Let me see if I can wash my makeup off without waking Dean & Tracey. Quietly, I flip open the duvet cover and gently put both feet on the floor. Standing up, no sound, success. The open banister reveals embers slowly dying in the dark lounge below. It’s kept us…
I can feel the soft carpet on the soles of my feet as I watch the clouds drift over Table Mountain. As the clouds mould in the sky, shadows and pockets of light interchange across the city. The floor to ceiling windows make staring at nature’s display very easy on…
2015 I knew this would be the perfect place to get engaged. I’d have liked for you to have taken a less time to visit the Vineyard Hotel gardens with me, because I knew they were magical. The mossy floor under the bows of the leafy, low-hanging trees. The ivy-lined…
I can’t figure out what these bow-shaped, green metal poles are for in the garden of the 12 Apostles Hotel. I know they do something, but I have no idea what! It’s only when I sneak off to find the beautiful wedding reception garden that I realise they are hammock…
PASSPORT TIME! Hard to believe that our international borders are open and we have a chance to explore the world again. BOTH our passports expired during this time and the anxiety of having to renew kicked in. Having heard FNB renews (we’re FNB customers), we decided to give the service…
Those who are close to me have certainly heard my 2 cents on the Octopus Teacher. And while I’m not a fan of the documentary, I still respect the work of the South African cast and Netflix who showcased South Africa. A little more close to home, a few acquaintances…
The travel ban between South Africa and Mauritius has been lifted as of the 10th September 2021. South Africans can now travel to Mauritius on authorised commercial flights without first having to spend fifteen (15) days outside the country. “We welcome the decision by the Mauritian government. South Africa remains…
Welcome to the South African world of Cap Classique! Because “Champagne” is trade marked exclusively by France’s champagn region, Cap Classique has become synomous with South Africa’s version of the sparkling wine. Produced in the traditional method, there are over 200 Cap Classique creators in South Africa, excluding makers of…
The waves gently caress the smooth boulders protecting the restaurant and rooms. White squares across the bay remind us that civilization isn’t far, however, the enveloping mountainside and sweet sea scent make us feel a million miles away from life’s stresses. Sipping on Aperol in a low-hanging seat, the hotel…
Conservation history has been made in the Western Cape with the registration of Sanbona Wildlife Reserve as a non-profit company, following its rezoning from agricultural to conservational use. Sanbona is one of South Africa’s largest privately-owned nature reserves, stretching across 58 000 hectares of rich protected ecosystems within two biodiversity hotspots. This vast…
Cape Country Routes (CCR) South Africa is a leading group of owner-operated and managed accommodation and activity establishments located along popular road travel routes in the Western and Eastern Cape. CCR’s collection of more than 20 privately owned hotels, lodges and guest houses. Unusual places, attractions, activities and tours are…
I find these floors odd. Stones compressed into cement. Very popular these days but somewhat unique when I looked down at our Venetian floor. Also, an odd, heavy choice for a floating city. Well, that’s not entirely true. Venice is built on pylons like a forest turned to stone over…
The Stellenbosch Wine Routes are celebrating a golden milestone this year; its 50th anniversary. The famed wine routes boast over 200 wine estates and have played a significant role in developing South Africa’s wine tourism industry, no small feat as the sector contributes a massive R7.2bn to the country’s GDP…
There’s a cat with a black head and white whiskers shaped like a firework trotting towards us. The sound of pine trees gently swish in the breeze as the echo of wood being chopped filters down the hill towards us. Having forced my Corsa on another drive along rain-washed dirt…
Three white ducks with bright orange beaks silently cut through the mountain’s reflection on the dead still dam surface. The scent of smoking wood emanates from the hot tub the sound of translucent mountain water babbles below the cabin. Golden bamboo skirts the dam edge out front as the vineyards…
One family day out in the Namib desert saw us reach the red dunes for a day of dune boarding. Sun shining down, clear blue skies, vibrant red dunes and a whole lotta good company was the order of the day. The best part of being a desert baby is the…
There’s a shongololo on the floor. I can’t help wondering if it feels trapped in a Temptation of St. Anthony type world where I’m the giant and the yellow-washed cement floors are a bare landscape. It just KNOWS there’s something more out there, but can’t see the depth and breadth…
Remember when you were little and you’d climb into your treehouse and think to yourself “I’m going to make this the best home ever!” You would venture inside and traipse out all of your blankets and pillows, to make your treehouse bed, bring out a few ornaments to make it…
Red clusters. Purple clusters. Yellow clusters. Green clusters. Do plums come in so many colours? What are these? Half ripe? Loquats? I’m assuming plums, but I actually have no idea! The trees have been chopped back, but these ambitious fruits have no cares, they just keep growing. Why does the…
A man casually sails past me in his kayak cutting through the glass-smooth canal water. The sun is finally out in Knysna and I’ve snuck off to the deck to catch up on some mails in the morning light. A group of young visitors sit sipping Castle Lites at 10am,…
I’m ruining these slippers. I’ve underestimated how they’ll cope in the morning dew, but I’m not taking them off. I left mine at home and found these in the Werf Garden Suite cupboard; turns out they’re the best pair of disposable slippers I’ve ever worn. From smug to panic, I’m…
The bedroom flickers bright white as the long, flowing drapes dance in the afternoon breeze. Small waves are pushed towards us as passing boats cut through the glittery lagoon, shimmering under the waning afternoon sun. The cheerful chirp of birds and chuckles of fishermen waft into our hotel room as…
“I’m in the sky! I’m in the sky!” The dark, luminous water shines bright red under the cover of night. Swirling around my feet, I see pedestrians passing by, ten stories below. The twinkly lights of Sea Point shimmer against the black silhouette of Signal Hill as traffic cruises by….
Mastercard has recently launched their virtual travel, courses and lectures on their Priceless.com website. Mastercard consumers are able to exclusively access a number of virtual experiences such as going up Table Mountain, learning to DJ or enjoy round table discussions with Arsenal women footballers, to name a few. Mastercard notes,…
What do we mean by “beginners”? We mean people (like us!) who have been largely inactive for the past decade and have used lockdown to reconnect with nature, our bodies and exercising! While waiting to check into our hotel, we popped up to the Knysna Heads to take a peek….
Before there was Maaaah-sta Chef Australia, there was Master Chef UK. And I LOVED it! But, I cancelled my DSTV because #Expensive! But I always enjoy seeing the judges when they pop up from time to time. Such a time being this week when I found this YouTube channel called…
No trip to London is complete without a late-night (or first thing in the morning) bagel stop at London’s famous Beigel Bake. I reached out to the owners to learn a little bit more about their famous store and what makes their food so special. Descendant and owner, Daniel Cohen,…
For a very long time Oudekraal seemed to a be secret, mystical place on the Western slopes of Table Mountain. Once a location to dance parties, this elusive braai and beach area remained a secret until I eventually grabbed my braai grid, ice lollies and cozzie and made a point…
I can’t hear the call to prayer. Have I missed it? The light of the embedded mirror clock illuminates the translucent bathroom door in a blue hue, but it seems light enough to be morning. Maybe I’ve overslept? Can one oversleep on holiday? My foggy mind comes around and I…
I can taste the acidy scent of the thinly sliced onion emanating from the hot, melted cheese. The cold, crunchy salad compliments the charred bread, hot between my fingertips, but too good to put down. This is freedom. Standing on warm cement, in my own puddle of hot tub water,…