My venture

So....been a while since i have been in Cape Town....and of course Franschhoek......so....seeing that Kim has never been to SA....i thought it would be nice to show him....so off we went....bloody early flight at 8am from OR Tambo....so yes....u guessed...we left at 6:15.....and yes..of course....at the airport....Vide e cappuccino....so good.....arrival in Cape Town....hire a car.....Kia Piccanto....and time to show Kim Cape Town a little....we drove past the university.....and then headed towards the waterfront cause our stomachs screamed hunger......the weather wasnt too bad....sunny.....so outside lunch was a definite choice.....good food.....of course.....here is a pic of the haloumi, prawn and avo salad....And yes....good wine.... After that, time to enjoy some view over Cape Town....and no....not Table Mountain BUT Signal Hill....love it up there....then yes....showed Kim Camps Bay and Clifton...of course....again An area one needs to see while in Cape Town...ended with Long ...

So.....saturday was my dads 60th birthday party.....he loves cigars, wines and meat.....so what better way than celebrating with a braai at African Swiss.....So party would start at 230..... Unfortunately the weather didnt wanna quite play along...but i guess u need to take it as it is......so.....as we arrived the wines and beers were already flowing...people arriving in drips and drabs...but exactly how it should be....casual.....starters...Pizza slices....hmmmm.....they were good....not something i would order there again....but hunger...almost anything tastes good....right.....anyway....the bacon crispy....so thats good.....then time for braai.....tbone....lamb chops...and bratwurst (and NOT german bratwurst BUT proper st galler, swiss, bratwurst...AMAZING.......The tbone was a little cold, lamb chops APPARENTLY were good....and the salads....well im gonna say it wasnt potato salad but rather mayo with a touch of potato....no joke....anyway...who cares about the food (and for once...

So...finally...wednesday kim arrived in jhb....very early...6:30.... So yes....while driving to the airport the sun only starter to rise...damn....so...yes...early....managed to find parking....never a problem where...just have to remember when going back...he was out really quick so all good....driving home...real embarrassment.....i knew i must go direction N3 home....hmmm....but somehow i went N3 SOUTH not N3 NORTH.....shit...then....took the next off ramp....next problem....normally on ramp and off ramp are opposite each other...well...not in this case....long story short...kim had to take out his gps...so that i could find on ramp....oh well...we still managed to be home around 8.... Halleluia.....some breakfast....freshening up...and yes...time for the first round of golf...... Not sure what the hell was plotting.....first hole (we started on the second nine), so number 10 amazing drive...and i must admit i was amazed with my game...really could not complain...second nine...hmmm...

So.....lazy SundAy....bored......hmmm...when u actually make an effort to look...there is a hell of A lot to do...so Sunday Liezl fetched me at 10... And off we drove towards town...actually right into town...to a market/art place called Arts on Main....amazing..... Wow...food stalls from chilli jams to paella to sugar free chocolate to wine to fruit "flower" arrangements and teas.....wow....just nice to have variety...not huge...but cosy and nice...here is a pic.... this is not where it ends...lots of small art gallery type stalls/shops and some clothes shops...hippy clothes...so...no...not my style...but still loved it...we walked around and because Liezl had been thEre she was the mOst amazing guide....there was a photo exhibition type stall....the story....they started with a guy giving disposale cameras to youngsters in Jhb city...they had to take inspiring pics...the most amazing pics are now printed on canvas and being sold.....what a community project.... ANo...

As most people know....or lets say...all the people that know me....know that i LOVE to cook....last week Claudia gave me an early birthday present (my birthday is in December), but she thought seeing that im going on the ship again in October...she should give it to me now so at least i can enjoy it....yes you guessed right...A cookbook.....and some roses....medditeranean cookbook...so cool...from Greece to Spain to Turkey to Italy.... So on Saturday i decided to actually cook a three course meal from the recipe book...question was what to make because there are a lot of delicious looking items....so in the end i decided on an aubergine parcel, a citrius fish and a citrus dessert.... Starter: Aubergine parcel...stuffed with basil, tomato and mozzarella....so...first slice aubergine very thin....boil wateer...add salt....cook aubergine until soft (about 2min)..... Take out and pat dry on paper towel....take two pieces and form a cross...add a slice ot tomato...salt and pepper...basil ...

Yummy....verdict on all 6 chocs that we have tried so far... and yes, i will recap quickly on the Walnut Bon Bon.....so inside walnut filling...with actual chunks of walnuts...yes....we all know i have a soft spot for walnuts...i mean i used to take them (on the ship) from the dinner area to my room in large quantities, so that i would always have walnuts in reserve....love them...great snack...anyway...back to the point....Walnut Bon Bon...great...would buy it again....here is a pic.... Number 2.... Red Velvet truffle.....I think it looks prettier than the Walnut Bon Bon...but taste...hmmmm...i was not so keen...then againim also not a Red Velvet cake person, I was gonna buy the Carrot Cake but lady dropped the last ones....so this one...i would not buy again...but it was not bad.... Number 3....smooth black....WOW....hands down my favourite...smooth (yes, the name says that), but it really was....and deep taste, really choclaty...but not too rich....amazing...wow....no words.....

Hmmmm....how did i NOT know about this.....u know im gonna blame being on the ship.....but im so glad my friend, Liezl, was not sleeping while i was gone and found out about this amazing place.....so....she made a reservation for 4 of us....and we would receive the instructions a day or two in advance...when Liezl received....she forwarded....and we decided.....(seeing that The restaurant is not liquor licensed)....to bring our own wine...wot i loved....they send you the set tasting menu and they actually tell you what wine they would pair it with.....so cool...so we made an effort to bring most....decided on two white wines and two red....ill bring the white (Boschendal Chardonnay and La Motte Savignon Blanc), she would bring the red....Shiraz and Pinot Noir....Man.....im getting so excited..... So...place not too easy to find....no name outside...i saw Liezl in the window and i knew i had arrived....so it all started at 19:30, arrival 19:00 for 19:30, then you got told...each course...