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Mountains Adjoining Oldenburg Vineyard Stellenbosch, ZA February 13, 2025 |
I am gonna bore everyone one last time as I reflect on the trip to South Africa. So much happened in the 17 days that I know I have not covered all of the highlights in what I have already written. So much was omitted in the interest of keeping the story interesting and of course I have so many more images to share.
Ostrich
Cape of Good Hope, ZA
February 15, 2025
First off--I loved South Africa. The wine tour provided ma with a cross section of the Western Cape Province and then the safari provided some insight into the Gauteng (Johannesburg) and North West (Pilanesberg) Provinces.
What surprised me?
Agriculture! Yes, in addition to the grape vines of the Western Cape Province, the fields of corn, wheat, and other crops in the northern provinces were really astounding. They reminded me of the expansive crop folds of the U.S. midwest. We even saw fields of sunflowers!
Waves Crashing on the Cape of Good Hope
Cape of Good Hope, ZA
February 15, 2025
Abject poverty. There is a dark side to South Africa. An over 40 percent unemployment rate and the large townships of metal shacks that go one for miles where the unemployed live and die. I was told that it is possible to be born and live an entire life without ever leaving the townships. The government provides services, but seeing the townships reminded me that there is still much to do in South Africa and they are still overcoming their past.
Ships in Harbor
Kalk Bay, ZA
February 15, 2025
Photo by Mark Cronin
Stunning natural beauty. The mountains of both Western Cape and North West provinces provide a natural beauty and setting that is breathtaking. And then there is the coastline. The towns and villages along the coastline are every bit as beautiful as those along the U.S. Atlantic coast. And so, I guess you could say I was impressed with the diversity of the natural beauty from the ocean to the mountains, there always seemed to be something new to see and just enjoy.
Looking Back at Cape Town and Table Mountain
Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, Cape Town,
Western Cape, South Africa
From the Bus
February 16, 2025
Diversity. I know that diversity has become a bad word here in the U.S., but in South Africa that is how I would describe the people. And they seem to embrace diversity. There are, for instance, 12 official languages. Yup, 12! And they seem to be very OK with that. They are diverse and from diverse backgrounds--that is the model we used to have for the U.S., strength from diversity! Everyone is not the same, celebrate it.
Dessert
Springfontein Estate, Hermanus, ZA
February 17, 2025
People. We met the greatest people in every place we visited. They were friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and just fun to be around. Whether English was their first or third language, they were understandable and did not care that we didn't speak IsiZulu of Afrikaans, or one of the other 9 official languages. They accepted us and we enjoyed meeting them.
Protea Flower
Stellenbosch, ZA
February 17, 2025
Food. Wow! So the 10 day wine tour was accompanied by gourmet food--and it was. I enjoyed a widely diverse assortment of foods including antelope, seafood, and almost anything else imaginable. It was all enjoyable and, with only a couple exceptions, expertly prepared. There was a lamb dish that was so tough it could have been being prepared to be shoe leather.
Grapes
Glenwood Estate, Stellenbosch, ZA
February 18, 2025
Wines. How could I not mention the wines? This was one of my biggest misconceptions about South Africa. I knew of Pinotage, but I was not aware of the diversity of the wine industry in the country. They have all of the major varietals but are most proud of Pinotage and Chenin Blanc. And they do these wines very well. But, as we drove around Western Cape Province, the diversity of the wines became apparent and as we tasted over 100 different wines, I am pretty sure we got a fairly good cross-section of the quality--and it is excellent.
Impalas
Pilanesberg National Park, ZA
February 24, 2024
Animals. And of course there are the animals. While wine dominated the tour, the animals became the stars once we mourned to Pilanesberg National Park for the safari. What is not to love about the animals. They were also present during the wine tour especially as we toured the Cape of Good Hope region and saw so many animals right from the start.
And so here are a few images of the trip to just enjoy.
Rhino in the Grass
Pilanesberg National Park
February 24, 2025
Zebras at Night
Pilanesberg National Park
February 24, 2025
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Wildebeest at Night Pilanesberg National Park February 24, 2025 |
-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL