anulicious

We enjoyed the last days in Cape Town so much.

There were things we still had on our list, for example going up Table Mountain, and I was glad, that the weather was so nice, that we actually were able to take the cable car up.

The view is just stunning, it really would have been a shame if we had missed that.

And another thing we just visited one day before our departure were the Botanical Gardens, which are also so pretty.

This all didn’t make it easier to say good-bye to this wonderful country.

This was MUCH more than a normal Holiday.

We found the perfect place, the nicest people. We are still thankful that we made this wonderful experience and will surely return pretty soon.

Until then we cherish our wonderful memories and carry the sun in our heart that takes us through this tough winter we experienced so far here in Germany.

But now, it’s time to get in the Christmas mood and enjoy the days to come.

From the Ocean to the semi-desert:

Our days in Oudtshoorn!

It is famous for it’s ostrich farms but there is plenty other stuff you can see.

Luckily we had the nicest guesthouse owners, Zoe and Huw, who made our stay unforgettable. They gave us so many great advices and we had so many long and interesting talks with them, that we felt more like friends than like guests.

They were also so nice to suggest the best experience in Oudtshoorn:

The Meerkat Adventures.

Okay, we really had to wake up very very early for it, we met at 5 am at the meeting point with Devey,

a scientist who explores the Meerkats.

We drove to a place where there is only plain land and walked a bit to the spot, where the Meerkats slept.

And then we waited for the sunrise

Beautiful!

and after some time, the first Meerkat came out.

It was the scout, that had to make sure for the other Meerkats, it is safe to come out.

Isn’t it cute?

This little guy was the scout, to make sure for the other Meerkats to come out.

He looks out, while the others are searching for food.

Devey wants to build a sanctuary for orphaned Meerkats, because unfortunately a lot of  people keep Meerkats as pets and get rid of them as soon as they realize, that they have natural behaviours that do not fit life in their apartment.

Devey also teached us a lot of interesting facts about the Meerkats and he really cares about this little creatures to have a good, normal and natural life and may not be held as pets at home.

After two days in Oudtshoorn we travelled back the Route 62 through the Small Karoo towards Cape Town.

On our way we visited “Ronnies Sex Shop”, which isn’t really a sex shop, but a Bar & Pub.

The Owner Ronnie painted the name “Ronnies Shop” on the cottage

and one night his friends played a prank on him and added “Sex”.

Now this place is a huge tourist attraction and has a really cool atmosphere, like in a Tarrantino Movie.

Everywhere there are hanging Basecaps, Bras, Shorts from the  ceiling

and the walls are full of business cards and writings of visitors.

A bizarre place – worth a visit!

On our way we stopped at our guesthouse in Gansbaai again and also spent one night in Stellenbosch.

And now only three more days to come – oh no!

Knysna is so pretty and relaxing!

We went for a cruise to the Heads, where we could enjoy the wonderful sunset, had amazing food and went to the beach at Plettenberg Bay.

The Highlights for me were:

1. Turbine: On Thesen Island we discovered this old power station which was renovated and changed into a stunning, fashionable Hotel & Restaurant.

The Engines are still part of the interior and painted colorful.

Happy Place!

2. The Knysna Elephant Park: We got really close to this beautiful animals and were even allowed to touch them, very impressive.

3. Emily Moon: A Hotel & Restaurant behind Plettenberg Bay that was recommended to us by a German couple we met in the Winelands.

They have a store with lovely decoration stuff and the Restaurant is so pretty, I love the style! And the view takes your breathe away. We had Lunch here and I think it is a MUST GO, when you ever visit this area.

So we were sad to leave, especially we had the cutest guesthouse, Stannards Guest Lodge, run by French couple Helene and Patrick, who were so lovely.

But the next lovely guesthouse hosts were waiting for us at our next destination, Oudtshoorn. Stay tuned for that!

After 3 days wonderful days in the Winelands we drove along the coast towards our next destination: The Seastar Lodge, in Gansbaai, de Kelders, which is said to be THE NUMBER ONE WHALE WATCHING AREA. And what can I say?

The guesthouse is right at the ocean and Walker Bay and when we arrived, we could see 6 Whale mums with their Babys. Beautiful!

We spent the day enjoying the beautiful weather and lying on the terrace, with the Whales just some metres away from us. Even from our bed we could see them.

The girls at the guesthouse are German students, Katha and Alex, who took care of us so well and welcomed us with Sparkling wine and Chocolate cake.

Unfortunately we just stayed for one night but will return on our way back to Cape Town for two more days.

On the next day we enjoyed the sun at the secluded beach at Walker Bay

and then headed further down towards Knysna at the Indian Ocean, with a sleep over stop at Swellendam.

Bye-bye Cape Town, the Winelands are waiting for us. It is also the first time, we take a rental car here, so Simon has to drive on the left side for the first time in his life, he is doing a great job!

We are staying in the beautiful 4 Heaven Guesthouse, run by German couple Melanie and Uwe. They have renovated a beautiful Cape Dutch House, where we had a two Bedroom apartment with our own terrace and stunning views.

Of course the main thing here is to taste good food and wine. And there is plenty of it to find. We learned that in the Cape Winelands there are about 600 (!!!) Wine Estates, so the choice where to go isn’t easy.

The first we visited was Ernie Els, named after the famous South African Golf player, that also owns the estate.

What a beautiful place!

At Neethlingshof, one of the oldest Estates, we even ordered some wine.

And at Spier we had a breathtaking Encounter with the Cheetahs. The little curbs were so adorable.

Another Highlight here was our evening at Rust en Vrede, rated one of the 100 best restaurants in the world. For South Africa a little more expensive indeed, but like I said before: It’s Honeymoon!

It was really worth the visit, also because the view from the terrace on the mountains is amazing. And the food…what can I say? 6 courses – Oh Boy!

After our very eventful first three days in South Africa, we took one day off just hanging round the beach and enjoying the sun.

But more adventure was just around the corner, ’cause on Day 5 we had our little Safari trip to Aquila Safari Lodge. For it was our first time in Africa ever and we only had 3 weeks to explore everything, we decided before, that we wouldn’t do the Kruger Park this time.

Aquila isn’t the real Out of Africa feeling, but for a day trip and to see the Big 5 and other animals it is quite nice, as you can see…

The Giraffe was my favorite. Hasn’t she got the cutest face?

In the evening we had an outstanding Dinner (again!), with such a nice complimentary dessert (again!), the best drink ever (White Chocolate Martini – OMG!!!) and the nicest waiter of all time (Gavin!) at Beluga Restaurant.

Wonderful Day Trip round the Cape.

Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point were windy, windy, windy but beautiful.

The moment we got out of the car a Baboon mum with a little Baby on her back passed us.

Everywhere were signs that they can be dangerous and shouldn’t be fed, so we kept safe distance, but she didn’t seem very impressed by us anyway.

We also stopped at Boulders Beach to see the penguins and Muizenberg, with it’s colourful beach huts.

Then we had a wonderful Lunch at Kalk Bay Harbour House, fresh fish, yummy. I am eating way to much here.

But who cares, it’s Honeymoon

What a Gourmet Day!

If you ever get the chance to go to Cape Town and you are there on a Sunday, The Neighbourgoodsmarket is the MUST GO!

After that you can stroll through the lovely Design Shops that you can find there, too. Reminded me a little of Camden Town, London.

This would have been enough lovely things for one day, but in the evening the big Highlight was still waiting for us. Looking back on the Honeymoon this really has been the best and most romantic night over all.

We had booked a table in the Round House, a lovely restaurant in an old, historic building, overlooking Camps Bay. If you come early, you can take a Sundowner in the beautiful garden…

… and maybe get a visit from this guy…

Inside awaits you a wonderful dinner with amazing wines (I have tasted the best White Wine of all times) and an excellent service that is professional but not stiff at all. We felt really comfortable and enjoyed every minute at the Round House.

Just look what they wrote on the menu, isn’t that sweet?

This day was perfection, wouldn’t change a thing.

Welcome to my Honeymoon Diary, hope you enjoy it.

After a 12 hour flight we arrived in Cape Town, a little exhausted (hubby was way to tall for this tiny economy seats) but happy in our first Guesthouse, the beautiful Cape Standard in Greenpoint. We felt cosy and at home from the first moment, the relaxed Beach House atmosphere transformed us into a chill out mode directly. Absolutely awesome.

James, a member of the lovely staff there, served us a wonderful breakfast which filled up our energy tanks. Heaven!

After a little nap we started of with the Must See in Cape Town, the V&A Waterfront. It is very touristc, but it was the right place to start off for the first day.

What a view

Here we also met this cute guy

After that we headed to wonderful Camps Bay (became our favorite place in Cape Town), to the beach.

With a view over the Twelve Apostles – breathtaking.

And the light, oh the afternoon light…

Cape Town really made it easy for us to arrive and feel comfortable from the start.

…with so many things right now.

First of all I am in love head over heals with my hubby.  Travelling with him is always a blast.

Then I am in love with South Africa, Cape Town, Table Mountain, Camps Bay, the Winelands, the Garden Route, the lovely guesthouses we stayed in, all the super friendly and cool people we met, the good wine and food, the wonderful flora and fauna, Protea flowes especially, the beaches, the light between 6 and 7pm,

etc etc etc

Like you can guess we had the most beautiful, exciting and romantic Honeymoon I could have wished for. I have no words to describe our awesome experiences. This country took our hearts by storm and we were so unbelievably sad when we had to leave.

There is so much to show and tell. Stay tuned for my Honeymoon Diary.

xoxo