Monday 8 December 2014

South Africa: Top tips for your travel



It is an exciting continent! Its mysteries always alluring to the world.

We have watched documentaries. We have read it in history. We have seen it in Bollywood songs.
It is Africa. It is South Africa, the nation which altered history and has been witness to a saga of 21st century human rights movement. A true ‘Rainbow’ nation with 11 official languages and multi-ethnic groups.

My imagination had been engulfed  with endless possiblities before I left London for Johannesburg, the financial capital of the nation unfortunately notorious for its crime rate. I didn’t know what to expect. Pretty sights, good food was a safe bet. But essentially the question was how will the people be? How good is the infrastructure? 

My journey began at the Apartheid Museum at Johannesburg. Just the thought of walking through two different entrances – ‘’White’’ and ‘’Not-White’’ a concept made at the museum to remind of those dark days shattered me. Tear drops trickled easily. Imagine not able to play cricket as you were a ‘black’ person.

Humanity is the greatest faith. I am truly thankful for being raised in much free society, a safe place of today. 

The rest of the trip only had pleasant surprises and the interactions with locals were warm.

The food has been greatly influenced by the migrants. The Dutch specialities include the malva pudding/the banting cusine, the French brought the wine, the Indonesian slaves introduced the famous Cape malay cuisine and us Indians invented the Durban Bunny Chow. Not to forget the traditional paap and braai (barbeque) of exotic meats.

Table Mountain Cape Town

My 9 day trip ended with a city visit of Cape Town. A city like any other, a bit crowded, the rich having the best views of the sea and some not so well offs enjoying them as well. A city blessed with the sea and the Table Mountain. The country has it all. 

Now that sounds like a place for retirement, eh?

The local train by the Beach
Here are the learnings from this Big Trip to South Africa. As usual we had done lot of research, asked tips from friends and family and got some tips from locals. There is everything which the country offers, wildlife, wine, surfing, shark diving, gold mines, casinos.... take your pick

Thought would share some tips:
  
      1. Travel Safe
Everybody warned us. We took all precautions and luckily our journey went all right.

i) Do not walk on the streets after dark in South Africa and if possible stick to your hotel room. Seems tough? Start your day early instead.

ii) Do not wear any expensive clothes, jewellery or flash your gadgets including your camera or phone on the street. Avoid big backpacks which give away that you are a tourist. 

iii) Make sure you have emergency numbers handy.Needless to say, buy a travel insurance.

  2. Planning a Safari
A good safari means spending 3-4 days minimum in the wild. Although Kruger is numero uno, South Africa has many parks which will cater to your wildlife fantasy. If you are able to pay the mullah, then private game lodges are ideal. 

i) Safaris are budget breaking and if you are very confident of navigating by yourself with the Big 5 , then self drive and accommodation available in parks is a good option.

ii) Don’t forget to book it advance. Here is the link to the National parks.

iii) Also, take precautionary vaccination/medicines if you are visiting a malaria prone zone.

3. Best option to explore the country
i) Depending on your budget and time available, you can choose to fly around the country or drive around or like us do a bit of both. If you have time at hand then self-drive is best as roads are excellent and drivers can be bit rash. But remember nobody can beat us Indians at rash driving. Any country’s driving license is accepted for renting a car.

ii) Make sure you do not leave anything very valuable or visible when you park the car. Some even suggest not to stop at red signal at night but common sense should prevail.

iii) Fancy having window down and wind flying in your face? Not really the best thing.

There are obviously guided tours available if you are aged 40 and with a family.

     4. Shopping and Tips
V & A Waterfront, Cape town


i) I know you are dying to buy that amazing art craft as a centre piece for your table. But hey, don’t bargain very hard. These traders barely earn anything. Avoid shopping or eating at V&A waterfront at Cape Town, it is very touristy.

ii) Paying 10% of your restaurant bill is common practice and your tip would be welcomed with a generous smile. Also tip the hotel staff and the parking attendants.

 Bon Voyage! Cape of Good Hope awaits you.


Saturday 6 December 2014

South Africa : Cape Town : Cape of Good Eats and Priceless Views



It was a Big Day! The most awaited part of the trip. A drive around the Cape Peninsula. 

We had infact drove almost half way through the Peninsula over the False Bay from Fansschoek via Grabouw to the boutique hotel near Simons town.
Road via Grabouw


‘’Oooohhss, Ahhhhs’’ , I marvelled at every turn a bit to Adi’s annoyance. Adi only punctuated with choicest Marathi words instead!
This route was so picturesque. We wondered what views the rest of the Peninsula had for us.
Another road in Cape Town

Penguins on the beach


It was a Big Day! It was Adi’s Birthday. What do I gift a person who thinks that it is just another day?
A Birthday card besides his bedside wishing him a great day!
Whale view Manor

We stayed at Whale View Manor, a boutique hotel situated 10 mins from the Penguin colony at Boulders beach. '' Woww'', both of us exclaimed when the breakfast arrived.
Now thats Breakfast at Whale view Manor

Soon,  we drove off on the winding road with mountain to our right and emerald blue waters to our left. 

Dil Chahta Hai.....We sang merrirly (with twisted lyrics.....Rangile Din, Masti ke din :P)


Within 10 minutes we reached the Table Mountain nature park gate at  Buffelsfontein for Cape Point or Cape of Good Hope . One can drive around the nature park to soak up in the gorgeous views and bright sunlight.

View near Cape Point. Can we spot a whale?


 If you are little adventurous you can cycle or trek in the area or have a picnic if you have bunch of kids. 
Protea


It was a Big Day! We were posing at the Cape of Good Hope!

The Birthday Boy!

Later we hiked our way to Cape Point and the Light house. The flying Dutchman is an excellent way of going up and enjoying excellent views if you are tired.
Moi

The sun was shining bright and Mr.Sun (Adi) was hungry. Time for Birthday lunch at Two Oceans Restaurant which was packed with tourists! The restaurant offered excellent views and amazing sea food…… the prawns, the calamari, linguines and hake….yummmm.


The Birthday lunch. Burrp

 Cape Town is a paradise for fish lovers.

After the hearty lunch, we went off to Hout Bay via the spectaular Chapmans Peak drive ….
The sights on this road are an absolute delight… thank you Sir Frederic De Waal for the amazing engineering in 1922.

Chapmans peak drive
We were in two minds about the dinner plans.
Shall we drive to the city or shall we try something close by? we pondered.

Hout Bay view

A walk at 5.30p.m. at Simon’s town, the previous evening was a bit disappointing. Hailing from Mumbai, I hate to see shops and cafes closed at 5.30 p.m.

Noordhoek Beach

Our friendly manager at Whale View Manor had suggested that we visit the Thursday community market at Cape Point vineyard at Noordhoek. ‘’Lets give it a try’’, both of us agreed, after all it was suggested by a local.
And boy did we love the place! A market offering different cuisines and freshest produce ensured the quality was avant grade . It was 5 pm and the place was filling in fast. Children were frolicking around with an ice cream, adults were relaxing with a drink, someone was playing a guitar, there was laughter and merriment in the air!
Priceless evening at Cape Point vineyard!


We sat down on a picnic bench whispering sweet nothings…. The view priceless…
It was a Big Day, indeed! Touchwood*



Friday 28 November 2014

South Africa : Franschhoek - Eat, Sleep and Drink



You could do it! I signalled a thumbs up as we drove off in the Volkswagen on the highways of South Africa and both of us couldn’t stop drooling over the brilliant roads. ‘’No instructions’’ please when I am in the drivers seat, warned hubby.

 Yeah, it was our first together and a test for our patience (and marriage!) The man had not driven a car in six years and I was the kid who thought her dad was best driver ever.As for my driving abilities? Never mind!

Lavender fields



So, all was good and we soon reached the wine country of South Africa which is barely 90 minutes away from Cape Town. In fact as our plane crossed the red and arid karoo dessert, we could notice the geography changing drastically. We could spot the grey mountains dotted with green patches on its slopes and valleys.
The Cape Winelands/credit/Aditya Pandit


Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl are the villages are South Africa’s celebrated vineyard regions. A big thank you to French Huguenots for this special heritage (Franschhoek means “French Corner” in Dutch). Fleeing persecution under Louis XIV and invited to the Cape by Dutch Protestants, the Huguenots brought their knowledge of wine-making - and restaurants have sprung up to make the most of this fine resource.

Needless to say that Adi and I have a taste good food. More than the crucial 32 gunas, this was the first criteria for signing off on marriage match. Now hailing from the Indian subcontinent we cannot really differentiate between Chardonnay and Shiraz. But what the heck! We do enjoy a good wine.
So we settled for this cute and homely Cape Vue Bed andBreakfast at Franschhoek.   Franschhoek has a lovely holiday feel high street with cute little shops selling local produce, cafes and restaurants and wine. A perfect getaway if you have only eat, sleep and drink on your mind.  Unless you want to engage yourself into history there is a local museum and a motor museum nearby.


Pork belly ....at Dieu Donne
 You cannot  go wrong with any restaurant here, it’s a gastronomic gate away. The food is so fresh and delicious. The weather? Just perfect!! 20 C and clear sunshine!!

The village offers a Tram service for wine lovers over two routes covering six vineyards.  So just two Desi’s set off on a wine trail!  There are around 26 vineyards offering different experiences in the locality. So take your pick… fancy wine and cheese or chocolate and wine pairing? Or would you rather select some olives instead?  Many restaurants even offer a picnic menu
The Tram service

After two tasting sessions… I hung my boots! No I wasn’t high, I simply felt sick with all combinations of wine. Although I was spitting out most of it. 
Wine tasting.No I didnt have the entire bottle

Time for a sumptuous lunch at Dieu Donne, a vineyard perched on a slope with amazing views of the valley. 
Valley views

As for Adi, he went strong! Never skipped a session. After all for £1.5 per tasting, wouldn’t a Desi make it paisa vasool??




Get arty farty at Grand Provence