Nederburg Winery

2009-01-31T17:27:00.004Z

This week Scotty booked us on a tour (and tasting, of course) of the Nederburg Winery (see picture above), situated beneath the Drakenstein mountains on the outskirts of Paarl. And how much is this tasting and tour costing us? 25 Rand per person (about £1.75). :)

Pretty Rands

2009-01-31T16:23:00.001Z

Pretty Rands, originally uploaded by nataliej.

I got some Rands this morning and they're really quite pretty. The
notes feature the 'big five' game animals (lion, elephant, buffalo,
rhino and leopard) although I haven't got the rhino in my little
collection yet as M&S didn't give me any 10R notes.

Incidentally, you've gotta love M&S for getting your currency -
commision free and a great exchange rate too. Marvellous. x

Work finished

2009-01-30T22:08:00.000Z

So that's work finished for a few weeks. Woohoo! The holiday
starts..... now!

I might start packing tomorrow, but first, I really must take down my
Christmas tree. I think I'm leaving just a bit late this year...