Spiers Winery, Stellenbosch, Cape

We had an absolutely fabulous day here at the Spiers Winery, in Stellenbosch.  Marek had booked a table for us for noon hour lunch. We barely made it on time, as distractions along the way made us pause here and there - stalls selling African artefacts, a cool inviting pond, a shop with more alluring art.  The art scene is alive and well, and not only by local South Africans but by immigrants who have made South Africa their home, from Zimbabwe or from further afield like Zambia and Nigeria.

A map with all the places to see at Spiers. It's interesting to see the vineyards in the  background, and how development has taken place over the years to become something more embracing. There are Spier Hotel rooms where one can spend the night, shops, restaurants, ponds to have a picnic, a wildlife forum - a river runs through it, a whole world of its own.

A barrel and a bottle.

Which one should I choose?

The elegant Spiers Shop.

Wishing we could buy up the shop.

Our luncheon date - the decor has pizazz. 

Appetizers - bread with balsamic/oil and salt.

Out on the gorgeous patio - totally booked up for lunch.

The kitchen, brand spanking metalic new.

In between meals, a refreshing butternut-lemon soup to clear the tastebuds. What an interesting idea.
I know lemon sorbet is a favourite, so this was a surprise.

Organic wine.

A vegan meal - quinoa with lightly sauteed vegetables, topped with parsley.

Our server, disarmingly friendly and fun, with a great big ready smile.  He said he had moved from Johannesburg with his Mom and they really like living here in the Stellenbosch region.

The best pudding already eaten up, and apparently always so.

Delightful wire work with red hearts, a very characteristic art form.

This chocolate dessert was definitely worth the calories.

A delectable dish for two.

Cape Dutch architecture.

Seals in Hout Bay

Again, the blustery south-easter - a very tangible reality at this time of the year in Cape Town. But it's warm and not a big deal.  Hout Bay is on the Atlantic side so the sea is cold. Everywhere you travel in this part of the world is incredibly beautiful. We hopscotched our way here, there and everywhere.  We cannot get enough of the beauty of the Cape, everywhere we turn to look - the sea or the mountains - we are absolutely in awe.

Blustery sea at Hout Bay.

Urban sprawl up the mountain.

Hullo South Africa! 

Stats indicate a 24% unemployment rate.

Karbonkelberg Table Mountain National Park. There are hikes up to the peak. Safety is an issue, so we did not hike anywhere per se.  However, others do and arm themselves with pepper spray and big, vicious dogs like the Doberman.  This is South Africa's reality. Sticking to the crowds is a good motto.
Is it time to do the Two Oceans Marathon?

The harbour area in Hout Bay is delightful.  These two have a business venture going which I imagine is lucrative for Mr Lover of Seals, and ensures that Slippery Flippers gets his meals every day. 

A great deal of talking goes on - prior to sharing a meal.

On land they look superb, but they are in their element in the water.
Up, down, in and out, loops this way and that - such powerful control.

Exquisite photos, Marek! 

Of course, the beauty of language is the accent - Mr Lover of Seals has a typical local accent, ask Marek to give you a demo and you will be in stitches.
 Slippery Flippers, yes, he is definitely listening.

No, I think you can give me a better deal than THAT!

It's the best I can do, if you don't like it, I am outta here.

Looks like they came to an amicable agreement.

iKhaya Coffee Bar and Art Shop. 

Blustery!

Shanty town in Hout Bay.

African Penguins in Simonstown

Despite a blowing south-easter which whips up the sand like acupuncture needles around your ankles, we braved the wind and settled on the beach at Simonstown. We soon moved off onto the rocks, the sun still out, hoping for a tanning session. Instead, we were mesmerized by a crowd of penguins who shot out of the water, and onto the rocks - also with the idea of a bit of tanning, though some were settling in for the night between the boulders. What was really fascinating was watching a few of them playing with the waves, hang loose and let the wave bring you in and then jet back out again like a rocket into the sea.  Hang loose, jet back, hang loose, jet back - are they fast! Cheetahs in the Magaliesburg, flowers at Kirstenbosch, African penguins in Simonstown, seals in Hout Bay - we've really struck gold this vacation.

A great multicultural crowd at the beach on Sunday.

Looking happy but feeling the prickle of wind blown sand whipping around me.

Cartwheels.

Strolling the rocks - great shot, Marek.

The wonder of seeing penguins up close.

Where did they all go?

More and more coming on shore, plump, healthy and beautiful. 

Burrowing for the night.
You look comfortable, but aren't you hitting the hay a bit early tonight?

The closer you get the more they don't seem to mind.

Here's the fun - swimming around, catching a wave, just before being tossed onto the sandy beach,
jet away like a rocket out to sea and catch another wave - guess it's penguin surfing.

Penguins, anyone?

Super new airport terminal in Cape Town

Having our luggage wrapped for security

Part of SAA's modern fleet - Boeing 737-800