Bernard and Dorothy Lane
Long Island - NY - USA
26 January 2006
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I met Bernie and Dorothy at the Cape Town airport. We became acquainted very quickly and as they were both quite fresh after their long plane flight we opted to do a short city tour so as to start our Western/Eastern Cape journey
Bernie and Dorothy on Signal Hill with Table Mountain in the background
After our visit to Signal Hill we went to the Mount Nelson Hotel where we did a short tour of the hotel and enjoyed some tea in the Nellie gardens
We traveled along the Atlantic Seaboard and then started making our way to Cathbert Country House in the Cape Winelands
Bana Bagotso (Childern of peace) from Kayamandi joined us at Cathbert for a choral evening over dinner. In the above picture we see Bernie enjoying himself with the wonderful choral group.
Dinner at Catrhbert.
Day 2
Winelands and Kayamandi
We started our day with a visit to the Afrikaans Language monument. After our visit to the monument we moved on to Kayamandi where we visited Nosandiles's creche. We left Kayamandi and visited Ernie Els's winefarm.
Dorothy measuring her hand print up against Ernie Els's concrete impression
Anything Ernie can do I can do better! JJ
We had a wonderful cheese lunch on the winefarm whereafter I took the above picture of Dorothy and Bernie
After doing a shot tour of Stellenbosch we moved onto Kayamandi where I took this picture of Dorothy and Bernie in Ly's house in Kayamandi with Lily's granddaughter Zizo joining the photo.
Dorothy having fun with two Kayamandi kids at Nosadile's shackhome
Fruit for kids time in Kayamandi
We had a wonderful dinner at Bon Vivant in Franschhoek as these pictures show.
Day 3
Drive to Knysna
We left Cathbert and travelled to Franschhoek where we stopped for Dorothy to do some shopping. Thereafter we started out on the 500 km drive to Knysna. We stopped in at Swellendam for a light lunch and arrived in Knysna at 17h30. We settled in at Overmeer guesthouse and in the evening went to Le Loerie for a great dinner meal.
Day 4
Touring the Knysna area
Web started our morning by having breakfast at Overmeer and then moving on to Brenton on Sea where Bernie and Dorothy did the wonderful 6km walk between Brenton on Sea and Buffalo Bay.
Dorothy and Bernie dwarfed on the huge Brenton on Sea beach. JJ
Dorothy on the Brenton on Sea beach
Bernie enjoying Brenton on Sea
We travelled on to Sedgefield and the Wilderness where we went on a short tour of the village.
At the Map of Africa with the magnificent Wilderness beaches in the background
We travelled back to Knysna and went to the Knysna Oyster Factory for lunch
We visited the Knysna Head where I took the above picture of Bernie and Dorothy
On our way back we stopped in at a local market where Dorothy did some curio shopping
We had dinner at a new restaurant in Knysna called Lush
Day 5
Drive to Port Elizabeth
We left Overmeer and stopped in Knysna where Dorothy did some local shopping
Bernie enjoying the fact that Dorothy is enjoying herself shopping
With a Zimbabwe trader by name of Faika from whom we bought quite a number of curios
Shopping at the market in Knysna
Two wonderful pictures of the Lanes at Plettenberg Bay
On our way to Port Elizabeth we stopped in at "Curious Objects" where Dorothy had fun doing some shopping
You take the card while I take the purchase. JJ
Dorothy looks satisfied with regard to her stop in at "Curious Objects". JJ
On Natures Valley beach
Great picture taken at the top of the Natures Valley with the Natures Valley Beach in the background
We traveled through the Bloukrans Valley and then onto Port Elizabeth where we went on a short tour of the city before checking in at Lemon Tree Lane. In the evening we went for dinner to Austria.
Day 6
Safari
After breakfast at Lemon Tree Lane Bernard and Dorothy were collected by Malcolm from Schotia Safaris so as to go on safari the Addo Elephant Park as well as Schotia Game Farm. Selwyn did not join The Lanes on this safari journey however the below pictures are some of the game sitings made by Dorothy and Bernie.
Below are some pictures taken by Bernie at Addo elephant park
The below pictures were taken while on the Schotia game drive
Day 7
Drive to Oudtshorn
We left Port Elizabeth and traveled to Knysna where we posted most of the shopping that Dorothy had done to the USA. We then went to a furniture factory close to Sedgefield. We stopped in at the Milkwood Manor for a light lunch and made our way to Mooiplaas (beautiful farm) in Oudt6shoorn
Enjoying some time with Hannelie and Viljee (owners of Mooiplaas) before enjoying our barbecued Ostrich steak dinner at Mooiplaas
Day 8
Swartberg Pass
The view from Mooplaas
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picture.
We stopped in at the local Ostrich co-op so as to buy some ostrich leather goods
Having fun in the co-op
We visited the CP Nel museum where I took the above photo of Bernie and Dorothy in the music room of the museum
In the synagogue sector of the museum
We travelled on to the Swartberg mountains where I took the following photographs.
Alone on a Karroo golf course in the town of Prince
Albert JJ
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panoramic picture.
We retuned back to Mooiplas via Meiringspoort and arrived on the farm to find that it was pouring with much needed rain. In the evening we went to Jemimas for a wonderful dinner
Day 9
Drive to Cape Town
We started our day with Viljee Keller from Mooiplaas taking Bernie and Dorothy on a tour of his ostrich farm. The below pictures capture the event.
We left Oudthoorn and took 4.5 hours top arrive in cape Town passing the towns of Calitzdorp, Ladismith, Barrydale, Montagu, Roberston, Worcester and Paarl along the way. It was a very hot day so on arrival in Cape Town we took the opportunity to ascend Table Mountain by cablecar
Bernie and Dorothy atop of Table Mountain
Doing the Table Mountain shuffle JJ
After our Table Mountain ascent we travelled on to Craigrownie Guesthouse which would be Bernie and Dorothy's Cape Town place of stay.
Later on in the evening we had a fish dinner at Willoughbys Restaurant in the Waterfront
Day 10
Peninsula tour
We started our day by stpping in at Kirstenbosch Gardens where Dorothy did some shopping
We passed Muizenberg, topped in at Kalk Bay and passed through Fish Hoek and Simonstown before visiting the penguin colony at Boulders Beach
Bernie seems to be saying I wish I ordered the smoor snoek that Dorothy orders while having lunch at Seaforth Restaurant at the Boulders Beach JJ
Bernie and Dorothy with Judas Peak and Cape Point in the background
At Cape Point
At the most south western point of Africa viz. The Cape of Good Hope
Dorothy sampling a top she bought from a rasta salesman just outside Scarborough
At a rather windy Noordhoek Beach
On top of Chapmans Peak
Enjoying dinner at the Africa Cafe.
Day 10
City tour
Return to New York
We started out our day with Bernie an Dorothy doing a 1 km walk on the Sea Point beachfront
We visited the Cape Town Waterfront where Dorothy did some shopping. Thereafter we went on a tour of the city taking in Bo-Kaap, District Six and the city centre.
We visited the Jewish Museum where I took the above photo of Dorothy and Bernard.
We visited the Waterfront where we enjoyed some ice cream under the reflection of the South African flag. J
We returned to our apartment where we were joined by Bette. We enjoyed a light supper on our apartment balcony whereafter I took Bernie and Dorothy to the airport for them to departure to London & New York .
AWESOME AWESOME AWSESOME.
Thats the only way that I can dexcribe this tour. Bernie and Dorothy were fantastic company at all times on our wonderful tour through the Garden Route and Cape Town. They had a wonderful appreciation for scenery and at all times enjoyed all around them while we travelled through the Western and Eastern Cape. It was such a pleasure to tour this couple as they has so much to add to the tour with their own veryy intuitive perceptions of what was hapening round them. What a great tour this was.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH
BERNIE and DOROTHY
Received 10 February 2006
Hi
It was long trip back but we had flat beds on both planes and got enough
sleep to be able to go to our offices early the next morning. It took a
couple of days to do the accumulated work but I have finally had the time
to clear most of the emails. Please send me the program to open the DVD
you gave me.
We miss you and SA. It was a wonderful and educational vacation. Dorry
and I agreed that you made all the difference. In addition to your
knowledge of places, venues,and restaurants, you have such good humor and
enthusiasm that every moment was a gem. I have been running around trying
to convince people to visit SA so that they can travel with you. When I
get the DVD unlocked, I'll try again with the aid of a picture show.
Best
Bernie