096 - African Adventure - Day 4 & 5 (Cape Town, Paarl, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch) - Paint the Towns Red

After the physically gruelling first adventure, we switched gears for the next couple days, and opted to light up the region with a City Sightseeing double-header.

First a Hop-on, Hop-off city tour, followed the next day by a raucous jaunt through three regions in South African wine country.

We started off our first tour in high spirits, 

While the passing glimpse of Table Mountain conjured flashbacks for some,

The serenity of the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens had us quickly back on track.

Although, it was a little less serene after we showed up, as Taz, map in hand, pinballed around the place hollering out random facts and names of every plant we encountered.

Meanwhile, Ciel followed behind capturing “aesthetic” photos of the highlights (“You have to use portrait mode, Daddy!”) for posterity.

Not quite as arduous as our previous day’s trek, but enjoyable nonetheless.

We then continued our tour around the back side of Table Mountain, taking in the scenery 

along with some of the less-affluent, but bustling, areas of Cape Town,

before hopping out to explore the beachside community of Camps Bay.

We stumbled across a great tapas place overlooking the beach, that served up some killer cocktails, 

(Note my expert use of “portrait mode”)

and unique snacks.

Inspired by the group beside us, who livestreamed their entire experience, including trips to the bathroom, we snapped a few additional glam shots.

We had lofty plans for a quick dip in the Atlantic,

which were quickly put on ice as the achingly-cold Antarctic-glacier-melt waves lapped our toes.

So we peeled out of Camps Bay,

and headed back to the V&A Waterfront for a little sake,

some live entertainment,

and a couple bougie desserts.

Though, Taz was most impressed with the “dinner mints”…

…that actually turned out to be hand towels. 

Endeavouring to keep the bender going, we were back on the road and off to wine country early the next morning.

First up was Rhebokskloof Wine Estate in the Paarl Region, for a breakfast of champions.

Wine flights and Belgian chocolates! 

Which definitely got us into the swing of things.

Cheers!

After a second tasting and lunch at Franschhoek Cellar, 

we stopped in the quaint village of Franschhoek for a little stroll.

The kids opted to peruse the shops, while Brittany and I made a bee-line for the Tuk Tuk brewery and a quick flight!

Which meant we were well hydrated for our 36C walking tour of Stellenbosch.

(More internet pics... at this point we were too sweaty, and possibly a little too inebriated for action shots)

Before wrapping up the tour with a sabre-ing and some bubbly at Simonsig.

We rounded out the day with an everything-must-go fridge-clearing smorgasbord, courtesy of Ciel.

Avocado dip with fresh veg, peppercorn salami, and olive oil drizzled burrata on toast.

For dessert, a slightly less “aesthetic” combination of United Airways pretzel cookie smothered with peach yogurt, garnished with sliced plum, and topped with a fusion of two partially-melted Reese peanut butter cups…

She made a valiant effort.

Britt did her part by polishing off the last of the Cape Town Gin.

Such a team player.

Tomorrow we’re off at 0400 to Victoria Falls via Johannesburg. See you in Zimbabwe!