Peace of Africa

I had a pretty rough autumn, workwise and otherwise. Therefore I am delighted to find peace during these three weeks of holiday in Africa. Sun, sleep, friends and paragliding does wonders for me.

I left Sweden 1 December and flew via Dubai. Having to spend more than eight hours overnight at the airport waiting for the connecting flight to Cape Town, I took a cab downtown. Very quiet and somewhat boring, but I didn’t see much.

Cape Town is one of my favourite cities, so it was nice to be back again. Just hanged around for two days, enjoying the sun and the city while waiting for the other Swedish paraglider pilots to arrive. Sunday lunch we picked up a rental car and drove to Porterville, three-four hour drives North West of Cape Town. Here, we are nine Swedish pilots attending a one-week training camp to improve our competition flying. The second week will partake in an International paragliding competition.

Unfortunately, the weather hasn’t played ball. Arriving in sizzling 37°C heat Sunday afternoon we had a short evening flight. Monday was too windy so we went wine tasting and dining (always a pleasure) at Fairview and Nederburg.

Tuesday was flyable, just about, so we took off from Klipdas at Porterville and flew South. I landed at Saron after 29 kilometers, some of the other pilots made it into the Tulbagh valley another 15 kilometers. What a lovely feeling to be in the air again! When I landed I was greeted by a whole bunch of little kids that came running from the nearest farm. Although they probably saw paragliders before they were still big-eyed when I a descended soundlessy from the sky only to fold up my flying machine into a neat backpack and walk away. What a wondrous sport this is.

Wednesdat was cold and windy so we drove towards Stellenbosch and had lunch at tasty 96 Winery Road. The wines at Waterford and Dornier were disappointing but Stellenzicht was a very positive surprise with an agreeable Chardonnay and some lovely Shiraz.

Yesterday I woke up early and took a refreshing walk out on the countryside. It is such a beautiful landscape here. Peaceful. Said hello to two kids on a bike and a few pigs along the road.

Hiking on top of the Table Mountain

Cool house on Strand Street

Cape Town seen from the top of the Table Mountain. Green Point Stadium to the left.

The hole in the fog is created by Robben Island

Dassies out and about

Downtown Cape Town

Reading by the sea

Had a wonderful afternoon, reading a book (still Toby Litt) by the sea. Finished with a Chimay Bleue at Den Anker, watching Cape Town turning golden while wallowing sealions drifted by.
Now I can hear the prayer calls from Bo-Kaap. Reminds me of Jerusalem.

Food market at the Biscuit Mill

A friend (thanks Sonja!) tipped me about the Biscuit Mill out in Woodstock. Saturdays they have a great food market with lots of delicious stuff. In between the stalls there are long tables - just pick something nice to nibble on, a drink and sit down. Lots of beautiful people as well, and some cool design shops.

Local transport in Cape Town

Around the corner from my flat in Waterkant

Sundowner at Bernie's place in Camps Bay

My landlord in Cape Town, Bernie, is a friendly man. Yesterday he invited me over for a sundowner at his fabulous beach villa in Camps Bay. Interesting people and beautiful views.

Beaching and dancing in Cape Town

What a terrific day! Argentinian friend Ana was heading for the Beach at Camps Bay and asked me to join. She did the tanning while I staid in the shade and took a few dips in the very cool Atlantic Ocean.


Later, after a few beers at Arnold's on Kloof Street, we ended up on Long Street, bar hopping. Ana ran into to two Argentinian friends - it is indeed a small world. Then we danced all night :-).

Concert in Cape Town

Back in Cape Town I ended up at a concert in the botanical Garden with the local artist Lira. Some German and Argentinian friends were going and asked if I wanted to join. Lots of fun!

Fish at Panama Jacks (and the dude at Boo Radley)

Went to Hout Bay this morning to snorkel with Cape Fur Seals, but the trip was cancelled due to big swells. Will try again on Friday.
In the harbour I met diving business veteran Kimmo Hagman (Swedish-speaking Fin that lives in Egypt). The world is small!

Had some nice fish at Panama Jacks restaurant in the container harbour of Cape Town tonight together with Bonen, Kimmo and Sabine.
Then walked from the Waterfront to Long Street in the night heat, watering with White Russians at Boo Radley before going home.
Tomorrow we will give the seals a new try.