Ultimate Survival in Namibia! August 14, 2008

Seems Germans know how to do things

After watching a recent episode of Ultimate Survival on Discovery – and seeing Bear Grylls suffer dehydration and hunger ( resorting to eating Puff Adders and the likes) it reminded me of my recent trip to the old South West German outpost.

My experience was far off that of Bear’s- as my experience was fulled with huge amounts of food and enough wine and beer to keep you hydrated for a year! The travelling crew included myself and my parents along with two other family friends( well just the Ballies from those families). In total the three 4×4 convoy dusted over 7000km and saw just about everything that Namibia had to offer. Our nights of camping involved meaty braai’s with the roaring of hungry lions in the not so far distance or the never say die attitude of scavenging Jackels looking for scraps ( even if it meant gnawing into the Penzhorn’s tent). It was an awesome experience and one that I urge everyone to do.

Thanks goodness for Gertrude Garmin

Roughing it!

Fish River Canyon

Watch out Floyd!

Wine Tripping with the boys and girls! July 28, 2008

all the boys and girls riding low

About two days ago, a whole bunch of us boarded two combi’s and headed off towards the Constantia region for a bit of a razzle on a sunny Saturday. We all met at the infamous Forresters Arms so the day could not start at a better location.

Our first stop: Steenberg Wine Estate; it was the first time I had visited the estate and let me tell you that it is an amazing setting, and the time spent there was equally spectacular. We were greeted with big smiles and a bit of bubbly to get us all the mood. The wines were all great, especially the Sauvignon range. there was no charge for the tasting which put smiles all across our faces. We did have a little mishap when one of the staff accidentally spilt luke warm purple cherry soup all over Carey’s White Jacket ( the only white jacket there I might add) but the jacket was whipped away for a frantic wash and returned with a complimentry bottle of Merlot (score!). So about an hour or so later we skipped away towards the busses (also stopped to check an owl in the trees) and cranked up the volume and sped away to Constantia Uitsig.

Steenberg was just awesome, friendly staff, beautiful location and fantasic wines. Good times!

then we arrived at Constantia Uitsig.

After having such a good time at Steenberg our time at Uitsig was less enjoyed and party due perhaps to only one reason: the lady behind the counter was just so irritating. Talking down to us like a bunch barn animals is not the way to show case your wines. In truth I can’t tell you if the wines were any good or not, in fact they all tasted a bit bitter as they slid down my throat wanting the lady to just shut up. And they charged us, which is not surprising, but when you considered our experience at Steenberg( where we would have paid gladly) and our gloom at Uitsig it is hard not to feel ripped off.

back in the buses- off to Groot Constantia.

As we rolled into Groot Constantia in our low riding, tinted window, taxi looking combi I could see the face of the Lady at the entrance drop. Not to worry we are all well behaved guys and girls.( sort of- well up to that point anyway) So having been here before we decided not to opt for the tasting options but to rather buy bottles and use the setting. And that’s exactly what we did. We spent the time toasting eachother and Nick Brits for organising the day and for the absolute success of the day.

We finished off the day with a few at Forries to watch the Sharks beat the Lions( Sharks Forever!) and to put an end to a fantastic day out in the winelands with great friends and wine!

Steenberg, Groot Constantia thumbs up….Uitsig not so convincing!