You can hear the distant train approaching to make a stop on the way to the diamond fields in Kimberley. You can see the dust kicked up by thousands of British troops training for the Boer War. You can feel the nerves of the batsman waiting for the bowler to deliver the ball. All this happened in a small town in the central Karoo, Matjiesfontein. It might have happened in a different time, but the magic here will transport you…
I moved to Cape Town about 20 months ago and realised one thing; all the Capetonians was on to something. This mountain is special! You can see it from anywhere and everywhere and it is simply spectacular. The funny thing is in these 20 months I have not been on top of Table Mountain. I know, right? Even worse, I think the last time I was on the top was many years ago in primary school on a visit to…
Driving on a gravel road does something to you. It makes me friendlier. I do not know why, but as soon as I turn onto a gravel road every car I pass waves at me. I do the same. I wave at every person. Those in cars. Those that walk. Those on bicycles driving up crazy mountain passes. Those on donkey cars. I wave. I love it. It makes me smile. The greens look greener. The sky more blue. The mountains more stunning. Why…
For years I sat at my desk, dreaming about doing a road trip up, or down the west coast of South Africa. I have been to some towns along the coast before, but this time I did spent a bit more time exploring and a bit less time driving. My desk dream became a reality. Bloubergstrand Sometimes I drive here just to relax. It is close to Cape Town and does have the best views of Table Mountain (so always take a…
It seems like years ago I had a slow beer for the first time. Mostly because it is years ago. Back then craft beer was in its infancy in South Africa and every time I was in Cape Town, I ended up going to a market in Stellenbosch with my brother in law. There the tradition was to have a slow beer. Today however I am in Darling at Darling Brew to taste all they have to offer and it…
I remember my sister and I always swam on the first day of spring. No matter what! Early spring it is already warm during the day but the water is actually very cold. Still, every year, we jumped in! After the late winter rain has fallen, the drab landscape of the West Coast in South Africa transform into fields of beautiful colour. The wild flowers appear from the north in Namaqualand all the way to the south in Darling. This…
Driving down Long Tom pass towards Sabie, overlooking pine and eucalyptus plantations my mind wanders. Wanders towards the history of this place. The beauty of this place. I cannot help but to wish instead of beautiful little towns, I was on horse back, riding towards the multiple waterfalls and breathtaking views of the escarpment, untouched by human intervention. Just me with nature, our pure and perfect mother. But us humans did intervene. The Long Tom pass is named after the…