This morning we woke up relatively early, which not only gave us that quaint door on the way to breakfast, but also a wonderful natural spectacle: While the sun still hides behind the mountain peak, the morning fog crawls over the summit.

Since our boarding begins today at 5:15 PM and we also don’t want to be at the airport too early, we are looking for a stopover on the drive from Franschhoek to Cape Town.

Ever since I mistook the Afrikaans-speaking lady at the cashier in the Cape Town heritage museum for a Dutch woman 🙈, I’ve been curious about how this language actually originated. The Afrikaanse Taalmonument in Paarl, a monument to the Afrikaans language, is just the right place to find out.

The location itself is impressive. The 57-meter-high monument stands prominently on a hill, surrounded by a surprisingly large, well-maintained park with interesting vegetation (and a beautiful spot for chess-playing 🤩). From there, you get a fantastic view over Paarl and the surrounding winelands.

With an audio guide, we walk through the grounds and learn that Afrikaans is primarily based on Dutch, but is by no means simply the Dutch of the white settlers. Its origin tells quite a lot about the history of South Africa.

When the Dutch established a supply station at the Cape in the 17th century, people from very different backgrounds came together: European settlers, the Khoi and San who already lived at the Cape, and people who were brought to the Cape as slaves, primarily from Southeast Asia and other parts of Africa. In everyday contact, Dutch was modified, words from other languages were incorporated, and gradually Afrikaans evolved from that.

We have already encountered some traces of this on our journey without even knowing it. Kudu and Springbuck, for example. And even the somewhat quirky name Dikkop for a bird is Afrikaans and actually simply means “thickhead”. 😄

What I find particularly interesting is that the people who were taken from Southeast Asia also had a significant influence on the development of the language. Many of them were Muslims, and early religious texts in Afrikaans were even written in Arabic script.

All of this is explained in great detail through the audio guide and is also reflected in the architecture of the monument. Its various columns and arches represent the influences from Europe, Africa, and Asia that ultimately flowed together to create a common language.

The longer we listen, the more interesting we find it all. At some point, however, we also notice what we are not learning, and I use the airport Wi-Fi for further research. 🤓

Because the history of Afrikaans certainly does not end with its origin. In the 20th century, the language became increasingly a symbol of the white Afrikaners and eventually one of the languages of the apartheid state – that system which separated people by their skin color and denied basic rights to the black majority population.

In 1976, the government finally attempted to enforce that black schoolchildren had to learn certain subjects in Afrikaans. Thousands of students protested in Soweto against this. The police shot at the demonstrators, and numerous people died. The uprising became a significant turning point in the resistance against apartheid.

And now the time at which we stand here becomes particularly interesting: The Taalmonument was inaugurated in 1975 – right in the midst of apartheid and just one year before the Soweto uprising.

During the entire tour, we do not learn anything about this part of the history. This part of history is also not mentioned in our information sheets. At a monument that otherwise so thoroughly tells about the origins and significance of Afrikaans, we find this gap at least noteworthy.

Another thing catches our attention: For the first time on our trip, white South Africans are sitting here at the entrance and behind the museum cash register. After encountering almost exclusively black or “Coloured” staff in the tourist service sectors up until now, we now register this immediately. Whether this has any significance here, we certainly do not know. But we find it interesting that we even notice this.

Thus, a stopover that we originally intended just to avoid being too early at the airport unexpectedly turns into a pretty interesting encounter with the complicated history of South Africa.

And of course, we are still way too early at the airport. 😂✈️

But now really: The end. 🙈

We're taking it easy on our last day of vacation. We're taking the tram and bus to two wineries, enjoying a small tasting here and coffee and a brownie there. Afterwards, we'll stroll through Franschhoek again, browsing the little shops and galleries with all their inspiring art and crafts – I'd love to take so much of it home with me.

Or: Just lock me up for three months with my colors and my memories of Africa. 🎨😉

Perhaps I'll actually take some time at home to put some of these impressions down on paper or canvas. Or perhaps in the end it will "only" be a photo book. Although "only" is probably the wrong word after this trip.

It was certainly wonderful to slow down here. And it was a holiday for the senses: not just for the taste buds – although there was plenty on offer there too. 😉 There's the scent of the wilderness, which is almost impossible to describe. The sounds of the night. The incredible diversity of the landscapes, the colors, the light. Animals that suddenly appeared right in front of us, and people whose stories and encounters touched me deeply. And of course, all the little quirks along the way – one of which, "Katzenellenbogen Rd," will definitely be remembered. 😂

And perhaps it was precisely the writing that led me to perceive many things more consciously. I was a little worried beforehand that the blog might distract me from the actual travel. Quite the opposite was true: To write something down, I had to look more closely, think about it again, and put some things into proper context. As a result, I experienced this trip more intensely, not less.

And now, with this last entry, I'm also no longer afraid of forgetting all those little stories and impressions someday. ☺️

Tomorrow I'm heading home. But I'm bringing a little bit of Africa with me. 🌍

The drive out of Cape Town this morning feels oppressive again in parts. We pass by densely built, very impoverished-looking neighborhoods for kilometers. We feel almost relieved when the city is behind us and the landscape becomes more rural. Somehow, we expect to leave the visible poverty and stark contrasts behind as well.

Stellenbosch appeals to us immediately. A small, vibrant university town with cafés and restaurants, old trees, and beautiful, well-maintained houses. The university's botanical garden is small but remarkably pleasant, featuring tall palm trees and small bonsais, each labeled with its respective creator's name. And the theological faculty is a dream of a building.

Overall, Stellenbosch surprisingly feels very European. The architecture, the old houses, and the Dutch-sounding names – some could just as well be found somewhere in the Netherlands or Northern Germany.

In the local museum, we visit four houses from different periods of the 18th and 19th centuries. They were inhabited by wealthy Dutch and German families who held important positions in the city. The furniture, tableware, and decor differ little from what we know from European local museums or the cabinets of our grandparents and great-grandparents. In one of the houses, we see an upright piano, of which our guide claims only six exist in the world. In another room, there is a surprisingly modern shower by the standards of the time.

At the door of each house, we are greeted by a woman dressed as a domestic servant of that time, who leads us through the rooms. All are black South African women from Stellenbosch.

Something about it feels strange to me. We, white European tourists, are being shown the houses of the then white European upper class – by black women in the role of domestic staff.

One of them speaks English with an accent that I assume to be Dutch. I ask her if she is from the Netherlands. She looks at me in surprise. No, from Stellenbosch. I probably hear the influence of Afrikaans. The European history of this city clearly doesn't just reside in its houses.

When we later arrive in Franschhoek, we first see closely packed small houses on the mountainside that appear to be sliding down the slope from a distance. Then comes the Franschhoek from the travel guide: wineries, restaurants, galleries, well-kept historic houses, and guesthouses in front of a spectacular mountain backdrop.

Our guesthouse is also beautiful: an old, lovingly furnished house with a garden, complemented by a new building part that fits very well. We are delighted.

Later, I look at the place on the satellite image. And only now do I realize what we didn’t understand from the ground.

Franschhoek seems to consist of different worlds: generous properties and lots of greenery on one side, extremely densely built areas on the other. The “sliding down” houses from the entrance of the village are partly simple houses and informal dwellings, partly uniform small houses in more orderly structures that look like subsidized housing. Next to it lies the wealthy wine and tourist town, with some cultivation areas in between.

Clearly, we fell victim to a misconception this morning. What troubled us during the drive through Cape Town is not a phenomenon of the big city. Even smaller towns are divided into very different living environments – we hardly noticed that in the pretty center of Stellenbosch.

I start to read up on it. The numbers make the satellite image even clearer: In the last detailed census, around 17,500 people lived in the Franschhoek area – about 12,600 of them alone in the densely built-up settlement on the outskirts.

And as so often in South Africa, one quickly comes back to apartheid and its consequences. The former spatial segregation by skin color still shapes the cities today. The laws have been gone for more than 30 years, but their effects remain.

In the densely built areas, mostly black and Coloured South Africans live. Many work in agriculture, at the wineries, in restaurants, hotels, and guesthouses, or in private households – thus also in that world that makes Franschhoek so beautiful for visitors.

Tourism creates jobs and income, but also makes housing more desirable and expensive. Houses become guesthouses and vacation properties, while living in the attractive areas is hardly affordable for people with low and sometimes even middle incomes.

And suddenly I think of a meeting from the morning.

When we began our visit in Stellenbosch at Aunt Sophie’s café, the staff asked us if we were here for the first time and where we were going next.

“Franschhoek.”

“That’s far,” she said. Then she looked at us: “You are rich guys.”

We were taken aback. Franschhoek is over 30 kilometers away. For us, a short drive. But she didn’t say it jokingly. It sounded heavy.

Maybe she meant something entirely different than kilometers.

Some distances apparently cannot be measured in kilometers.

And while I’m still pondering this and getting a bit lost in thought, it’s time for dinner.

They have a “Winter Special” from May to August. With a snowflake. ❄️😂

You can’t understand everything in one afternoon. 🙈

He comments that actually "everyone" from Zimbabwe is here. It's easy to enter the country; you just need a passport, and the prospects are promising. He initially had a shop and employed locals. However, he had bad experiences with them: they were unreliable, often didn’t show up for work, and never came in on weekends. His explanation for this is rather sweeping: they were not socialized in a proper manner and weren’t ready to work. That is why no one wants to hire them.

Still, he is convinced that everyone has a chance here. He hasn’t lost hope for Zimbabwe either. He believes that the situation there will change someday; he just might not live to see it.

Upon reaching the Waterfront, Cape Town looks completely different again. It is lovely here and even on a winter day with drizzle, it’s quite busy. However, due to the weather, we can’t see Table Mountain. We wander around for a while before heading to the ferry terminal for Robben Island.

It’s been nearly 40 years since “Free Mandela!” was written on my tote bag and I boycotted South African grapes. Such gestures suddenly seem so small compared to what symbolically happened on Robben Island.

We walk through the former prison, past the double fences. Then our guide begins to speak – and it quickly becomes clear that this is not just a story he learned at some point.

He was incarcerated here in 1986 at the age of 19.

He recounts the conditions in the prison and how the incarceration conditions for political prisoners gradually improved.

While he holds up a board listing the food rations, which clearly shows that black inmates received even less than the other prisoners, he allows us to take his picture, even encouraging it.

They tried to stay physically and mentally healthy. They knew what they were there for: for a great cause, for the liberation of black South Africans in their own country.

“Freedom is essential for the human psyche.”

When outer freedom is taken away, one must strive to remain free internally. They supported each other and learned from one another – among them were teachers, lawyers, doctors, and people with a host of different experiences from across the country. The prison bizarrely became a place for exchanging knowledge and experiences. This also helped them to stay mentally healthy.

I ask him when he decided to return to this place and do exactly what he is doing today.

He hesitates.

He was very young when he went to prison and in his mid-twenties when he was released. For a short time, they received some support, but never real compensation. He didn’t even have money for a tube of toothpaste.

The job here in the former prison was very difficult for him at first. Even today, there are days when it’s not easy for him to be here.

But he knows why he does it.

He wants to tell stories. To as many people as possible. So that we listen and carry the messages forward.

Because actually, he states, it’s not just about having no separate facilities for black and white people. It’s about something much more fundamental: about meeting each other with humanity.

What educated and intelligent people do to one another, wild animals would never do.

I recall our animal encounters from the past few days and am so moved that a few tears silently run down my cheeks.

Sometimes his explanations sound almost like those of a preacher – not in a pompous way, but because they so evidently come from the heart. Time and again, it all comes down to the same thing:

Humanity.

The tour ends with a view of the prison yard and the cell where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years. It is suffocating.

Back on the mainland, we want to see a little more of Cape Town and walk through the rain towards the city center. Passing by the financial district, the way to our first destination, Bo-Kaap, seems endless.

The noticeable amount of security is striking. Men and women in yellow vests seem to be everywhere. Eventually, we ask one of them for the best way and learn that the security personnel are not actually responsible for the buildings they stand in front of.

“For the public,” he explains. “To prevent crime.”

We encountered some signs labeled “Crime Hotspot” during our journey yesterday.

It’s still raining, and it’s getting dark. So we give up our city tour on foot and call for a taxi again. This time, a young Kenyan drives us past the main attractions in the city center as per our request. He, too, has left his home country. Although he has been here for ten years, he only knows three other Kenyans.

Bo-Kaap is as colorful as in the postcards, but surprisingly lifeless – despite the many parked and passing cars. Perhaps it feels different in summer. We can only take photos through a narrow gap in the car window. “For security reasons.” 😬

Between modern buildings, beautiful historical structures occasionally appear, but we do not discover a center that we’d like to wander through for hours right now.

Perhaps that’s not even necessary today.

Our strongest impression of Cape Town on this day is not a building or a sight.

It’s the people and their stories.

And tomorrow, we will leave the city again and head to the Winelands – another accommodation and likely another entirely different side of South Africa.

On land, their somewhat awkward waddling gait makes them seem as if evolution could have tweaked their locomotion a bit more. But legs are overrated anyway – as the rock hyraxes at Boulders Beach demonstrate. 😎

I'm reminded of Eckart von Hirschhausen, who uses penguins in one of his stories about happiness as an example of how crucial the right environment is: On land, a penguin seems slow, clumsy, and somehow out of place. But as soon as it gets into the water, the little waddling bird transforms into an elegant, incredibly fast swimmer.

The underlying message is roughly: Maybe there's nothing wrong with you – maybe you're just not in your element right now. 🙄

And then there's this traffic sign: "UNDER YOUR CAR?" 😂 Apparently, before driving off, you not only need to look in the rearview mirror, but also under the car.

The fact that we then drive to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope and experience the spectacular Chapman's Peak Drive almost becomes a side issue for me.

It's just so hard to beat penguins. 😉

Due to space constraints, I'd only packed eyeliner and mascara. Unfortunately, the eyeliner tube wouldn't twist up any further. Surely there was still some product left inside! So I simply broke it, and sure enough, about three millimeters of it appeared. However, my attempt to use this precious piece with tweezers ended with it falling onto the brown patterned carpet and disappearing forever. 🙈 With the remaining bits on the tweezers and a little mascara, I at least managed to elicit a comment: "Oh yeah, you look completely different!" 😂

Since we needed a few things anyway, we then drove to a supermarket – and found it almost worth seeing. Huge mountains of avocados, oranges, sweet potatoes and pumpkins, an entire wall full of eggs, spices and other groceries for self-service filling, and in between, beautiful bouquets of proteas and other South African flowers.

I wander through the aisles in awe, photographing mountains of vegetables. Apparently, I've reached the point in our trip where I'm not only fascinated by elephants and lions, but also by avocados and eggs. 😂

As we pass the pharmacy, we decide to buy a bottle of nasal spray. Since it seems that only seawater spray is available in the front section of the pharmacy, I ask at the slightly formal-looking counter in the back. The lady retrieves the appropriate product, then asks for my first and last name as well as my date of birth. She then packages the spray in a neutral bag, labels it with my information, and places the package in a small metal cage that could also be used to take a guinea pig to the vet, securing it with a cable tie.

Now I have to walk about four meters to the actual checkout, where everything is unpacked and I can pay for the product.

Different countries, different customs... 😂

Our enthusiasm for the city is somewhat dampened as we drive toward our accommodation. We pass by townships and informal settlements for a long time. Entire streets consist of poor and broken shacks, and garbage piles up in large areas. We see only black South Africans there. At the intersections, people try to sell tomatoes or drinks to those waiting in their cars.

It makes me sad, and after a short impulse to capture this impression with my camera, I let my phone drop again. I feel voyeuristic. The footage from the airplane is enough.

When we arrive at our accommodation after about 20 kilometers, the area looks solid. Around the corner, we find a restaurant with an appealing menu. The atmosphere is vibrant, and it’s well attended. The fact that you can basically distinguish staff and guests by skin color still irritates me. Apartheid has been history for over 30 years—but its effects are clearly not yet a thing of the past.

In the lodge, we are greeted by the porter dressed warmly, as it is winter here in July and August, and the entrance area is correspondingly cool. After days in a tent and nighttime temperatures around 10 degrees, I’m already afraid that I will be cold in Africa for a long time.

But when he opens our room door, I can already hear the heating humming.

And the best part we discover only later:

The bed has a mattress heater. 🤩

So many questions, but just an imaginary labyrinth of hopes, dreams, and possibilities that will offer and provide opportunities and hopefully proper answers:

Where will my journey lead me?

What kind of people will I meet?

How will this trip change my perspective as an English teacher?

How does African English sound?

….still curious, waiting to see the real me breaking out of a box that has shaped my daily routine for the last month and a few days.
Freely flying like a free bird with wings larger than mine, across clouds and borders, and finally reaching the sun. :)

Day 141: Port Elizabeth

Again today, a warning about crime, so only a short walk near the port.

Here too, we wait for about 3 hours in thick fog until we can dock at the Cruise Terminal in Cape Town, entertained by orcas and penguins.
Cape Town, one of the largest cities in South Africa, the capital of the Western Cape province, and one of South Africa's three capitals (seat of Parliament), with the dominating Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront among many other attractions.
Given that this is our third time in Cape Town in a shorter span, we limit our activities to Canal Quays and the V&A Waterfront, on foot.
At 22:30 we head to Namibia.

After waiting for 3 1/2 hours in dense fog (port closed, docking not possible), we are in Port Elizabeth, or Gqeberha as the city has been known since February 2021. With around 315,000 inhabitants, Port Elizabeth is the largest city in the Eastern Cape province, featuring a large commercial port and a hub of significant automobile production (VW, Isuzu, FAW) with ships that can load 7,000 vehicles at once.
Port Elizabeth is home to the San and Khoi-Khoi indigenous peoples and serves as a gateway for visits to wildlife parks, particularly known for its beautiful beaches.
We are visiting Algoa Bay and the surrounding Nelson Mandela Bay, the Bayworld.

After another 3 days at sea, we reach Durban, on the east coast of South Africa by the Indian Ocean.
The province of KwaZulu Natal, Zulu Land (80% of the population are Zulu), with its capital Durban, is a very fertile area (about 1000mm of rain per year), primarily growing sugarcane and producing around 2.5 million tons of sugar per year.
Durban, with around 3.5 million inhabitants, is the third-largest city in South Africa but has the largest and busiest port.
We explore the area along the Dolphin Coast, known as the 'Golden Miles', featuring beautiful beaches protected by shark nets north of the city, leading to Ballito Beach, a modern resort with many new star hotels, numerous golf courses, and resorts.
We visit Thomson's Bay with its 50m tidal pool, the upscale suburb of Umhlanga, and Shaka's Rock Beach and Park, and enjoy the view from Currie Hill.

We decide to play golf in Simonstown again; the course is still not in better condition, but we know the pitfalls by now and it is not so terribly windy today.

John at the pro shop asks us every time if we have our own clubs and generally finds golfers stupid. A funny guy who also serves at the bar.

Today is much warmer and we can finally sit outside in the evening and admire the fantastic starry sky.

Tuesday, our last day in Simons Town.

We spend it by the pool, at the beach with wonderful waves… some people's toupees fly away😂 I first thought someone was putting seaweed on their head😬

In the afternoon there is one last coffee at the deli with delicious chocolate croissants.

In the evening we go to eat at Dixies. This place seems to be an institution here. No matter what time of day you pass by, it is always packed.

You can bring your own wine, like in almost every pub here, and even get a cooler and ice.

We leave with about 30 Euros for 2 large steaks... unimaginable for us.

In the evening, we see a few orcas in the bay from our terrace. Unusual for this time of year, but climate change is also felt here.

Wednesday, today we move to Somerset West.

I jump into the sea again in the morning; the mood is simply wonderful.

Since we can only check in at 1 PM, we decide to do a little wine tasting at Ken Forrester.

A cute little winery, and the cheese platter is a poem.

The grape harvest is currently in full swing here.

The new accommodation is simply wow 🤩

It’s just a room, but all the windows can be opened, so the name “Pool Villa” is more than justified. Danielle welcomes us warmly, and then we go shopping for the last days and take a detour to

the harbor of Gordons Bay. Jürgen has been here with his father, and we toast to him.

On Thursday we drive along the

Whale Coast Route to the east.

We have nice weather until Rooi Els, then it gets cloudy and starts to rain.

In Betty’s Bay, we go to the penguin colony at Stony Point.

We then drive back towards Somerset over the Sir Lowry's Pass since the weather is not really cooperating. We make a quick detour to Lourensford Wine Estate.

A very pretty winery where there is always a food market on the weekends.

Since we still want ice cream, we drive to Marcel’s Frozen Yoghurts at the beach. Unfortunately, they don’t have the delicious chocolate soft serve😳

Today there is a fantastic sunset by the pool.

It is noticeably warmer here than in Simonstown.

Friday is golf day with Peter and Gill.

Gill reserved a tee time for us in Kuilsrivier. We start shortly after 8 AM.

Gill brought his son as support.

We have a lot of fun again, and although it’s only 11 AM at half-time, there is of course Boerewors... or something similar.

After 18 holes we have a drink and plan to meet up again next year with our new golf buddies.

On Saturday we drive again towards Bloubergstrand and Sunshine Beach.

And make the round through Durbanville, De Grendel Winery

and Stellenbosch perfectly. In the best weather, we spend the rest of the day by the pool.

In the evening we dine lavishly at Henry's. Ostrich steak and fillet, and we leave again for 40 €.

On Sunday we take another short detour to Uva Mira Mountain Vineyards. A small winery with a great view over False Bay and into the mountains.

Where we started, we also end our vacation... with a glass of wine at Spier Winery.

We spend the rest of the day at the pool in mixed weather.

The suitcases are packed, and tomorrow we are heading home via Joburg.

Apart from the fact that I had to work for 3 weeks during our trip, we had wonderful days. The weather did not always cooperate, but considering the temperature in Germany, we cannot complain. We have met nice people again, and the friendliness here is amazing. For us, life here is more than affordable, which makes it fun to go out. We swam a lot in the sea, which we did not expect due to sharks. But if the locals have no concerns at all and there are plenty of snorkelers and divers in the water, that should speak for itself. We discovered beautiful places and beaches again, played great golf courses, enjoyed good wine and food, so we are already planning for 2027 to escape the winter.

The second week of vacation starts with rain and gray skies.

So we lounge around drinking coffee, shopping in Simon’s Town.

In the afternoon, the sky clears up again, allowing us to at least take a walk by the sea.

Tuesday is supposed to have better weather in Cape Town, so we booked a green fee at the Rondebosch Golf Club.

We play with a Korean and a German. The German gives us the impression that he’s enjoying a good life here on German social welfare… the course is okay, but all the highways from Cape Town run around the course, making it very loud, and the river running through the course is more of a sewer. Thick clouds are again hanging over the Cape.

Wednesday sees the weather improve again, allowing us to take our daily swim in the sea. Even Jürgen is quick to get in the water here, something I’ve never seen before. In the evening, we go out to eat at Cape Point Vineyards.

The weather isn't particularly nice and it starts raining again.

Thursday is a total washout weather-wise, and Friday also sees rain, cloudiness and cool temperatures. However, in the evening, there's live music at the Country Club, where we go one last time. It's a lot of fun, and we keep seeing the same familiar faces 😊

Finally, Saturday brings better weather. Today, on Valentine’s Day, we have a picnic booked at Spier Winery.

The temperatures are nice and we dine on a meadow by the brook. It's always lovely here, and despite the many people, it doesn't feel crowded.

In the afternoon, we go back to the sea. The waves are so high today that they knock us over a few times. The wind is extremely strong today.

On Sunday, we are finally awakened by the sun ☀️

Again, fantastic waves at our beach house.

In the evening, we go one last time to Kommetjie for the sundowner. Chilly water and a stunning sunset to cap off a lovely day.

Tonight, we can even sit outside. It's the first time it's warm enough in the evening for that.

Our plan is to visit the Two Oceans Aquarium.

The Two Oceans Aquarium is located at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. The aquarium is named after its location, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet.

There is a section with penguins where we arrive just in time for feeding.

Everything else in terms of underwater beauty is presented very well. Jellyfish, sharks (they look as mean as they are; I wouldn't want to encounter them in the ocean), there's a ray feeding, sea turtles, colorful fish, Nemos, etc. Our tip: definitely visit if you're in Cape Town.

Through the Watershed, where high-quality crafts are sold, we continue to “The Cape Wheel”, the Ferris wheel with air-conditioned cabins.

From here, there is a fantastic view of Cape Town, the sea, Robben Island, and Table Mountain.

A highlight is a frozen yogurt from Marcel's... so delicious. A day like a children's birthday party 😊

Finally, we drive to the colorful neighborhood of Bo Kaap, a district of Cape Town with characteristic pastel-colored houses.

Bo-Kaap is known for its colorful houses and cobblestone streets. The district is traditionally multicultural, with 56.9% of the population identifying as Muslims. According to the South African Heritage Resources Agency, this area has the highest concentration of pre-1850 architecture in South Africa and is the oldest preserved residential area in Cape Town.

We return via Camps Bay and Hout Bay. However, the weather isn't very nice, so we head home.

On Tuesday we plan to go to the Cape Point Ostrich Farm.

The ostriches are quite funny, and you wonder why they don't get through the fence, which wouldn't really be a problem.

In the shop, there are many tourists buying ostrich eggs or leather goods.

The ostrich leather is really beautiful but also very expensive. In Kommetjie, the sky clears up a bit, allowing us to take a beach walk.

There's really not much going on here during the week.

Next, we head to Imhoff Farm.

The Imhoff Farm in Kommetjie (Cape Town) is a historical farm from 1743 that has become a popular destination with a mix of gastronomy, crafts, and family-friendly activities. There are many small shops with crafts and fashion.

At the Blue Water Café, overlooking the Atlantic and Hout Bay, there's coffee and cake for Jürgen.

In the evening, there's the daily jump into the sea in the crystal-clear water.

The next morning, we have a visit from a monkey. It suddenly sits in front of our terrace door and would like to come in. With a lot of noise, we manage to scare it away 🐒🐒🐒

The weather is so-so today, and we head over to Muizenberg.

Muizenberg Beach is a coastal town on False Bay, particularly known for its iconic colorful beach huts.

These Victorian 'bathing boxes' from the 1800s are one of the most photographed sights in Cape Town. Originally, they served as discreet changing cabins, and they are always nice to look at.

Surfing is considered the main activity here since the beach is very flat and long.

Due to False Bay's reputation for its white sharks, professional “shark spotters” monitor the water year-round using a flag system to warn bathers.

In the afternoon, we play a round of golf in Simon's Town and jump into the sea with super high waves today.

On Friday we play at the Kuilsrivier Golf Club.

We play with

Gill and Peter, two very nice South Africans, and it will be very relaxed and fun.

At halftime, you call the snack bar here and order the food.

In this case, Gill invites us for a

Boerewors.

Boerewors is a traditional South African sausage known for its high meat content, characteristic spices (especially coriander), and continuous spiral shape. It's a staple of South African cuisine and is usually prepared on a braai (grill).

We arrange to meet the guys for another round of golf in Durbanville.

Saturday is for shopping, drinking coffee in Simon's Town,

souvenirs bought.

There’s a cute shop here where everything is handmade, and you can hear the sewing machines rattling in the store.

Tari Designs -

Every design you purchase from an independent woman not only has a significant impact on the individual but also on families and communities.

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We drive over the mountains to Scarborough,

a side road with great views of Simon's Town, which we hadn't noticed before. In the evening, we have a delicious picnic on the beach in Kommetjie. For a Saturday, the beach is quite empty and, as always, very atmospheric.

Sunday is pool and sea day again with quite a bit of wind and waves.

Happy Birthday Carlo!!! 28 years 🥂

In the evening, we go out for dinner in town, and there’s supposed to be live music.

The Hickory Shack Simons Town

Unfortunately, the food is the worst we've had so far in ZA. What a shame.

The lunch break is sweetened with a jump into the sea at our favorite beach.

On Tuesday evening, we drive to the beach in Kommetjie for a sunset drink and watch the surfers and the gigantic waves. It's a magical place.

On Wednesday evening, we go for a short round of golf at the course around the corner. The wind is so strong that the balls stay suspended in the air. It's still fun.

My last workday, and on our terrace, we have visitors from baboons.

There is a group of baboons that roam around Cape Town, always watched by a few volunteers ensuring nothing happens to the monkeys.

Our vacation starts with a trip to the Cape.

We start early, and since it's not very far from Simon's Town to the Cape, we go already. At 9:30 AM, we enter the national park. The first way leads to the Cape of Good Hope, where you don't have to stand in line at this time of day. Next, we continue to the Old Cape Point Lighthouse.

Here you can take a funicular up, but we decide to walk up the quite many steps.

Up here, you have a fantastic view of the Cape.

A common misconception is that the Cape of Good Hope is the southernmost tip of Africa. This misunderstanding is based on the assumption that the Cape marks the boundary between the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans. In reality, the southernmost point of Africa is actually Cape Agulhas, about 150 kilometers (90 miles) east-southeast . [ 1 ] The ocean currents of both oceans meet there, where the warm Agulhas Current meets the cold Benguela Current and turns around. This meeting point varies between Cape Agulhas and Cape Point (about 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) east of the Cape of Good Hope).

We were already at Cape Agulhas last year.

The souvenir shop up here is larger than expected and we find some nice items.

We linger a bit with a coffee and ice cream while enjoying this incredible view.

It is also slowly getting more crowded, and the parking lot is already full of buses.

From the coffee shop, we saw a beach that we are now heading to. Buffels Beach, a secluded beach with a tidal pool that we will jump into first. It's always good to have swimwear with you.

Next, we head to Platboom Beach. These colors, the turquoise of the sea, the blue of the sky, and the white sand are always a wonder.

After leaving the national park, we make a stop at Miller's Point. Here there is a small beach between the rocks, which look like large marbles, and also a tidal pool.

In the evening, we stop by the Country Club, where there is live music again. This time not as good as the first time, but still fun, as the same people are always there.

On Saturday, we explore the wineries at the Cape, the Constantia Valley Wine Route.

We start at Beau Constantia.

From here, you have a nice view over the valley, and even the bathrooms have a view. (Boo View)

An architecturally beautiful winery. Next, we go to Constantia Glen.

A more traditional winery.

The view is not quite as beautiful as at the first winery. Next, we head to Klein Constantia. Here there is a wine cellar and a bistro without a view, but no park.

At Buitenverwachting, it is crowded today, with crowds having picnics and a fair amount of noise. But during the week it must be very nice.

At Steenberg Vineyard, we enjoy a glass of rosé with a view of the garden and a water basin.

On Sundays, we play a round of golf at the Parow Golf Club.

Occasionally, you have a view of Table Mountain; otherwise, it's rather hot and dusty. In the afternoon, we stop for coffee at the deli in Simonstown.

It's really nice to sit here and watch the hustle and bustle. Somehow we already feel quite at home here.

On Sunday, we are heading towards Stellenbosch, to the Blaauwklippen Winery.

There is always a food market there on Sundays. It's only 65 km from here, but it takes 1.5 hours to get there.

The food market with live music is quite nice, but we decide to return to the Spier Winery instead.

We simply like it best here.

Along the False Bay, once again fantastic colors.

In the evening, I finally jump into the sea.

Fishermen's Beach is practically around the corner, and according to our landlord, there are no dangerous sharks here. They are supposedly eaten by the orcas, but they only consume the sharks' livers. Apparently, there are still groups of orcas off the Cape.

The water here is 6 degrees warmer than on the other side of the Cape, so it's very pleasant and super clear. However, it’s still too cold for Jürgen.

Unfortunately, this week there is a lot of work waiting for me, and aside from a walk to Windmill Beach, there isn't much time this week.

However, it is extremely stormy these days, and on Thursday it even rains. In the evening, we are going to Cape Point Vineyards for the Thursday food market despite the mediocre weather.

However, it is quite crowded, and the grass is still wet, so after eating we head back home. On Friday, we have golf tee time at the Belleville Golf Club. We play a fun 18-hole round with Ingrid from Sweden and Bill from Ireland.

Originally, we wanted to go to the country club today, but returning through Cape Town has quite a lot of traffic, and it gets too late.

On Saturday morning, we head to Kalk Bay. It's already chaotic there in the morning. Kalk Bay is a nice little place but quite overcrowded.

On the way back, we make a stop in Simon's Town.

Here it is quieter, and after having coffee at the deli, we spend the day by the pool and go swimming in the sea in the evening. Hey, Jürgen is going into the sea!!!

In the evening, we spot a whale from our terrace 🐳

On Sunday, we are going to check out optional accommodations in Gordons Bay and Somerset West.

On the way back, we are stuck in traffic in Kalk Bay again. It's chaos here on the weekends. Again, a wonderful day with great weather. Tomorrow begins my last work week, and then I'll soon be on vacation.

Today we are heading to South Africa for 6.5 weeks.

Carlo drives us to the airport in Cologne, and our flight to Munich starts almost on time.

We were informed that the flight is overbooked and that we could fly tomorrow for €600 compensation per person. We would have done that, but unfortunately tomorrow is also overbooked, so after de-icing the plane, we depart to Capetown with a 1-hour delay.

The table on the plane is faulty, the seat cannot be adjusted, but after several reset attempts, the seat works and there is duct tape for the table.

The night was good, and we land in Capetown around 8 AM local time.

Since we booked a hotel in Capetown for the first night and can only check in at 2 PM, we first stop by our favorite winery, Spier, for a welcome drink.

After checking in at the old Foundery in Capetown, we take a stroll to the Waterfront and have something to eat and drink while enjoying the ever-fascinating cloud play at Table Mountain.

Tonight, we are going to bed early.

After a fantastic breakfast

we drive towards Simon's Town to our accommodation for the next 5 weeks. Since we are a bit early, we make a quick detour to Kommetjie.

A really cute place with a dreamy beach and great atmosphere. After coffee at the village café, we head to our accommodation.

The accommodation looks better than in the photos, and Neville and Isaac welcome us.

So first we unpack, and then go shopping for the essentials.

In the evening, we put some things on the grill and enjoy the view from the terrace.

A bushfire is getting closer, and it smells quite burnt. At this time of year, there are fires everywhere around here.

The first sunrise from bed, and the weather is delightful with a little less wind than yesterday.

We are heading back to Kommetjie today and taking a beach walk along the turquoise sea. It’s beautiful here.

A few more purchases, a short stroll by the sea, and the day is already over.

For me, the work week starts today, and for Jürgen, it’s vacation.

That means I will work after sports and breakfast. Thank goodness the connection seems to be stable, and I can work well in my workplace. 😬

Neville has set up a workspace for me with a view of the sea.

In the evening, we go to Simonstown to see what the town has to offer.

The shops somehow all close at 5 PM, making it rather quiet.

The formerly independent town was named after the Cape Governor Simon van der Stel, who recognized in 1687 that False Bay could be an ideal anchorage for the Dutch fleet during the winter months.

Even the Dutch have worked remotely😂

Water's Edge Beach is the first and fantastic beach we visit.

There’s also plenty of sun in the evening, which we don’t have in our apartment at that time.

Here we see dassies, a type of rock hyrax also known as hyrax.

Our first evening round on the golf course in Simonstown.

It is the oldest course in South Africa, and unfortunately looks like it due to the heat.

The view is fantastic, and we are alone on the course, which is good since the holes crisscross each other.

Still, it was fun, and since it only costs a reasonable €16 for 2 people for 9 holes, we will do it again.

Finally Friday and we are free, and we drive north to Blouberg and Durbanville.

The beach in Blouberg has a unique view of Table Mountain, but it is very, very windy here.

Therefore, it’s full of kiters. The coastline is not very pretty due to many high-rises, but if you live there, you have the best view ever.

Next, we head to Melkbosstrand. Named after the euphorbia plants (Euphorbiaceae) that grow on the dunes and secrete a milky, latex-like substance, the town is commonly just called Melkbos. The city and its seven-kilometer long white sandy beach lie on the Atlantic coast, east of Blouberg Mountain.

It’s also very windy here.

We continue inland to the Durbanville Hills.

A winery with a view over Capetown. It’s very nice here, and we enjoy a drink under the olive trees.

Then we head back to Simon's Town.

Tonight we want to visit the Golf Country Club; there is live music and unfortunately bad food.

The music is great, people are dancing, and the evening is very fun.

Everything starts very early here, and in the evening it also ends early.

On Saturday, we drive to the Cape Point Vineyards, a winery with a view of the long beach of Noordhoek.

Every Thursday, there’s a food market that we want to check out next week.

In the afternoon, we finally walk to see my friends, the penguins.

We walk about 2.5 km over the golf course. So cute and unfortunately endangered.

The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) belongs to the namesake genus within the family of penguins (Spheniscidae). They are the only penguins currently living in the wild in Africa and are endangered.[1]

Mid-December 2025

To conclude our journey, we have returned to Cape Town. This time we are staying in the bustling De Waterkant, a lovely residential area and an excellent starting point for our tours.
And we were lucky to see the new exhibition of Steven Cohen | Long Life at the Iziko Gallery – an absolute highlight!

• The exhibition of Steven Cohen at the Iziko South African National Gallery runs from December 11, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
  Absolutely worth seeing!

• The Bilton Class with Greg and Lindie is authentic and very interesting. In their cozy living room, there's everything you need to know about Biltong and how Biltong Sticks are prepared. Greg is a true Biltong master. On Insta: Southie’s Bilton Sticks

• SCAR - Good Hair For Bad People. Of course, we were back with Tammy and are always mega impressed! On Insta: Tammy Berman

• This year's absolute favorite is our new discovery Willougby’s: here you can find the best sushi in town and a huge selection of seafood and Japanese specialties. The menu is mega long ….

• Right in De Waterkant, there are very good restaurants: the Curry Club, Libertino, and RIVA are excellent addresses.

• Everything for breakfast and snacks is available nearby at the Spar in Cape Town Quarter.

Beginning of December 2025

Long planned and finally arrived - in Scarborough - 20 kilometers north of the Cape of Good Hope. Located directly next to the National Park: with great beaches, surfers, and kitesurfers at Mysty Cliff and a totally relaxed village vibe.

Surfers and kitesurfers can be well observed at Scarborough Beach or Mysty Cliff.

Wonderful restaurants include SOPRA, Camel Rock, The Village Hub, and of course the Whole Earth Cafe.

Art exhibitions every Saturday at Camel Rock or in December the Deep South Community Art Exhibition at the Community Centre.

Excursion to the Cape: a 20-minute drive and almost the first one there!

End of November 2025

Stellenbosch is always worth a visit. At the heart of the wine region, this time the tours will head to Somerset West - Vergelegen Wine Estate. And Franschhoek - for the unforgettable Cap Classique Champagne Festival, an absolute top recommendation!

• The Capitec Cap Classique & Champagne Festival at the Huguenot Monument in Franschhoek is an absolute must. All prestigious estates are represented. This year's dress code: white, blue, and red.
  
  
• The Vergelegen Wine Estate was a pleasant surprise. The gardens are impressive and the restaurant is very good.
  
  
• A wonderful new discovery for us is the Waterford Wine Estate. Rose Marie and the Shiraz are absolutely convincing. The SALT restaurant is one of my favorite restaurants in South Africa.
  
  
• Peter Falke Wine Estate lives up to its name. Instead of socks, there are wonderful wines in a very private atmosphere.
  
  
• Of course, we also visited Rust En Vrede for the winemaker lunch and had a top steak at The Fat Butcher. The milk tart for dessert is now almost obligatory.
  
  
• At The Boer&Butcher you can buy biltong of excellent quality. And for grilling, there are Boerewors in various types.
  
  
• On Black Friday, the Sommerset Mall is worth a visit. Everything is on one level, easy to navigate, and truly good shops.
  
  
• In the wine region, all destinations are easily reachable by UBER , very practical.

End of November 2025

On the way from Riebeek-Kasteel to Stellenbosch, we made a stop at the The Afrikaans Language Monument & Museum. Located fantastically on a mountain south of Paarl, the area offers a view all the way to Table Mountain in Cape Town on a clear day.

The monument is impressive: artist Van Wijk created a structure of various tapering convex and concave forms that symbolize the influences of different languages and cultures on Afrikaans – simply genius.
Tip: Entrance costs R40 per person, and there is a large parking lot after the gate.

For lunch, we head to Knus Karoo Kombuis just around the corner. In the shady garden, one can linger wonderfully, enjoy great smoothies, and have very delicious food. In the park in front, there are extraordinary sculptures to admire.

Then we continue on the R44 to Stellenbosch. The stretch from Klapmut is scenically beautiful, passing through vineyards, with a winery inviting you to taste every few kilometers.

At the end of November 2025

We will travel back to Cape Town along the Cederberg mountains. Passing through Clanwilliam and Citrusdal, which lie in a warm, well-watered valley by the Olifants River with fertile soils. Here, mainly citrus fruits are grown.
Away from the valley, only in the rocky sandstone mountains of the Cederberg region of South Africa, the Rooibos plant grows, which provides Rooibos tea. The plant requires acidic, nutrient-poor, sandy soils and rainfall in winter. Harvesting takes place from January to March.

Klawer

• The Trawal Biltong Bar, located 15 kilometers south of Klawer right on the N7 (Puma Trawal Trucking Station), has a huge selection of Biltong. It really doesn’t get any better than this!

Clanwilliam

• At Rooibos Limited, the world’s largest supplier of Rooibos products, there are teas, creams, lotions, and shampoos with Rooibos extract, cookies, granola bars, and more available. Rooibos Ltd also offers a film about Rooibos tea and a tea tasting. Next door is a small fine cafe – the cheesecake is unbelievably delicious.

Citrusdahl

• On the Modderfontein Farm, 5 kilometers north of the Piekenierskloof Pass, lies the The Old Village Restaurant. The menu offers excellent local dishes and on Sunday afternoons, there is a buffet: homemade bread with butter, fruity salads, slow-cooked lamb and beef in unknown but super tasty sauces, water beans, and baked cauliflower. For dessert, chocolate pudding and a vanilla cheesecake in a large baking dish – simply a dream!
  
  
• Directly at the Piekenierskloof Pass is the De Tol Farm Deli: here Piekenierskloof Wine offers wines for tasting and sale (the Chenin Blanc is very good), and the deli serves small snacks for a picnic under the trees. There is also a small shop by Carmien Tea offering a wonderful tea tasting.

Riebeek-Kasteel

• If you wish, take a detour to Riebeek-Kasteel: lunch at La Parilla, a coffee at the oldest hotel in South Africa, the Royal Hotel, and then browse through the small shops. At Crystal & Twine, there is an incredibly large selection of decorative items.

Mid-November 2025

Doringbay and the Jetty Restaurant from Fryers Cove Wine Estate - a real insider tip!

At the restaurant's Jetty, you can sit directly over the sea and enjoy a wonderfully relaxed meal. At the end of the Jetty, a boat searches the seabed for diamonds, and on the backside of the area, abalone are being raised for export to China.
What a crazy place!

• The Thornbay Apartments are located in immediate proximity to the Jetty Restaurant and offer good and simple overnight accommodations.
  
  
• A trip to Strandfontein is worthwhile: here you can walk along the beach to the mouth of the Olifants River and Papendorp.

Mid-November 2025

Founded in 1913, Lambert's Bay is named after Sir Robert Lambert, one of the Commanders of the naval station in Cape Town. The cold and nutrient-rich sea currents provide excellent fishing conditions here, especially the crayfish from this region, known throughout the country. The coast is rockier and home to thousands of seabirds - cormorants, penguins, seagulls, and a massive colony of Cape gannets, which can be observed up close on Bird Island - truly unique.

• 4 km south of Lambert's Bay, right on the coastal road, is Muisbosskerm, the first open-air fish restaurant in South Africa. It is usually open on weekends or during the week for groups of 20 or more.
  
  
• The Bosduifklip Open-Air Restaurant, 4 km outside on the road to Clanwilliam, is located beneath a rock overhang. Here, both seafood and local dishes are served, but it is also open only for a certain number of guests.
  To avoid disappointment, be sure to call at least a week in advance for both open-air restaurants and inquire!
  
  
• Isabella's Restaurant is a very good address right at the harbor, located immediately at the Bird Island Nature Reserve and is always guaranteed to be open.

Early November 2025

Langebaan is a small resort town on the west coast of South Africa, about 130 km north of Cape Town. It's known for its turquoise lagoon, the West Coast National Park, and as a surfing hotspot. Add to that perfect weather, beautiful sandy beaches, cozy beach restaurants, small shops, and a relaxed atmosphere.

• On the drive from Cape Town to Langebaan, a short stop at Blouberg Strand is worthwhile. The Surf Cafe offers a fantastic view across Table Bay to Table Mountain, including kitesurfers.
  
  
• You can enjoy wonderful swimming at Paradise Beach in Langebaan. We stayed at the Seehuis right by the sea – it was a dream. The water is about 14 degrees Celsius and definitely refreshing.
  
  
• The open-air restaurant Die Strandloper is simply sensational!
  A ten-course menu is served under shady tarpaulins and fishing nets, at simple wooden tables, benches and chairs, right by the sea.
  Here are the 10 courses: Bread with butter and jam | Mussels | Grilled sardines | Fish curry | Grilled snug with sweet potatoes and roosterkoek | Beef and Bean Bredie | Grilled lynvis | Grilled yellow tuna | Grilled crayfish | Coffee with Koeksisters.
  Each course is announced by the chef, who walks from corner to corner of the restaurant. The dishes are prepared by the crew over large, open fires or in large pots and served directly there. Guests can bring their own drinks or buy them at the bar. Another unique feature of this restaurant: there is no cutlery, only seashells!
  Doors open at 12 noon, the first course starts at 12:30 and the session then lasts 3 hours.
  Tip: be sure to reserve in advance, the restaurant is booked up weeks or even months ahead.
  
  
• Very good restaurants right on Langebaan Beach are Pearly's on the Beach and Rocxi Beach .
  
  
• A fantastic day trip is to the West Coast National Park . We entered the park from the Langebaan Gate. Entry costs R150 per person, and you receive a map showing all the highlights.
  Highly recommended are: Seeberg Viewpoint (overlooking the entire lagoon), the two bird hides at the Geelbek Visitor Center (which also has a small snack bar and restrooms), Kraalbaai for barbecuing and swimming, and Tsaarbank Point on the Atlantic coast. The Postberg section is only open during the wildflower bloom in August and September. There are also several hiking trails and mountain bike trails in the park.

On the way to Langebaan, a stop at the !Khwa ttu San Culture & Education Centre is highly recommended. Located within an 850-hectare nature reserve, this cultural and educational center showcases the life of one of the last hunter-gatherer peoples on Earth, who once roamed the desert plains of southern Africa. Tours are also offered on-site (various themes, 45 minutes, approximately R180 per person).
The cultural centre is located directly on the R27 and can be used as a great stopover; there is a restaurant and even overnight accommodation available.
Tip: Call ahead to check if the center is actually open. We arrived to find the doors locked, even though the website said it should be open – very disappointing.

After our world trip, we felt an irresistible pull back to South Africa. This time, it will be a West Coast trip, making our way south via the Ceder Mountains. Again, it's not planned in detail; we will just drive and let ourselves be surprised.

The only thing we have booked in advance is Scarborough, 20 kilometers north of the Cape of Good Hope. We had coffee in this hippie town last year on our way to the Cape at Camel Rock. The place, the people, and the beach captivated us so much that we want to spend a week there just relaxing at the end of our trip.

We're starting now at the beginning of November from Cape Town heading north along the West Coast, looking forward to great beaches, temperatures around 30 degrees, and lovely encounters.

Here we go!

When we were welcomed at the airport about 14 days ago by the lovely Florence, she already told us that we would hardly notice that we are not in Germany. What she meant was that there are so many Germans (tourists, expatriates 🤷🏼‍♀️) here. I believe they are all gathered in Franschhoek. Even the manager at the Lavender Farm is an expatriate from Germany. Crazy!

Tomorrow morning we’ll head to the airport in Cape Town with the rental car, and we will see each other again soon in Germany.

This morning we headed to Franschhoek to the Lavender Farm. Once again passing by beautiful landscapes. Since we arrived a bit early, we decided to explore the charming town of Franschhoek and enjoy a coffee..

Here, in this paradise, we are spending our last two nights before it’s time to say: goodbye Africa. It’s hard to believe how quickly the two weeks have flown by. We have gained wonderful impressions. Met lovely people and, above all, had a fabulous vacation that we will not soon forget.