I will admit to being completely and utterly useless at Memes (as much as I am flattered to be asked). I usually a) forget, and by the time I remember it’s no longer relevant; or b) I can never decide who to tag which takes me straight back to a) again. But my friend Trish over at Mum’s Gone to tagged me in this new travel Meme, and I did absolutely promise – so here you go…
Again, it has taken me ages to get around to, because how do you decide? We have been lucky enough to visit a lot of places, and lots of them have been Great Journeys for different reasons, but the best one of the lot so far? I think it would probably be our trip to South Africa, as I have yet to visit another country with such wonderful welcoming people, and it is just beautiful!
We set off for our 24 day Garden Route adventure in December 2003, with perhaps the biggest pile of suitcases we have lugged about to date, starting off in fabulous Cape Town – a diverse city of bustling streets, markets and incredible restaurants, all under the spectacular backdrop of Table Top Mountain. From the top we spotted dassies (related to Elephants strangely enough) and our very first whale in the beautiful blue far below.
Then it was onto tiny Montagu for a few days relaxation at Mimosa Lodge, a place that prides itself on its food and wines.
After this came a very special visit to Oudtshorn where we came face to face with ostriches, and got up close and personal with some cheetah cubs (where I had a shocking experience after accidentally touching the electric fence!!). We stayed at Oulap House, the home of a wonderful couple who are celebrities in their own right. We didn’t know at the time, but our host Jans is actually famous for his anti-apartheid films. He spends his time promoting South Africa culturally, as well as being looked upon as a father figure by local people. He is also a master story-teller, and after dinner we loved listening to tales of local customs (like the hired mourners at funerals, paid to wail loudly). His lovely wife Almeri looked after us so well, and enjoyed watching England’s World Cup Rugby victory over Australia with Mr R!
We then travelled to Plettenberg for a stay at Hog Hollow. This amazing lodge has such lovely staff, and some incredibly talented chefs! There are is no such thing as private dining here, all guests are encouraged to eat together around one huge table, and many a friendship was formed over dinner!
We also stopped off at Knysna, where we met up with very good friends, and enjoyed a stay at Phantom Forest – an Eco Reserve with beautiful tree top suites deep in the heart of the jungle. Needless to say the accommodation is surrounded by wildlife. I loved this place, but the only slight drawback? The warnings that doors and windows are properly closed, or you risk a few monkey visitors in the night. Having a slight phobia of all things simian at close quarters, this would have been my worst nightmare, but I managed to sleep after checking the windows a hundred times, and wedging a chair against the door!
Hermanus beckoned next, and we stayed at Schulphoek Guest House right on the beach. As it was December it was ideal for whale watching, and we went out to spot them on a memorable boat trip (decked out like fishermen to keep dry)! I remember the sea being rough, and the dark shadows of Great Whites that passed beneath the (inflatable sided!!) boat had me slightly nervous, but once we had made it through shark alley (home to the thousands of stinky seals that the sharks call dinner), we were rewarded with the unforgettable sight of a Southern Right Whale and her not insubstantial calf.
And then it was onto Franschoek, the heart of the wine region, and gorgeous Franschoek Country House, where before too long, the first of our guests arrived…
We were married the next day under the biggest Jacaranda tree I have ever seen, and in front of 18 of our nearest and dearest who had travelled from around the world to be with us for our special day! Although I have to say after that “pre-honeymoon”, I am surprised I could still fit into my wedding dress!
And the day after, once we had all recovered from the festivities, we spent the day at Boschendal in Stellenbosch for a huge picnic in the vineyard, where of course there were plenty of wines to choose from to go with lunch!
The remaining few days passed in a blur of spending time with friends and family, and visiting various places together. Boulders Bay was on the list, with its beach loving penguins, as was Kirstenbosch and Cape Point! The sight of my Dad driving along here with a grimacing baboon hitching a lift on his windscreen will stay with me forever, as will the many other funny and of course special memories we gained on that trip!
We are contemplating going back next year for our tenth anniversary, but it will of course be with two monkeys of our very own…
Aly says
That is one epic wedding Emma.It must of taken a while to take it all in.
bavaria says
Thanks Aly! It appears I can’t do things normally! :D x
Louise Lloyd says
Wow! What a fabulous story, I love the fact it was a fabulous adventurous holiday and then whilst you were there you got married as well! It sounds like it was the most perfect experience – and how great to go back 10 years on and show your own little monkeys the places you both hold so dear to you!
bavaria says
Thank you so much! It would be an incredible experience to go back again! Fingers crossed! :)
mari says
Wow, that post blew me away. And you got married too, you sure know how to pack a punch!
What a fabulous experience, I haven’t been to South Africa and sometimes I worry as you hear some sad stories but I suppose all the world is the same Mum went a few years back and had the best time ever. Wonder if I’ll ever get there?
x
bavaria says
Thanks Mari! (: You know, I felt no more unsafe than I have done in various areas of London… It is an incredible country, I am sure you would love it!
Karin @ Cafe Bebe says
Oh how lovely…you should work for the South African Tourism Board! ;)
Karin @ Cafe Bebe
bavaria says
Thanks Karin! :) Now that is a job I would LOVE! :)
an expat wife says
This is a wonderful post, even more so for me because my sister has just announced that she is getting married in South Africa next year. We have never been.
bavaria says
Thank you Sharon… How exciting!! Does she know where yet? You will all have such a great time I am sure of it! :)
MsCaroline says
Oh this is wonderful – and what a place to be married! I think I will have to add South Africa to my Bucket List now! Thanks for the reminder, as well – I have been so busy with Son#1 coming and Son#2 going that this completely slipped my mind…off to finish my own ‘Greatest Journey’ post!
bavaria says
Thanks Caroline… You must add it to the list, it’s an incredible place! :) Looking forward to reading your Journey!
Pia says
What a lovely journey! South Africa is so on my list, and you’ve just sold it to me ten times over. I love the sneak peek of you in your wedding dress – still no face though :( But what a beautiful ceremony it must have been, and that too under a jacaranda :)
Thanks for tagging me on such a lovely, personal post, Emma. I had to google ‘meme’ though :)
bavaria says
Thanks Pia, it was nice to look back! I am sure you would love South Africa, it’s such a special place! :)
Mary says
Likewise, am in but rather intimidated by the bar being set so high! What a lovely, lovely post.
bavaria says
Excellent! Thank you Mary :)
Midlife Singlemum says
OK I’m in. But I can’t top getting married in Saouth Africa. I guess Bletchley Park isn’t going to cut it for this meme?
bavaria says
Yey!! Bletchley Park sounds nice too though! :)
Grace says
Brings back lovely memories – can’t believe it is nearly 10 years ago. Do I recognise the photograph. Mx
bavaria says
You may well recognise the photograph Mum! Ten years, almost! :)xxx
Kelloggsville says
Lol …just dropping a wedding in there part way through! Lovely.
bavaria says
Thank you! Just making sure people are reading my entire posts :D Especially this one, it’s a bit long!
Trish says
Oh Emma this is fabulous. What a great story, and an unexpected ending. Have clicked through to some of the places you stayed: wonderful.
Glad you had a better time whale-watching than I did!
bavaria says
Thank you, so glad you like it! Thanks for the tag It was a wonderful experience and all a lot more reasonable than getting married at home including the places we stayed at! :)
As for the whale watching, it was incredible, but boy did those seals stink. Forget sea-sickness, I had almost had seal-sickness….
Manana Mama says
Heaven! Sounds like one of those holidays that is so perfect, you’re not sure if it really happened or was a dream. Our tenth is coming up too – congratulations to you both – great spending a decade with your best friend, isn’t it?
Thanks for the tag :)
bavaria says
Thanks Manana Mama! I am still not sure whether some parts of it happened to be honest, but you are right – it is amazing spending a decade with my best friend. Would do it all over again in a heart-beat! Congratulations to you two as well :)