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South Africa

April 2017
A 11-day adventure by The 3 month holiday Read more
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  • The 3 month holidaySouth Africa
    Day 1

    Durban & Ballito

    April 7, 2017 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Heathrow - Dubai - Durban, Emirates Airline

    The beginning of our adventure ✈️ Met up with the Moons in Dubai as they had a connecting flight from Gatwick, it had only been a week since we left Guernsey but we were all excited to see each other. Despite the long flight and need to freshen up we were persuaded to go and meet Dust and Taz's dads at their local in Ballito for a quick drink. We arrived at the Shortens Estate and it was a quick change and back out. Bailey on Dustin's brothers stag in and me to a dinner with all the ladies at Dustin's parents place. Good food, company and lots of dogs 😃 I was happy! The next day we walked along Ballito seafront starting at Salmon Bay, it was so nice to have the sun on our skin. We were left in the care of the "Ballies" (oldies) as Dust and Taz had a wedding to attend. They took us to a rugby game of the local team, the Durban Sharks. We were in a box with their friends meaning comfy seats and a steady flow of drinks. Bailey loved the biltong and voss available and got a top from the shark tank shop. Afterwards we had a "braai" (BBQ) in the car park. The next day we joined both families for breakfast before going for a dip at Salmon Bay, cold and refreshing waters. In the afternoon we had another braai at Shortens and met all of the extended family, finished with a big fire in the garden.

    We spent the next morning surfing in Durban with Dustin, bails and I both managed to stand up together on one of our last attempts! Wet and bedraggled (me not the boys) we met Taz for lunch at a place called market. We then took to cable car to the top of the Moses Mobida Stadium giving us stunning views of the coastline and the city - bailey hated every minute of being at the top. Taz took me shopping at the huge new mall in Ballito, a dangerous game when you don't know the exchange rate. We had dinner with their grandparents that evening at Lafirma.

    We completed Dust and Taz's running route at Ballito seafront the next morning before having breakfast at Concha and the best strawberry milkshake bailey has ever tasted. Taz took me to her friends salon Fraiche, full set of shellac nails for £10, bargain. Next up road trip to Nambiti game reserve near Ladysmith, this took around 2 1/2 hours.

    We returned to Durban briefly before Cape Town, we went to Beluga for sushi. I've never loved Bailey more watching him attempt to eat and enjoy what he had ordered, no sushi for him again 😂 Enjoyed another braai at Shortens with friends and family, everyone was so lovely and welcoming to us during our stay we felt sad to leave!    Read more

  • The 3 month holidaySouth Africa
    Day 5

    Nambiti Game Reserve

    April 11, 2017 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    We stayed at Elephant Rock Lodge which had 5 lodges with a maximum of 10 guests. It was a very impressive lodge with a lookout deck over a watering hole and a cosy lounge area with a real fire. We went on the afternoon game drive as soon as we arrived observing kudo, warthog, African fish eagle, zebra, wilder beast, elephant, impala, giraffe and a huge herd of water buffalo. We stopped for sundowners and I had my first savannah light, a sparkly cider which is really popular in SA and that I drank for the remainder of the trip. It started to rain so it was on with the ponchos and the torch as it was dark. Our game driver Steph managed to spot lions eyes and we stopped to all take a look. Our lodge was amazing, double outdoor showers, a huge bathtub looking out at the bush, walk in wardrobe and all with really tasteful traditional African decor. I loved coming back from evening game drives for a shower and the staff had completed a turn down service on the huge comfy bed. The food was amazing and we totally indulged over the next couple of days enjoying 3 course meals each evening and full breakfast options along with quiches, salads and ice cream at lunch. The lodge had a really nice pool area and deck to chill at during the day and we were out for game drives 6-9am and 3:30-6:30pm each day. I don't think I could go back to a zoo after seeing animals in their natural habitat eating, drinking, looking after their young and stalking pray. On the second day we were lucky enough to watch two lions stalk and attach some rhino, no kills which I was actually pretty glad about as think it would have been too gory for me. The reserve have some strict policies with regards to keeping enough distance from animals and it's clear this has worked to develop a sound understanding of their behaviour and patterns.

    The proposal ❤️

    On our last night after getting back from an evening game drive that was unfortunately very wet and windy bailey got down on one knee. I was completely unsuspecting not even noticing his strange behaviour of downing a sherry, a drink he had previously spat out, before going back to our lodge. He had the room covered with candles, rose petals and champagne on ice. It was the perfect end to our stay at Nambiti.    Read more

  • The 3 month holidaySouth Africa
    1
    Day 8

    Melmoth Wedding

    April 14, 2017 in South Africa ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Dustin's younger brother (Brad) proposed to his girlfriend (Tam) last summer in Guernsey and we celebrated with drinks at Hook with the family. So it was quite fitting that the day after our engagement we were meeting up with them too ❤️ everyone was so lovely and excited for us asking to see the ring and hear the proposal story.

    The drive from Nambiti to Melmoth took about 3 hours, the first part was lovely sunshine and Dustin completed this. Wanting to try out driving in another country Bailey took over after a pit stop, the weather turned and we were in torrential rain and fog for the next part of the journey. Melmoth is a beautiful setting up in the mountains, although when we arrived we couldn't see much of this due to the weather. Having packed for three months travelling in south east Asia neither of us was prepared for just how cold it would be! Fortunately the next day was clear and blue skies, the venue had been rebuilt in 9 months due to a fire and they had even completed a church for the nuptials to take place in. Tam looked absolutely stunning and it was really special to be part of their day, a South African wedding seemed very similar to a UK one lots of good food, drinks, speeches and dancing.    Read more

  • The 3 month holidaySouth Africa
    1
    Day 11

    Cape Town

    April 17, 2017 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Durban - Cape Town, fly Mango, flight time 2 hours.

    We arrived in Cape Town and to our amazing air bnb at Mouille Point! It was the perfect setting with views of Lions Head to the left and the Atlantic Ocean for sunset to the right. The boys were crazy enough to go for a run in 4pm heat and came back sweaty messes. That evening we went to Pot Luck Club which was an amazing Asian style tapas place at the Old Biscuit Mill right near where Taz went to University. The next day we tackled Lions Head first thing, it was really steep towards the end but definitely worth it once we reached the summit. We were all absolutely parched and starving so headed straight to Mellisa's for breakfast in all our gym clothes. After getting a shower we headed back out for a road trip of the Cape.

    - UCT (or UTC for Bails)
    - Muizenberg (with the shark spotters)
    - Kalk Bay (we didn't stop here but Taz wanted to)
    - Fish Hoek
    - Simon's Town (Boulders Beach with the penguins)
    - Cape Point reserve
    - Scarborough
    - Witsands
    - Kommetjie
    - Noordhoek
    - Chapman's peak (the cliff pass)
    - Hout Bay (you go up Suikerbossie to climb out of Hout Bay before you get to the entrance to Llandudno)
    - Long road along the coast towards the city past the 12 Apostles hotel
    - Camps Bay
    - Clifton
    - Bantry Bay
    - Sea point

    Feeling absolutely pooped after all those sights we opted for staying in with pizza and wine that night, sometimes the simple things are the best! Strangely enough Woolworths is huge in SA, similar to M&S with really nice food and homeward things.

    The next day Dust and Taz had organised a very special engagement present for us, paragliding from Signal Hill. I won't lie I was feeling pretty nervous about just taking a run and jump off a hill but luckily it all went to plan. Not so lucky for Bails as he had a failed start, this made me so thankful for going first as I think it would have freaked me out massively. There is nothing like soaring above a city with views as far as the eye can see, it was exhilarating and something I would definitely recommend. We spent the rest of the day chilling on beaches at Camps Bay and Llandudno. We stopped at Houet Bay for fish and chips and to meet the amazingly friendly seal, he will literally come and eat from your hand on the pier.

    Bails and I headed to Franschoek and the wine tram tour the next day. We opted for green route and started at Rickety Bridge, trying to be sensible I advised Bails not to buy the red here as would probably find a better one. We both agreed at the end this was one of our fave wines 🤦🏼‍♀️ hoping we will be able to find it in the UK. Next up Mont Rochelle before stopping at Richard Brandon's winery for lunch (which was needed after all the wine consumption compared with little food). We skipped a couple and headed to Holden Manz and both absolutely fell in love with the place! Franschoek is set in a valley and this place had huge vineyards with the backdrop of the mountains. The final place provided pizza and chocolate with the wine, always a winner.

    Our final day in Cape Town together and we challenged ourselves with climbing table mountain. This was really challenging, especially after a full day drinking wine and early start. The route was in direct sunlight for the whole ascent, we managed it in just under 90 minutes and stopped for breakfast at the top. We spent some time at Clifton Beach and went to Bungalow for lunch. That evening we went to shimmy beach club and met up with friends for food and drinks. We were sad to wave goodbye to the Moons early the next morning ☹️ they had been incredible hosts and helped us fall in love with SA.

    Having one last day to fill we headed to neighbour goods market in Woodstock for breakfast, this place was amazing with lots of little food and clothing stalls and live music. Baileys friend Freddie arrived and we enjoyed food and drinks with him the V&A Waterfront.    Read more

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