Goran Aasen, Eamonn
Begley
Jennifer Blanchfield and Owen Boyle
Dublin - Ireland
5 June 2003
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I met this great foursome at the Mount Nelson Hotel where they had been staying and working for the past 5 days. We first went on a short tour of "The Nellie" and then moved on to Camps Bay and eventually Craigrownie Guesthouse in Sea Point where the foursome would be staying for the next 2 days.
Owen, Eamonn, Jennifer and Goran in front of the 12 Apostles
and Camps Bay.
Please use your arrow keys to view this panoramic
picture.
After settling in at Craigrownie we travelled in to the city and stopped in for a very local and typical Cape Malay lunch at Zoerinas
After lunch we went up Signal Hill so as to become acquainted
with the city from an overhead view.
Please use your arrow keys to view this panoramic
picture.
We then did and extensive tour of the city taking in places such as the St. Stephens church, Adderley Street, Wale Street and District 6.
We travelled back to Craigrownie and on our way took this sunset photo at Top Road in Sea Point
In the evening we went for dinner to Bibis restaurant
Day 2
Peninsula tour
We started out our day by visiting a traditional healer in Langa
Eamonn, Jenny, Goran and Owen fun listening to Major's stories.
Owen found the sharks teeth was looking for at Major's "surgery"
We found an Ericsson supplier and "fixer" of cellphones in the middle of the township.
We stopped in at Kirstenbosch to do some shopping. In the picture we see Jenny surrounded by all in the shop.
The foursome in front of Muizenberg
In Kalk Bay we had a light snack at the Money Tree restaurant. Afterwards we visited the Olympia bakery Theatre where the above picture was taken.
We moved on to Boulders Beach where we visited the penguin colony.
Ericsson was well represented at the Cape of Good Hope on the day.
We had a light snack on the Cape of Good Hope Reserve while visiting Cape Point.
At "The Statues" I took this fun photo of Eamonn
Jenny and Owen having fun at "The Statues"
Goran and Eamonn at "The Statues"
Owen finds the woman of his dreams JJ
A fun photo
We stopped for sunset and a drink of Maroela mampoer (Moonshine) at Kommetjie where the next 3 photos were taken.
Please use your arrow keys to view this panoramic picture.
We travelled on to the Africa Cafe where we had a wonderful African feast and we took the above photo with Bijou who was our waiter for the evening,
At about 10h30 we visited Mama Africa where we had a wonderful evening listening and dancing to the rhythms of the fantastic percussion band. I will simply let the next 4 photos do all the talking for themselves
To quote Owen's words "What an exquisite day"!
Day 3
The Cape Winelands
I collected all at Craigrownie and we set off on a winelands tour.
We first stopped in at the Waterfront where we did some last minute shopping
We travelled to Rust en Vrede Winefarm where we enjoyed a winetasting of the fabulous wines on the farm
The foursome having fun in the cellar.
Another fun photo at Rust en Vrede
We travelled on to Stellenbosch where we did a short tour of the town and also had lunch at De Zoete Inval.
We then moved on to Kayamandi where we met Mzwake and did a one hour tour of the township and took the next photos.
After our visit to Kayamandi we made our way to the Cape Town airport where I said goodbye to Eamonn, Goran and Jenny while I took Owen back to Craigrownie as he was still to spend another week in Cape Town.
Taking this foursome around Cape Town was an amazing experience. They were full of energy and wanted to enjoy as much of Cape Town as possible during their short stay. It was an absolute pleasure to show and enjoy the city with them because of their free and easy attitude and all in all we had a magnificent time in my city.
Thanks a ton
Goran, Owen, Jenny & Eamonn.
Received 8 June 2003
Hi Selwyn
I've just had an opportunity to go on-line at home and take a look at your
website and our pictures and WOW - I just had to mail you straight away!!
I'm really blown away and although nothing can match actually living the
experiences during our three days with you - it's so great and amazing to
see it documented in images so well.
I think my favourite picture is the second last image from Kayamandi with me and Bridgie (?) and my corn! For me I think the smiles on all the faces says so much about my experiences in Kayamandi, the part of the trip which has left the strongest memories. As you know I was a little apprehensive of how people in the township would feel towards us but I think the photo reveals the answer! And also reveals how I felt about the township. Of course it is very distressing to see people living in these conditions but, their
attitude and their love and spirit for everyday life and the respect they
show to those around them, will stay with me and I hope will continue to
bring many a smile to my face when I recall our short time there. I look
forward to visiting Kayamandi and it's people again in the future - and will
see the great work you are during in the township and the wonderful changes I am sure it will bring.
Overall our three days were really great - thank you so much. You have such
an amazing city and country and this trip has only reaffirmed my earlier
belief - that South Africa is such a wonderful destination and please God, a
country I will visit many many more times!
Take care and thanks again,
Jenny
Received 10 June 2003
Hi again Selwyn,
I believe Jenny's description sums up what I believe we all feel.
It was three unbelievable days, and I will recommend this for everyone. What
touched me most was the trip in to the townships and Kayamandi in special. I would have loved to spend more time there to learn more about those incredible people. Good luck to all.
Feel free to use me as a reference if needed.
Gøran