Thursday, March 21, 2013

Christmas 2012 in South Africa



Merry Christmas Everyone!

This year we spent Christmas in South Africa!  We stayed in Cape Town, then travelled to the wine regions of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.  Not really knowing anything about this country - other than its tumultuous past - we were surprised at what we found; not just in terms of infrastructure, but with the openness of the people as well.  As ignorant as it may sound, we did not expect to be in awe or have that feeling of "MAN-ALIVE-we-have-to-come-back-here" as we did.  We could go on for pages describing the place, the people, the oh-so-delicious food and wine, but we'll show a few pictures instead (unfortunately we didn't get any of food 'cause taking a picture of it was always an after thought).  The only thing left to say here is that South Africa - namely Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek -  should be on everyone's travel list.

Picturesque Cape Town

Dan and Lion Head Mountain


Robben Island in the distance (left)
where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned

Happy and excited for breakfast


Parts of the city that reminded us of parts of Toronto


Ahh...South African wine...
good for breakfast, lunch and dinner

V & A Waterfront
the harbour area all decked out for Christmas



The beautiful drive from Cape Town to the wine regions

Seeing some South African penguins
on a beach along the way



View from the Light House in Cape Point

A wild ostrich on the beach at Cape Point

A view of the shanty towns along the way...

...until you reach the wine regions


One of the many wineries we visited
in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek


Making friends on a wine tour


The wine tram


Another beautiful entrance way to a winery


A gorgeous view of the wine valley




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