✉ Old Dutch Charm

TODAY'S TRAVEL PHOTO OF YESTERYEAR: 

An old Dutch tile backdrop for a wine bar in Spier's tasting room. The wonderful detail that goes into the reception spaces on these Stellenbosch wine farms, are characterful, each in their own way. Where some wine farms preserved the old Dutch Charm, also upholding age-long traditions in their wine-making, others have built platforms for new design and the Drama of New World Wines. Making the acquaintance of a wine in its context of home, is something pretty special. And in such breathtaking natural surroundings, good wine tastes even better.        

- WEEK IN THE WINELANDS -

*t

✉ The Road Trip

TODAY'S TRAVEL PHOTO OF YESTERYEAR: 

The road trip: packed bags, water, supplies, specially made mixed tapes, ready cameras, blanket in the back. It is such a simple pleasure to go on a road trip with a good friend; a safe drive, of course the biggest grace. A space stretches out in front of you. A space where the passing trees can filter your thoughts, the valleys clear your head. And the breathtaking views that unfold 'round every turn, every bend, inspire new thoughts. With the window down, you whistle to the song, and wonder on.        

- WEEK IN THE WINELANDS -

*t

Week in the Winelands

I can melt in the beauty of the South Western tip of Africa in late winter. In this green season, the Western Cape is a place where the quartzitic sandstone escarpments are often veiled in a soft white cloud. Fynbos on the heath of the lower skirt stretches down past the steep grey crags towards white beaches that meet the cold Atlantic. The air herbaceous, fragranced with dark wood. But you soon identify the scent of a culture in this area: the wines, and the exquisite cuisine. How fitting that the Table of the Cape is set as an invitation for those who love to taste. 

* * * * *

It was thus a simple decision. A Cape Townian was going to go on a week long winter Wine Tour. The route well researched, guest houses booked, four season outfits and reading material packed, and a mixed tape made with love for the road trip.   

In 2011, a snowless Winter passed. But as the end of August approached, I was wishing for some white frosted mountain tops. But the sunshine over the green was also welcome. The second cold front that I wished for never came to pass that year. But there will always be beautiful Winters to come. 

And yes, the more you wish for snow, the earlier Spring will come. But luckily early Spring has its perks too. 

Learning more about the wine making process.

Red needly Proteas on the back of a pick up farm truck. 

It was sunny, the day we arrived back in Stellenbosch, my old University town. This was the base for the first few nights, as the charming old Dutch town lies in the heart of the Winelands. In the evenings it was still chilly, and we thought at some point it might rain again. But the thought of a rainy night sounded wonderful, because somewhere in Dorp Street there was a fireplace waiting for you in a secluded little library, leather couches and a tough choice between Whiskey on ice and the finest Red with two wine glasses. 

Going for a walk in Jonkershoek after a day of good wine and good food in the Greater Simonsberg wine region. 

At first we thought we might be able to squeeze five wine farms in a day. But less was certainly more. Two to three wine farms a day, which included time spent over the wonderful meals at their Restaurants, seemed like the perfect amount of indulgence to contain. Which was why walks in the natural world seemed to balance all out quite well.  

(And how beautiful this place is). Almost beckoning 'just add wine' and a picnic blanket. Instead, we rested among Spring's new flowers.

Stark, and theatrical, the tree lined banks of the Breede River that passes through Robertson Wine Valley. The forecast of a cold night with the promise of a warm fire place and a glass of Rietvallei's 2008 Estéanna Red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. 

The beauty of a glass of Red. 

The Wine Journal: my Moleskine Notebook now not only filled with blank ink cursive notes, but a Journal of all the Wine farms we visited over the week. It contains every wine we tasted, our own made up little poetic verse of the taste, the nose, the notes, amateur but personal star-ratings and splashes of different translucent reds and plums and purples. (Most White Wines left no stains, but made the paper curl up with pleasure. A wonderful pastime indeed.   

The best holiday at home. Our chosen route started in Stellenbosch Valley, then Helderberg, and Greater Simonsberg in the Stellenbosch region. After that: Franschhoek, then Rawsonville, Robertson and ending off in the 'Hemel en Aarde' Valley in Hermanus. A highly recommended experience.

*t

✉ I ♥ NY

TODAY'S TRAVEL PHOTO OF YESTERYEAR: 

It is a simple infatuation. Someone loves New York City.              

- TIED UP WITH STRINGS (*BY DAY) -

*t

✉ Cheeseburger Bank of America

TODAY'S TRAVEL PHOTO OF YESTERYEAR: 

On the bus back to JFK International Airport, a friend and I played a travel game for driving through big cities. It is simply a word connecting game, where the one person reads a word from somewhere in the moment of travel and the second person reads a second line to add to the first. We chuckled all the way to the Airport with new and daring concepts like Fresh Dentists and Cheeseburger Bank of America.      

- TIED UP WITH STRINGS (*BY DAY) -

*t

✉ River Alight

TODAY'S TRAVEL PHOTO OF YESTERYEAR: 

One of the reasons why New York City has this filmic quality to it, is perhaps because of how the city is lit. The sunbeams reflect in glass gilded sky-scrapers, casting a gleam back and forth. And with added luster from the cars that move by, there is always a play of light. When I looked towards Lower Manhattan from Brooklyn Bridge on that fine summer's morning, the city shone gloriously, setting the river alight. Blinding me at first, and then, as if light could fall nearly silent, spoke in tones that I have seen before in photographs by Steven Meisel and heard in songs by Sondheim. There is light that inspires.                  

- TIED UP WITH STRINGS (*BY DAY) -

*t

✉ Pas un Chapeau

TODAY'S TRAVEL PHOTO OF YESTERYEAR: 

When I saw that Manhattan bridge had swallowed the Empire State building and made it appear like a tiny bird in a cage, I looked around, expecting to see the Little Prince nearby.            

- TIED UP WITH STRINGS (*BY DAY) -

*t

✉ An Ode to Good Solitude

TODAY'S TRAVEL PHOTO OF YESTERYEAR: 

Before the others were around that morning, I got to stand next to the most beautiful bridge. Taken by a breeze, sunlight streaming in from the East, the sound of the water, the peace. It was a wake in a while of good solitude.           

- TIED UP WITH STRINGS (*BY DAY) -

*t

✉ A Morning Stretch

TODAY'S TRAVEL PHOTO OF YESTERYEAR: 

I was smitten with New York City in the early morning light. Both the Empire State building and the Chrysler stretched out their necks to see who was waving a 'hello-good-mornin' kind of wave from Brooklyn Bridge. I think they noticed me, for I felt like a little ray of sunshine at that moment. But looking back, I might be mistaken. Perhaps they just had their morning stretch. Reaching up into the sky, ever so high. Well I sure noticed them.               

- TIED UP WITH STRINGS (*BY DAY) -

*t

Tied Up With Strings (*by Day)

Completely smitten after my encounter with Brooklyn Bridge that night, I decided that I wanted to see the bridge again in the first light of the next morning. It was dark when I rose at 04:30. I just got ready and went in my own time. This was perhaps a little too early for some. But for me: I needed to fulfill this wish of simply seeing this bridge again at sunrise. Just another secret little mission. I walked down the Subway and walked onto the bridge just to see the red dot sun rise from the horizon. As if my journey was timed to precision. Timing seems to be accommodating in that way sometimes, and helps you realize your passions if you dare to rise early enough. I'll cross these bridges one by one. And so followed the day, passionately:  

For the future nostalgist.

And as the soft glow announced the break of day, New York suddenly got a whole new character. 

As if the sun was rolling along Manhattan Bridge in that expected rhythm, the ball of fire almost not making it to the next height, but then reaches there in an almost pause, just to roll over the next suspension.

My New York in colour.  

I needed a good coffee here, but only had wild cherry gum. Note for next time: Grab a coffee before crossing such a long bridge. 

Suspense. 

There is only < ONE WAY . 

The scale of this bridge is hard to describe. All I can say is I felt really really small. 

Stretches of bridges crossing the East. (Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg). Most suspension bridges look like musical instruments. I usually wonder what they would sound like if they could be played. 

I still regard this as one of the most-liked mornings of my life, even though I was by myself. The morning made me feel whole. To be awed in the presence of these structures is something I hold dear. It is now added to my insatiable list of "Favourite Things". 

*t  

✉ The Lovely Lower Manhattan

TODAY'S TRAVEL PHOTO OF YESTERYEAR: 

This was the view over lower Manhattan from Brooklyn bridge right after sunset. It took my breath away. Simply so.              

- TIED UP WITH STRINGS (*BY NIGHT) -

*t

✉ For the Love of Bridges

TODAY'S TRAVEL PHOTO OF YESTERYEAR: 

I am truly drawn to the great bridges of the world. Perhaps for their form, their function, the fine planning that precedes construction, the well handled tension, or for the beauty of their symmetry. Maybe the love for bridges was carried over from my father, who is a Civil Engineer responsible for these austere structures. Bridges connect us, whether it be over perennial waters or dry river beds, through rough terrains or mountain passes. I will always love and value a good bridge.   

- TIED UP WITH STRINGS (*BY NIGHT) -

*t

✉ A Milky Way

TODAY'S TRAVEL PHOTO OF YESTERYEAR: 

What surprised me most that night on Brooklyn bridge was how milky some of the tones were. Unexpected soft pastels in dirty gritty New York City. I found myself walking on a milky way, lost in the stars and big city lights.

- TIED UP WITH STRINGS (*BY NIGHT) -

*t

✉ Lights and Clouds

TODAY'S TRAVEL PHOTO OF YESTERYEAR: 

Few things in life, make me as happy as lights and clouds do. Perhaps I delight in the simplicity of the aesthetics of these elements. But yet I find that bliss lies in the warmth of a friend you can share these views with.            

- TIED UP WITH STRINGS (*BY NIGHT) -

*t

✉ Wet Shoes

TODAY'S TRAVEL PHOTO OF YESTERYEAR: 

My best-loved dark brown leather shoes lie on the shoe rack today, quite worn. As sad as I am about their state, I recall all the adventures I got to go on wearing them. One of those pairs of shoes with beautiful stories. The Brooklyn bridge on a rainy night story, being one of my favourites.              

- TIED UP WITH STRINGS (*BY NIGHT) -

*t

✉ Strings of Stars

TODAY'S TRAVEL PHOTO OF YESTERYEAR: 

A walk on Brooklyn Bridge at night after rain: beautiful. The strings of stars and city lights of Manhattan sparkled like diamonds. The lights in the skyscrapers, like bar charts of stars that want to reach even greater heights. New York magic.              

- TIED UP WITH STRINGS (*BY NIGHT) -

*t

Tied Up With Strings (*by Night)

There was a girl in a white dress and black cotton sash who had a sensational long list that she titled simply, and in black cursive strokes: "Favourite Things". As she soared over glaciers and blue oceans with specs of icebergs, she couldn't help but make a couple of notes on her insatiable list. The girl noted down the smallest amusements: "These days I find myself washing my hands in stars" she thought as she emptied the Laurent-Perrier over her hands. This pastime, of course, encouraged dreaming, and she entertained all kinds of dreams. She even dreamt of these stars and how they could be stringed into a necklace. 

One day she followed the sun, for the sun was one of her favourite things. But then she ended up chasing a cloud instead. Which wasn't all that bad, as clouds featured on the near top of her list. She took all in her stride until she found shiny strings of stars. She stopped; thought she was dreaming, but then realized it was real. The roses bent in the rain at that moment, but the girl thought they bowed. The moon blinked, she mused, and as the curtain of rain opened up, and the leaves stopped clapping, the girl knew that this was no ordinary coincidence. She was lead there into a wonderment perhaps only meant for her and her list. And in that moment, when the handsome clocks began to remind others of time lost, she took out her list and added: "And the bridges in New York are made of such strings!" 

(I was that girl...lucky girl.)

So that was what was going through my head. Here is what was seen through my lens:

It was my first time in New York's Subway. It wasn't rush hour, but the New Yorkers sure did rush by.

As I walked up the stairs out of the subway, rain was pouring down. Brief though, the shower glazed the entire city. And as the sun was setting, the city lights slowly started to illuminate. And the Yellow Cabs became ever so prominent on the darker streets.

The first few steps on the Brooklyn Bridge already had NYC written all over it

My poor shoes had to endure yet another walk in the rain.

The last raindrops fell and the rain cleared away like some grand show's diamond studded curtain to reveal a violet sky; a city cleansed beneath it. The sight: too beautiful. (♥)

I was beyond ecstatic. And surprised by the freshest air and milky light all around me.

When I saw this, I melted, yet felt refreshed. Strange how such dirty streets can cleanse you so.

Brooklyn Bridge is seriously one of the most romantic (man-made) walks in the world. And when those lights start to sparkle, I am just one smitten kitten.

As the cars sped past, I wondered if the drivers thought of this as a mundane trip.

A light affair to sweep you off your feet. Unmistakably: the starry necklace of Manhattan Bridge in the background. 

And, I thought, I would like a necklace like that for Christmas. The clouds opened to reveal the beautiful moon. But I was already standing beneath the strings of stars. 

(This remains one of my favourite memories)
*t