New Year's Eve 2015/2016, Cape Town Waterfront

As the end of 2015 approached, we were visiting family in McGregor (whom we will be seeing again soon) and getting ready for the cultural experience of the year. Cape Town is one of the biggest cities in South Africa, and the most popular tourist city as well. The Waterfront was hosting a massive New Year's Festival, and we decided to go. 

Picking up where I left off in the previous post, we left Swellendam on the 30th and visited distant family in McGregor, a beautiful little town in the Riviersonderend Mountains. 

The Tradouw Pass on the way to McGregor. 

Lunch at a lovely restaurant next to the road (effective advertising as 'lunch in a vineyard').

On the 31st we left for Paarl where we had a place to stay after the party.

Many vineyards - the Cape Winelands. 

Once in Cape Town, we checked out the Two Oceans Aquarium.

Quick snack before we start with a look out onto a section of the harbor. 

"Oh hey Nemo".

Box jellyfish. 

Mermaid's Purse (we could see the developing sharks move inside). 

Honeycomb Moray Eel stare competition. 

One mad Samurai Crab. 

Anemones. 

Brotherly Birthdays

With both Theuns and Maarten's birthdays past (Theuns in late June and Maarten early August), here's what we did.

Theuns' birthday was celebrated by camping fun, with their 'best friends' (for now) Brendon and Breyton from the farm. His birthday was on the Saturday I was dropped off at 'Seejol', a Voortrekker camp in Hartenbos. We had cupcakes, drinks and fun on the beach.

After the beach they left for a night's camping in a forest next to a stream on a family's plot near Great Brak River. There they had some fun on a swing, ropes, setting up camp, making a fire and (of course) having a 'braai' (barbecue).

Despite wet wood from earlier rains (and lots of smoke as a result), they eventually got a campfire going. Hamburgers and hot chocolate for dinner and the 'campers' were off to bed (but not sleep..."did you hear that??").

Maarten shared a real kid's sweet (sugary) birthday party with Breyton..... Invited guests were mostly boys and they had some rough games while on the infamous sugar high.

Smile!

After his generosity, we remembered him saying a few weeks earlier that he would actually have liked to go to Spur for his birthday, and arrangements were made without him suspecting anything (which was actually very easy as Maarten is so scatterbrained; we love you anyway Maarten!!). Thus the following week we had a big surprise in store for him, and us and the Burgers had some amazing burgers at Spur in George.

Of course no one goes to Spur on their birthday just for the food - how can you forget the sparkles!

Later that night, we drove back home with the Burgers as my dad stayed in George for the week. It was a really big surprise for Maarten and he had an awesome day (as seen on his face).

Some of you might wonder about the washing machine on the right.....it had broken the week before, and we could conveniently pick it up after repairs on the same day we went to George for his birthday so the boys had to sit tight in the back of the bakkie on the way home.

Happy birthday to these two fun-filled, blue-eyed, interesting siblings of mine..... Thanks for reading!

The Big Buffalo Bay Weekend

Earlier in June, it was the Big Burger Buffalo Bay Weekend - 'tannie' Anel and 'oom' Jan Burger both turned 40 this year, and celebrated with friends and family at Buffalo Bay (Buffelsbaai) over a long weekend. After the Saturday evening party we slept over in a holiday flat, and the next day went on a long beach walk to Brenton-On-Sea (which is about 5km away coast-wise). Here follows the story...

As a favor for tannie Anel, we were the 'balloon and birthday cake couriers', picking up a huge (and rather colorful) birthday cake and lots of helium balloons on our way to Buffalo Bay. Despite a punctured tire, we arrived safely and the night was on!

Balloons!

Burger Birthday Cake.

The party theme was anything (and everything) to do with 'B' - accordingly, everyone had to dress up as something beginning with 'B'. There were everything from Ballerinas, Bunnies, Brides and Beach Bums to 'Boere' (farmers), Bridegrooms, Bikers, 'Boewe' (thieves) and even Braveheart (William Wallace)!

Theuns and Maarten went as 'Best Buddies', mom and dad as Bedouins, and me as a Basotho. I was a ninja Basotho though, as I was the party photographer as well.

As the night grew longer people 'shed' their costumes - not my dad though. 

 Later on, I turned into a 'Beanie'.....the DJ rocked tunes from the 80's and it was comical watching grown people relive their teenage years - until I got dragged into it.

A new day dawns... Wait up!

 Snack attack - never go anywhere without supplies.

Maarten found a a very dried out (and dead) shark ("Elna Elna neem 'n foto!!").

Me and mom made it to Brenton-On-Sea, and got a magnificent view of Buffelsbaai. We had excellent weather as well - barely a breeze stirred and it was lovely sunny.