More than a decade ago, I explored the beauty and diversity of the Rainbow Nation for an entire month with my BFF Bum Tenorio. Today, I am back. Nature is still at its finest and the hospitality of the people of South Africa is, simply stated, a way of life.
In Cape Town, the capital city of the Western Cape, sublime is the mood of the residents and visitors who frolic in the beaches and playgrounds of this very blessed city that is situated at the bottom of the most incredible Table Mountain. No words can do justice to its supremacy. As I have said before, some things are better experienced than explained.
And experience Cape Town my good friend Cheryl Tiu and I did very recently upon the invitation of Asia to Africa Safaris, which specializes in premium safari adventures. The company, founded in 2002, organizes high-quality, tailor-made safaris to Africa, providing the best possible safari experiences. It works with the leading luxury tented camps and safari lodges in the most pristine and untouched wilderness areas in Africa. For this one-of-a-kind experience, Asia To Africa Safaris tied up with Wilderness Safaris in South Africa.
Cape Town, just like it was in 2000 when it first welcomed me, does not disappoint. Imagine immaculate froth on pristine beaches whose waves rise and fall with impeccable harmony as they draw patterns of silver lining. As this happens, mountainous sentinels seem to vigilantly court the azure skies, the verdant shades of emerald green, the exotic and audible sounds of the bush. The city is definitely a perfect setting for a picturesque film that enthralls and entertains, intrigues, beguiles, captivates and enamors. The Cape of Good Hope, founded by Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama, offers ethereal views of an enviable landscape unrivalled in this region of the world.
In Cape Town, I felt God everywhere. Each morning, I would bask in its crisp weather, admire the mighty Table Mountain at the distant backdrop of our opulent Belmond Mount Nelson, which has hosted Sir Winston Churchill many times in the past. The salmon-hued structures are actually several low-rise buildings that used to be the home of the members of the Royal British family who still spend their vacations there.
Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel speaks of an urban sanctuary with its striking architecture and unique interior design. This nine-acre garden estate has an unsurpassed vista of a mountainous landscape. Its two heated swimming pools, spacious rolling lawns and rose gardens are elements that lend to the romanticism that permeates the hotel. Belmond Mount Nelson, with its 112 years of history, is known to be the closest luxury hotel to the famed Table Mountain. Leisure is never far behind from the property because the hotel is walking distance to The Company Gardens, Natural History Museum, Planetarium and even to the Houses of Parliament. Guests can avail themselves of the permeating tranquility at the hotel through its 209 individually styled rooms and suites.
The hotel offers a unique dining experience at the Chef’s Table. Cheryl and I ecstatically savored the delectable sweet treats, scones and clotted cream, sacher torte as well as the finest tea from all over the world. The high tea here is so legendary that it has been voted the Best Tea in the World three years in a row by Michael Winner, an established English restaurant critic for The Sunday Times.
It also has the contemporary Planet Bar and Restaurant, which offers guests a true South African gastronomic experience.
Librisa Spa, the hotel’s destination day spa, is not remiss in offering a sumptuous menu of holistic treatments done in nine expansive and individually decorated treatment rooms.
Around the property is the St. George Cathedral where I fervently attended morning prayer services. In a wondrous place like Cape Town, it was easy to understand the homilies at the cathedral, which ranged from “God answers our prayers even before we ask” and “Be still and know that I am God” to “God provides the light in our darkness.”
Walking back to Belmond Mount Nelson, I passed by the expansive park with the monuments of famous heroes with the backdrop of the mighty Table Mountain. The clouds that magnificently lined the skies were silhouetted by birds in flight; a pristine environment. The joyful serenity of the locale makes one feel that one’s pleas are answered by God in this place.
From Cape Town, we drove just two hours away to the most stunning wine country. Dramatic mountain ranges flanked the verdant grape vines, the orchards of peaches, Clementines, apples and strawberries. The vineyards reminded us that agriculture is after all the number one industry of this Rainbow Country. Even its fresh harvests reflect the eclectic colors of the bow. In Stellenbosch, we sampled the finest wines at the countryside wine estate where winemaker Kevin Palmer sat with us and explained how they supply all Relais and Chateau properties in several outstanding locations the world over. We took home the finest sweet wine with rosemary chocolate then proceeded to the opulent Delaire Graff winery that was prepped and peppered with amazing art installations all over the property. Cheryl and I truly enjoyed the Chenin Blanc combined with Chardonnay. A hearty lunch of fresh fish and salads proved to be an epicurean experience — downed with the best white wine.
Our gracious guide Lucia from Wilderness Safari drove us through the charming Franschhoek, a small town that has been incorporated in the Stellenbosch municipality since 2000. Franschhoek, which means “French corner,” is one of the oldest towns of South Africa that is dotted with captivating Dutch architecture. It is about 75 kilometers from Cape Town.
For a couple of nights, our residence at Franschhoek was the exquisite La Residence, tucked charmingly among gorgeous vineyards and rolling mountains. Voted as the No. 1 hotel in all of the world by Conde Nast, how can one not feel extremely blessed for the privilege of being in this hotel?
It is very easy to wax superlative when one is billeted at La Residence for it provides a haven of luxurious accommodations. Peace and quiet is instilled in the place yet an interrupted revelry of sorts is felt. The 11 splendid suites decorated by owner Liz Biden are colorful and assure that guests will have an unforgettable stay at the hotel. Each suite of La Residence opens to its own private veranda that is perfumed by the natural scent of the verdant surroundings.
La Residence also enjoys a reputation for superb cuisine, and many of its fresh harvests are grown in the hotels own garden. Meals are served underneath the dazzling chandeliers in the stately dining room or in the picturesque Persian Alley. The service at La Residence is so personalized; the luxury it gives is unparalleled.
We enjoyed our dinner as Cheryl and I clinked our wine glasses. We were told that La Residence grows its own cabernet sauvignon and shiraz grapes, which are bottled and only served at the hotel.
La Residence, sitting gloriously in a private 30-acre estate of South Africa’s magnificent Cape Winelands, forms part of “The Royal Portfolio” in South Africa along with the other properties being the Royal Malewane Lodge in the Timbavati Game Reserve and the Birkenhead House in Hermanus.
It was before the crack of dawn of a rainy morning when we left La Residence. It was refreshing knowing the vines needed this ample supply of water. In the dark, I imagined the ethereal views I had seen the day before. It was a comforting thought as I remembered what I learned at the cathedral days before that God is the light through the darkness.
Cheryl and I boarded our South African Air flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg. At the Joberg airport, we enjoyed the Cathay Pacific lounge. We traveled to Hong Kong in comfort and luxury as we recalled our unforgettable sojourn in Cape Town and Franschhoek in South Africa.
No matter what changes take place in this Rainbow Country, the hues of its rainbows will continue to shine in the plethora of nature’s finest and upon the spirit of its beautiful people.
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Customized itineraries for Asia to Africa Safaris can be arranged by its office in Manila. Call (02)812-2728 or log on to www.atoasafaris.com or e-mail enquiry@atoasafaris.com.
Cathay Pacific flies from Hong Kong to Johannesburg. From there, take a local flight to Cape Town. For more information, call 757-0888.
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E-mail the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.