The first thing on our "To Do" list was a visit to Robben Island, notorious as the site where many political prisoners were kept for decades during apartheid including President Nelson Mandela. Joseph had booked us on the 8am ferry and so we had to do a mini-jog through the V&A Waterfront to get there on time.
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| Gloria, Joseph and I on the ferryboat to Robben Island |
Our visit to Robben Island was a very interesting experience. As soon as the ferry docked, the entire group of tourists was escorted onto a tour bus that took us around the island. The tour guide explained some of the history and showed us some of the more significant sites, including the lime quarry where the inmates would spend many hours each day working. There was, however, an older hipster guy who was part of our tour group, who felt the need to add a comment after every single thing the tour guide said in a very creepy voice, including "OOOH!", "AAAH!", "LOVELY!" and "SHAME!". Oh, and a random awkward slow clap at one point... (I certainly hope Joseph writes a blog about this!)
The bus tour finished at the high security prison where the political prisoners were kept. Our guide showing us around the prison itself was a gentleman who had previously been an inmate there. We had the opportunity to see Nelson Mandela's cell and hear a bit about what the lives of many of the prisoners were like during their stay on Robben Island. Luckily commentary-man had calmed down a bit by this point. The overall experience was a bit uncomfortable, though it felt slightly rushed. It almost felt like something was missing, and I am still not sure what that was...
That afternoon Cesar and I decided to hike up to the top of Table Mountain, the majestic mountain overlooking Cape Town. I must say that although the climb up takes only about 80 minutes it is not an easy one, even for people who are somewhat fit. It is basically like climbing steep stairs pretty much the entire way up.
It was completely worth it though! The view from the top was absolutely spectacular!
To reward ourselves for our hard work that evening Cesar and I had a romantic dinner at Mama Africa - a traditional African restaurant on Long Street. Though we did not have a reservation and the restaurant was fully booked, the manager figured out a way to find a us a table. The atmosphere at Mama Africa was wonderful complete with a beautiful decor and a live African band. I ordered a springbok stake and Cesar had an ostrich stake (adventurous eh?). (By the way I had no idea that ostrich is red meat.) The food was delicious and we had an amazing time!
The next day, December 31, we went on a wine tour. What better way to get yourself ready for the new year's eve celebrations than to spend the entire day drinking (I mean wine-tasting) South African wine in the Western Cape? This is by the way my favourite thing we did in Cape Town! Our group included myself, Cesar, Joseph, Gloria, Sarah and Till. Throughout the day we visited four different wineries, starting with Villiera - a champagne farm.
Joseph and Gloria agreed that the champagne was of very high quality.
So we made sure to buy enough for the new year's eve celebrations.
The second winery we visited was Tokara, a wine and olive producing farm near Stellenbosch. The area was spectacular (and the wine and olives were pretty good too)!
By 1pm we were happy, loud, carefree, and hungry! So, we stopped at a lovely little restaurant for lunch. Most of us ordered bobotie (pronounced boboti), a traditional cape malay dish.
After lunch we were energized and ready for more drinking, I mean wine-tasting! The next farm we visited was the Solms-Delta Wine Estate. The winery was beautiful and in fact our guide had booked it as the venue for her upcoming wedding. Oh and I should mention that one of the wines we tried was called Cape Jazz Shiraz, which we all agreed is one of the best wine names ever.
The final winery we went to was the Fairview wine and cheese estate. Need I say more. Well I guess I should. The wine was great and we ate a lot of cheese! Oh and here is something I learned. I have been drinking a lot of pinotage since I have been in South Africa and have been greatly enjoying it. What I did not know was that the pinotage is a uniquely South African red wine created by the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University in the 1920s by mixing two different grapes.
We arrived back in Cape Town just in time for new year's eve. We all got together for dinner in Joseph and co.'s suite and had great Ethiopian food. At around 10:30pm we headed for the V&A Waterfront to await the arrival of 2012. There was already a huge crowd of people watching the concert, which was taking place there. We decided to go onto one of the wooden docks by the water.
As 12 o'clock rolled around there was a bit of confusion. There was no big clock annoucing the time or a countdown and then all of a sudden it was midnight and there were fireworks. Oh well, TIA I guess! We popped our champagne bottle on the dock at the waterfront in Cape Town and welcomed the new year!
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| HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!! |
After a couple of parties and a lot of dancing we returned back to our respective hotels at around 5 o'clock in the morning, just in time to see the first sunrise of 2012.
Family, friends and colleagues, too.
May this new year be your best yet,
Happiness the whole year through.
In a toast to everyone.
To the old year now behind us,
To the new year, just begun."
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