Stellenbosch

Hi! I am finally getting around to posting our Cape Town photos. If these photos don’t convince you to come to South Africa, I’m not sure what will. I’ll be doing a series of posts to cover the entire trip because we took about a thousand photos.

First up, Stellenbosch!!!!!

We started off our Western Cape vacation in the winelands area, in a charming town called Stellenbosch. It is about 30 miles east of Cape Town. It is absolutely beautiful and full of history. Stellenbosch is the 2^nd oldest town in the province, founded in 1679. I kept telling Mat and Mom that it had to be haunted!

Grapes were planted in 1690 and it quickly became the center of the South African wine industry due to its climate and soil. Stellenbosch is still the primary location for viticulture research in South Africa, even though there are other popular valleys nearby.

{young grapes}

Stellenbosch is a foodie paradise! Many of the country’s best restaurants are located there. We ate at several fantastic restaurants and surely gained 5kg’s by the time we left!

We had the opportunity to visit 5 boutique wineries during our trip. Each was vastly different from the others and we learned a lot about the growing and harvesting process. Unlike Napa Valley, the tastings are inexpensive so you can add pairings like chocolate or cheese and not put a big dent in your wallet. The lower prices per bottle also made it enticing to buy your favorites, which we did!

We stayed on a vineyard, called Beau Belle, for the 3 days we were in Stellenbosch. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend the Beau Belle Guest Cottage. All of us (including Mat) loved it and did not want to leave. Beau Belle produces Shiraz grapes and also olive oil. Yum.

Without further ado, here are photos from our trip. Enjoy!!!

{outside of Beau Belle Cottage}

{living room area at Beau Belle}

{master bedroom at Beau Belle}

{view from Beau Belle Chateau}

{creepy lady who greets you when you drive into Stellenbosch}

{Tom Petty cover band at Somerbosch}

{Ernie Els vineyard. Yes! The golfer Ernie Els. He is a South African native}

{fields of lavender}

{gorgeous iridescent tiny bird}

{Mom & Jess at Hidden Valley}

{Hidden Valley Wines}

{DOUBLE rainbow into the vineyard}

{this photo is not enhanced - it really was this vivid}

{Mat & Jess - once in a lifetime photo opp}

{Mat & Mom looking like bodybuilders}

how big is Africa?

Hello! Today is our 4th wedding anniversary! I love you, babe.

Well it looks like everything is calming down after Mandela's passing and memorial service in Soweto. There were some very important and powerful people in the country on Tuesday! Including Obama. Taking selfies.

I recently stumbled across a map that shows exactly how HUGE Africa is. Not South Africa, but the whole continent. I realized that many of you don't know how massive it is. I hope this helps put it in perspective. I think this is really cool!!!!

Mandela's death echoes worldwide

This Friday morning, the Republic of South Africa is in mourning because Nelson Mandela has passed away. This loss is obviously big news and is being covered by the media worldwide, so I will not rewrite what is being said already. I will, however, keep you posted on how the country reacts to this sad news.

I hope you had a good week and I'll be back tomorrow with a new post.

Love,
Jess & Mat

Cheetahs!

Everyone knows the cheetah is the fastest land animal in the world. It can run 70 miles per hour!!!! So when we found out that we could see the cheetahs run at the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre, I quickly added it to my MUST DO list.

The Centre is a breeding and research facility that was started by Ann van Dyk in 1971. Some of the cheetahs were rescued and others were born there. The Centre also has hyenas, wild dogs, carcals, honey badgers, vultures, among others. It was a highly impressive experience and we learned a lot.

Here are some cheetah facts you may not know:

- They are endangered. Only an estimated 9,000 to 12,000 remain in the wild

- After a cheetah makes a kill, they must eat very quickly before another predator takes it. Often the cheetah is so exhausted after the kill that they cannot eat before it is taken. This is a big threat to their survival.

- It takes a cheetah 3 strides to accelerate from 0 to 40 mph, and only a few more seconds to reach 70 mph

- They cannot retract their claws

- Cheetahs do not need to drink water, they get all they need from their prey

- The tail acts as a powerful rudder and also a stabilizer

- They are more active during the day than night

- The call of the cheetah is known as a “chirp” and sounds like sparrow

And, finally, here are photos from our adventure.

Has this convinced you to come visit so you can see the cheetahs?! :-)

Love,
Jess & Mat