Miss you already South Africa

When something big and emotionally challenging is happening, it can be difficult to try to find the words or even find the motivation to explain what is happening to the outside world. The inside process is a bit chaotic and you need some patience. The emotional dimension and the reasonable thinking are like opposite poles. It is not really in my control and in my hands to know what I think now and what I think after a few minutes. But often there is a basic feeling that you can hold on. Does the change feel good in general or not? The change that we are going through feels good in general and I have all the trust and faith for the positive outcome. The change is challenging, but it's needed and it feels right.

I'm ready to let go and ready to follow what's happening and be a proud mother. The time has come that my oldest child moves on and is following his dreams in South Africa. It was an emotional and fun journey for us as a family to be there and be part of this new start. It makes it easier now to enjoy a new phase and let this step inspire us. 

One of the most inspirational days during our trip was the visit to Cape Town. Our plan was to take the cable cabin to the top of the Table mountain, but it was too windy and they had to cancel the connection on that day. Instead we walked a little bit higher and admired the open views towards the sea and the city centre. It takes about two hours to walk up on top of the flat figured mountain. We could have done it, but had too little time on that day. On our next visit we will walk there and maybe come down with the cable cabin.

 

A picture of the cable cabin (from internet)

The city sightseeing bus has 3 different routes and you can freely use your ticket the whole day stopping where ever you want and continue your trip later from the same point. Very easy way to get around in Cape town during your first visit. The loveliest spot to have a little walk and admire the ocean was for me the beach of Camps Bay. Big waves, white sand, beautiful rocks and houses along the coastline. You could easily spent a nice day just there. There are plenty of restaurants near the beach if you want to have a bite or a drink. It was peaceful on the day we were there (we were early), but I read this is the party beach of Cape town, so it can be also quite crowded. 

The contrasts are big. The dark nights and the sunny days, the rich and the poor, the bright colors and the black shadows. Trying to find protection from the burning sun. We came from the grey Dutch winter to this summer world and enjoyed it with enthusiasm. The local summer was making the whole situation lighter to handle. We saw how happy our son was in his new environment and how this chance was very unique for him, because he wants to reach his personal goals in sport.

We came to a new land, but it started to feel like a second home. Not just because it was a place where my son is going to live for the next two years, but also cos the people were so nice, helpful and warm. I feel more safe, because I know there are people who can help if needed.

The personal stories of some local people were interesting. The life in a poor township is totally different than the luxury lifestyle of the rich. You have to be more aware of the risks when you live in or visit South Africa. We come from a safe European country, but criminals and risks can be found everywhere in the world. I felt safe in general, but you have to know where you can go and avoid walking some parts when it's dark.

One day we had uber drive to Cape Town and back. Our driver was a young man from Zimbabwe. He told us the difficulties of his country and how challenging it is to plan your life and find a job. Last years in South Africa he had two jobs from early morning to late evening to be able to buy his own car and work more independent as a uber driver. He is now living in a township and he said he is afraid there every day. He was a very outspoken young man and his personal story was touching. It was not sure if his working visa was going to be extended next summer. If not, then he would have to go back to Zimbabwe where is almost impossible to find the work and the political situation is bad. Working in South Africa is his chance for a better life. I hope he can stay there.

"The meeting place" restaurant

"Fat Butcher"restaurant

Our Bed & Breakfast

At the school gate

Sunset and mountains

 I'm proud that my son saw his opportunity and with some good connections it was possible to get him a spot from a school that is very focused on sport. He is supposed to finish his high school also, so the academic part will be important as well. 

As I'm writing this I feel more emotions coming up. We have a little bit sunny week in Amsterdam. The first spring flowers are giving the color and I'm thinking the same sun is shining on the sky for him and for us. It will be over +30 degrees celcius in West Cape area, but I have fresh memories from our trip. I try to imagine the warmth like it was there. But some moments I have to cry a bit, even I'm so happy for my son. We miss him! It feels bit empty, we saw him last 17 years almost every day and now he is busy on the other side of the world. 

Dutch Colonial style houses: all white with nice details

 

A small visit to Hortus Botanicus Stellenbosch

Lunch at Delheim wine estate

Wine tasting and cycling 

I was taking part to wine cursus in Amsterdam for a while ago. It was more fun to taste the South African wines, cos I had some basic knowledge about grapes, areas and the whole production process of wines. I feel I can enjoy more and understand why I like some tastes and some not. We had one great day driving the mountain bikes to visit a couple of wine estates. It was a good way to admire the views. After the round we had to focus more to stay on the cycling paths. It was fun, but the whole wine business is quite touristic. I think you get more out of the tasting if you know already the basic facts. The wines are just shortly introduced by the sommelier and not so much further discussed. It is more just to enjoy the moment and that's important on a holiday for sure!

Wine tasting in Stark Conde wine farm

Wine cellar at Lanzerac estate

Another fun way to visit the wine estates is to step in "hop on hop off" minibus from Stellenbosch and choose where you want to visit and have some lunch and tastings. The bus will drive regularly to bring and pick up people in different locations. If you rent a car you will be more free to go where ever you want. 

wine fermentation process

Chocolade and wine tasting

TIPS:

Nice hotel, spa en restaurant at the wine estate Lanzerac : https://lanzerac.co.za/

This wine estate had very nice environment:  

Stark Conde wine farm.

Other nice spots with great views:

Delheim wine farm (lovely lunch spot)

Muratie wine estate (nice and historical setting)

Such a beautiful place: Stark Conde wine estate

It was super relaxing to have a holiday. There was also many practical things to organize for our son, but we will be back at one stage to visit him. I'm looking forward to it. We saw some nice spots, but next time I want to focus more on the nature and learn more about the history. Thanks my son for taking us with you on this journey, it is inspiring how much more we can learn from our own children and also from the strangers we meet on our way.

Bella primavera - Dreamy Italian spring

The sun and the hills at the Italian Riviera lightened my mind and gave us some time to enjoy the moment as a family. We were thankful for the invitation of our friends, to come and visit their holiday home this spring time. After an early flight to Nice, we drove along the coastline motorway to find this sleepy little village in Italy. One of those places where the time seems to have no big meaning and the historical walls of the houses are standing so wise, having seen so many secrets. 

It was not very hot yet, somewhere around +20 celsius! Our brave children were swimming so much at the pool and we had some great evenings by the barbecue, celebrating the friendship and even one birthday. The neighbors from the top of the hill came for a visit and it was nice to listen one more story of a Dutch family who found a piece of their dream from Italy. Earlier that day our men were helping them to build over 100 meter long fence to keep the wild pigs away from their yard. The physical work was rewarding. I think many people miss a bit this sort of challenge of using the body and mind to create something practical. Doing tasks outdoors can be like finding our inner child again and give different boost to our self confidence. The human beings are made for moving and staying healthy means challenging yourself every day a little bit.

I was walking the narrow, serpentine road down to the village a couple of times with my friend to get some fresh bread from the bakery early in the morning. The locals were bringing their kids from high hills to the bus stop in the valley with their small cars and waving for us. When we first time drove up the hill with our car, it felt a bit scary and we hoped not to face another car coming down, but you fast get used to the hight and the locals know how to give some space when passing.

Dolceacqua

We spent a quiet afternoon in a little village of Dolceacqua in the province of Imperia. Such a postcard view of historical houses by the river and between the hills. It was wonderful to walk in the small alleys surrounded by the richness of details and history. A little bit sleepy, filtered light of spring and awakening new season. For us the best time to visit Italy: not too hot and without too much tourists.

It is possible to visit the Castle of Doria on top of the hill. You walk a beautiful route in the shadows of the high stone houses, towards to sky and the nicely located ruins. We forgot the siesta time and could not enter the castle. We will do that next time. 

Hardly anybody walking, just our little family wondering. It must be quite a place in the dark hours, just little light sparkling from wall to wall and the sound of your shoes balancing on the ancient stones.

Bordighera

The coastline of Italian Riviera is full of interesting locations to visit. We spent our week near Ventimiglia between Monaco and San Remo. One day we drove to the stony beach in Bordighera and had a great lunch, the best during our holiday, at the restaurant Ristorante Romolo Amarea

Sandy beaches have their own charm, but I am fascinated of the round stones, created by the forces of waves. At every beach I visit, I'll walk around and choose a couple of treasures to take with me to home. 

  

We stayed quite near the French border in the area of Liguria on our holiday, but as you can see from the map, the Italian Riviera is quite long, there is so much to see. 

We had our last dinner with our friends with this pretty view (photo below)at the restaurant La Rampa in Dolceacqua. We had a simple, very Italian dinner with crispy pizza's and delicate pasta. Not the best during our stay, but in a very authentic atmosphere. The streetlights were on and the last sunlight just before the sunset created some extra magic.

Arrivederci bella Italia! 

Thank you for the inspiration and the possibility to enjoy the moment and forget everything just for one week.

It's a long time from my last post. Our thoughts have been focusing so much on these crisis we are facing at the moment. First all the worries caused by the covid-19 worldwide and now the horrible war situation in Ukraine. 

To be able to function and take care of ourselves, we also need something else to focus on. I've been practising yoga & pilates and trying to get my Dutch language certificate (Netherlands as second language). I've runned a lot this winter. My oldest child might soon move abroad, that's also a mental challenge for our family. Learning how to let go or "hold differently", like our wise friend said.