Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Holiday - Cape Town XXVII

After getting a whiff of the wine-tasting in Constantia we rented a car and drove off to Franschhoek.

Holiday - Cape Town XXVI

This pic is a bit blurry, but I'm sure you get the drift.

Holiday - Cape Town XXV

Hehe, I thought this was funny, but of course Obama has made an impact on a country primarily consisting of black people.

Holiday - Cape Town XXIV

After the fish we felt like we needed to flush it down with some prime wine from the area. Off we went to Groot Constantia, which is the bigger of the two Constantias. The other one is consequently named Klein Constantia. We of course went to both.
The little one in the middle of the pic has been to over 200 vineyards (hard to believe isn't it?), and as a good friend recommended only the best.
The comment for the pic below can only be: Size matters!

Holiday - Cape Town XXIII

The day after the safari I was recovering nicely, if being a little weak. Time for the aquarium in the Waterfront area.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Holiday - Cape Town XXII

Oh, and we saw lions too.

Holiday - Cape Town XXI

When I travel my stomach stops working (I know, more information that you wanted but it's my blog!). This becomes very uncomfortable after like 5 days and in Cape Town I went to buy some laxative. Worked like a charm, but I needn't had bothered. After the evening safari a few days later we were due to go on an early morning safari, but an unfortunate incident put a stop to that for me. At three in the morning I canonball puked my guts out. Food poisoning! Very bad timing indeed. Also unfortunate that the bathroom door wouldn't close, so poor Bro had to participate so to speak. Much against his will I imagine. At five o'clock in the morning it was time again. Didn't realize I had eaten so much. And on top of everything it started to come out another place too. At the same time. And there was only one toilet. It's a tuff choice whether to puke on the floor, or shit in your pants. Another round at seven o'clock. I tell ya, I wasn't feeling at all well. Dehydrated like an alcoholic the morning after. Not that I would know. At twelve o'clock we had to leave and go with the taxi back to Cape Town. Halfway there I had to ask the driver to stop, but he couldn't fast enough. I cascade puked with half my body hanging out the window. Charming! But he was very nice about it, and even called the day after to ask how I was. We probably tipped him too much. Anyway, after a day of rest I was fit to go again. But I can say one thing, wine just doesn't taste the same after food poisoning, and we were off to the vineyards for wine-tasting!

Holiday - Cape Town XX

The cutest animal of them all.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Holiday - Cape Town XIX

One of the big fives I unfortunately didn't get to see live, pic taken by Bro. Looks cute!

Holiday - Cape Town XVIII

Cuties!

Holiday - Cape Town XVII

Friendly guys!

Holiday - Cape Town XVI

Wanna cuddle with this one?

Holiday - Cape Town XV

The elephants didn't want to appear on the picture.

The springbok is a very common animal in South Africa.

Holiday - Cape Town XIV

Safari-time! Went around with about 5 people in a jeep plus one ranger and the driver. Pretty close to the animals at times. Scary but very very exciting! See the hippos?

Holiday - Cape Town XIII

(Un)fortunately, depending on how you see it, our chalet was the one furthest away. We were practically living in the jungle. Spent the afternoon on the veranda in the sun animal-spotting. Saw ostriches and a giraffe.
There were an almost invisble tiny electric fence just outside, but was informed that the buffalos had learned to walk around it behind our chalet and into the building area. Jeez! There just is information you do not need to know.
On the plusside it meant that we were not allowed to walk back to the chalet unguarded at night, but had to be followed by a ranger. Turned out not to be so bad after all...

Holiday - Cape Town XII

Our chalet. Nothing but the best for us.

Holiday - Cape Town XI

The game reserve.

Holiday - Cape Town X

Arriving in the Aquila game reserve, we were met with a welcome glass of bubbly and a lunch buffet before checking in to our "chalet". The garden held some unusual animals.

Holiday - Cape Town IX

On Friday the 13th of March we daringly went for a safari. A couple of hours drive outside Cape Town is a place called Aquila. We had a really nice taxi driver, but he didn't seem awfully up-to-date with the geography outside South Africa, which I realized when he asked me "Is Holland a big city?".
But the drive was great, a beautiful scenic route and to my delight we saw some wild baboons. Was told that they are really cheeky and have learned to open car doors to get to food. The more modern cars all lock the doors automatically though, so we were safe.