13 November 2006

random activities in the Cape Winelands

Here are some of the Cape Winelands activities that you can enjoy that aren't winery visits/wine tasting...

  • Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
    We spent our first (almost) full day in South Africa here, as most wineries are closed on Sundays. It was good to get out in the fresh air and do some hiking, after our long plane trip and the stress of getting everything in order the day we arrived. This place is definitely worth a visit if you're ever in the region. Lots of gorgeous scenery here. We didn't see too many animals though, which is a shame. Do take the trail that goes to two different waterfalls. Very beautiful!




  • Oh, and we also saw this freaky VW Beetle-for-rent in the parking area hehe...



  • Stellenbosch Village Museum
    The museum is made up of 4 different houses that reflect Stellenbosch life during various times in the past. You start at the oldest house which is from 1709 and end at a house from around the 1850s. It's interesting to see how housing standards changed over the times. Especially the “toilets” (chamber pots hah!) and the eventual development of the first showers. And among the things that didn't change – onions hanging up in the kitchen. They say it keeps the flies away...


  • The Afrikaans Language Monument in Paarl
    It's hard to get an idea of the impressiveness of this monument without actually being there. When you go inside and play around a little, you get a freaky echo...


  • Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm
    OK, it's one thing looking at all the crocodiles that are farmed there. It's another thing to get the chance to hold a baby crocodile. A little Schnappi, though its name was Charlie. Baby crocodiles are very cute, and soft to the touch, like really old, broken-into leather. Which is what the crocodiles are actually farmed for – leather. Though there are a bunch of crocodile tails that go towards food. They also had this nifty albino crocodile that they kept in a tank indoors, and a few crocodiles that had birth defects or whatnot that would make them unable to fend for themselves in the wild...


And some general information about the main cities in the Winelands:

No comments: