Deepest Darkest Africa, Africa

Friday.  29/9.  We head off to Oudtshoorn which is about 300 miles  from Cape Town. Heugonauts fled France as they were persecuted so came to South Africa and started the wine industry,   So went past vineyard after vineyard. Looked like the Hunter valley but much more of it and with the amazing granite mountains backdrop. Lots of mountains.... Lots of driving and then lunch at the Country Pumpkin, a cute restaurant with South African food. We tried bobite for the first time. Kind of spiced meatloaf with cooked egg on top. Really nice with salad. The food has been great so far with lots of salad and vegetables. And in all the included meals, there is of course dessert. Whilst not a dessert eater, I have forced myself on each and every occasion to eat the dessert, all of it so as not to insult our hosts and because we have already paid for it.  More driving/coaching to our hotel in O udtshoorn  , the Queens hotel named after some quee...

Thurs 28/9 was the fIrst day of our (dreaded) coach tour part of our tour. We are however very happy with the luxury and amenity of the bus. Apparently it is a special bus for celebrities and other important people. Leather padded seats and only 17 people on a bus seating about 40 people.  Roomy. This is the day we are 'discovering the breathtaking Peninsula' on a full day tour. The scenery is amazing as we take the 'scenic routes long  Chapmans Peak drive to Cape Point,  where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. The scenery is spectacular with wild seas pounding  rugged coastlines. We take lots of photos of the coastline and then we reach the cape of good hope. Even more beautiful scenery. You could see why the cape was notorious for shipwrecks. our first ostriches One of the lookouts is a lighthouse which is pretty high up.and is kind of the original lighthouse. It is extremely high up requiring a funicular (I love a good f...

27/9/17 Today is the first day of our tour and we meet at 7.45am for a 8am start.  Better than 6am starts on the Southern Italy  tour. I hate to compare breakfasts but the breakfast at the Westin is better though not much. We gorge ourselves with eggs, coffee and muesli and prepare ourselves for the bus trip to Table Mountain. Apparently there is to be a demonstration against the president in the city so we need to avoid some places. However being so early, we don't have a problem and go first to the garden in the city and see our first wildlife.  A squirrel which is not native but there are lots in this garden and they are amazingly tame and come straight to us.  I think to myself, is this  the first of the big 5 we are to see? I am surprised when I realise I have actually said it out loud. We also see Parliament house We see the statue of Cecil  Rhodes and hear about his  diamonds and gifts to South Africa and a bit about...