I should have been arriving home right around 8pm Thursday evening, but British Airways have contrived to keep me in Johannesburg for another 48 hours. Believe it or not my travel advisor skills have kept me ahead of probably all of the other 350 passengers who were left almost completely in the dark by the airline. I had my flights rebooked, maintaining business class for the entire itinerary, while still sitting on the tarmac waiting to deplane once the flight was officially cancelled. I had my hotel booked 10 minutes after that. I also have travel insurance so am comfortable the small extra expenses will be covered and I'll receive an amount for 2 full days of delay. All in all, I'm very lucky the extra hassle doesn't bother me. I get on with my work and just enjoy wherever I am!
This trip has been sensational, and here is part 2 of Cape Town revisited.
Top 5 - Cape Town Part 2, 2023
1. Hot Water (below)
On a windy and rainy morning our plans for breakfast on top of Table Mountain had to be altered at the last minute and somehow Belmond pulled a rabbit out of the hat. We headed instead to the Athletic Club & Social and were treated to as intimate a performance as you can get in the basement of a tiny jazz club. A few of the band of Hot Water played their hearts out. This band is committed through their music and performances to bring magic into people's lives. They succeeded with me.
Click the image below to see and hear 6 mins 45 secs of sheer epicness.
2. Fayruza (below)
Known for its famous colorful homes, Bo-Kaap (above) is steeped in rich history. My connection of the day was with Fayruza of Taste Malay. She is a well-traveled, passionate food enthusiast aiming to share her love for cooking and her food culture with as many people as possible. Cape Malay cuisine is not to be confused with Malaysian though it does contain some overlapping elements. The Cape Malay special style of cooking fuses traditions from Malaysian, Indonesian and East African slaves, who were brought to Cape Town by Dutch settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, Cape Malay cuisine remains an important part of the Western Cape’s culture and heritage, especially among the Muslim population of Cape Town. Fayruza cooked us a 4-course meal in her home and it was all exceptional. As I often repeat, connecting with different cultures through food is such a good idea.
3. Bye Bye Bravissimo (below)
Our amazing Belmond Bellini Bravissimo event concluded with a Farewell Fashion Show Dinner that combined extraordinary talents from the realms of cuisine, fashion and music.
The absolute highlight for me was the 3rd featured designer of the night Mzukisi Mbane showcasing his brand, IMPRINT.
Combined with a choir of over 30, this was a feast for the senses and almost overwhelming in the best way possible.
4. Bushman's Kloof (above and below)
With the Belmond event concluded, I drove 3 hours west of Cape Town and into the Cederberg Mountains. My home for the next 3 days was the stunning Bushman's Kloof and here I fell in love with yet another Red Carnation property. It quickly became possibly my favorite boutique hotel ever. The hotel is set alone in an 18,500 acre reserve and it feels like you are a million miles from anywhere. You need to see at least 20 of my photos to get the full idea, but you'll have to settle for just 3 for now.
This is the place you come to to chill in between all the activities available in Cape Town and your safari.
5. Shreddies (below)
There are several luxury brands who truly follow through on their promise of personal service, but I'm not sure any of them go quite the distance that Red Carnation strive for. Several years ago I once mentioned just in passing to the best Director of Sales ever, Melissa Young, that one thing I missed from England was a bowl of Shreddies (the breakfast cereal not the underpants). Lo and behold in my stays at Egerton house in London and now magically in the middle of nowhere in South Africa they simply appear. This brand makes you feel like family every time you walk through a door, and we continue to highly recommend them.
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I love travel and I love travel planning just as much and I am proud to be building a team as passionate about exploring the world as myself. It took me a very long time to align my career with my undeniable passion for exploring, but now I and the team are here for you. Your personal travel tailors - award reservation and luxury custom itinerary experts. We provide a bespoke service, imagining and creating itineraries for independent minded families and groups.
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