Cape Town (South Africa) Family Holiday

After a long ride back to Cape Town from our adventure tour, we checked in to our hotel in Green Point (upgraded to a loft!) and planned to meet up with family (The Sutermasters) the next day.  They all came out to meet up with Staci who was taking a break from her job in Kenya.


Day 1: Family Surprise, V&A Waterfront, Tabletop Mountain

The next morning, we woke up and walked across town to Sea Point to surprise Staci!  Apparently the secret was almost blown multiple times, but when she saw us standing at the door you could tell she did not expect extra guests to show up to visit in South Africa.  We then went down to the V&A Waterfront for breakfast and to make plans for the rest of the day.  Top priority for the Sutermasters was to get their clothes/shoes dried from the downpour they had been in the previous day (not easy to find a place to do that on Christmas eve)! 

That afternoon we decided our first stop would be a trip to the top of Tabletop Mountain to view the city.  The line was longer than expected and there were warnings over the load speaker of much colder and windy weather conditions at the top, but we didn’t let that stop us. The views of the city and coastline were amazing, but the wind and temperature difference was unbelievable as well.  Our group found a great rock to huddle on and uncork a few bottles of local wine as we soaked in the scenery and tried to hide from the wind.  After a couple hours we got in a long line, unprotected from the wind, for the cable car ride back down.  We made some new friends during the two hour wait and at times thought we weren’t all going to make it (so cold)!  Due to the high winds, there was limited space on the cable cars. There was a family with a child and stroller just behind us but there was not enough room for all to get on together.  In the excitement Jolene may have shouted out “Leave the Baby!” which I’m sure will be a story told for many years to come on trips to Pittsburgh with family.

Day 2: Family Christmas, Lion’s Head Mountain Hike, Harbour House Dinner on the waterfront



For Christmas, my siblings and I helped coordinate the donation of more than 15 animals for those in need on behalf of the family and symbolized the gift with small stuffed animals. After opening some gifts and fun stocking presents together,  Staci “the Springbok”,  Jolene, Bryan and I headed off to hike Lion’s Head Mountain.  Lion's Head has been referenced as one of the easiest hikes in the area but I can tell you that with the hot temperatures, climbing of rocks, and at times having to hang onto chains to pull yourself up, that this hike was no joke.  The view at the top was worth it though.

That evening Uncle Jay took the group out for Christmas dinner on the waterfront for seafood and local beverages.  We even stopped at a pub on our way home for a nightcap.  Fortunately, the younger half of the group saved us from ourselves and ended the party before it got too late.

 

Day 3: South Africa Wine Tour of Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek followed by dinner at Mama Africa

Wine and cheese... then wine and cheese

Ranking her wine and biltong (Ostrich, Kudu, Pinotage)

One of the key things that has put South Africa on the map are its wines.  We took a private tour out to some of the farms/wineries north of town (Fairview, Marianne, Boschendal, Murati).  Our group while attempting to enjoy the wines, scenery, and history, was not willing to miss any potential stops.  I’m not sure if it was the petting of the goats at Fairview or the extensive pairing of biltong (Kudu, Ostrich, and Beef jerky) with wine at Marianne’s, but we were running way behind schedule.  We did attempt to make up some time at a lovely hotel/restaurant in Franschhoek but to no avail.  This then led to the first official speed tasting at Boschendal since the group would not let the chance of going to Murati’s for dessert wine to end the day slip away.

Once back in town, the group hit Long Street and ate at the end of the “snake bar” in Mama Africa’s.  We all ordered local dishes with a couple getting the “game platter” dish that even included warthog kebobs!

Day 4: Chapman’s Peak Drive, Cape of Good Hope, Penguins at Boulder’s Beach, and Steenberg/Groot Constantia Farms (wineries)

As if the first couple days weren’t enough, we once again woke up very early and headed south of the city to enjoy beautiful views of the coast, see the local African Penguin colony, and of course taste more wine.  For the record Jolene only drank “bubbly” and even bought her own bottle to drink instead of the wine tasting offered at Groot Constantia.






Day 5: Aquila Private Game Reserve Safari

One of our goals in South Africa was to make sure we got to see a lot of the wildlife and plant life.  We couldn’t pass up a chance to do just one more safari but with the family this time.  I know many will argue that Aquila doesn’t count as a true safari with the separation of predators from the other animals but I will tell you I think they are doing a great job taking care of the animals they have and participating in animal preservation activities in the region as well.

Day 6: District 6, Township tour with Nandi of Imizamo Yethu, V&A Waterfront, and Cape Malay/African Dinner (before 1am flight back to The States!)

After multiple days with family touring outside of the city, we definitely wanted to get back to the history, culture, and reality of Cape Town.  We were shown around the District 6 Museum by Noor who had lived there during Apartheid until his family was thrown out as part of segregation.  Definitely a very tough story to hear firsthand from someone who lived it and the process of healing/reparation is still in progress.

In the afternoon we headed to the township of Imizamo Yethu “Our Struggle” and were shown around by a local resident named Nandi who was a friend of our cousin.  Townships are essentially underdeveloped urban living areas, most of were reserved for Indians and Africans during apartheid.  They still exist today and are a pretty sobering example showing how long it will take to try to repair the damage done.  Nandi had met Staci when she came to teach in the township during previous summers.  Nandi is working on a couple things, but one that she is passionate about is running tours of her township to show the strength of the people there and to share the reality of where they are today and where they’d like to head.  It was a very well done tour.

In a stark contrast to the beginning of our day, we wrapped up our South Africa trip with dinner and live entertainment at the Cape Malay / African restaurant Gold.  The Sutermasters joined us and it was a great way to wrap up the trip before our 1am flight and wish the rest of them good luck and a Happy New Year as they planned to extend their trip into 2017.

Groot reis!  Tot volgende keer.