Here's part 1 of a great trip.
If anyone is interested in detail please PM me, I'd be happy to help
Thursday evening flight to Cape Town.
All a bit of a rush as work on Thursday, but South African Airlines very good, we managed to sleep overnight arriving in cape town Friday morning.
After collecting our hire car at the airport we drove into Cape Town to our B&B 18 on crox. This was in Greenpoint, considered a development zone. That means its not yet developed!! Was actually fine, but you wouldn't walk around at night and it had a bit of a sleazy feel. The B&B was lovely though, and Andrew the owner couldn't do enough for you.
After a quick change we went out down to the V&A Waterfront was had a wander about, went to the Aquarium (well worth it) and then lunch. Picked up the car and drove across the city to the cable car and rode up the top of cable mountain. Walked all the way around the top (about an hour), which was spectacular and helped us to orianate our way around the city.
Drive back the other side of the city to Camps Bay for supper at Blues ; great fish- then back to the B&B for a well deserved bed!
Sat
We decided to drive down the coast to the Cape of Good Hope, which is a national park. On the way stopped at boulders beach where the penguins live ( sooo cute!) We walked on the beach and through the boulders with them (a bit like the baths).
Lovely day and magnificant scenery, with great beaches and mountains.
Back to change then dinner in town at 85 Kyrum, a fantastic Italian resteruant. Coming from the UK it's hard to spend money, as the exchange rate is so strong.
Sun
We left Andrew and green point and set off for Hermanus, 50 miles or so up the coast to look for whales.
Arrived 11.30 ish and had a walk on the cliffs before lunch – and lots and lots of whales playing in the bay. The most amazing sight. Had a great pizza ( and bottle of wine zzz) for lunch, walked some more then slept! Dinner in town finished a great day.
Monday
Set off for Franscheok, which took about 2 hrs driving through lovely mountain scenery. Checked into our B&B and walked around the town. Walked down to a wine estate and had a lovely tour of the cellars ( yes, and a tasting!). Had a late lunch and bit of shopping before going back to our room to clean, change and go for dinner. Had dinner at Le Quarter Season, which was very smart and a bit too fancy, but an experience.
Tuesday
Drove to Stellenbosch and went to the village museum (great), then to the Steir wine farm where we had lunch, went round the owl sanctuary (very interactive and great fun) and went to cheetah outreach (where you get to stroke the cheetahs - how cool is that!)
Back into Cape Town to stay at the mount nelson hotel for 1 night early flight to J'burg tomorrow (7am ouch! Leave at 5.30!!!) Had Italian at a small family bistro, which was very nice.
Weds
Early start to go to the airport and connect to J;burg. Arrived at 9ish, and went to find our connection "up country" en route for Ulusaba in the Sabi Sands reserve.
Found Federal Air and after a bit of confusion got our plane an 18 seater, which we then had to change to a 4 seater little hop to the Ulusaba airstrip.
What a place! Now, this is Africa!
Part 11 to follow soon.