Cape Town, South Africa - day 1

Tuesday morning when I woke and threw back the curtains we were docked in the beautiful harbor of Cape Town, South Africa. The sun was just coming up so I stepped out on our veranda and snapped a dozen or so photos with my phone. The birds were noisy as they flew across the water (they are the “black dots” in the photos) as the sun rose over the harbor. It was a beautiful start to a good day.

 

Table Bay Harbour, Cape Town

Everyone on the ship who is on for the entire 180 days (380+ of us) was taken for an all day outing. We didn’t understand when we booked our cruise that there were segments. Not everyone is on for the full 180 days, so at the end of each of the four (five?) segments, Oceania plans a special day for us. Anyway, we were bussed to Boschendal Winery and nature preserve in the Franschhoek Valley. Located in South Africa’s Western Cape, it dates back to 1685 and has been maintained by generations of families. for an event there. 

 

through the bus window

 

we were invited to explore the grounds

We rode in a luxury coach van (light years ahead of some of the busses we rode in on the west African coast) and we had a fantastic guide who shared a lot about the history of the area and answered any questions we had. Before we arrived at Boschendal, we were each given paper wrist bands to wear which could be exchanged for the gift of our choice from their market - a nice surprise!

 

 

 

We were greeted by some local musicians (above), followed by a Marimba band and one or two other acoustic performances who performed throughout the meal. Servers walked around with flowing drinks – wine of course but also a nice array of non-alcoholic beverages for those who didn’t wish to imbibe.

 

tables set up under a huge tent structure

 

fresh mixed flowers along tables

The winery is a popular site for parties and weddings given its beautifully maintained grounds on which they grow all kind of flowers, fruits, vegetables, etc. There is a beautiful gazebo on the grounds (not pictured) where weddings are held. In Africa, a marriage isn’t legal unless it’s performed under a roof – thus the gazebo. 

 

fresh cut snapdragons

"homegrown" mixed bouquets

There was a farmer’s market with artisans selling all kinds of handmade crafts. We could choose any gift (within a certain price range) and pay for it with the arm band. Once a selection was made, our “purchase” was bagged up and the bracelet was cut off our arm. Of course there were more expensive items that could be purchased as well. There was also a complimentary photo booth set up where you could have your photo taken and printed on the spot (thus the photo below). 

 

fresh fruit and flower arrangements on all the tables

ornamental cabbage (front)

 

menu - all served family style

menu - all served family style

bowls and baskets of fresh picked fruit

 

what is it? (soft to touch)

Violet brought hundreds of animals handmade from tiny glass beads

mountain backdrop

colorful wired baskets and bowls

donning our photo booth props

 

necklaces, bracelets, baskets

The tables were set with fresh floral arrangements and baskets of fruit, all grown on the grounds. The meal was served family style along with music that entertained us throughout. We couldn’t have ordered more beautiful weather! The only uninvited guests were some flies that showed up; other than that, it was a perfect day. When we left, the workers gave us as many of the fresh flowers as we could bring back with us. I had enough to make 2 bouquets for our room.

colorful oils

oils and sunflowers

dahlias, berries, roses, ??

 

don't know names of the blue and orange

 

these flowers bloom in early Fall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

quilted wall hangings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

assuming he's the artist?

Maasai Tribe warriors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As always, I took too many photos. Hope you enjoy them!