Cape Town

Ready set go! We did so much in Cape Town it almost made our heads spin. If we would have tried to do everything that we did in Cape Town on our own it would of taken probably two weeks. Not to mention that we would of gotten lost several times and John and I would of ended up having “spousal words.“ Since the Adventure by Disney tour guides (ABD) Craig and Tina are so awesome we only needed to spend three days in Cape Town.

Our Adventures by Disney Tour Guides:



Craig. He is from Cape Town. He’s the one that gives us the scoop on everything that we see. He told us that he keeps each days talking itinerary as a word document on his Iphone. He adds to it continuously. That way he does not get bored and we get all the great details. ITourGuide (ITG) is a good way to explain him.



Tina. She is from California. She handles all the details of the trip and basically takes care of us. Water anyone? Snacks? Setting up elephant tours? Tina can do it all!



Ready to hear about Cape Town? Hold on a sec, lets talk about the housekeeping issues of traveling and traveling abroad. You’ve heard about jet leg but experiencing it is something entirely different. I call it the wall of jet lag (wojl). For me, wojl hits in the middle of the night. You fall asleep no problem after a wonderful long day of sightseeing. At 2 AM (or near there) you wake up and are wide awake. The Africa time zone is telling you that is the middle of the night but your internal time clock is telling you that it is 7 pm and time for dinner. After an hour or two of wojl your body finally lets you sleep. The next day after wojl hits you feel like your shadow is ripped from you. Just like Peter Pan. How do you fix wojl? Time in Africa and eat a cereal bars right before bed. That way you do not have to get up to eat in the middle of the night. Once you turn on the light to find/eat the cereal bar your body is awake, wide awake.

OK get on with you say. Get your sprinting shoes on because here we go!! The ABD tour officially began on Monday. That is where our tour begins.

Cape Town Day #1
Sea the Mountain
Word of the Day: Welkom. Dutch for Welcome.

We met our South Africa Adventure Family for the first time at Breakfast:

Rose and Kereth


Brenda and David


Becky, Keith, Lizzie and Ryan


Us (Renee and John)




After a quick overview of the trip we were off for our the first activity of the Adventure. Each morning of the Adventure before we left for the day Craig would say "Masambene Baantu!" This roughly translates as "Let's Go Everyone!" He said it for the first time on this first day of our Adventure. We were super excited to start our Adventure!!!!

First off was the Kirstenbosch beautiful botanical gardens.

















John with a bust of Mr. Nelson Mandela.



Then we went to a museum that told the story of District 6 in Cape Town. District 6 is prime property in central Cape Town. Developers apparently wanted to get their hands on the land to develop this for a more wealthy clientele. The government started to evict and destroy the homes and buildings of District 6 in the 1960’s. This continued into the 1980s where the government had to forcibly remove the rest of the population of District 6. The residents of District 6 were moved way out of town to Cape Town flat lands. What was once a 5-10 minute trip to work now took at least an hour by train. Part of the museum’s display was the street signs from District 6. An entire community had been leveled to the ground. Shown is the street signs of the community that were taken down as the community was demolished.





Part of the museum photos showed an OB hospital in District 6. First the white ladies were separated from the non white ladies by floor. Then the white ladies were taken to a different “better” hospital to deliver. On a quilt in the museum a medical student embroidered “Yes, I delivered those babies. The hospital is all gone now. I had to move.”

Did I mention that the District 6 museum was closed on the day that we went for a National Holiday? The National Holiday was Human Rights Day. How did we get into the museum on a closed holiday? It’s all about the Power of the Mouse!!

After lunch, we walked through Company’s Garden on the way to the Green Market. On the way to the market we were shown an old government court building. On the left side of the building was a bench for non whites. On the right was a bench for whites. Years ago the government created segregation (apartheid government). Everything was segregated, even the ambulances. If an ambulance for a white person passed by an accident with a non white person the ambulance was required to move on. One ambulance driver broke the rules and stopped a white folk ambulance for a non white patient. He took the non white patient to the hospital in his ambulance and was then fired.

Makes you think right? Preposterous and multiple other non lady like words come to my mind. I guess you can tell that the ambulance story bothered me.

Before stepping into the market we got to stand on the center point of Cape Town. It just happens to be in the entryway of an old church. Ryan is showing us where the center of Cape Town is in the picture below.



Now into the market. It was my first time ever with bartering for goods. Tour guide Craig and Tina gave us three tips 1) Smile before you bargain. 2) Ask the price and when they tell you ask if that is the lowest price that they will take. 3) If you do not like the price start to walk away.



I bartered for a gift for Annette. Can not say what it was because that would ruin the surprise for Annette. The lady told me that the price was 250r. I offered her 150r and said that this was what I could spend because I was running out of money. This was true as this was the third stall that we ended up purchasing at. She said no and I started to walk away. Then she said that 150r would be ok.



Doesn’t 150r sound like a lot of money? Just remember though 100r equals about $12-15. Even after being here for a few days the rand prices still floor us. Makes us stop and think when we are making a purchase. Yesterday I used the ATM for cash. I took out 2000r which is about $300. I knew the conversion but it still took my breath away when I pushed the button for the 2000r!!!!!

After shopping we met the egg man. He walks around with a huge head piece and a phone. He’s essentially the unofficial ambassador of South Africa. His phone does work!!!





When done at the Green Market we went back to the hotel. After a short rest we got into the van and started driving. Our guides would not tell us where we were going for dinner. It was a Disney surprise. We’re finding that Disney surprises are very grand!! Craig started talking about the Cape Minstrel Festival. This was held years ago on January 2nd. This was the only day of freedom that the slaves were given each year. On that day the slaves dance, drank and sang. As Craig was talking about this we were approaching the Castle of Good Hope. I could see people dressed in bright costumes and some had musical instruments. I started to think, maybe we are going in there? No, I thought, that would be too good to be true. But yes, that’s when The Disney Magic kicked in. We drove up to the gate and got out of the van. We danced and sang our way to the castle with the musical group.















Then we had a wonderful meal.



The appetizer was Ginger marinated Springbok on fresh herb and onion salad.



For my main course I had the Rolled Baby Kingklip with Spring Onion mash and Lemon butter sauce.



John's main was the Beef Medallions stuffed with Waterblommetjie (?spelling) pesto on a Potato stack with roasted peppers.



For dessert we were introduced to Malva pudding. A brilliant introduction I might add!!! This is what I would like every year for my Birthday Cake!!!!!!



With more dancing and singing afterwards.





It was Ryan's Birthday! He had a cake that night to celebrate!!!



The dancing and singing was continued on our way out. What a beautiful night. Something to remember. I felt like royalty that night.

On the way out I did something really stupid. I tripped over one of the rocks in the courtyard and fell. As I was going to the ground I felt my skirt blowing up! I was soooo embarrassed! Luckily I did not hurt anything more than my pride and a slightly bruised right knee cap.

Sigh, off to bed. Fell asleep but wojl kicked in about 2 am. I fell back asleep around 5 am.

Cape Town Day #2
Penguin Pursuits

THIS WAS MY FAVORITE DAY OF THE ENTIRE TRIP!!!!

"Masambene Baantu!"

Off we went in the van. Our guides told us that we were driving to Cape Point. Just about 5 minutes into the trip Craig revealed that we were going up to Table Mountain first.

Yippeeee!!! Why so excited you say? It’s because Table Mountain is not open often. Because of the winds and the fog on top of the mountain it is closed 100 days out of the year. At the cable car station we whisked ahead of all the other tourists and went through the turnstiles.

Yep, it is definitely a perk of being on an ABD tour. It’s like having a concierge team with you for the entire trip!! Our tickets had been prepurchased. We did not have to wait in line for the cable car. Tina made sure that we had the tour brochures for Table Mountain.

It was then our turn to go up in the cable car to Table Mountain. The cable car runs on one cable up the mountain. No struts or supports support the cable. The cable car took us up to Table Mountain which is an elevation of 3,563 feet. The views from the top of Table Mountain were breathtaking!!! Brenda and I found the gift shop. Or is it that the gift shop found us? It was one of many of the gift shops that we visited on our trip.

Someday I would like to go and hike the trails up Table Mountain and Lions Head. We will be back. That I know.



I'm not sure who this guy is. His photo is on our ABD Photo CD. Since he is on our Photo CD I decided to make him an honorary member of our South Africa Adventure Family. It's just like us being honorary bugs at "It's Tough to be a Bug" at Disney's Animal Kingdom!!



On the way up-Uh we're going up kind of high!!!!! But the views are worth it. The Table Top Mountain views are amazing!!!











John was going to take this car down the mountain but it ran out of gas! Ha! Ha!



I did not stand in the cable car as it went up because I do not like heights. Actually if I stand to close to the edge I will get vertigo. I did stand in the cable car on the way down because I figured what the heck. Since I have come 10,000 miles I might as well do it. It was so worth it, the views were very beautiful!!!!!



After we finished with Table Mountain we headed off to Cape Point (The Point of Good Hope). Cape Point is the lowest southwest point of Africa. The views again were breathtaking.

Cape Town to Cape Point is about an hour and a half trip. Most of it is on winding roads that are along the ocean. I’ve never been to the Mediterranean but those who have been said that it was similar. The beauty of the road trip to Cape Point is indescribable.



Along the way saw several Gorillas. Want to get out and feed them? Don’t, its not safe. When we had almost reached CP we saw a few wild Ostriches on the beach. Ostriches on the beach you say? Really? Yes, really. We have pictures to back this up if you do not believe it. And see Tina is pointing them out for you!!







On the way to the Cape of Good Hope we stopped for a bathroom break. Craig and Tina told us that they had arranged for us to stop at the US Embassy. Apparently the US Embassy is the Golden Arches!!!! I wasn't aware that the US Embassy sold cheeseburgers?! (Boy our two guides have a great sense of humor!!!) John and I hereby nominate Kereth to be the South Africa ABD Ambassador to Mr. Ronald McDonald!!!



Once at CP we took lots of pictures-here we tested just how many photos Craig could take in a ten minute period. Ready-Set-Go!!!!!!!!













OK Adventurers, take eight huge steps backwards (splash) and see who can do the breath stroke the longest!!!



After photos we climbed the stairs to the lighthouse. We worked up an appetite for lunch.







We then went to lunch at the Seaforth Restaurant. The seafood was great. For dessert we again had the Malva pudding. The group decided that this was the best one that we had so far.





On the way into the restaurant I had to give the penguin statue a kiss!!!



After lunch we went to see the Penguins. They are cute, really cute. The trip back to Cape Town was as beautiful as the trip going there.





Did I mention that we see more with ABD in one day than we could see all week on our own? Yep, I already mentioned it but I’m going to say it again. No minute is wasted. It’s all planned. The best part is that it is all done for us. I do not have to do a thing. For someone whos job it is to take care of others, I at times do not take very good of myself. Since everything is taken care of on this trip I can well what’s that word relax. And since I do not have to worry about stuff there is little or no stress. What no stress??? Can I do without it while on this trip? The answer is yeeeessss!!!

For dinner we went to the Gold Museum and Restaurant. Again Craig and Tina kept it a surprise until we got there. Remember again that all Disney surprises are wonderful!!!! We were greeted at the front of the museum with Champagne with gold leaf on top. Have you ever had gold leaf on the top of your champagne? I have not or probably will never again. So I cherished that moment for sure. After the champagne we had a private tour of the museum. The Mouse Magic worked again.









Brenda and I were more than happy to kiss the gold wall when the guide said we could. Who said that diamonds are a girl's best friend?!?!



After the tour we had a drum lesson. That was super fun.





Then we went to dinner. Prior to being seated we partook in the African Hand Washing Ceremony.





The food was amazing. Dish after dish came. It was unbelievable. We tried several African dishes.







During the meal we were entertained by a singer, drummers and dancers. The soul of the South African people was definitely felt tonight.







We also had our faces painted that night. See John even got in on the face painting!!







Off to Disney dreams we went. If you’re wondering if wojl visited that night. The answer is yes. But at that point I stopped worrying about it. Hey I’m on vacation. What I get for sleep, I get. Sleep all night long will come but for now I’m going to put up with the 2 am I’m hungry for dinner wake up call.

Cape Town Day #3 The Grapes of Africa
Word of the day:Koeksister

"Masambene Baantu!"

We headed East to Stellenbosch in the morning. On the way we went past the Shantie homes in Cape Town. Essentially the shanties are the size of a tool shed. Many do not have running water or indoor plumbing. Makes you think twice. You’ll hear that a lot I’m sure during this trip. Makes me grateful, very grateful, for all that we have been given.



In Stellenbosch we had a cooking lesson at the Institute of Culinary Arts. Again this was a private event that the guides had booked. Mouse Magic as we call it. We learned how to make Koeksisters (cook-sisters). This is the American equivalent of a donut. The chef asked us to try the recipe when we got home and send him the pictures. We plan on doing that!!!













John made one of his Koeksisters in the shape of a Mickey head!!





Tina and Craig had a good time goofing around while we made the Koeksisters.





I shopped a bit in Stellenbosch with my fellow Adventurers. While we were shopping Craig went to take this cool picture of John with the church in Stellenbosch.







We then were off to the Spier Winery. We ate a the winery’s restaurant Moyo. Our table was up in the tree house. That was really neat. The Moyo buffet was HUGE!!! We got to try a bunch more African dishes. My favorite was the ox tail.











During the meal we again had our faces painted. We loved this a lot!!





After lunch we shopped in the gift shop. I bought a giraffe charm with an elephant hair chain.







After shopping John and I walked (waddled) to the wine tasting. The first was a taste of the winery’s Sauvignon Blanc. The winery blended the SB with 20% Semillon. Semillon is a sweet wine. That mix actually worked for me as the Semillon toned done the Sauvignon.

Let me share with you how I view the Sauvignon grape. Whether it is the Sauvignon blanc or Cabernet Sauvignon the Sauvignon features come out.

Sauvignon is like Marilyn Monroe walking into a room, only she is wearing an emerald green dress. For me, a little Marilyn Monroe goes a long, long way.

Next was the winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon. I could tell what the wine varietal was by the smell. and the taste (the wine lady did not need to tell me what it was). First we tasted from a barrel that the wine had been in for about six months. It was neat to taste an unfinished product. We then tasted the finished product. The winery had only made 600 bottles of this particular wine so we felt honored that we got to drink some it.

Remember when I said the Sauvignon was Marilyn Monroe coming through the door in a green dress. Yes? Then Cabernet is like Humphrey Bogart. A big strong presence coming through the door but he is more refined. A hat, pin striped suit with a handkerchief in the pocket and a cigar in his hand.

Cabernet Sauvignon is like Humphrey Bogart meets Marilyn Monroe. This Cab was probably the best I have ever had. Interestingly the finished Cab product that we tried was 100% Cabernet. Usually cabs are blended with other grapes (specifically Merlot) but not this one.



While John and I were at the wine tasting the rest of our Adventure Family was at the Eagle Encounter.









After the wine tasting we went and joined the rest of the group.



After finishing up with the Eagle Encounter we went back to Cape Town. We freshened up a bit in our hotel and went back down the Waterfront area. We spent a lot of time there during our trip.





It was our last night in Cape Town so Brenda and I had to shop like we meant it. Our major purchase for the evening was more jewelry with elephant hair entwined in it. By the time we were done we were part of the Cape Town tourism spending club!!!



The lady at the jewelry store (Maya) was so sweet!!! She was really patient with Brenda and I. We asked her to take a picture with us to remember her by.



We ate dinner at Karibu which is African cuisine. That night we were on our own without our tour guides. We tried to read the menu. Some items we could pick out but others we could not. We did not know what half of the items on the menu were. 2 young ladies right next to our table heard us talking and offered to help us. Both were from Pretoria and were in Cape Town for a holiday. Thanks to their help we were able to navigate the menu. The 2 young lades were massage therapists. They said that they were going to work on cruise ships in the next year as the pay at home was not good. Per massage they were paid 20% and the rest went to the boss. No tips. The two were quite ready to take their massage skills somewhere else to make more money.



After dinner we went back into the mall. One of the kiosk ladies called us over to say Hi!. She had recognized my face paint from Spier Winery. She showed us pictures on her computer of some friends that had recently had been to this winery.

Capetonians are really friendly. People wave at us from the side of the road when we pass on the bus. Say hi in the elevator. Say hello when you pass them in the mall. We are really enjoying the hospitality of the South Africans.

We headed back to the hotel and started packing for the bus trip the next day. About midnight was when we had finished. Off to bed we went in the pursuit of Disney Dreams. Did wojl visit that night? No! First night sleeping the entire night. Yeeeeaaaahhhh!

Before leaving for Cape Town some parting thoughts:
Was Cape Town what I thought it would be? Yes and so much more!!!
Would I come back here to explore further? Yes!
If I was born here, I probably would never leave. Yes, it is that beautiful!!!
So far South Africa is a Foodie Heaven!!!!!!!!!

Next Up: To George by George!!!

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