Life in The Big Easy

Throughout the last three years both of us have lived and loved Cape Town and the lifestyle it allows one to live. Despite full time jobs one cannot get rid of this slightly guilt-laden feeling of constant holiday. Waking up to the sound and the view of the waves every day, grabbing a surf board and walking to the beach on weekends or being stuck in traffic with the full view of Table Mountain and Constantia’s wine-lands on weekdays. Constant reminders of the luck to have chosen “The Big Easy” as city to settle for some time.

On the doorstep, Table Mountain National Park stretching throughout the whole city and length of the peninsula with uncountable hiking trails, caves, dams and beaches to explore.

A little further outside the vast Western Cape. Where should one start describing all its treasures? Starting with the Winelands of Franshoek, Stellenbosch, Paarl with their so non-African flair made up for many high-quality culinary experiences.

The wonderful Route 62. What a feeling it is to travel through the Little Karroo in late afternoon with the late sunlight reflecting on the hills of the semi-desert and passing through the lush little wine towns of McGregor, Barrisdale, Calitzdorp. The adrenalin rush here comes with an Ostrich ride in the Ostrich capital of Outhoorn just before climbing the famous Swartberg Pass and arriving in the idyllic Price Albert where people will need to strongly make an effort to speak in English to you as opposed to Afrikaans.

Further to the North comes the Cederberg, a landscape as if taken from the imagination of the Moon. As well just a two-hour drive from Cape Town but so immensely different. Hot dry climate and little vegetation along with steep mountain cliffs and cracks within them make up for an unforgettable hiking experience.

In-between south, west and north Western Cape there have been many more places that have offered excellent weekend escapes throughout the time in Cape Town. The lovely town of Tulbagh, the De Hoop, Matroosberg, Limietberg, Kogelbay and honestly so many more Nature Reserves.

Every occasion that allowed us to spend time away from out jobs drew us to some new place to explore.This very much to the concern of our families and friends far away on a different continent… All along we counted on their understanding which we have received plentiful and have also had the pleasure of their visits.