Elre: Exploring the greater Cape Town (incl. Stellenbosch)

Hi there!

Welcome and thank you for stopping by.

If you have never read my blog before, allow me to introduce myself quickly. I am Elré, this is my blog. Go check out this page and this one for more juicy info.

Last week, on the 21st of November, I hit the big 3oh! I am super excited. It is a new decade and I can not wait to see what the next 10 years have in store. My friend came to visit me from Potchefstroom. She has not been to Cape Town a lot before and there was some place she wanted to see. She sent me a to-see-list and we hit the streets that weekend. I saw my surroundings through different eyes and we had a lot of fun!

On a wet, grey, cold Saturday morning we hit the road for Stellenbosch. First stop was Stellenbrau, a beer brewery. Now, I do not drink beer. Just so you know. Knowing that, I am game for trying out new things. I thoroughly enjoyed the brewery tour and our guide, Louis, was entertaining and made it very interesting. It is R70pp which is quite inexpensive and value for money. You get a tor, tasting and a glass of beer. The tasting went well for me I'd say. My face came to know a few new muscles as my face was contorted into shapes I did not know exist. But, I finished my glass and with a spinning head hit the road for Spier.

If you would like to find out more about the brewery, visit Stellenbrau's website*

Drinking beer makes you hungry, but before we stopped for lunch we headed out to Spier just outside of Stellenbosch. What a beautiful experience. I have been here before, but not really as "tourist" and really doing some of the activities available. You can taste some chocolate and wine pairings, or just wine. You can have a picnic which is pre packed and ordered online. They have markets over the weekend and the the Eagle Encounters*.

I heard of this the first time a few months ago. I was super excited to try this out. I have a thing for birds and why not? It's my birthday treat to myself. Now, your entry fee is R75 and this includes the "fly" shows during the day and owl interacting. To have a private interaction with the eagle cost you extra (about R50). I just had too.

I had a blast. The owls is just so freaking cute and if you play them some music they actually dance!I should have made a video.

After we spent some time here we headed down to the Eight to Go Deli to buy us some lunch. Man oh man! The food is great! And it is value for money. It is big sarmies filled with goodness and the treats is divine. They have the sweetest toffees, chocolate brownies and coffee. Hmm I want to go back again! Just for the fooood!

It is lovely under the trees, next to the river. There is wide open space where the kids can run free and families have a picnic on a blanket in the shade.

There is beautiful spots where you can take pictures and if you are no into the whole picnic thing you can go to the Eight Restaurant just next to the deli or The Hoghouse.

Pssst-they also have a spa and an hotel should you enjoy that wine tasting to much and want to make an overnight out of it ;) hehe. Check out the Spier website* for more in detail info.

We were paste after our day in Stellenbosch. So we ended with a braai and Sunday morning was our oyster.

First up was Kirstenbosch. As they say-The most beautiful garden in Africa. They are quite right I'd say. They recently added a new attraction called The Boomslang Walk Way which is above the trees and it is a beautiful site from the walkway. It also moves a bit which is suppose to give you that "sailing" feeling which just totally freaked me out. But none the less it was beautiful!

There is plenty of photo opportunists, lounging on the grass, 10's of walk routes and you can even climb Table Mountain from Kirstenbosch. For a cup of tea you can visit The Tea Room and if you want something more substantial for brunch or proper lunch there is a Moyo restaurant as well. You will also have heard that they have Summer concerts this time of year and it is spectacular!

I huffed and puffed quite a bit, but please don't tell anybody. I am planning on getting fit so that I can go climb Skeleton Gorge next time!

For more info on The Most Beautiful Garden in Africa-check out the website*.

We ended our weekend in Bo-Kaap in Cape Town. It is one of the oldest residential areas in Cape town and a historical part of the city. This area is protected and no alterations is allowed in this area. I love going here. The pretty color houses gives it a smartie box feel with a little playfulness in it. The people are friendly and it is different. There are guided walking tours offered which will tell you the rich history linked to this area.