Ahhhh! Just returned from an amaaaaazing vacation. Simon and I went to the Cape, for his parent's 40th wedding anniversary. It was splendid! Found ourselves in a lodge surrounded with hills of Fynbos and the ocean in the distance...and it was quiet, so quiet, except for the wind that blew so hard it sounded like ocean waves. In Pringles Bay. Hiked in magnificent Fynbos and drank in stunning views of the sea. Found amber-colored waterfalls with pristine pools and took a (frigid but wonderful) dip in the pools. Marvelous. Visited two of my favorite places in Cape Town - Cape Point and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Best of all, I got to know Simon's family a lot better, and I found that I really enjoy them. Such a cool, cool family. 3 new strings of acquantance I took away from the experience was discovering more about him in his childhood, the taste of Dutch food - yumm!- and Poker!!! They played poker until 3am...so much fun....

Now Im housesitting at the mansion again. Day after tomorrow Im heading to Marakele Game Reserve in the Waterberg with some friends for a New Years Eve party in the bush. Will post all about it soon...

Above Pics: Left - Hiking up to waterfalls in Harold Porter Botanical Garden, Right - Simon and I in Kirstenbosch with Table Mountain in background, Center - Cape Point