DCDayTripper: December 2014

31 December 2014 ~ Sunset

Listening to: Natalie Cole ~ You Go To My Head

As we leave behind another calendar year, I'll share some sunset photos from the beachfront in Cape Town.

29 December 2014 ~ Moyo

Listening to: David Bowie ~ Rebel, Rebel

After a day a shark cage diving (watching) we went to a restaurant in walking distance of our house called Moyo.

I ordered a vodka cherry drink.

Jared had his face painted while we had cocktails.

CJ did not. I did not take this picture by the way, so I cannot even apologize that it's blurry. I was also in the original picture, but I looked like a fun house mirror picture so I cut myself out.

We started off with a mixed appetizer platter. This was the Roots Platter, consisting of: Cameroonian beef suyu, crocodile tail pies, calamari dovi, potato and pea samosas. Definitely my first time knowingly eating crocodile.

We brought our own wine for dinner. The hippo logo is so cute for the name, and the wine was not bad.

It went well with my meal of karoo lamb and chickpea tangine (Karoo is a semi-desert natural region of South Africa and tangine is a spice).

Chris and Marshall ordered the kebabs.

The menu also tempted us with warthog, ostrich and oxtail dishes.

23 December 2014 ~ Great White Sharks

Listening to: Taj Mahal & Doc Watson ~ My Creole Belle (8/9/1986, World Theatre, St. Paul, MN)

Everyone made it back from the shark adventure. I did not go into the cage; nor did CJ nor Robert. We sat on top of the boat and Robert earned his nickname for the trip "Scout". (The nickname actually started because I was reading a book I picked up from the Virgin Atlantic Club Lounge called "The Indian and Scout" about the Gold Rush to California.)

I was applauded for not choosing to go in the cage. For one, the water was a cool 52 degrees and although they had a wet suit, they did not have any coverings for face or hands. The spent about 20 minutes in the water, just waiting until a shark sighting, when they were told to go "down". Lisa did get a video of the shark underwater, but I have few from the top I'd like to share.

First off, we didn't see anything nearly as dramatic as these pictures from the lodge implied. Not one shark came out of the water, and it wasn't seal season, so feeding wasn't in progress.

In order to entice the sharks to the boat, they throw in tuna heads on a rope over and over, as well as a constant stream of chum (fish guts). This is a controversial practice, for although the operators are not technically "feeding" the sharks, some say it increases the way sharks relate to food and increases human contact if not actual attacks.

But it works.

http://youtu.be/m_bZYhMGMnE

It wasn't always to track the sharks, and the water got very rocky towards the end. It felt like a roller coaster at times.

http://youtu.be/CFnoDxuwV18

A few of the sharks were as long as the cage, so estimating about 14 feet.

http://youtu.be/hCyXJIfYQqA

22 December 2013 ~ Shark Diving Part I

Listening to: Joe Cocker ~ She Came In Through The Bathroom Window with Leon Russell, 1970

R.I.P. Joe

Day 3 in Cape Town was a trip to the coast to go Shark Cage Diving with Great White Sharks.

We got picked up at 3:45am for a 2.5 hour van ride. It was dark out so we couldn't see any scenery, but most of us slept anyway.

They served a hot breakfast of scrambled egg muffins with bacon or mushrooms, warm muffins, juice and coffee.

After that we were ready to hit the water. At this point I was still undecided if I was going to get in the cage.

Twenty-one people fit on the boat. And how many came back?

The boat ride out was very nice.

17 December 2014 ~ Muratie

Listening to: Velvet Underground ~ There She Goes Again

The third and final vineyard stop of the day was to taste Muratie Wines.

We were advised - or forewarned - that the building was old and had spider webs.

Old indeed!

A family tree with the top family tree starting in the mid-1700's.

Interesting rooms and artwork.

The tasting room had numerous items to poke around through.

No joke about the spider webs. There was a sign asking not to disturb them.

A close-up of the stained glass covered in web.

Oh, the wines weren't too bad either!

16 December 2014 ~ Stellenbosch

Listening to: David Gray ~ Silver Lining

The purpose of the sidecar trip was to have a fun and safe way to go wine-tasting in the wine region known as Stellenbosch.

On the way to our first winery I rode in the back seat so I was not able to take pictures. And, something happened to my camera...it got over heated...and all the pictures I took were extremely overexposed. That was ok really, as none of liked the taste of the wines we had there, except perhaps the first glass of champagne.

I rode in the sidecar from there to the next stop. Here is a short video clip leaving. You may want to turn down the volume as there is some wind noise.

http://youtu.be/Yl10ygh3qgo

Overall the scenery is stunning. Similar to Napa/Sonoma except the mountains are higher.

Our guides were flexible on where we went, so our next stop was Delaire Graff Winery

Here we are going up the driveway.

http://youtu.be/f8SEO-10pWc

What a lovely spot! We were greeted with many statues, but this was the first African-style art in my opinion.

The wine barrels were nicely showcased.

Of course we had lunch. I do not know what the foamy stuff is (puree of mushroom???) but I ate it. Mostly it tasted like air. The main part is risotto balls on top of peas and leeks.

Everyone is enjoying their meal.

I tried a port for after dinner. Nice auburn color.

A perfect way to end the meal and head to our next destination.

11 December 2014 ~ Sidecars

Listening to: Portable ~ Surrender

Day 2 in Cape Town started off great. We scheduled a sidecar tour of wine country. They came to pick us up.

This is a nice shot with Table Mountain in the background. Don't you love the leopard print? These are modified Chinese sidecars from...I think they said...1939, but I could be wrong as that seems a bit old.

The bandanas were provided, as were the jackets and helmets. Zip it up!

All ready to go. And we attracted some interested gawkers.

Kathy and I are all set. The name of our bike was "Maggie".

8 December 2014 ~ Fork

Listening to: John Lennon ~ Hold On

We ventured out to Fork for our first meal out Cape Town.

As a Tapas restaurant, it was only appropriate to start out with a pitcher of sangria.

Pan-seared ostrich fillet served on sweet and sour chutney. Mini kudu fillets on chili potato puree with garlic spinach and citrus reduction.

I can't match these up to the menu...I'll see if anyone else can identify them.

Seared tuna with tatsoi salad. Artichoke and pecorino salad. Smoked salmon rolls with goat cheese and caviar on crostini.

Beef fillets on mushrooms and croutons with onion rings and red wine sauce.

Roast chicken breast on fondant potatoes with leek and curry sauce.

Flourless chocolate cake.

6 Decembr 2013 ~ Cape Town Waterfront

Listening to: Stella Starlight Trio ~ Tainted Love

After visiting Robben Island it was time for lunch. But which direction? Hard to decide so far from home.