One doesn't have to climb Table Mountain - there is a cable car

The adorable Cotswolds type curio shop at the top of Table Mountain

The Fynbos Ecosystem

Fynbos (pronounced Feinbos), meaning 'fine bush' in Afrikaans as leaves are thin, is found throughout the western Cape. Of the worlds six floral kingdoms this is the richest and smallest for it's area. Of the 9000 varieties found in the Cape, 6200 are endemic to the region.

The major fynbos plant families are Proteas, Ericas and Resticos, of which most seeds require fire to germinate. Other seeds are carried away by ants protecting them from the fire and deposited in the ants self-made fertile compost for germination. This symbiotic relationship is referred to as myrmecochory, which I still can't pronounce.

The most down to earth and practical appeal of these plants is that they are hardy and flowers can last up to 3 months.

Want to join me in a garden tour to this amazing part of our world?

Cape Town Waterfront

The best creme brulee.

Pink fluffy blankets supplied to all at The Greek Fishermen restaurant with Table Mountain in the background.
Coke celebrates 125 years with a coke-crate man in the center of the waterfront.

The working harbour

Statues of repute

Tax Refund Reminder.

While on vacation in South Africa, keep all receipts of your purchases. You are entitled to a tax refund on R250 or above. Prior to departure Tamsin and Cooke guides clients on how to process this refund before leaving the country.

The new comer to Cape Town's waterfront - The One and Only Hotel.

http://capetown.oneandonlyresorts.com

Just over a year old, we found the new One and Only in Cape Town a welcoming oasis of peace and tranquility in the middle of the lively waterfront district of Cape Town . Built where there was once a dry dock, the central villas and spa call an island home where the surrounding waterway goes all the way to the convention centre, while rooms in the main building have stunning views of the Table Mountain.

Yes - I still love Cape Grace and the V& A hotel but the One and Only is giving the competition a good run for their money.

Congratulations - another great hotel

Along the road to Plettenburg Bay through The Little Karoo

As our Afrikaans was not too good and we wanted to drive over the Tradouw pass in the middle of the Little Karoo we tried to tell 'Phyllis', our GPS, to take us there. After all, does Op en Tradouw mean Tradouw Pass or the town of Tradouw - but with no address it was too complicated and we gave up. Old fashioned maps seemed a much better solution.
Wendy and I had a wonderful day ambling wherever we wanted including a stop for roadside curried mutton pie. We included Montagu along our travels and could have spent the whole day there but went on to the Arabella winery and of course this scribe after several years away from the bush also had to stop for a troop of baboons.
With a day filled with no cares you can imagine our surprise when Phyllis, the irritating- know- it- all who can get it so wrong so often, announces 'arriving at destination on right' as we passed the Tradouw lookout pass. Maybe for the only time in her life - we placed her at the top of the class.

More on the climb up Table Mountain

Tamsyn & waterfall on Table Mountain

Tamsyn catching a refreshing drink off the mountain. We made it to the top! - Can't believe I am finally completing a bucket list dream On top of Table Mountain One of the views on the way up

We're not lost yet

Oh for some shade

'Mummy - How much further? ' Waiting for tha celebratory glass of wine

Two sisters stride ahead

Did we really mean to do this?

So where to now?

Rest time and we're not even half way

.The view over Cape Town from just a third of the way up .