Not quite the image of Africa one conjures up when submitting to the arsenal of pre-trip vaccinations or when reading the fine print on the travel insurance to make sure disembowelment by rhino horn is a covered event. It turns out the real problems one faces in Africa are big issues like whether the coffee here has the perfect amount of foam vis-a-vis the New Zealand standard.
Talk about easing into the African experience. Instead of hitting the zebra trail it's straight to the wine trails in the luscious vineyard region outside Cape Town.
With all due respect to cheese and chocolate, it appears boxing kangaroos are the hot new wine pairing.
Vine to Table dining at its best.
The result of overemphasizing the Vine in Vine to Table.
Rodin may have The Thinker, but the work MoMA really wants to get its hands on is The Lamers.
Looks like someone commissioned Rock to write the text for this new sculpture.
Might need a bigger vat if you expect it to last through a typical Mei weekend in NYC.
I'm detecting some earthy tones with robust notes of barnyard livestock and a hint of boredom. This critic has a good set of taste buds: he was spot on in identifying the 2003 Massey in a blind taste test.
Rock does his best to summon up the same level of gravitas that he uses when weighing up the merits of Coke Zero versus Coke Cola Classic.
One more trophy than Rock's fencing cabinet.
The orderly rows of vines don't look quite this straight once one has finished sampling some of their delights.
With the perfect amount of sunshine and precipitation, the area is literally covered with competing vineyards, which makes differentiating your product somewhat problematic. So forget Google Adwords and fabricated Trip Advisor reviews, how about a goat that climbs up a tower to set your brand apart?
Mei compares tasting notes with Devan. "You're lame". "No, you're lame!". Enlightened stuff.
A convenient nap spot for those lacking the ability to discipline themselves to a few sips.
Looks like this fine Taihape Pinot has won a whole slew of medals, including 2012 Best Pairing with Gumboot Throwing.
Red Wine Gives You Wings (TM).
A bit of stretching will free up stomach space for more eating.
Cheese and Wine. Chocolate and Wine. Let's be honest here folks, Anything and Wine will do just fine.
The Duck for Two, highly recommended for happy couples everywhere. Nothing says romance like splitting the crispy duck skin.
It seems unfair that regions best suited to wine growing are also invariably spectacular. Like Victoria's Secret models, how come some get it all?
Leaving the vines behind takes some willpower, but the next destination beckons: the seaside town of Hermanus, whale watching capital of the world.
Boys with their toys on the prowl for whales. Turns out not much prowling is required, they're happily splashing around just off the porch. So much for the thrill of the chase.
Tonight's accommodation is an old whaler's hut that has seen a few minor modifications since the days of grizzled mariners swapping tales under the smokey haze of blubber lamps. Like a hot tub and pool for example.
Today's mission, should you choose to accept it (and you probably should, seeing as you've already paid for it) is to stare the most feared predator of the deep in the eyes and, preferably, live to tell the tale. Mei's strategy is simple - be the smallest morsel in the cage.
See that flimsy cage hanging off the back? In there is where it will be determined whether man really is the top of the food chain. Translation: it's where you go to wet yourself.
That's right, put on a brave face and make a joke about it. Since time immemorial those facing certain death have found comfort in gallows humor.
Enough of the stalling, let's bring on the beasts!
Where is John Williams and the London Symphony Orchestra when you need him? Cue the tuba!
Probably best to avoid paddleboarding in these waters.
Let the dive begin. The instructions are simple: get in cage, hold your breath, dive under water, and at the risk of stating the obvious, keep your limbs inside the cage. Because if you don't, it's a safe bet they won't be coming back in.
Watching Great Whites swim within a foot of your face is an indelible experience. Fear isn't the right word, it's more like awe at the sheer magnificence of such a mighty predator.
After an encounter like that, some relaxation is called for. Meanwhile, scientists finally find incontrovertible evidence of a hitherto unknown subspecies of shark, the Pasty White.
Watch out, these Bond girls aren't the pushovers they used to be. You know, feminism and all that.
The Big 6 minus 1. Oh well, losing one out of six to the sharks is acceptable odds.
In the battle of the apex predators, only one species has mastered the art of garnishing a meal with tomato sauce. Round one to the humans.
Another day, another expedition on the high seas. Today's target is a little more sedate though.
The mighty Southern Right whale return each year to the warm (say what? It sure wasn't warm in that darn cage) waters off Hermanus for calving.
Having filled enough barf bags for one trip, it's time to head back to the bright lights of Cape Town. Or more accurately, the towering Table Mountain that looms over the city.
What are you smiling about Rock? Their blog was basically done before you even got started.
The rare sight of Mei setting a table.
Fall in line soldiers, we've got a long march before the next Coke machine.
So this is what it's like to be taller than 5 foot 3?
Jared looks for the right place to plant the Lone Star and claim these lands for the great nation of Texas.
A rooftop bar with an Airstream trailer? Don't worry, after a few rounds seeing an RV perched on the roof of a Cape Town hotel will seem quite the norm.
You saw an RV on a roof? Sure you did mate, sounds like someone needs another pint.
No comments:
Post a Comment