Kruger and Southern Africa

[love_the_life]

........

The meal started with Spring rolls filled with duck accompanied with BBQ dipping sauce, which we both had and enjoyed.

Each place was set with a side plate and knife. Following the entre when no bread had appeared, +1 asked the waiter if there was supposed to be some bread served. He wasn’t sure and took off to the kitchen to check. About 15 mins later he reappeared with a bread basket. The story was that the chef had forgotten to order or bake (not too sure which) but he didn’t want to return empty handed so we had 2 slices of rye bread left over from breakfast! And two of those little plastic butter containers, also left over from breakfast.

Second course was a choice between Sirloin with a Red Wine Jus, roasted vegetables and potato mash, and Chicken filled with apricot and brie, roasted vegetables and cous cous salad.

The sirloin was about 3mm thick and tough as leather and the sauce may have had some red wine in it however it was predominantly BBQ sauce. Not too sure if there was brie in +1's chicken, the apricot was so overpowering that it drowned everything else out. The chicken also was really dry.

The vegetables were like little dried up remnants of something that used to be. I guess the potato mash and the cous cous were OK.

Now for the piece de resistance – I ordered the Rosemary infused Crème Brulee, a favourite for both of us. It came in a tea cup and the top had so much sugar melted on top it was like concrete.



Underneath was a whitish, runny and grainy mixture that not only did NOT resemble anything like normal brulee, it looked and tasted dreadful. When I told the waitress that this was not cooked she referred it to the chef, however apparently it was supposed to be like that.

+1 ordered the chocolate brownie and strawberry kebab – not too much can go wrong with that and consequently was quite nice



Surprisingly, according to the email, bookings are essential!

Dining highlight of the trip? Possibly not by the sound of it

 

[drron]

The tram sounds a great idea. Must remember it for next time!

We had a driver for our car.The perfect alternative.

 

[Jacques Vert]

We had a driver for our car.The perfect alternative.

How many wines did s/he taste?

 

[Jacques Vert]

So after lunch we drove to Bontebok National Park. Why? Well our overall plan was to head to Plettenberg Bay and then work our way bay along the Garden Route to Cape Town. But from Franschhoek to Plet is about six hours drive which would have meant spending less time in Franschhoek.

Thus we were looking for somewhere along the way to stay overnight. Bontebok is a little more than two hours from Franschhoek so that seemed about right. Being a National Park there would be some wildlife about and as we have a SANParks Wild Card we get free entry to the Park and only pay for the accommodation.

Along the way we pass some nice scenery. Leaving Franschhoek...






Franschhoek Pass...

 

[Jacques Vert]

This area is suffering from the worst drought in 100+ years. This dam supplies water to Cape Town, not much left...






We approach the mountains:






After entering Bontebok NP and picking up our key at reception, we head into the park. This interesting road treatment makes a steep hil on a gravel road seem like a freeway...

 

[Jacques Vert]

Our Chalet...



This photo was taken the following morning. However, we arrived around 4-30PM on a hot afternoon with no breeze and the sun had been shining directly on the glass windows and doors all afternoon. When I got out of the car I was immediately struck by the heat and the inside of the Chalet, which had been closed up all day, was like a furnace.

No air-conditioning and only a small ceiling fan that went at half speed. We opened up the windows, put some wine and glasses in the freezer, and heading back into the nearby town, Swellendam, to pick up some supplies.

Upon our return we carried our deck chairs to a spot where our neighbours for the night had found some shade and a cool breeze. An enjoyable afternoon checking out the view:








Once the sun dropped below the hills, the temperature dropped quickly and we had a pleasant evening enjoying our sundowners.




I understand that the Chalets are progressively being fitted with air conditioners.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Next morning we took a drive around the Park to see if there are any animals here.

Some Bontebok...






Mountain Zebra...




Red Heartbeast:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Foreground: a Denham's Bustard, background a Secretarybird:




A Grey Rhebuck...




After leaving Bontebok, we pass an Ostrich farm.

 

[drron]

How many wines did s/he taste?

Not a single one but did have a beer with dinner.We hired the car and driver/guide.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Plettenberg Bay

Well not quite, we actually stayed about 10 km to the north at a place called Alkantmooi Private Nature Reserve near the town of Keurboomstrand. Basically one of 7 villas on a property a couple of km out of town. No animals but very quite and peaceful.

Our villa was near new:





Looking from our bedroom onto our sundowner deck...




The view from the deck:






There's NO restaurant on site but you can order in breakfast at a reasonable price.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Next day it was into Keurboomstrand for lunch at Enrico's, a restaurant highly recommended by the lady at reception the previous evening.




The view from our table:




The menu:



and the specials:

 

[Jacques Vert]

The wine list:



The ice bucket:




Our garlic Bomba and dipping oil, and extra garlic, of course...




Bresaola and Avocado..





After the starters some locals came by to say hello...

 

[Jacques Vert]

Our mains:





Entertainment included:




Tiramisu, big enough for two:




+1 commented that this was the best Italian meal she has ever had, better than anything we've had in Italy. I find it difficult to disagree.


The owners...

 

[love_the_life]

Sounds great, though I have to say I am not a fan of the the bath in the bedroom type rooms. Nasty at my age :shock:

 

[Jacques Vert]

After lunch, a walk along the beach to work off those calories...

 

[Jacques Vert]

Some views of Plettenberg Bay...



Next day the weather was not quite as nice...







While walking around we came across the local school choir, excellent singing and dancing..

 

[Jacques Vert]

We had lunch at the Lookout Deck restaurant. Views excellent and food OK.

Maybe the food was good but after Enrico's the previous day it was hard to be rate.

 

[Jacques Vert]

A view of the lagoon as we enter Knysna:



Our room at the Protea:





The view from our room:



There's a water polo tournament nearby...

 

[Jacques Vert]

In and around Knysna...

 

[Jacques Vert]

Serious money?



Heading towards Baffel'sBay...







Taken from the restaurant/cafe on Baffel's Bay Beach: