CHAPMAN'S PEAK drive past NOORDHOEK BEACH to FISHHOEK and KALK BAY, SOUTH AFRICA

"CHAPPIES" DRIVE IS ONE OF THE MOST SCENIC MARINE DRIVES IN THE WORLD.  15KMS OF WINDING ROADS WITH SEARING MAJESTIC MOUNTAINS ON ONE SIDE AND A DRAMATIC DROP DOWN TO CRASHING WAVES ON HUGE ROCKS IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN ON THE OTHER.  A PHOTOGRAPHER'S DREAM WITH STOPOVERS ALL ALONG THE WAY, TO WALK, PHOTOGRAPH, PICNIC.  ONE OF MY FAVORITE DRIVES FROM HOUT BAY UP AND OVER TO NOORHOEK ON THE OTHER SIDE.

LOOKING UP THE MOUNTAIN WITH THE ROADWAY CARVED OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN AND GORGEOUS INDIGENOUS VYNBOS THAT PROTECT THE MOUNTAIN FROM THE ATLANTIC WINDS.

WILD PELAGONIUM, WATSONIAS, PINCUSHION PROTEAS AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER NATIVE VYNBOS COVER THE MOUNTAINSIDE DOWN TO THE OCEANS EDGE

LOOKING BACK DOWN THE MOUNTAIN FROM WHERE WE DROVE WITH HOUT BAY NESTLED IN THE HOLLOW

FLOWERING PELAGONIUM, OTHER INDIGENOUS CAPE VYNBOS AT THE FOOT OF CHAPMAN'S PEAK

UP AND OVER THE OTHER SIDE WITH A VIEW OF NOORDHOEK BEACH - ONE OF THE MOST EXPANSIVE BEACHES AROUND - 7 KMS OF WHITE BEACHES WHERE YOU WILL SEE SURFERS, BEACHGOERS AND HORSERIDING ALIKE

NOORDHOEK BEACH STRETCHES ALL THE WAY AROUND TO "KOMMETJIE" WITH IT'S SIGNATURE LIGHTHOUSE OUT ON THE PENINSULA

COLORFUL STREET ART

ARRIVING IN KALK BAY, FIRST STOP THE AMAZING BAKERY

LUNCH AT THE VERY COLORFUL AND ECLECTIC OLYMPIA CAFE ON THE MAIN ROAD GOING THROUGH KALK BAY

THE MOST DELICIOUS STEAK ROLL FOR LUNCH

A HUT ON THE BEACH, ALONG THE RAILWAY LINE IS CAPE TO CUBA, A RESTAURANT INSPIRED BY ERNEST HEMMINGWAY AND DECORATED WITH A HODGEPODGE OF CHANDELIERS, DEVOTIONAL OBJECTS, VASES, AND REFERENCES TO HEMMINGWAY AND CHE GUEVARA, THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE NAME OF THE BAR.

VIEW ACROSS THE RAILWAY LINE TO THE BEACH, FROM THE RESTAURANT

A FLEET OF FISHING BOATS DOCKED WITH THEIR CATCH

VERGELEGEN - a world class Wine Estate, the name means "situated far away".

Since 1700, the world class wine estate Vergelegen, nestled in the valley of Somerset West outside of Cape Town, South Africa, has been producing hand crafted wines to rival the best.   On my trip back home to South Africa a short while ago, I visited the recently renovated, and with some parts still being reconstructed and spectacularly upgraded Vergelegen, which offers walks amongst amazing perennial borders and herb gardens to explore, monster size camphor trees, exquisite cuisine in restaurants nestled amongst these spectacular grounds, a picnic area, wine tasting area and an amazing experience.  

Exquisite lavender, salvia and herbs planted with box borders in the potager garden

Salvia leucantha - Mexican bush sage

Herb gardens

Artichokes

Entrance to the original homestead and perennial pathway

Gorgeous perennial borders

Aesculus carnea - Red Horse Chestnut - a gorgeous little flowering tree

Another Red Horse Chestnut tree - peacocks stoll the lawns

Bougainvillea "Natalia", a dusty pink seen growing prolifically all over South Africa.

Typical Cape Dutch thatch roofed architecture, very typical of the Cape winelands.

Stunning pottager garden leading up to the Stables restaurant

Yours truly at the base of monstrous camphor trees - almost look like the feet of some extinct prehistoric creature. 

The chef pics a basket of fresh herbs to take back to the restaurant to add to the delectable cuisine.  

Salad and open face chicken sandwich with pesto - oh yum!

Gorgeous pea-hen

Foxgloves stand proud above all other perennials and herbs in the pottage garden

The wine tasting room with double doors opening out onto a wide veranda with more tables and chairs