if i could fly

Cured salmon, champagne poached oysters, crayfish and cucumber

2011-12-09T20:15:00.001+04:00

Garth Stroebel and his team at the SA Chefs Academy hosted me for a lesson in cooking salmon earlier this year. It was so much fun to learn new ways of preparing fish at this beautiful and inspired cooking school in Cape Town.

In an attempt at finding some new kitchen inspiration for the holiday season, I have managed to coax a festive salmon recipe out of them. This time chef has combined salted salmon with poached oysters, crayfish tails and cucumber. With a flavour combination of soy, ginger, coriander and black pepper, this salmon recipe is fairly simple to prepare and bound to impress, no matter what the occasion.

Exotic ingredients such as black and red caviar, enoki mushrooms, mirin and krill oil are well worth celebrating all on its own and can be an adventure to find. The recipe below is meant to be an inspiration; take from it and let your chef's creativity out this festive season. Bon appetit!

RECIPE

Slightly salted salmon and cucumber with soy, ginger, coriander and black pepper

Cured salmon and other seafood, served with an Asian style dressing and topped with caviar, chives and dill.

Ingredients

fillets of salmon

crayfish tail

oyster

black caviar

red caviar

asparagus

dill

enoki mushrooms

shrimps in brine

cherry tomatoes

English cucumber

chive leaf

Soy, ginger, coriander and chilli dressing:

soy sauce

pickled ginger

rice wine vinegar

fish stock

sugar

chilli

mirin

chopped coriander

cracked black lemon pepper

krill oil

Cure for the salmon:

salt

sugar

Method

To cure the fish, lie the salmon in equal quantities of salt and sugar for about two hours. Poach the crayfish tails in boiling water and place immediately in ice water to stop the cooking process. Peel and retain the shells. Remove the oysters from their shells and slightly poach in white wine or champagne. Place in a tray and allow to cool in the fridge. Remove the peel from the cucumber and cut into 2 x 2cm squares. Wash the salmon and dry it. It should be bright in colour and nice and firm by now. Cut the salmon into 2 x 2cm squares.

To make the dressing:

Combine all the ingredients and add finely chopped red chilli. Boil over medium heat until the salt has dissolved. Place in a tray and allow to cool in the fridge. When this is cool, ladle over the seafood components and allow to steep for approximately one hour. Blanche the asparagus, enoki mushrooms and cherry tomatoes. Allow to steep in the same brine.

For presentation:

Remove all the seafood from the brine. Arrange seafood, cucumber, mushrooms, asparagus and tomatoes attractively and garnish with pickled ginger and a spoon of both red and black caviar, decorate with chives and dill.

Recipe courtesy of the SA Chefs Academy in Cape Town.

Shopping in style at Cape Town's trendy Pop Up Boutique

2011-11-28T18:30:00.004+04:00

Interestingly enough it was three trips to Paris Fashion Week in 2007 that inspired this blog. However, four years later, I haven’t had the priviledge to go back to the city of light. Fortunately I’m in luck, with the local Cape Town fashion scene gaining more momentum each year.

South African designers such as Gavin Rajah and Kluk CGDT keep wowing fashionistas in New York and Paris respectively. I’m also noticing several shopping parties, or pop up boutiques, offering both local and international brands for sale in relaxed luxury settings, with lots of bubbly and canapés to add to the experience.

These traveling shops bring all my favourite luxury retail experiences to Cape Town; from Brazilian bikinis, to Italian designer labels and French lingerie. When it comes to local South African fashion labels you often get to meet the designers and gain some style advice. I definitely prefer this way of finding holiday outfits and doing some Christmas shopping away from the crowds and mass production.

Recently I’ve been to four pop up boutiques in beautiful home and seaside settings, with each one outdoing the others. And it seems that the upcoming Style Society Pop Up Boutique at the Protea Fire and Ice Hotel in Tamboerskloof, will be the one to top them all. Kumari Govender, Creative Head of StyleSociety, has made her mark on the Cape Town fashion scene, with her Pop Up Boutiques being a strong focus at the moment. From handbags to shoes, accessories, beauty products, lingerie and clothing will be exhibited at the StyleSociety Pop up Boutique, with some fantastic fashion and beauty prizes to be won on the day.

Win tickets to the StyleSociety Pop Up Boutique in Cape Town

What’s more, she has been kind enough to offer five tickets for this weekend’s pop up boutique to Paris and Pomegranates readers. All you have to do is follow me on twitter @wordnomad and send me a tweet with your top tip for traveling in style, or simply comment on this post with what it means to you to travel in style.

The Style Society Pop Up Boutique takes place on 3 December at the Protea Fire and Ice Hotel in Tamboerskloof, Cape Town. Tickets are R50 per person and include a welcome drink and gift bag. Doors open at 9:30am and close at 5:30pm. Book at Computicket.

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Photo courtesy of Style Society.

Al fresco lunch at the Delaire Graff Estate

2011-11-22T15:49:00.003+04:00

Recently I’ve been lucky enough to be treated to a leisurely lunch at Delaire in the Stellenbosch Winelands about an hour’s drive from Cape Town. Owned by Laurence Graff from Graff Diamonds International, the Delaire Graff setup is a bold statement of luxury, from the lodges and spa through to the winelands restaurant.

The drive out there was an experience in itself, scarf wafting in the summer breeze from the passenger seat of a classic Beetle Cabriolet. I felt a bit like Audrey Hepburn. On arrival at the swanky Delaire Graff Estate right at the top of the Helshoogte Pass, the whole parking lot was parked up with Ferraris. As though the view from up there is not enough to take one’s breath away.

By the time I was done jaw dropping my friends had already ordered a bottle of Delaire Cabernet Franc rosé, an elegant Provence pink wine choice. All berries and spice, with just the refreshing kind of crisp needed after the sunshine drive. I was delighted to see ingredients like spatzle and kohlrabi on the menu, some of my favourite treats when making a trip to Germany. Here it’s all fused with fresh local produce and a lot of flair.

I settle on the roast chicken for mains. It arrives on a bed of risotto with some artichokes and kohlrabi on the side. The portion is fulfilling and satisfying and I’m glad I decided to skip starters. The rosé wine offered a lovely understated pairing. There was a tiny spot left in my stomach for a bit of pistachio nougat dessert served with rose geranium ice-cream. I’m not a typical sweet tooth but this was certainly the highlight of my meal. By the time we left I still had some lovely Turkish delight flavours lingering on my tongue.

While lunch at Delaire is probably one of the most expensive meals you’ll have in and around Cape Town it is certainly worth every cent. The view from the restaurant terrace is the most beautiful you’ll find in all of the Cape Winelands, the landscaping and architecture of the estate is exquisite, the menu is really interesting and the food and wine is just, well, another reason to fall in love with Cape Town.

The Crystal Towers' eternity pool of wonder

2011-11-20T22:30:00.003+04:00

Those who know me well would be aware of my enchantment with the eternity pool (also known as an infinity pool). I love how it creates the visual effect of still water reaching right into to the edge of the view as though merging with the horizon. This is especially effective with an ocean view, when it looks like the swimming pool extends into infinity.

Imagine my delight in spending an afternoon with the girls lazing about in the eternity pool at the Crystal Towers Hotel and Spa in Cape Town. I say ‘in’ the eternity pool because at the Crystal Towers they put sun loungers inside the pool, so it’s possible to catch a tan in the middle of the water to an eternity view of Table Mountain. What's more, Table Mountain was recently voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. So being struck by the wonder of it all was not too OTT.

So there I am lounging in the African sunshine, dipping my MAC pink toe nails in the water while sipping on a Cosmopolitan that smells of orange zest. Having the Crystal Towers Spa in such close vicinity makes it easy to pop in for a quick massage or facial and then continue the marathon catch-up session with the girls. As usual this includes all the drama and the scandal; dating, dreams and joy - stuff soapies are made of. Wink.

What makes the Crystal Towers spa especially suitable for a girly outing is their Turkish rasul and floatation chamber. The rasul is a communal treatment room all done up in mosaics and filled with aromatheraphy infused steam. You cover your whole body with a sort of mineralized clay and then just relax in there. At the end of the treatment a rain shower comes down in order to wash off the clay and invigorate you after the treatment.

The floatation chamber, in turn, is a dim lit room with a high salt content pool in which you float same as in the Dead Sea. It is super relaxing and apparently has the same holistic effect on the body as a few hours of good sleep. I think spending the afternoon with beautiful friends in an eternity pool with a view of Table Mountain has some especially wonderful effects too. Only question is, when do we do this again?

Rodrigues in restaurants

2011-11-13T21:23:00.001+04:00

With its rich volcanic soil and abundant coastline, Rodrigues Island is blessed with a diverse amount of fresh produce. Combined with a healthy dose of French, Indian and Chinese influence, its no wonder that this African island is home to a selection of memorable restaurants. Here are some favourites.

Coralie La Difference

Set on a cliff overlooking the lagoon, Coralie La Difference offers the best view in all of Rodrigues. The menu includes a good selection of local cuisine, served with European flair. Try the octopus curry with coconut cream, its magnificent.

Cases a Gardenias

Marie-line’s table d’hôte (a set menu served in a home atmosphere) is created with a fine sense for French cooking and a creative slant on Rodriguan favourites. It is also just the place for foodies to discover home made fruit wines, preserves and garden honey.

La Belle Rodriguaise

With an open plan barbecue set-up right on the beach, this is an idyllic place to dig your feet into the sand, sip on a rum cocktail and wait for the crayfish to come off the fire. The restaurant up at the guesthouse also offers a great view of the Graviers area.

The restaurant at the Morouk Ebony hotel

While local favourites are also celebrated at the Morouk Ebony hotel, this is probably the best place on Rodrigues Island to enjoy European style cuisine. The chef’s creations will surprise and delight. Do ask about their picnic options for an island excursion.

Villa mon Tresor

The best part of dining at the pink villa in Anse Aux Aglais is the absolute passion for food that radiates from the hostess Marie-Louise. If you ask nicely and spend some time in her homely kitchen she might even share a cooking secret or two.

Bambou Restou

Perfect for an afternoon apéro while watching the sunset, you might find yourself lingering at this atmospheric restaurant bar much longer than planned. The pizza with ‘secret ingredients’ will see you through and provide a fun conversation topic.

Chez Madame La Rose

Known for making the best traditional octopus salad on Rodrigues Island, Chez Madame La Rose will quickly win over your heart with a quaint little garden terrace and seasonal meals. The lady herself is a quite a beautiful presence too.

Lunchtime heart to heart at Chez Madame La Rose

2011-11-11T14:37:00.001+04:00

Lunch conversation at Chez Madame La Rose revolves around love. It seems that on Rodrigues island no one ever tires of this topic. I guess its no surprise really, since any human being who slows down to Indian Ocean island pace and finds a point of stillness will inevitably realize that love is the reason for being.

We’re sitting on a small garden terrace awaiting the traditional Rodriguan delights from this home style kitchen and the general tone of our chat takes a course towards love lost. Over a sliced octopus salad with spring onion and vinaigrette, Jean-Paul, Madame la Rose and I talk about past and current relationships and laugh off all the bullshit that is out there.

We make the following conclusions:

1) Too many people are rushing after money and in the process miss out on opportunities in life that could have brought true happiness.

Lesson: never make decisions based on money.

2) Others are so damaged from past hurts that they are unable to open their hearts again and instead go around spreading the pain.

Lesson: there could be even greater happiness out there for those with the courage to take a risk.

3) People lie, creating illusions in order to gain a false sense of control and take advantage of others.

Lesson: don't trust anyone until you have a good sense of their character.

4) We just don't love ourselves enough to stand up to constant rejection and in the process become needy and desperate.

Lesson: we have to realise that we are unique and amazing and if someone chooses to walk away its their loss.

We sure manage to make a mockery of love on this earth. Divorce, deceit, porn, oppression and instant sex – people steal each others lives for their own personal pleasure. I’m sorry for highlighting this bitter truth but perhaps I've just seen too much. The romantic in me just doesn’t get it. I’m tired, as tired of being alone as Madame la Rose and just as haunted by disappointment and unreciprocated love.

For today we find comfort in the rich and spicy grilled fish with tomato sauce and relish the red beans with basmati and mashed pumpkin. The garnishes of fried aubergine and chili paste provide the perfect little rush of flavour. There sure is a bit of love in good food and long baths. And then there is that lullaby of a view that is the Rodrigues lagoon, a sight to soothe sore hearts and provide a vision of hope for the future.

The Francois Leguat Nature Reserve: a dream of paradise

2011-11-10T02:01:00.001+04:00

“In the beginning it was like a fantasy, a dream. You start with an idea and if you believe in it then you go ahead and do it. Could we recreate the Rodrigues from all those years ago when it was still uninhabited by man?”

I am chatting to Aurele Anqueti André, Reserve Manager of the Francois Leguat Giant Tortoise and Cave Reserve on Rodrigues Island in the Indian Ocean. Here a hopeful attempt is being made to reintroduce various indigenous species on 19 hectares of reserve land. Aurele is inspired by the writings of French Hugenot Francois Leguat, whose descriptions of early 18^th century adventures around the Mascarene Islands evoke vivid images of an original tropical paradise.

Leguat’s prose is a detailed account of birds and plants found on Rodrigues Island and specifically talks about encounters with 2000 to 3000 “land turtles” or tortoises. Titled A new voyage to the East-Indies, the publication mentions such an abundance of tortoises that Leguat and his group could only cross certain valleys by taking a hundred steps over their carapaces "without setting foot on the ground.”

The original saddle-backed Rodrigues giant tortoises were hunted to provide meat for sea journeys and over-exploitation finally led to extinction. However, two species of giant tortoise has been reintroduced at the Francois Leguat Nature Reserve and the aspiration is that evolution will take its course, as it once has. Centuries ago, tortoises used to drift along the sea currents and that is how they originally spread across the Mascarenes and evolved to form various local species. Between the radiated tortoises from Madagascar and tortoises from Aldabra in the Seychelles, there are now over a 1000 giant tortoises living in the reserve. While some are carefully watched in enclosed camps others prefer the freedom of the reintroduced native flora. The latter rebels of the reserve also like to pose for cheeky photographs, as above.

Over 100 000 replanted indigenous trees has so far adapted well at the reserve and helps to overcome Rodrigues' deforestation issues of the past. Aurele’s eyes shine at the prospect of how the Francois Leguat reserve will evolve in future: “There are various scientists and sponsors involved and a lot of research is being done in order to closely recreate the original ecosystem.”

As we walk through the beautifully lit lime stone caves on the reserve our guide Corinne points out fossils of the original giant tortoises as well as the Solitaire and other birds of paradise. By the time I get to the insightful museum and ponder an artist's interpretation of Leguat's enchanted descriptions, I feel moved by the possibilities of this project and quench my awe with some ice cold lemon juice at the scenic museum café. Cheers to Aurele and the Francois Leguat Giant Tortoise and Cave Reserve!

Rodrigues island party VIP

2011-11-05T19:26:00.002+04:00

Willy Auguste, Managing Director of the Mourouk Ebony Hotel, is known to throw some of the best private parties on Rodrigues Island and I am lucky enough to be invited. I arrive at the same time as my kite surfing instructor who stops in his tracks to tell me how beautiful I look.

With such an abundance of respectful charm, it’s a pleasure being a single woman on Rodrigues. We sit down at the bar for a rum cocktail while we wait for the rest of the guests to arrive. I am not generally known for being super punctual, but island time puts a whole new spin on fashionably late.

All the VIPs on the island eventually arrive for the buffet style feast. My driver (and by now very entertaining island guide) Jean-Paul is very excited to tell me about the conou-conou – a shellfish salad said to have 'wink-wink' aphrodisiac properties. There is certainly a whole lot of seafood and fresh-fresh produce prepared in traditional styles. Octopus salad, salt and pepper calamari, grilled fish, pork curry, red beans, salads and pickles... it’s a great selection of all the best dishes on the island.

Besides the local buffet, the Mourouk Ebony hotel also offers a great European style a la carte menu. The food here is exceptional every day and during my time here I have especially enjoyed the aubergine millefeuille starter, a rich and wholesome vegetable dish which will remain firmly etched in my culinary memory.

Soon the sega band starts playing and we enjoy a show of traditional dancing complete with colourful colonial style island skirts. Later the dancers pick guests as partners and the party gets in full swing. I enjoy all the hip shaking involved with sega dancing and get a round of applause from the rest of the guests at my table. After a week of enjoying some incredible experiences and finding my balance again, all of this fun makes me overflow with joy.

The cocktails are flowing freely and all the who's who on the island are shaking it up on the dance floor, from Willie himself, to the diving instructors, politicians and restaurant owners. I end up dancing with a beautiful French man deep into the night and the fun conversation challenges my perception that all Parisians are rude and generally disgruntled. Perhaps his time living on Reunion has eased up all the big city stereotypes. These Indian Ocean islands have a way of bringing the best out of people indeed.

I heart Ile Hermitage

2011-10-30T01:42:00.003+04:00

In the heart of the lagoon surrounding Rodrigues island lies Ile Hermitage. No, I mean literally, in the heart. The way the coral reefs are set around the islet creates a colour contrast shaped like a heart in shades of turquoise and blue immediately surrounding Ile Hermitage. It’s a beautiful site to behold from the mountain areas.

In an attempt to find the hidden treasure said to still be buried on Ile Hermitage, I take a boat from the Mourouk Ebony hotel, set against the hilly landscape facing the lagoon. It’s a windy morning and kitesurfers are making the most of it. Some reckon this is one of the best places in the world to kitesurf because of the large lagoon and the amount of wind that the island gets on the south eastern side.

The little blue boat makes it safely to Ile Hermitage despite the slightly restless sea. While my boatman makes a fire (allowed since this is not a nature reserve like Ile aux Cocos) in order to prepare some fish for lunch, I head off to explore. First up is the top of the hill, from where I get a good idea of the area. At a reasonable pace, it would probably take me fifteen minutes or so to walk around the whole islet.

Despite the size there are lots of little beaches and nooks in between the rocks. Finally I find my spot, a tiny beach just big enough for my sarong and the paw paw that washed up with the seashells. I sit down for a bit to soak up the sunshine and the lullaby of the waves. Other than the boat man I am alone here on Ile Hermitage today and I imagine that this is my island - lets call it 'Ile Lize' - suitably set inside a big turquoise heart.

My treasure is not buried underneath the sand but inside my own heart. All I need is the magic words. I whisper a dream out onto the wind and send it off with a prayer.

Is this a dream or am I flying across the Montagne Bois Noir?

2011-10-26T21:36:00.002+04:00

Just around the corner from Cases a Gardenias in the Montagne Bois Noir, there is a zipline called Tyrodrig. The cables are set across a 400 metre canyon with a view of the Rodrigues lagoon and the idea is to slide across the valley from cliff to cliff.

It is always fun discovering a place from the sky and it is no secret that I have a fascination with flying. Lets just say that it is a little fantasy dream. Little do I know that flying is exactly the sensation I would feel when trying out the zipline.

As the Tyrodrig officials fasten the harness around my body a nervous energy takes hold of me. I am always up for a bit of adventure but have no idea what to expect when I step off the cliff and sit into the harness. The moment I let go of solid ground I scream like a, well, girl. It’s kind of satisfying actually to shout all of that anxiety into the valley and refill my lungs with new air.

Yet soon I am floating in between the mountains like a bird. It is quiet and serene and not at all the fast and scary ride I anticipated. Once I relax into it I can’t get enough. Luckily we make four different crossings between the cliffs and I get to have a different angle on the mountain greens and sea blues of Rodrigues island every time.

So there, stepping off that cliff is one of the most wonderful things I have ever done. That just goes to show that while letting go of solid ground can be frightening, the unknown always has potential to bring closer all of those rediculous dreams. Now the challenge is just to believe.

The secrets of love and raspberry wine

2011-10-24T15:10:00.072+04:00

While I do love the beach it is mountains and forests that make me feel most in tune. The cool air and lush vegetation fills my senses as I arrive at Cases a Gardenias guesthouse in the Montagne Bois Noir (Black Wood Mountain) region of Rodrigues island.

Marie-line guides me through her stylish garden past a koi fish pond and into her French colonial style home beyond. It is a surprise to discover such a European sophistication on this simple tropical island. Over a cup of tea and home made chocolate chip cookies Marie-line tells me that she and her husband Fernand lived in Bordeaux for 35 years before seeking out the stillness of Rodrigues. They brought along all of their favourite antique furniture and a whole lot of interesting travel stories to fill their extended home at Cases a Gardenias: "The extra rooms were for the children at first but I enjoy having a home full of people and they can't visit all year round. So we started a guesthouse and now Fernand is also building some villa style accommodation next to the main homestead."

Later, when Fernand gets home from the building site, Marie-line treats us to some raspberry wine. It's a perfectly sweet and subtly tangy aperitif. She made this herself, thanks to a science background and the interest she took in wine making during her time in Bordeaux: “All our friends had vineyards there and I took the time to experiment with different fruits in my cellar.”

In Rodrigues she has had success with making wines from tropical produce such as star fruit, tamarind and hibiscus and likes to experiment with anything that will grow abundantly in the rich volcanic soil around Cases a Gardenias. The raspberries are from her garden too. Fernand never knows what to expect next from his beautiful wife and it certainly keeps their relationship exciting and his taste buds tingling. Marie-line is also a bee keeper that markets her own honey as well as sweet and savoury preserves under the Marie Island Products label.

As night falls, the candles and lights in the garden turn the patio into a serene romantic space. While the warm night air certainly sets a tropical tone, this could be anywhere in the world. Elegant company, interior style and the promise of gastronomic excellence... Marie-line’s table d’hôte is well praised for incorporating local and European cooking styles and I am looking forward to trying it out.

“I will make, for instance, French pork rillette and add a bit of cinnamon; or make pain d'epice [spiced bread] the traditional way but adapt the recipe to include different spices. I also make a selection of preserves to use with foie gras, such as onion and dates from the garden.”

Dinner opens on a finely flavoured prawn broth which balances nicely with the main course of rich, creamy farm chicken served with perfectly al dente tagliatelle. The subtle French way of balancing flavours is evident and offers an exciting addition to the Rodriguan culinary scene. Marie-line and Fernand are also wonderfully warm hosts and I get the feeling of visiting family or old friends. Dessert is a slow cooked papaya crème brûlée, bowling me out with its utterly decadent fusion of French and tropical elements.

We stay around the dinner table chatting deep into the night over some coffee liquor, which, of course, Marie-line made herself, with local Rodriguan coffee beans. We talk about love, love and more love and they share a few secrets of how to make it last: "Number one rule: never take any problems to the bedroom," says Fernand, "number two: always light a candle and enjoy a glass of wine together at the dinner table."

After my fair share of raspberry wine and coffee liquor I vehemently agree with their sentiments that love is the only thing truly worth aspiring to. Only, while they stare admiringly into each others’ eyes, the chair next to me at the intimate 4-seater table is still free.

La Belle Rodriguaise' beautiful beach barbecue

2011-10-22T01:50:00.003+04:00

A hike along the eastern beaches of Rodrigues island has the potential to work up quite a bit of an appetite. Even a simple meal would have been heaven after a hike, but then my driver Jean-Paul takes me to La Belle Rodriguaise for a barbecue on the beach. Françoise Baptiste has been hosting a cooking class for a couple of French guests all morning and by the time we arrive the fish and crayfish is just about to come off the fire.

It all smells wonderful and everyone looks proud of their communal cooking effort and what they have learned from Françoise, who complied local recipes from all over the island in a recipe book called ‘Les délices de Rodrigues’. It is clear as she welcomes me to the party that Françoise is only too happy to share her love of food with like minded people.

Together with her husband Laval, they run a guesthouse in Graviers on the south east of Rodrigues, with a gorgeous view from each of the 12 refreshing rooms. La Belle Rodriguaise also has a splash pool and can organize kite surfing and mountain biking excursions on request, says Laval. There are also numerous hiking trails in the immediate area as I just found out for myself.

The Baptistes have created a simple stone barbecue area and a thatched veranda on the beach outside their guesthouse where they set up a table for lunch overlooking the lagoon and the fishing boats. I see the pure joy of this moment reflected in all of the guests’ faces as I take a sip of my rum cocktail, this time mixed with lime, honey and fresh fruit juice.

I decide not to sit at the table and instead bury my feet in the soft sea sand and sit down on a low log bench with Jean-Paul. We feast on the seafood, bread, preserves, chili pastes and salads in an awed silence, occasionally getting topped up by our hosts. I also really enjoy the red pork with yellow rice and red beans which is also part of the large buffet of dishes prepared during the lesson. The cooking party crowd provides a festive soundtrack of laughter and a little further away a young romantic couple is enjoying a private moment at a neatly set up table slightly separate from the rest. Joy, love, natural beauty and great food; I am overflowing with gratitude.

After lunch some of the guests enjoy massages in a private nook on the beach, waves hushing in the distance. They deserve it after a long morning of food preparation and learning. I enjoy an amazing espresso made from freshly ground local coffee beans and have a look through Françoise’s cookbook, conjuring up more beautiful foodie dreams.

The secret beaches of Rodrigues island

2011-10-20T20:14:00.003+04:00

The beaches along Rodrigues island are as though deserted. It’s not really a local pastime to frolic on the beach and since Rodrigues is a small island blessed with abundant beaches no reasonable amount of tourists could have them crowded. Even if the beaches around the hotel areas do fill up by chance, there are many small bays such as Trou d’Argent that can be discovered on foot.

Exploring the eastern beaches of Anse Ali, Saint Francois and Trou d'Argent is in fact best done walking while some of the most beautiful beaches in Rodrigues can only be reached by well heeled footpaths. Setting off on a hike is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with the volcanic rocks, the sea shells and the natural fauna and flora in the area.

While your footprints are often the only ones in the bright white sand along the turquoise seas, you may be sharing the longer stretches of beach with herds of cows or goats kept by local farmers. With around 20 beaches (and cliffs in between) to choose from you are bound to have your personal favourite picnic spot where you can be completely private. This may be an especially quiet area of the island but it is never dull - depending on how you behold beauty and of course your own imagination.

Set in a protected reserve, Trou d’Argent has recently been voted one of the 30 best preserved beaches in the world. I stay here for a while just to absorb the beautiful energy and the sound of the water splashing against the glowing limestone cliffs and around the small cavern. There is something mesmerizing about the way the breeze whispers from across the lagoon and the clarity of the sea murmering onto the glaring white beach here.

The pristine state of the walking trails and natural beaches also makes a hike along the east coast of Rodrigues a perfectly private outing for nudists and those who are keen on some sun tanning away from wandering eyes. What’s more; sheltered coral reefs are often just a short distance away from some of the inlets and bays so keeping snorkeling gear handy might just make for a magical refresher on a hike in the hot Indian Ocean sunshine.

Rodriguan cooking lesson at Villa mon Trésor

2011-10-17T18:46:00.004+04:00

After a few delicious Rodriguan meals at Coralie la Difference and Bambou Restou, as well as the Pointe Venus hotel restaurant, I am curious to learn a few local cooking secrets. So Marie-Louise from Villa mon Trésor in Anse aux Anglais kindly invites me into her kitchen for a cooking lesson.

On arrival at the pretty pink guesthouse Marie-Louise treats me to a cup of tea and some snacks. I am especially fond of the deep fried chili peppers stuffed with spicy white fish, an Indian inspired delicacy sold at the beach front just around the corner. We get to know each other a little better and soon Marie-Louise hands me an apron before we head over to the homely Villa mon Trésor kitchen.

She already has some red beans going in a pressure cooker and most of our ingredients are set out on the kitchen counter. It is no secret that the abundance of natural ingredients and richness of the volcanic soil on Rodrigues island make their produce some of the tastiest in the Indian Ocean region – and any cook will tell you that using good ingredients is the number one secret of any truly successful meal. Marie-Louise tells me that she gets up at 4am on market day every week in order to make sure she gets the pick of the crops. She also grows some of her own ingredients in a large garden surrounding her home.

We start with chopping up a nice fatty piece of local pork and then add it to a pan with garlic, ginger and onion. Leaving the lid on, we let the fat cook out of the pork before we brown the meat. We then add some chopped tomato, salt, pepper and curry powder and later some fresh curry leaves and a sprig of thyme from the garden. In the meantime we also fry some aubergine in a little olive oil, to be added to the pork curry just before serving, together with a sprinkle of parsley.

Some maize is cooking in a separate pot and we also grate some green papaya for a salad mixed with spring onion and freshly squeezed lime juice. Marie-Louise’s husband gets home to the smell of welcoming curry aromas. He pours us ladies some vodka mixed with chilled coconut water – a first for me and I am delighted with the invigorating drink.

Time for dinner. The pork curry is wholesome and homely with the maize and red beans, flavours carefully balanced, while the green papaya salad provides the perfect zesty balance to the rich meat dish and also helps with digestion. Marie-Louise has that true passion for cooking and an understanding of good ingredients and cooking time that only comes with experience and experimenting.

We end our meal with a dessert of fried banana topped with warm orange and passion fruit juice and served with ice cream and orange zest. I cannot think of anything more delicious when it melts in my mouth. My cooking teacher seems to be quite the expert at creating her own recipes. Marie-Louise recently won a local cooking competition with a steamed sweet potato gnocchi creation, topped with traditional Italian Napoletana sauce and some smoked fish. Sounds like another dish I will definitely have to try at home.

Ile aux Cocos with Captain Christophe

2011-10-15T20:37:00.009+04:00

A wooden sail boat awaits me across the beach on the turquoise Indian Ocean lagoon. It is as though I wade through the warm tropical sea right into a film set. To my right a small Rodriguan boat is painted with cartoony pirate signs. Ahead of me Captain Christophe holds out a gentlemanly hand to help me onto his wooden sail boat bound for Ile aux Cocos, a small island reserve in the large lagoon surrounding Rodrigues island in Mauritius.

The captain takes out his French island charm to tell me that I am ‘tres jolie,’ very beautiful, before we set off on our sailing excursion. I tell him that he has a beautiful boat and soon the story behind his Ile aux Cocos island tours unfolds. Rodrigues island has its own special way of building fishing boats that are perfectly symmetrical. However, Christophe went to work in France for a while and met someone there who lived inside the belly of a boat. This encounter changed his life in that Christophe learned the art of building traditional wooden sail boats and brought the skill and the romance of it all back to Rodrigues with him.

Today Christophe has the most beautiful boat in all of Rodrigues. He built his own wooden sail boat which is now the love of his life and also his bread and butter. He would like to find true love with a real live girl, he says, but so far his boat has been his only faithful companion. And so he takes good care of her and makes day trips to the protected bird sanctuary of Ile aux Cocos, entertaining guests and tourists with his own special flavoured rum. His boat is always equipped with a bottle of rum infused with fresh limes, local honey and Madagascan vanilla. I must be turning into a pirate princess as it is a surprise for me to find the sweet rum so delightful, aye cap'n!

I am not quite sure if it’s the rum, the pure oxygen or the tranquil lagoon blues, but by the time we reach Ile Aux Cocos I feel like someone waved a magic wand all over me. It is as though I am enchanted as I step onto the soft beach scattered with sea shells and walk into a paradise of tropical birds. The island is named after the birds' eggs or 'cocos' originally found on the island, rather than the coconut trees, says our guide. He introduces me to the birds: mostly noddies, lesser noddies and fairy terns. The latter is my favourite, pure white birds that hover in one place and flutter their wings, creating a Tinkerbell effect. We also see a tiny red cardinal, a scarlet bird native to Madagascar and commonly found in forest areas all around the Indian Ocean islands.

Our lunch is a spread of cold grilled fish, mixed salad, potato salad, octopus salad and chili paste. No fires are allowed on Ile Aux Cocos so lunch was prepared early in the morning by Christophe’s mom. She is clearly an exceptional cook and I can taste the love and care that went into the preparations. We wash all the deliciousness down with a bit of South African rosé wine and then move back onto the rum after a dessert of coconut cake and sugared peanut sweets.

Back on the boat there is not a trace of the real world left in me and laughter is flowing freely while we sail along this large lagoon around Rodrigues for a few hours, taking in one breathtaking view after the other. By the time Christophe drops the anchor for a bit of snorkeling just off the shore at Anse Aux Anglais, I am the little mermaid that finally finds Nemo in her fantasy garden of corals and dreams unda da sea.

Fun in the sunset at Bambou Restou

2011-10-10T20:14:00.011+04:00

When the sun sets in Anse aux Anglais, also known as English Bay, it’s time for an apéro at Bambou Restou. Locals and tourists alike gather all around the beach area to watch the sunset. It’s a communal moment of awe for the sheer magic of this place. Some enjoy the stillness of watching the sunset from the beach, but for a nice social energy the best vibe on Rodrigues island seems to be at Bambou Restou, a sidewalk café on the beach road.

Dario from Bambou Restou is a vibrant character who knows how to have fun. His bar is a treasure trove of collectibles which is bound to make for interesting conversation after a few drinks. The bar also boasts a big screen for watching sport, or screening music videos. Soon the Bambou barman whips up some bright orange cocktails with a bit of passion fruit for us. Served in martini glasses and garnished with yellow Nasturtium flowers, they look really pretty and festive. Jean-Paul, Dario and I toast to new friends and, hmm, this cocktail tastes so deliciously sweet and fresh-fruity that I might have to have a few.

The apéro (a colloquial word for ‘aperitif’) offering at Bambou includes all kinds of little snacks to enjoy with cocktails. The exquisite salt and pepper octopus gives me flashbacks to the Sheraton hotel buffet in Brisbane where I experienced this delicacy for the first time. So delicious! We also enjoy some sandwiches and shrimps as well as a taste of pizza with ‘secret ingredients’. All the while the in-house performer, Miko, sets the soundtrack with a few passionate chords on his guitar and a husky voice. It is intimate yet unobtrusive. Dario refuses to share his pizza ‘secrets’ even after a few drinks and I try asking Miko, with not much luck. Eventually I am left believing that it is just an ingenious combination of fresh herbs or simply a drunken guessing game.

On a really good night, guests might end up at Le Cocotiers nightclub, which is just around the corner and plays from local sega music to pop. In favour of my early morning boat trip, however, I give in to the call of my very comfortable bed at the Pointe Venus hotel which is also just a few minutes away.

Anse aux Anglais is the only village on Rodrigues island with a bit of a nightlife buzz. So for those keen on alternating the daytime serenity with a bit of a party energy at night, this is definitely the best place to stay.

Of romance and Rodriguan cuisine

2011-10-07T18:19:00.002+04:00

During the one and a half hour flight from Maurutius to Rodrigues, the familiar question comes up: “Are you married?”

It seems that this is the only line single Mauritian men know when they first meet a woman. Where is the romance? These are meant to be French islands after all! By the time we disembark the plane at Rodrigues airport I am dodging five fans begging for my Facebook details.

What's more, my charming Rodriguan driver, Jean-Paul, makes a quick stop to welcome me to Rodrigues with a single long stemmed red rose - the most elegant and romantic of flowers and certainly a much more pleasant flirtation.

Soon he announces that we’ve arrived at my 'hotel'. It is set on a hill overlooking the ocean. The low whitewashed wall boasts a sweet painting of a Solitaire bird (the Rodriguan version of the Dodo, which is also extinct) and the words ‘Rodrigues Prison’ in big red letters. Behind the gate lies a small building with lots of open windows. I laugh. Clearly there is not a lot of crime on this island, which is always nice to know.

Since I’m not that keen on prison food Jean-Paul takes me to Coralie La Difference for my first taste of Rodriguan cuisine. Here I meet Sandrine, from the local tourism office, for a lunch and a glass of French Chardonnay on the terrace. While Coralie La Difference has a spacious and pleasant interior (great for a wedding, while we're on the topic), the large garden terrace set on the top of a hill has a bird's eye view of the ocean. The sun is dancing all over the shades of blue in the lagoon and it's just dazzling.

Sandrine and I both enjoy a starter of fresh-fresh salt and pepper calamari with garlic bread. The portion is generous and luckily I’m starving because the main of octopus curry and basmati rice is definitely up there with some of the best meals I’ve ever had. Perfectly tender octopus infused with spices and coconut milk – I’m still trying to coax the recipe out of Madame Brigitte who recently breathed new life into this picturesque venue.

As two single ladies Sandrine and I have a good laugh about the inability of the Mauritian men to understand that a woman alone is not always necessarily looking for a man. Not just any man, anyway. Chocolate will do. Especially the rich rolled chocolate cake Madame Brigitte spoils us with for dessert.

The local coffee here is good too and a strong espresso is just what I need to keep going after such a beautiful lunch - that includes the food, the wine, the company and, of course, that view.

Stopping over at the Le Palmiste in Mauritius

2011-10-05T16:23:00.001+04:00

It feels as though the tropical weather gives me a warm hug as I get out of the taxi in front of the Le Palmiste hotel in Mauritius. I love that humidity on my skin; it helps me to wind down to a slower, island pace.

The big wooden gates open to let me in and reveal the dim lit palm trees, pools and wood carved cabins of the Le Palmiste resort. My flight from Johannesburg arrived early evening and after an hour’s drive to Le Palmiste in the north it is already dark.

The live band is playing Waka Waka as if on cue and that typical Mauritian island hospitality makes me exhale. Glass of fruit cocktail in hand I am ready to ease into this Mauritian overnight before continuing my journey.

First up: some fairly large helpings of the Chinese food buffet on offer at the Le Palmiste this evening. Wonton soup and prawn crackers, spring rolls, sweet and sour pork with sticky rice, chicken noodle stir fry – all washed down with some fresh lime juice and a bit of dry white South African wine.

My suitcase is safely delivered to my suite when I arrive. I sit quietly on the romantic wooden balcony for a few moments, overlooking the lights on the pool and the palm trees and listening to the music and the lovers dancing in the background. The scent of Frangipani and a feeling of melancholy overwhelms me.

Grand Baie is only 15 minutes’ drive away and I am contemplating meeting some Mauritian friends for a bit of sega dancing there tonight. Sega is the local rhythm and any African woman worth her salt should be able to get into it fairly easily. It’s all hip-shaking and lots of laughing.

Before I know it though, I have my head on a pillow and sink into a restless sleep. Luckily there is always Bois Cheri, the local vanilla flavoured black tea, to wake me up for my flight connection to Rodrigues island in the morning.

Strange Sicilian dinner conversation

2011-09-20T16:04:00.008+04:00

My friend Caroline has her heart set on trying a nice Sicilian farm dinner at an 'agriturismo' place close to our villa in Menfi. This is how it happens that her loving husband finds Villa Maddalena. Here the local Napoli family runs a guesthouse and a homely restaurant where they cook traditional Sicilian cuisine made with fresh ingredients from the surrounding farm lands and coastline.

Ingredients are sourced almost exclusively from the farm itself, where they grow a large selection of fruit and vegetables, olives and grapes. There is also a barnyard with chickens, turkeys, ducks, rabbits and pigs. Other produce are from the immediate area, such as capers from Pantelleria, a selection of Sicilian wines and bluefish from the local fisherman at Porto Palo close by.

The restored farm villa has been in the family for centuries and it is here where they serve their guests courses upon courses of Italian delicacies. On arrival we find the large empty room a bit spooky and dark and decide to walk through the garden and watch the sunset over the vineyards while Mrs Napoli sets up our table for dinner.

Mr Napoli is quick to open the wine as we finally sit down in anticipation. Between the six of us, none of us can manage a decent conversation in Italian and yet Mr Napoli happily chats away to our amusement. Mrs Napoli drops by to ask us some questions about the food and it becomes a guessing game. Is she asking whether we're ready to start or making enquiries about what we would like to eat, or perhaps, what we don't eat?

They don't seem the slightest bit put off by our dumb looking facial expressions, questioning gestures or giggles. After the first course - a large platter each full of delicious cheeses, cold meats, olives and artichokes, which we slowly consume with a fairly large quantity of wine - the Napolis proceed to introduce what we understand to be their daughter, though it could have also been the younger sister of Mrs Napoli or anyone else for that matter.

As they shove the lady onto a chair next to Caroline's husband (who looks a little Italian himself) the very one sided Napoli family conversation takes on a suggestive tone. Until this moment there has only bit a hint of weirdness to the experience: the large dark empty dining room, the seven open bottles of different wines on our table for six and the bubbly Italian conversation of which we don't understand very much at all.

By the time we finish more courses of simple Napoletana and seafood pastas, veal and fish, we have the whole family sitting down with us. Mr Napoli herself snuggles up next to Peter to the amusement of his girlfriend Susi, who suddenly poses the question whether she is Mrs Napoli after all. There is no way for us to safely judge who is married to who and what they are saying but so they continue chatting to each of us individually and as a group in a way that suggests they couldn't care less whether we understand them or not.

The more wine and grappa we drink, the more interesting the evening becomes and the more we laugh and giggle and talk - us in English and the Napolis in Italian, still with no hint of understanding between the two groups. Eventually the charm wears off and the guys become slightly uncomfortable with the uninvited Italian attention in the presence of their beautiful partners.

It is probably the strangest dinner I have ever had. Excellent food; that real Sicilian mama food that wins you over in one bite. I would go back for that. Yet, perhaps it would be possible to order a takeaway and avoid the forced Italian company and the festive dinner conversation without any understanding from the conversing parties.

We laugh a lot in the moonlight on the way home but there is also the very real sense of something eerie that we cannot quite pinpoint. Certainly not an evening we will forget anytime soon.

A dirty old Italian mafioso just won’t do

2011-09-19T19:25:00.003+04:00

All I can see in front of me is an expanse of still blue that stretches out into a powdery sky. This balcony is set on a cliff in Marinella di Selinunte, a small beach town next to the Selinunte ruins in Castelvetrano on the South Coast of Sicily.

In the background Edith Piaff and Pavarotti sets the mood. Around me I see potted cacti and the smiling faces of good friends. To the right the Selinunte acropolis and its five temples tower over it all.

Could anything be more perfect? Yes, actually. I keep telling myself that I would not go back to Italy without a great love by my side. I’ve travelled to Tuscany, Rome and Venice and all of these have managed to highlight the absence of love and passion for which every little intimate street corner seems to shout.

Sicily is no different. The food, ah, the sensory flavours of sun ripened tomatoes, plump olives, fresh-fresh garlic and parsley, flavourful fennel, Italian anchovies and, of course, the revered celery. Sicilian food is so sexy and never perfectly complete without romance. And yet; a dirty old Italian mafioso won’t do. What? Yes I know I’m picky!

Daydreams aside we decide to have a pizza at Ristorante Baffo’s in the area, which ends up being a bit touristy and disappointing especially after the home made pizza’s we fired up in the pizza oven at our villa a few days earlier. Then there is the free carafe of Sicilian wine, which is known for having a typically higher alcohol content than other wines in the region. At most restaurants in Sicily some house wine is included with the meal. However between my wine loving friends from the Rhine Valley and the Cape Winelands we find these wines undrinkable and prefer to pay for our own bottle of Mandrarossa or Planeta wines instead.

By the time we leave for home the still night air envelops me like a big hug and I fall asleep happily wined and dreaming of a hot date for my next trip to Italy.

Selinunte: Sicily's celery ruins

2011-09-14T13:56:00.000+04:00

There is never much support from my European friends for visiting museums and historical sites around Europe. I guess growing up with thousands of these in every European city does kind of saturate a person. My loyal travel companion, Suzy, however, agreed to accompany me to Selinunte, a large Greek archeological site on the South West coast of Sicily.

The name Selinunte is derived from a type of wild celery that grew in the area and was held in high esteem by the ancients. The Selinuntines also used the celery symbol on their coins. Set on top of a high plain the ruins of this ancient Greek colony tower over long wide beaches and a stretch of that unmistakable Mediterranean ocean blue.

The Carthaginians finally defeated Selinunte in 409BC during the First Punic War and for more than 2000 years these ancient Greek temples and acropolis have been beautifully desolate.

With the acropolis and various different temples and living quarters scattered over a large area, the ruins take some walking to discover and in the Italian mid-summer sun, even dear Suzy had to give up after a while. While she wrote postcards in the museum shop, I spent an hour or two walking the dust roads and clambering over rocks and stones, imagination running wild while taking in the breathtaking views framed by columns and rubble.

I don’t know why I love ruins so much. Perhaps it is because of all the stories hidden under ancient stones or simply the fact that it’s a novelty for a South African with a fairly modern country to connect with these antique civilizations through time.

Sicily's historical foodie mountain fortress

2011-09-06T16:28:00.059+04:00

Setting: The cobble stoned mountain village of Erice on the northern coast of Sicily, 750m above sea level with sweeping views of San Vito lo Capo, Punta da Saraceno and Trapani.

Sensation: After spending the day under the hot summer sun in a tiny bay around San Vito lo Capo the crisp mountain air is invigorating.

Taste: Artisan ricotta pastry, crisp and soft, not too sweet - yes, it has been known that such a pastry can steal my heart - and a tiny fragrant Italian espresso.

Charm: Erice is an ambient little place to explore, with lots of atmospheric corners and crannies, two historical castles and some remains of ancient Elymian and Phoenician walls. I also enjoyed tasting a host of Marsala wines and a selection of olives at the gourmet shops along the way through the narrow streets.

How to get there: It is possible to drive up the narrow windey road leading up the mountain. Or simply take the cable car close to Trapani: it's only three euros for a 20-minute thrill.

Must-do: Caffe Maria offers a scenic upstairs balcony and a gourmet menu. Just go, both are unmissable.

Discovering small bays around San Vito lo Capo

2011-09-06T08:46:00.010+04:00

I don't really like the main beach at San Vito lo Capo in the north west of Sicily. Yes, the stretch of white sand alongside the clear warm ocean is enticing. However, the strip of hotels that charge €150 for a beach chair and an umbrella puts me off. It's just a bit too commercial for something so pristine - but that's just my opinion.

To put it into perspective; at Boomerang beach close to our villa in Menfi in the south of the island, the beach chairs and umbrellas are free on a first come first serve basis.

So there are options if you are willing to look around and compromise on the main beach areas on the island. We discovered a small bay just a few minutes away from the main tourist attractions at San Vito lo Capo. This is where the locals seem to hang out, away from all the tourist noise. It's just a tiny splash of white sand surrounded by rocks and mountains in the background.

There are no immediate towns or shops close by and it sits slightly off the highway so there is also no noise but the soft murmur of the Mediterranean Sea and the voices of the handful of people on the beach.

The clear warm water is irresistible and we all decide to go for a swim. This is an exquisite place, more so for the natural surroundings and the clear seawater than for the beach itself. It's a great spot to have a splash and linger for a while to take in the beauty of it all, before continuing a journey.

Salute, Sicilia!

2011-08-23T21:08:00.005+04:00

Beautiful travel experiences provide a lifetime of pleasure. I’m so excited to start writing about my recent Italian island holiday in Sicily. Looking through my photographs and souvenirs, penning my thoughts; it’s as though experiencing bella Sicilia all over again.

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It takes a good few hours to drive from Palermo Airport to Menfi, in the Province of Arigento, where our stone villa was just two minutes walk from the beach. The simple landscape of vineyards, prickly pears and old stone walls already set the scene for slow-paced, simple living. Cast in the Italian summer sunlight our surroundings took on a magical allure.

Of course, the authentic laid back pace doesn’t mean that the local Italians forget all about their fancy Armani sunglasses on Menfi’s Blue Flag beaches or neglect to look impeccable when they splash about in the clear, warm sea water. Style remains as imperative here as in any sort of Italian lifestyle. Style and, pasta sauce...

If life in Italy is all about spending hours sharing good food and wine with good friends, taking siestas and starting all over again, then we lived the Italian dream for a week. A communal favourite was simple pasta sauces made with combinations of red onions, sweet Italian tomatoes, capers, olives and anchovies. We also enjoyed roasted fennel and had much fun making our own pizza in the traditional wood fired pizza oven out on our villa terrace. Dessert was fresh apricots from the tree next to our bougainvillea.

All of our home cooked meals were enthusiastically paired with our favourite Sicilian wines. We loved the Santanella from Mandrarossa, an aromatic floral white blend of Fiano, Viognier and Chenin Blanc. However my personal favourite was Madrarossa's Urra di Mare, a light, fresh Sauvignon blanc that dances like a sea breeze on the tongue.

Informally known as Sicily’s African coast, Menfi is separated from the North African country of Tunisia by only a narrow stretch of ocean. The town of Menfi itself has a distinct Arabian architectural influence, highlighting the cultural smorgasbord that adds to the delight of this Mediterranean island.

A glass of Hannibal awaits the Audi A7 jet pilot

2011-08-11T00:56:00.002+04:00

My friends enjoy making fun of my driving skills, but they were not all there to see me test drive the new Audi A7 out to lunch with Peter Finlayson & co in Hermanus recently. It was a networking day with the kind of professionals who appreciate good South African pinot noir and king oyster mushrooms.

The Audi Centre at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town presented us with a couple of their most luxurious models; the A6, A7, A8 and Q7. Cape Town was showing off with gorgeous winter sunshine and the N2 highway was quiet enough for us to put foot. We all took turns to drive different stretches in different cars, almost like, musical cars.

During my stint as a passenger in the super luxurious Audi A8 I had much fun playing with the seat warmer. Just as I started purring like a cat, it was my turn to drive. It was almost like flying all the way up Sir Lowry’s pass, leaving sweeping views of the ocean behind for a host of apple trees in the Elgin valley. All the while the Bose speakers were blaring gangster hip hop and the lovely gentlemen from the Audi Centre allowed me to push the speed limit just a bit.

It was, however, the Audi A7 that stole my heart during that last stretch out to Hemel en Aarde (Afrikaans for Heaven and Earth) valley in Hermanus, while we were swiftly gliding around the last of the bends. I felt like a jet pilot with the high-tech travel speed display that was projected into the windscreen, only visible to me, from my driver seat cockpit. It’s a stroke of genius that allowed me to keep my eyes on the road at all times and still stay up to date with my travel information.

It was hard to part with this black beauty when we finally reached our destination: Bouchard Finlayson boutique vineyard in the Hemel en Aarde valley. Henrico Grobbelaar from Azure restaurant at the 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa was already carefully preparing a feast of Chalmar beef carpaccio drizzled with truffle oil and paired with Galpin Peak Pinot Noir for starters.

And so from one love to another; luxury cars to gourmet food and fine wine with fellow coinnoisseurs. By the time I reached the platter of Cape cheese, glass of Hannibal 2009 in hand, I was filled with the wonder of this sunshiny day, the elegance of the cooler climate South African red wines and the lazy indulgence of being chauffeured all the way back to Cape Town in the Audi Q7. Heaven, indeed.