Jan & Yew Meng South Africa Escapade
22nd to 30th December ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2002
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Traveling Route Map
Day 1
Stellenbosch
Gordon's Bay
Day 2
Stellenbosch
Cape Town
V&A Waterfront
Topless Bus
Robben Island
Green Market Square
Table Mountain
Camps Bay
Day 4
Hermanus
Fernkloof Natures Reserve
Boetliekop Game Reserve
Kynsna
Kynsna
Tsitsikamma
Boulkran Bridge
Plattenberg Bay
Storms River
(Tsitsikamma)
Oudtshoorn
Route 62
Mama Africa
Cape Peninsula Drive
Cape Point
On the way home
Useful Links
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Tourist Information
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Town Information
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Places of Interest
Storms River (Tsitsikamma)
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Guest House we stayed in
Black Waters River Lodge (Kynsna)
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Recommended Vineyards
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Recommended Restaurant
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Day
2
Stellenbosch (next day)
We were up at 5am, i.e. 11am MY time. Our bodies have yet to adjust. Was a bright cold morning at 14 degree Celsius. My stomach was growling for food, as I was too tired to have dinner the night before. Since we didn’t stock-up it was coffee to the rescue. Needless to say, continental breakfast was a gourmet that morning and finished it in no time at all!
We tried to squeeze in as many wine cellars as possible in the morning. Simonsig was first on the list as it was nearby Knorhoek. This is a family run business. The Malan family is the pioneer and innovator of the South African wine industry. We tasted some of the best South African champagne here. Cellar tour was the highlight of the morning, providing us excellent insight of wine and champagne making. We were also shown the various grapes, from Cabernet Sauvignon, Blanc Sauvignon to Shiraz. By the time we were done with Simonsig, we only had time to visit one more vineyard before checking out from Knorhoek. Hence visited Kanonkop, a leading red wine estate. The interior definitely looks posh and after a few tasting, we left.
Cape Town
From Stellenbosch, we took the N1 to Cape Town. The drive was smooth though it was a Monday. We were excited and awed when we saw the Table Mountain from N1 and was busy snapping away. We checked in to our guesthouse, Bergzicht. It’s a beautiful guesthouse and our room faces the spectacular Table Mountain. The place is quite strategic, i.e. 5 minutes away from the Cableway to Table Mountain and about 10 minutes drive away from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and the prime beach front, Camps Bay.
Our afternoon was spent in Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront. This working harbour with its fantastic shopping/entertainment development is a must-go places. The cafes and restaurants packed and the arts and crafts market was busy.
Later in the afternoon, a 2-hour guided tour on the Topless Bus provided us a good first day orientation of the city. It was almost dark when we were dropped off at the Waterfront. It was busy and there were lots of people doing their last minute Christmas shopping. Shops were opened till late night. We had our dinner there.
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Simonsig @ Stellenbosch
Waiting for the cellar tour
to begin
Simonsig Wine Cellar
This is also the cellar where Champagne is produced
T
The Grapes
The smaller grapes a.k.a. Chardonnay where used to make wines
Chardonnay
Different types of grapes planted here for the purpose of the tour
Simonsig Estate
Simonsig vineyard seen at the background
Vineyard
Another vineyard that we passed along the Wine Route at Stellenbosch
Farm's Guesthouse?
Main Entrance Knorhoek. The place we stayed
Bergzicht front yard
Table Mountain view from our room at Bergzicht Guest House.
Southern Right Whale
Some information about the whale at V&A Waterfront
Merry Christmas at V&A Waterfront
Standing in front the biggest shopping mall at the waterfront
V&A Waterfront
Magnificent view of the Table Mountain on the background.
V&A Waterfront
Another view of the mountain. Can't get enough of it.
The Topless Bus
Taking a tour around the city on the Cape Town Explorer a.k.a. Topless Bus.
On board the Topless Bus
The Shell building is behind us.
Table Mountain
One of the our stop is at the foothill of Table Mountain cable car station.
Passing Camps Bay
Coming down from behind Table Mountain. The magnificent 12 Apostle can be seen at the background.
African Trading Port Building
After the City Tour. We are back at V&A Waterfront. walking around the street.
Back to V&A Waterfront
Shops can been seen at the background. The most happening area in Cape Town.
The Old Clock Tower at V&A
On the way to get tickets to Robben Island for tomorrow.
Nelson Mandela Gateway
We manage to get the 8:30a.m. tickets to the tour just before the counter close. This is taken in front of the ticket center.
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