my favorites: 8 stunning views

bixby bridge in big sur, california

bixby bridge in big sur, california

every year around this time, i start to get a bit of cabin fever.  it’s officially “busy season” for me at work, and i leave civilization for awhile and hibernate in conference rooms around the dallas metroplex.  inevitably, the travel itch comes along as i dream of warmer weather, exotic locations, and – due to lack of windows in the aforementioned conference rooms – a better view.

central california: farm to rail to sea.

central california: farm to rail to sea.

there’s no sense in fighting it, so i’ve compiled a few of my favorite views from my travels.  seeing these sights in person have produced gasps, “ah ha!” moments, a bewilderment at this crazy amazing place we call earth, and a larger-than-i’d-like-to-admit terrifying fear of heights.  enjoy the views, and please let me know some of your favorites that i’ve missed!

the view of cape town from table mountain

the view of cape town from table mountain

my husband and i traveled to south africa this past summer, and absolutely fell in love with the country.  read more about my trip to cape town (and table mountain!) here.

new york, as seen from brooklyn.

new york, my love, as seen from brooklyn. it doesn’t get better than this. period.

a year ago,during a work trip to new york, i fought the urge to stay in manhattan and crossed the river to brooklyn for the entire weekend, and was more than pleasantly surprised.  more brooklyn tidbits here.

santorini, aka my favorite place the whole entire world.

santorini, aka my favorite place the whole entire world.

ok, so santorini seems fake.  the photos that look fake?  they’re not.  the entire island looks exactly this perfect (at least, when it’s not erupting).  read more about santorini here.  spoiler alert: it will steal your heart.

barcelona, as seen from park guell

barcelona, as seen from park guell

barcelona is a city of color and life and art.  my best friend and i visited two years ago and it has stayed with me since.  if you only have a limited amount of time in europe, this is a must-see city.  you can read more about my favorites in barcelona here and here.

oregon pine trees, as seen from the window of our train, en route to seattle from los angeles

oregon pine trees, as seen from the window of our train, en route to seattle from los angeles

the amtrak from los angeles to seattle was so unique and reminiscent of bygone days that i keep dreaming of my next train trip.  read more about the adventure here.

the stunning mcway falls in big sur, california

the stunning mcway falls in big sur, california. this was one of my favorite vacations to date…must write about it soon!

my jaunts: cape town, south africa

the colorful bo-kaap neighborhood

the colorful bo-kaap neighborhood, which we explored in cape town on our extra day that we added.

cape town is one of the most unique cities i have visited.  located in the southeastern tip of africa, it confusingly feels like europe due to the british and dutch colonization from years past, and is often described by the rest of africa as “not the real africa.”  yet look a little deeper, and something new is bubbling up.  as the nation continues to separate itself from the all-too-recent apartheid (a post on that later), the landscape is changing.  a new generation of youth who never knew (or only vaguely remember) the blatant segregation of races now together create a sense of optimism through shared beers at hipster pubs, the growing popularity of football among the entire nation, and a feeling of creativity that permeates the city, replacing the formerly rigid afrikaaner mindset.

stunning vistas while driving along the western edge of the cape peninsula

stunning vistas while driving along the western edge of the cape peninsula

also, the scenery is breathtaking.  table mountain surrounds the city center and provides stunning views on sunny days (though beware: table mountain is often shrouded in clouds, making breathtaking vistas impossible for days at a time), while cosmopolitan beach towns line the atlantic ocean with posh restaurants and cafes.  heading south from the city, the cape peninsula is a day’s drive and provides views only paralleled by big sur in central california (and minus the thousands of tourists).  if that’s not enough, the cape winelands are to the east of the city and boast unbelievably picturesque vineyards famous for cultivating excellent pinotage amid cape dutch architecture.

it is easy to be overwhelmed by a city such as this, and i had no idea where to start. we spent five days in cape town, and i still feel as if i did not see enough and that i missed out on some key sites.  to help future visitors, i’ve put together my ideas on must-sees, based on how many days you have on hand.

for one day in cape town:

if you get to choose which day to visit, choose saturday.  start by taking a cab to the old biscuit mill in the eastern, industrial part of town.  gradually turning from a warehouse district into a creative hub, the former biscuit mill houses the neighbourgoods market each saturday.  hundreds of vendors converge with clothes, jewelry, and food.  oh, the food.  stalls of african comfort food, sushi, paella, mediterranean salads, ostrich burgers, brai (african bbq), and more, surround rows of communal tables set with fresh flowers and burning candles.  you must go to see the new face of cape town: young, diverse, and all creating something that seems to be more brooklyn than africa or england.

the neighbourgoods market entrance in the old biscuit mill in cape town

the neighbourgoods market entrance in the old biscuit mill in cape town

following lunch and shopping, take a cab to the nearby convention center and hop on the double-decker tourist hop on/hop off buses.  for one day, i recommend the red route.  head to the top of the bus and listen to the guide as you speed through downtown, long street, and district 6, where black residents were forcibly removed from their homes in the 1970s and forced to live in townships outside the city (the district 6 museum is worth a stop).  if in need of a pick-me-up, stop at the mount nelson hotel (nicknamed uncle nellie) for high tea (make reservations in advance).  otherwise, continue on to table mountain.

a view of the city bowl district from the top of table mountain; looking northwest toward the atlantic ocean.

a view of the city bowl district from the top of table mountain; looking northwest toward the atlantic ocean. you can see the cape town stadium (from the world cup!) near the northern coast.

at the base, head to the cable car lines (tip: buy your tickets in advance to bypass the 45-minute wait), and zoom to the top of the mountain, which takes hikers approximately four hours to ascend.  the views are unbelievable and the photos do not do it justice.  back on the bus, head to swanky camps bay, a beach town known for its cosmopolitan vibe, and get out for a glass of champagne or espresso from a sidewalk cafe while watching the waves.  return to the bus for drives northward along the coast past more beaches, the world cup soccer stadium, and finally to the v&a waterfront.  very touristy, but worth a stop to see locals catching a televised rugby or soccer game at the large amphitheater.

the south africa vs. scotland rugby match at the v&a waterfront in cape town. the rowdy brazil world cup game followed with a packed ampitheater.

the south africa vs. scotland rugby match at the v&a waterfront in cape town. the rowdy brazil world cup game followed with a packed ampitheater.

add a second day:

hire a guide (i strongly recommend graham at wilderness touring) and head south to explore the cape point peninsula.  bring a camera to capture the winding roads hugging sharp cliffs that descend to crashing waves from the atlantic ocean.  pass quaint towns with cape dutch architecture, and head to table mountain national park for glimpses of ostriches and baboons near the cape of good hope.  eat lunch at two oceans restaurant, but don’t sit outside unless you’re willing to risk losing your dinner roll to a hungry baboon (seriously).  continue north along the eastern side of the peninsula, stopping at simon’s town to see penguins (penguins!!) as they frolic along the sand.  a total highlight.  end the day with a stroll through kirstenbosch gardens, the ethereal botanical gardens of cape town,and a true gem of the city.  complete the night with dinner at manna epicure in the gardens district.

penguin sighting at simon's point on the eastern edge of the cape peninsula - i love them!

penguin sighting at simon’s town on the eastern edge of the cape peninsula – i love them!

add a third day:

remember your guide?  bring him back for another day, and head to the winelands.  explore stellenbosch, a charming town in the middle of the winelands with a pristine downtown (think: santa barbara).  choose a few wineries to visit.  i would recommend vrede en lust for the wine enthusiasts, meerlust for the creatives (find charmaine gola and have her tell you everything you ever wanted to know about wine in south africa), webersburg for a traditional winery in cape dutch architecture, and delaire graff for a completely ridiculous display of wealth that will leave you awestruck.  people may suggest you stop in the french town of franschhoek:  skip it; too touristy.

the webersburg wine estate is a perfect example of cape dutch architecture.

the webersburg wine estate is a perfect example of cape dutch architecture.

add a fourth day:

continue to explore cape town.  spend some time strolling the city at leisure.  we stayed at liberty lodge in the gardens district (read my trip advisor review here), and it was a perfectly central location that was safe and allowed for walking to most city center sites.  shops and restaurants line kloof nek street, which turns into the famous long street as you head north to downtown.  stop in the vintage shops of long street, and especially at clarke’s bookshop, which specializes in cape town and south african literature.  walk through bo-kaap, the colorful muslim neighborhood with brightly painted houses set against the backdrop of table mountain; visit the bo-kaap museum to talk to residents and understand the history.  afterwards, enjoy lunch or tea at any of the hipster-esque cafes along bree street (i recommend dear me brasserie for excellent salads).  if you have the time, visit robben island to see where nelson mandela was imprisoned (you must reserve in advance).

the dear me brasserie near long street in cape town

the dear me brasserie near long street in cape town

add a fifth day:

rent a car and head to babylonstoren.  read my gush of a post here.

what to read: long walk to freedom by nelson mandela, you can’t get lost in cape town by zoe wicomb

what to watch:  searching for sugar man

when to go: summer is better weather-wise and allows for better views from table mountain.  however, winter is the best time for safaris, so you may be forced to visit capetown pre-safari in the winter.  weather is mild, but bring some layers (see my post on what to pack here).

my map of cape town!

my map of cape town!

travel tips: safari + cape town + 2 weeks = carry-on!

how-to-pack-for-south-africa-safari-carry-on

i recently returned from a two-week trip to south africa (patience, grasshopper, for the full details), and what a fantastic travel experience that was.  five days in cape town were followed by six days spent safariing, with a few days of travel on either end (turns out it takes a really, really long time to get to south africa from dallas…somewhere in the middle we spent 12 hours in london).

how-to-pack-for-south-africawhen talking to our travel agent, she nonchalantly mentioned that we should pack light, and “oh by the way, don’t pack your rollies!”  excuse me?  “roller bags.”  oh.  in other words, good luck packing for two weeks with winter clothes (yes, winter in the southern hemisphere between june and august) in one duffel bag (apparently, certain safari lodges prefer the duffels for ease of transfer…not sure it would have made a difference, as we saw plenty of rollies while on safari).  i could have packed two duffel bags, but after lufthansa lost my bag on our honeymoon in 100-degree athens, my carry-ons have been getting a lot more love.

how-to-pack-for-a-safari

so, where to begin with packing?  i’m not going to lie: it seemed daunting, even for me, a self-proclaimed packing guru.  especially since being more of a city girl, i had zero “active/camping” clothes for these so-called bush drives.  turns out, it was much easier than expected.  the clothes i packed (with the exception of one safari shirt that i decided was useles) are all shown above.  let’s start with what you’ll need for six days of safari (12 safari drives, two per day):

  • 2-3 pairs of light weight safari pants (#13 and #14).  i bought two pairs of pranna pants, and they were my favorite purchase for the trip.  they were light enough for the warm days, rolled up into capri pants for the hot afternoons, and were warm enough for the cool evenings.  they were also quick to dry in case i needed to wash them, and were very small when rolled up for packing.
  • 1 pair of leggings or long underwear (#24, rolled).  if you go in the winter like i did (note: this is the best time to go in south africa because it is easier to see the animals), the weather can get extremely cold when the sun goes down.  we started our drives before sunrise, and i appreciated that extra layer (sometimes the temperature was in the mid- to low 30s when we started the drives!).  you may not need this if traveling in the summer months, or if traveling to safaris in warmer locations.
stopped for coffee and muffins on our south african safari

stopped for coffee and muffins on our south african safari; staying warm with north face jacket layered over tee and sweater (#4 and #10), safari pants (#14), and fleece headband (#20).

  • 5-6 t-shirts (long or short sleeves) (#1 – #5) – rather than buying shirts specifically made for safaris, i brought my standard target/h&m long sleeved shirts that i would wear at home.  i made sure the colors were neutral (so you don’t scare the animals away), and found these to be perfect for the drives.  i regretted buying a  more expensive safari-specific shirt that i will probably never wear again.  i also packed one short sleeved shirt, which proved useful on one warm afternoon.
  • 2 pairs of jeans/slacks (#15 and #16) – i brought one pair of dark skinny jeans and one pair of black pants to wear during the day (between drives) and in the evenings for dinner.  this was plenty as no one dresses up much for meals, even at the more luxurious lodges.
  • 2 colorful scarves (#6 and #12) – i bought two at target right before i left, and they became my go-to accessories for the entire trip!  perfect for the evening meals and added a much-needed pop of color to my otherwise neutral outfits.
just taking a selfie with some elephants.

just taking a selfie with some elephants. notice my nice sweater outfit (#5 and #11) while my husband is safari’d out.

  • 1 pair of comfortable tennis shoes (#19) – you do not need to buy a new pair of walking shoes for your safari as you will be doing very little walking (if you exit the vehicle, a lion may eat you).  i brought a pair of running shoes, which was just fine and didn’t require me to spend any additional money.  they also kept my feet warm in the cold mornings.
  • 1 pair of nice flats (#25) – to wear during the day and in the evenings
  • 1 hat or fleece headband, gloves, & scarf (#20 and #21) – as mentioned above, it gets extremely cold when the sun goes down, so you will want something to keep you warm,  this only applies to the winter months in countries that get an actual winter (e.g., june – august in south africa).
  • 3 sweaters (#9, #10, and #11)- for layering with the long sleeved shirts on especially cold days, and also for wearing around the lodge.
  • minimal jewelry – i wore a simple gold bracelet, watch, and earrings (that i purchased  in cape town) on safari, and that was plenty.  i also did not bring my engagement ring, but just wore my band for the extent of the trip.
  • 1 jacket (see photo above) – this will be your most important purchase, because you want something versatile enough to move around in, but warm enough for cold drives.  i chose a north face zip up in heathered grey, which was perfect and didn’t require a scarf due to the high neck.  other guests wore fitted puffy jackets that seemed to do the trick just as well.
a lovely day at babylonstoren farms

a lovely day at babylonstoren farms, wearing a sweater (#8) over a tee (#2) with a colorful scarf (#6).

since we explored cape town for five days prior to the safari, i also needed city clothes. in addition to the clothes i mentioned above, i brought the following:

  • 2 additional sweaters for layering over the shirts during the day (#7 and #8)
  • 1 additional pair of jeans (#7)
  • 1 additional short-sleeved shirt for the travel days (worn with the north face jacket) (not separately pictured, see photo above)
  • 1 additional pair of leggings for the travel days (#18)
  • 1 additional pair of comfortable flats for exploring the city (#22)
  • 2 pairs of chandelier earrings to dress up outfits at night (not pictured)
exploring the winelands of stellenbosch (outside of cape town) on a cool day.

exploring the winelands of stellenbosch (outside of cape town) on a cool day. staying warm in a large sweater (#9) layered over a long-sleeved tee (#3) and skinny jeans (#15).

with the cooler weather, you can re-wear each shirt twice (or wash it, if you so desire).  all of this – safari and city gear – fit into one carry-on sized duffel bag – stay tuned for next week’s post on how to roll these clothes into the duffel – with photos!  to make it all work, i wore my largest items (running shoes and north face jacket) on the travel days, and packed my travel sized toiletries in my tote bag that fit under my seat.

dress comfortably for a long day(s) of travel

on our last day in south africa (sad), and about to embark on a 48-hour trip home. dressed comfortably in north face jacket, scarf (#12), leggings (#18), and tennis shoes (#19).

do you have any suggestions for packing light on an urban/safari mix vacation?

 

my jaunts: babylonstoren

the lemon trees at babylonstoren look fake. just saying.

the lemon trees look fake. just saying.

i just returned from SOUTH AFRICA on wednesday, and holy moly what a fun trip.  seriously, you need to go to south africa.  it’s going to take me some time to compile posts about this past month-o’-vacation, but i’ll do my best.  to start: babylonstoren.

the meditation garden under mulberry trees. i imagine it is quite nice during the summer.

the meditation garden under mulberry trees. i imagine it is quite nice during the summer.

while researching places to see in and around cape town, this place kept standing out.  this farm/restaurant/winery/hotel/gardens seemed other-worldly and intrigued me from the beginning.  as best as i could tell, it was a farm/set of gardens/winery first, from which the restaurant, which requires a reservation two months in advance, sources its delicious food.  later, accommodations were made available, so guests could experience the farm for several days.  only a 45 minute drive from cape town, i decided we had to visit.  we extended our trip by one day, and secured a rental car for the drive there.

the grounds of babylonstoren in the middle of the cape town winelands

the grounds of babylonstoren in the middle of the cape town winelands

after our travel agency failed to secure a reservation for lunch (reservations at babel, the restaurant, are hard to come by, and are first reserved for guests staying the night), we tried ourselves, also to no avail.  without a reservation, guests are welcome to eat in the greenhouse near the back of the gardens, which offers a series of sandwiches and salads also made from farm ingredients.  we decided to take our chances with the greenhouse.

the greenhouse restaurant that does not require a reservation. pretty chic!

the greenhouse restaurant that does not require a reservation. pretty chic!

on the day of our visit, with the rental car delivered to our guest house, we died laughing as we foolishly entered the car from the wrong sides: my husband attempting to drive from the left side (passenger seat in south africa), and me attempting to navigate from the right side (driver’s seat in south africa).  whoops.

epitome of free range chickens.

epitome of free range chickens.

the drive to babylonstoren was easy, uneventful, and beautiful. wineries roll by with mountains and low clouds in the distance.  upon arrival, we were given a delightful map (i have a thing for great maps), and made our way to the entrance through the vineyards.  we were greeted by free-roaming chickens and a donkey, and two jolly women in aprons manning the store (at the store, you can purchase chutneys, meats, cheeses, books, beautiful linens, glasseware used at babylonstoren, etc.; it is worth a visit.).

cured meats for sale in the shop

cured meats for sale in the shop

accountant-by-day, i like to have a plan (i was told by a south african in the airport that that is a purely american habit, but surely not so), so we headed to the hotel reception to learn of any tips or suggestions before we wandered the grounds for the day.  there we met lionel, the most friendly and delightful man on site, who has been with the farm since they opened.  he happily led us around several of the gardens, pointing out “illusion stones” that appear to be actual stones in paths, but when presssed, deliver exciting surprises for children, like shooting water streams.  i was excited, too.

i heart babylonstoren.

feeling happy, and also like i am in the middle of a kinfolk article.

lionel also took us to the guest houses and showed us around – beautiful!  note to self: next time, book a night onsite (trust me).  click here for photos and prices, as i was too enamored by the decor to actually snap any photos.  it is evident that the customer service at babylonstoren is impeccable, and lionel mentioned that guests can pick their own fruits and vegetables from the garden to prepare themselves in their kitchen, and children are awoken early in the morning to help the staff fetch eggs from the chicken coops.  bicycles are on site to explore the grounds, and various hiking trails are available (one of which leads to a delightful-sounding lagoon, at which a canoe is ready for intrepid adventurers).  *swoon*

this is where they house insects that help keep away harmful pests. my husband was intrigued, though he didn't spot any current residents.

this is where they house insects that help keep away harmful pests. my husband was intrigued, though he didn’t spot any current residents.

by this time, i was starting to feel like i was in a kinfolk article, and was wondering if this was all just a little too perfect.  and then it got better.  lionel offered to check availability at the restaurant, and they found room for us to dine for lunch.  it was delicious.  menus are written daily on the large white wall, and salad courses are separated into three color groups: yellow, green, and red.  i ordered the yellow, and it was filled with carrots and pineapple skewers, butternut patties, tangerines, and a persimmon.

the yellow salad at baylonstoren - a work of art, yes?

the yellow salad at baylonstoren – a work of art, yes?

the portions were extremely large, and extremely reasonably priced.  i believe we paid approximately $50 (pre-tip, which was a snafu in and of itself when we accidently only tipped approximatey $0.70; much to our – and our waitress’ – horror; don’t worry, we rectified) for two salad starters, two mains (mine fish, my husband’s pork loin), three sides (which accompany the mains), a shared dessert, and two glasses of rosé.

menu du jour for the babel restaurant - i was so excited to eat there! it did not disappoint.

menu du jour for the babel restaurant – i was so excited to eat there! it did not disappoint.

to work off our gluttony, we wandered the gardens for the next couple of hours, which were seriously dream-like.  there are fountains full of fish, paths made of acorn shells, houses for bees to make honey, a meditation area under mulberry trees, a wandering path of tree stumps, chicken coops, etc., all the while people, turkeys, guinea fowl, and chickens wander freely.  we kept asking ourselves “where are we??” and not being able to come up with an answer.  after strolling and sitting and photographing to our little hearts’ content, we visited the shop (purchases of wine, candles, soap, and the babylonstoren book to accompany us home), and headed back to cape town.  a truly memorable day.

bees live here!

bees live here!

 

my favorite time of year: the summer travel season

the summer 2014 travel lineup

the summer 2014 travel lineup

somehow, miraculously, my busiest time at work is over.  it seems too good to be true, but after several 80+ hour weeks, and many more 70+ hour weeks, i’m ready to explore something other than a corporate office.  thanks for your patience these past few months – more frequent blog posts to return shortly.

while not necessarily recommended, work stress does have one positive impact on me: it forces me to plan vacations.  i love having something to look forward to, a celebration for the end in sight.  or in this case, not just a single celebration, but many!  i am so excited for the travel lineup this summer, i can hardly wait.  after agonizing over the budget with my husband (we set aside a certain amount each month to make sure we can travel to the extent we like, foregoing other luxuries like nicer cars or a bigger house), we’re booked for the following locations:

the stunning texas hill country

the stunning texas hill country

  • road trip through texas – my husband is going on a bachelor party road trip through central and southeast texas, complete with bbq, biking, and beer.  i tried to insert myself into that soiree, but apparently it’s not very traditional for a female to join.  shame.  at least the wedding is in hill country, too.  thinking of buying myself a pair of boots for the occasion.  yeehaw.
the devil's backbone, outside of wimberley in texas hill country

the devil’s backbone, outside of wimberley in texas hill country

  • new york, new york – then it’s my turn for a bachelorette party in the city of cities.  my all time favorite, and this time i don’t have to plan a thing!  the last time i was in new york, i focused only on brooklyn, hardly venturing into manhattan.  while fantastic (and something i would definitely recommend), i’m ready to again be in an empire state of mind.
let's hear it for new york...

let’s hear it for new york…

  • los angeles (x2) – does it count as a vacation if you’ve lived there before?  i think so.  i’m looking forward to seeing old friends and partaking in several father’s office burgers (if you are ever in LA, you absolutely must try this burger.  as someone who counts cheeseburgers among her favorite foods, believe me when i say this burger is incredible).  and staying at the cottages in silverlake is always a treat.
the view from our cottage in silverlake, a favorite stay in los angeles

the view from our cottage in silverlake, a favorite stay in los angeles

  • new orleans, louisiana – is it crazy that i have never been to n’awlins before?  i think so!  so thrilled that my friend, stephanie, pushed our friends to book this trip.  it is shaping up to be a fabulous time with good food, great friends, and (hopefully) lots of jazz.  did  i mention good food?
new orleans, as shot by ed bierman at https://www.flickr.com/photos/edbierman/10798203675/

new orleans, as shot by ed bierman at https://www.flickr.com/photos/edbierman/10798203675/

  • south africa – yes!  we booked it!  it’s official!  i fell in love with southern africa after reading brendan van son’s blog last year when he rode a motorcyle through africa, and i couldn’t wait to see it myself (sans bike).  we’ll be taking the beginner’s guide to south africa as i like to call it, which includes about five days in cape town and five days in kruger national park.  so excited to explore the winelands, table mountain, and see the big 5 (the lion, rhinoceros, leopard, buffalo, and elephant).  one of our safari lodgings includes canvas walls so that “you can hear the animals and be that much closer to nature.” scared. out. of. my. mind.
cape town, south africa, as shot by eGuide travel at https://www.flickr.com/photos/eguidetravel/2919101197/

cape town, south africa, as shot by eGuide travel at https://www.flickr.com/photos/eguidetravel/2919101197/

  • mystery location – yes, you read that correctly.  it’s time for the biannual bestie trip, and we cannot decide where to go.  solution?  let’s wait until the last minute and play travel roulette and follow the deals!  we may end up in boise, but hey, i hear boise has it going on.

please, please tell me about your adventures this summer!  where are you going?  and would you like to write about them in a guest post?  i would love to feature them and hear  more!  i get so inspired from others’ vacations.