I met Monica, who hails from Rochester, New York, on a Peggy
Markel Culinary Adventure to Morocco in 2013. We have kept in touch ever since and
here we are, in Cape Town, connecting and taking pleasure in
showing her this beautiful part of South Africa.
NUMBER 10:
A week in Cape Town
with Monica
 |
| A fine week indeed! |
We:
Saw the moon floating over Lion’s Head
Strolled along Camp’s Bay Beach as the heat of the day slipped away
Ambled, shopped, bargained and breakfasted in Kalk Bay
Took in the ozone enriched sea air along the Muizenburg – St James' Walkway
Indulged in Karoo lamb and organic vegetables from Barrydale
Shopped at the V&A Waterfront, for Extreme Eyewear and African crafts
Marveled at Table Mountain
Blissed on Hari Krishna date and coconut balls, not to tell Fred too many details though
Found the perfect place to watch the blue moon rise over False Bay, Inverroche Amber gin and ginger ale in hand
Ate so well at Harbour House in Kalk Bay thanks to Monica
Transported ourselves to Bali via the quite delicious black rice pudding I cooked for breakfast
Wetted our palettes on the best of extra virgin olive oil at Morgenster and popped their delicious olives and pastes as a starter treat
Marvelled at the ancient trees of Vergelegen Estate in Somerset West
Walked the maze created from vines and peacefully sat at its centre
Talked among the roses and watched a peahen with her chicks
Lunched with Di and Bri, caught up on all the news over a delicious meal at Stables, Vergelegen
Opened my gift box of treats sent all the way from the US by Monica. I now have a crystal water bottle and own a Dean and Deluca tin of culinary rubs, a black truffle infused honey, maple syrup treats and Noah Stryker’s new book about his big year, I am spoilt
Enjoyed our time with the rather droll African Penguins at Betty’s Bay
Smashed plates of take-away fish, calamari and chips in Kleinmond
Met a potter in Kleinmond, bought herb stakes for Barry and Kim’s wedding tables and found a perfect platter for Monica to take back to Rochester
Introduced Monica to a selection of bush teas and rooibos won
Spent a few gentle hours on the coast watching the gulls just in case the Franklin’s Gull made an appearance, which it did not
Shared our favourite beach, Noordhoek, the water sparkled, the sand was firm and white, the breeze kept us cool, always my best beach walk
Popped into the Noordhoek Farm Village for pies and a most appreciated late morning flat white
Needed to source some meds for Monica, her arithmetic was out
Appreciated Fred’s perfect pasta
Walked beneath Table Mountain and took in the spectacular views across the City Bowl, Bo-kaap and the harbor
Breakfasted at the ‘world’s best coffee shop’, Truth, where we meet Banshee actor Hoon Lee, he has one of the coolest characters to play - the fierce, cross dressing, swearing Job
Sashayed through sushi at Salushi
Dropped Monica at the Cheetah Outreach for a close-up encounter with cheetahs
Drove to Hermanus to meet up with Di at Dutchies for a meal and for feet in the Atlantic to cool down
