It was another day of rich experiences and beautiful countryside. We drove up to the base of Table Mountain, but the wind was too strong to take the cable car to the top. That gave us time to explore downtown Capetown.
Our guide, Mike Smuts, is a wealth of knowledge. If you know your SA history, you know that the first Dutchmen came here in the 1600s to plant vegetable gardens so Dutch sailors heading to/from India could stop in the bay here and get some fresh lettuce. Mike took us to the site of that first garden.
We also went to Stellenbosch, not too far from here. You can't see the town and not have the word "quaint" come to mind. We visited the Neethlingshof Winery and did a wine tasting with expert counsel on what made each of the five we tried unique. Then we walked across the way to an estate building that almost 200 years old for a fine lunch of Malay-influenced food and--you guessed it--Estate wine. Stellenbosch is also home to a famed theological seminary of the Dutch Reformed Church. Some of the group members went there and had a warm welcome.
Tonight after a fine dinner, our guide, Mike Smuts, invited his daughter, Louisa, to join us. Louisa was part of Nelson Mandela's inner circle, traveled abroad with him and had a front-row-seat on the man South African's affectionately call "Madiba." Wow. What a story, told with grace and emotion. Our group had an intimate, inside look at what helped this nation move from "Old South Africa" to "New South Africa." It was a privilege to hear Louisa's stories.
You're probably looking for pictures~!
Tomorrow morning we leave here quite early and fly North to the country of Mozambique. Some good airport time tomorrow should give adequate time to get pictures up of today's adventures.
Please Stay Tuned!
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