CAPETOWN, SOUTH AFRICA (DAY3)
1 December 2006- Friday
Stellenbosch Winery Tour- Only tour offered today.
I was curious as to why they didn't offer more tours. The answer was that many of the new passengers had 3 days in Capetown already and done the tours. The others were South Africans and probably didn't need the tour. So all 16 of us are off with the usual well appointed our bus (Mercedes) and the same guide we had yesterday- She a blond Brit Afrikaner who talks a lot which is what she's paid to do. Road out of Capetown goes through the "Crossroads" just one of a few shanty towns around Capetown- these are known as the townships and it is not recommended for touring. The shacks go on for miles and they seem to have Maypoles all over them, til the guide tells us that the new constitution requires that all citizens have access to elctricity and water. The mayboles are for the electric lines. The guide goes on to explain that many of these people like to live here because they don't pay property taxes, etc. and that many are illegal immigrants, and a number of other apologetics. Reminded me of Citie Sole in Haiti. (I'm convinced if you don't want to spend the money and still want to see Africa just take a flight to Haiti) Citie Sole is Port au Prince's "township". Drive through nice country side and get to the vineyards with a nice description of SA wines by the guide. StellenBosch is SA's 2nd oldest town after the Cape. Lots of Dutch architecture and go throught a Museum of Houses from the 17-18th centurys. Then we go to a winery where we do tasting but don't get to the cellars because they are double booked (I do not see a refund in my future).
Irony of all ironies, On the way back from the wine country we pass Groot Schorr Hospital where Christian Bernard did the first heart transplant in the 80's. (The South Afrikans take a lot of pride in that, but neglect to say that he did all his transplant fellowhip in the USA) She said that there was a museum in that hospital dedicated to the event and that the operating theater used is now a muesum which contains the instruments, history ec. related to the event and includes some letters of criticism. Sounds like my cup of tea. In addition to that as we drive through the old part of town down near the port I see a sign pointing to a "medical museum" and look up the hill to see a Dutch style building with hospital written on it. I think I would have liked that better than the trip to Stellenbosch. Oh well, it's my fault for not researching it better and I can always claim it as a reason to come back. (As an aside, I did research and corresponded with the University in Johannesburg about their medical museum and they emailed back that they were in the process of moving to a new location. Story of my life- "day late, dollar short"). Back at 1:30 for a 2:30 sailaway.
Got a real show in seamanship when we left port. The weather has changed with s strong cold wind- people wearing jackets on deck and a "tablecloth" covers Table Mountain. I told you we were in a small harbor, so we had a tug boat front and rear- same as when we arrived. they hauled this 6 story building out of the harbour without any trouble- Good views of Capetown as we left. (If I could download photos I'd paste a couple right here)>
Dinner much more congenial and with Nestor our regular waiter we get done right at 7:30 so we can make the first show. There are brief performances by the Magician "Richocet", The Marco Polo Company did some Broadway shows and then Tufty Gordon- a musician, singer jokester did his act. Tuffy must be pushing 70 but he has a lot of enthusiasm. Decide to skip the block buster movie "Munich"- had seen it on the big screen and it would have been hard to take such intense drama at 10 at night. Tried to upload my blog, but there was no internet connection available. Maybe tomorrow.
Stellenbosch Winery Tour- Only tour offered today.
I was curious as to why they didn't offer more tours. The answer was that many of the new passengers had 3 days in Capetown already and done the tours. The others were South Africans and probably didn't need the tour. So all 16 of us are off with the usual well appointed our bus (Mercedes) and the same guide we had yesterday- She a blond Brit Afrikaner who talks a lot which is what she's paid to do. Road out of Capetown goes through the "Crossroads" just one of a few shanty towns around Capetown- these are known as the townships and it is not recommended for touring. The shacks go on for miles and they seem to have Maypoles all over them, til the guide tells us that the new constitution requires that all citizens have access to elctricity and water. The mayboles are for the electric lines. The guide goes on to explain that many of these people like to live here because they don't pay property taxes, etc. and that many are illegal immigrants, and a number of other apologetics. Reminded me of Citie Sole in Haiti. (I'm convinced if you don't want to spend the money and still want to see Africa just take a flight to Haiti) Citie Sole is Port au Prince's "township". Drive through nice country side and get to the vineyards with a nice description of SA wines by the guide. StellenBosch is SA's 2nd oldest town after the Cape. Lots of Dutch architecture and go throught a Museum of Houses from the 17-18th centurys. Then we go to a winery where we do tasting but don't get to the cellars because they are double booked (I do not see a refund in my future).
Irony of all ironies, On the way back from the wine country we pass Groot Schorr Hospital where Christian Bernard did the first heart transplant in the 80's. (The South Afrikans take a lot of pride in that, but neglect to say that he did all his transplant fellowhip in the USA) She said that there was a museum in that hospital dedicated to the event and that the operating theater used is now a muesum which contains the instruments, history ec. related to the event and includes some letters of criticism. Sounds like my cup of tea. In addition to that as we drive through the old part of town down near the port I see a sign pointing to a "medical museum" and look up the hill to see a Dutch style building with hospital written on it. I think I would have liked that better than the trip to Stellenbosch. Oh well, it's my fault for not researching it better and I can always claim it as a reason to come back. (As an aside, I did research and corresponded with the University in Johannesburg about their medical museum and they emailed back that they were in the process of moving to a new location. Story of my life- "day late, dollar short"). Back at 1:30 for a 2:30 sailaway.
Got a real show in seamanship when we left port. The weather has changed with s strong cold wind- people wearing jackets on deck and a "tablecloth" covers Table Mountain. I told you we were in a small harbor, so we had a tug boat front and rear- same as when we arrived. they hauled this 6 story building out of the harbour without any trouble- Good views of Capetown as we left. (If I could download photos I'd paste a couple right here)>
Dinner much more congenial and with Nestor our regular waiter we get done right at 7:30 so we can make the first show. There are brief performances by the Magician "Richocet", The Marco Polo Company did some Broadway shows and then Tufty Gordon- a musician, singer jokester did his act. Tuffy must be pushing 70 but he has a lot of enthusiasm. Decide to skip the block buster movie "Munich"- had seen it on the big screen and it would have been hard to take such intense drama at 10 at night. Tried to upload my blog, but there was no internet connection available. Maybe tomorrow.
Labels: Nairobi to Rio 2006
posted by DT at 11:44 AM
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