Wineries and Table Mountain National Park

 Today we were warned of cold, rainy weather and conditions not conducive to views from Table Mountain. We had to try as Table Mountain is supposed to be the most important part of Cape Town. As we were there some of the clouds lifted enough to to get views. We started our day with a Covid-19 test because we fly to Victoria Falls.

The cable ride to the top of Cable Mtn is closed today because of wind, but we are still able to drive part way up for some views. It is Sunday and there are many people out hiking, biking and climbing the mountain all bundled up.  Our  first stop on Signal Hill of Table Mtn.


From Table Mountain we could see a huge soccer arena built when South Africa hosted the 2010 World Cup.  It is called the donut building.



  After some photos we drive through Bo-Kaap, a colorful Islamic community with many mosques.  This is where our tour guide purchases her spices and reminds me of my visit to Turkey. 




We met the last couple today, John and Dorothy from New York.  Tropical storm Ida came just as they were trying to fly out of JFK and their flight was canceled so had to drive back home carefully among many stalled  vehicles and wait for AMA to re-book their flight.  So far all really good people and small enough to get lots of attention and get to know everyone well.  

Cape Town was started as a port stop for sailors to get fresh fruit and vegetables so has always had an agricultural importance.  Wine was also an early endeavor.  There is an abundance of wineries in various elevations and climates to advantage different grapes.  One that I enjoy most from here is the Pinotage, a cross between Pinot Noir and Hermitage.  Stella Bosch is the principle town of the Cape Winelands and is a university town.  It is the second oldest settlement from 1679 with beautiful architecture of the Cape Dutch Gabled Style.

The first winery we visit is Waterford a state where we have a chocolate and wine pairing.  This winery was started as a fruit orchard and has many Clementine trees in front of the building.  They still grow some fruit but only the clementines are exported.






The next winery is Longridge Winery.  This Is a fully organic winery with lots of gardens vegetables that are used in the restaurant where we will have lunch.  The chef comes out to meet us at the end of our meal and answer any questions. The meal is based on and influence of the Islamic spices.










We also passed a winery that has zebras in the pasture.




Cape Grace Hotel has only been reopened one month from COVID closing in March of 2020. Tourism is just starting to come back to the city. We are the first tour group Delia has had in 18 months and she is very excited to see other guides, shop owners and friends that she hasn’t seen in so long.  There are beautiful exotic bouquets of flowers that are common here. Many are of the protein variety; King Protea and Pincushion Protea.



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