Sometimes, while lying down my bed or sipping my morning coffee, I find myself reminiscing places that give me that certain feeling, I cannot really put it into words. But it is that "certain feeling". Have you ever felt that? I hope you do, because it feels good no matter how uncertain that certain feeling is. And now, South Africa is giving me this "je nais se quoi". The idea is to give you inspiration on how to use your travels for reflection and other activities besides just traveling. As someone who has been to places, I know how difficult it can be sometimes when we feel like home is too close! For this blog post, I will try to write down all the things I remember vividly about my travel in South Africa last December 2018 to January 2019 and how until now it is worth remembering.
Johannesburg
If you are a historophile. Johannesburg, also known as "Joburg" or "Jozi" is the best place to learn South Africa's past. During my stay here, I had the chance to visit the Apartheid Museum, this place showed me how horrifying racial segregation was that until today it left a scar in people's heart. The museum tells stories on how South Africans dealt with the Apartheid system. It was just in 1990 when South Africa became Apartheid-free, just imagine that, it was not that long time ago.
Photographs from Apartheid Museum
Another place to not miss out on while in Joburg is the South Western Township or commonly known as Soweto. It was a township built for black people during the apartheid system. In the street of Vilakazi, you can find the homes of two Nobel Peace Prize winners, Nelson Mandela and Desmund Tutu. You can also find the Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial in Soweto, he was only twelve years old when he was shot in the Soweto Uprising in 1976 which serves as a symbol of resistance against the apartheid government brutality.
Mbuyisa Makhubu carrying the lifeless body of Hector Pieterson, photographed by Sam Nzima
To escape the city's energy, you can visit the Lion and Safari Park
Cape Town
Oh, Cape Town! I don't know where to start. My fascination for small coastal town made me love this city even more. Just two hours away by plane from Johannesburg, I had the chance to see the perfect contrast between the mountains, beach, and ocean. It was late in December when I visited Cape Town, it was sunny and can get chilly, which is perfect for me!
A picturesque view of Cape Town from the top of Lion's head
I enjoyed my time here the most in V&A Waterfront where you can find restaurants and coffee shops where you can also have a great view of Table Mountain from several shops. I did not get the chance to hike there because I went up to the Lion's Head first and unfortunately, my legs just couldn't hike anymore. From Lion's Head, you can have a spectacular view of Table Mountain, 12 Apostles, and the Atlantic ocean. It was not an easy hike but it's all worth it!
Enjoying my coffee at V&A Waterfront
If you are into nightlife, Long Street understood the assignment. It has bars, nightclubs, fancy restaurants, cafés, and shops. But it doesn't really matter if it's night or day, this street is lovely whatever time it is. It's a great place to roam around, you can see old buildings and enjoy great selection of food and shops. It is one of the oldest street in Cape Town and from the name itself, the longest street.
Mama Africa, one of the best restaurants in Long Street
If you are fond of walking when in a new city like me, from Long Street, you can also reach Bo-Kaap. It is an historic residential area and is one of the most instagrammable places in the city due to its pastel-colored houses. This place is also rich in history, during the apartheid system, Bo-Kaap was designated as a Muslims-only area. In fact, Bo-Kaap was the only area of Cape Town in which Cape Malay people were allowed to live. An instagrammable photo from one of the houses in Bo-Kaap
Enjoying my tan at Camps Bay with Lion's Head as the backdrop A cute penguin in Boulder's Beach copying me (or vice versa?)
Aside from tall mountains and quaint city streets, Cape Town is also surrounded by stunning beaches. After viewing the clear, blue ocean and magnificent city from the mountain top, soak up the sun at Camp's Bay beach. The water was too freezing for someone who came from a tropical country, so I just had my tan and enjoyed the view. Restaurants, cafes, and shops are also available around the area. Boulder's Beach nearby Simon's Town is also a must-see. This beach is home to an ever-expanding colony of African Penguins. Prepare to see the cutest penguins!
My trip to Cape Town was a wonderful and exciting experience. I enjoyed the trip so much that I am planning to go again in the future.
Tulbagh
If there was a trip where I felt like I was in a movie, it's my travel in Tulbagh. It is a small town in the Winelands of the Western Cape. Only an hour and a half from Cape Town, the historic town of Tulbagh is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. Tulbagh is known for its beautiful natural surroundings, it has wide open expanses of farmland, fertile valleys and vineyards, with the opportunity to enjoy some farm-style dining.
Enjoying a good book with a glass of wine and a nice view.. sounds like a dream
I booked the accommodation beforehand and I fell in love with it. It has scenic views and I loved the feeling of waking up to a nice view from the bedroom, have my morning coffee with nature as company and when I go to sleep, I can hear the sounds of nature as well. As much as I love a busy city, small towns where everyone knows everyone is always a mood for me, finding a gem somewhere away from it all is somewhat relaxing. Essere Lodge has that in abundance. From the moment we arrived at Essere lodge I could immediately feel that I would my stay here!
Some photos from Essere Lodge, of course a glass of wine in my hand is a must
One cannot visit Tulbagh without trying their world-renowned wines. We enjoyed wine tasting at Montpellier Wine Estate where I had wine with a cheese platter under trees, Manley Wine Estate where I enjoyed my wine with delectable chocolates, and Saronsberg Cellar which offers spectacular views of mountains and also has some great art. All are amazing vineyards that offer great wine experiences, with friendly staff and beautiful surrounding.
Wine tasting overview in Tulbagh
These moments are some of the best ones in my life and I couldn't get any more grateful. I am glad that I have the time to look back on this journey. Nostalgia does not sit well to some people, but for me, it's an opportunity to look back on some good days of my life. Traveling helps me reflect on my life as well as those who have traveled before me. It helps me appreciate the beauty of nature and how much we have lost due to our busy schedules, technology and greed for wealth in this world today. Traveling also helps us learn from other cultures around us; it makes us more appreciative of each other’s differences rather than trying too hard to fit into one mold or another. South Africa, I'm returning someday!
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