Tag Archives: Frankfurt

CPT: Cape Town Airport

It was a wild ride, but I had finally arrived in Cape Town, South Africa.    Departing the Columbus International Airport, my flight was scheduled to arrive in Atlanta, but with a delay at CMH, I was rerouted through Detroit, Michigan.  Because of the delay, I missed my connection in Frankfurt, and lost a full day in Cape Town.

Waiting for my luggage by the carousel, I finally realized that my suitcase did not arrive. Baggage claim was nearby and I could see that there were several other passengers who were waiting as well.  Within about twenty minutes, I stepped up to the window and was asked to complete the lost luggage claim.  Handing the form back to the agent, I needed to reach the Hertz counter to pick up my rental car.   I couldn’t help but take in the impressive displays and took a few moments to read up on the highlights of Cape Town.

One of the most surprising finds was to learn that South Africa was under a water restriction during my visit.  From 2014 to 2017, the country’s water supply dropped from nearly 93 to 23%, resulting in a water crisis in 2018.  In January, the water had reached such an all-time low, that the country issued a crisis where water conservation was the utmost of importance.

One of the most beautiful murals at the Cape Town Airport is titled “Flying Madiba.” Unveiled in 2015, this gorgeous tapestry is displayed in honor of Nelson Mandela who championed “human rights around the world.”  Madiba, Mandela’s clan name, was imprisoned for his pursuit of civil rights.  This spectacular artwork was designed by Czech artist Peter Sis and woven by France’s Atelier Pinton.

In my research of Cape Town before my visit, I learned so much about the wines the Cape Town area produces.  I was so excited to try the various varietals, that I had actually made room in my luggage so that I could bring back a few bottles.

I was most surprised that this region has been making wines for over 350 years.  With its perfect climate and soil, Cape Town produces such wines as Pinotage, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Merlot, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet-Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style red blends.

Kalk Bay, a cute little fishing village in Cape Town, was voted as one of the coolest towns by Forbes Magazine.

The Long Walk of Freedom display represents Robbin Island and the location where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years before the fall of apartheid.   I was so excited to have made reservations to visit this historical place in the next couple of days.

The beautiful, bright colored structures remind me of the photos of the homes of Bo-Kaap, the Malay district of Cape Town.  With its cobblestone streets. this neighborhood is beaming with culture, incredible restaurants and history.  I was so excited to explore this amazing neighborhood and try some amazing, local cuisine.

Yet, what was even more exciting was the opportunity to see penguins on the beach.  I learned that there are seven beaches in South Africa where penguins make their home: Bird Island, Boulder Beach, Dassen Island, Dyer Island, Robben Island and St. Croix Island.

So exhilarated with so many options in Cape Town, how would I decide?

Have you visited Cape Town?  What was your favorite place and would you visit again?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.

Many thanks for reading about my arrival into Cape Town and I hope you read more about my amazing vacation.  Wishing you many amazing travels in your future!

What to See and What to Do: 

Robbin Island
Cape Town 7400 South Africa
Telephone:  +27 (0) 21 409 5100

  • Admission Fee:  Adults: R550 ($35 per adult); Children (ages 2 – 18): R310 ($18 per child)
  • Hours:  Open daily from 9AM to 3:30PM
  • Amenities:  scheduled tours, tour guide by former prisoners, special exhibitions, ferry transportation to the island, bus transportation on the island,
  • Scenic View:  Gorgeous views of Cape Town from the ferry and island.  There are penguins on Robben Island as well.
  • Length of Visit:  At least 2 – 3 hours to see the highlights
  • Tips for Your Visit:  You can pay an additional fee for pick up from your hotel.  Wear comfortable shoes for walking and remember your passport.  There will be plenty of opportunities for photos so don’t forget your camera.  The tour is based on the weather of the seas and may be cancelled, so if you are staying over several days, select this option at the beginning of your visit to Cape Town.  You may want to consider taking medication for motion sickness for the ferry.  Bring additional money to tip your guide.

Top 5 Wineries in South Africa

Boschendel Wine Estate
Pniel Road, Groot
Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
Telephone:  +27 21 870 4200

One of the oldest and most picturesque wineries in South Africa, this estate is known for its Boschendel Brut.

Babylonstoren
Klapmuts, Simondium
Simondium, 7670, South Africa
Telephone:  27 21 863 3852

Babylonstoren produces 13 different grape varieties over 232 acres.  In addition to its winery, Babylonstoren offers cottages, restaurants, spa treatments and garden.

Jordan Wines Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch Kloof Road, Vlottenberg
Stellenbosch, 7604, South Africa
Telephone:  +27 21 881 3441

Twenty five minutes from Cape Town International Airport, the Jordan Wine Estate is an ultimate wine destination with vineyards, luxury suites, a bakery and spectacular views.

Waterkloof
Old Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, Somerset West
Cape Town, 7130, South Africa
Telephone:  +27 21 858 1292

Producing organic wines on land that was once the feeding ground of local sheep, Waterkloof is a full-fledged organic farm.

Beau Constantia
1043 Constantia Main Road, Constantia
Cape Town, 7130, South Africa
Telephone:  +27 21 794 8632

Overlooking False Bay, this spectacular boutique winery is also a magnificent restaurant

Kalk Bay is a 35 minute drive from Cape Town, South Africa,  Known for its caves, it is recommended to schedule a tour with a local who is familiar with the cave routes.  There are fabulous restaurants along the coast and lovely places to stay with scenic views.

Bo Kaap is another neighborhood in the heart of Cape Town.  Colorful houses line the  streets and restaurants offer traditional dishes.  Dating back to the 1760’s, this area was once known as the Malay Quarter when Indonesians and Malaysians were brought here as slaves. Be sure to check out the Bo Kaap museum.

Where to Stay:

Radisson RED V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
No. 6, Silo, Silo Square, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Telephone:  +27 87 086 1578

Where to Eat:

Harbour House V&A Waterfront
Quay Four, Ground Floor, V&A Waterfront
Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Telephone: +27 21 418 4744

In addition to their sushi, the views of the V&A Harbor are spectacular!

What to Eat: 

  • Amaural Don Pedro is a dessert cocktail made from  the marula fruit, indigenous fruit
  •  Biltong and Droewors are air dried meat and sausage, a traditional South African meal.  Cured with vinegar, salt, spices and sugar, this dish can also be made with ostrich and wild boar. a cream liquor made from South African
  • Bobotie is a dish inspired from the country’s Asian settlers.  This casserole dish is made of minced meats simmered in spices then topped with egg and milk then baked.
  • Boerewors are sausages formed into a coil and cooked on a BBQ (braai);  boer means farmer and wors is sausage.
  • Braii / Shisha nyama are barbecues and many butchers will set these up in front of their shops.
  • Bunny Chow is a popular street food in Durban where hollowed out loaf breads are filled with spicy curry.
  • Chakalaka & pap, a vegetable dish is typically served with barbecued meat.
  • Malva Pudding is a dessert inspired by the Dutch who settled in Cape Town.  Similar to a sticky pudding, it is made with an apricot jam and smothered in a hot cream sauce.

What to Read:

  • Long Walk to Freedom, by Nelson Mandela
  • A History of South Africa, by Frank Welsh
  • Burger’s Daughter, by Nadine Gordimer
  • Cry, The Beloved Country, by Alan Paton
  • Jock of the Bushveld, by Sir James Percy Fitzpatrick

What to Photograph:

  • Lion’s Head – The Top and Wally’s Cave
  • Boulder’s Beach for the Penguins
  • Cape Point for its stunning views
  • The Bo-Kaap for its vibrant colors
  • Street art in Woodstock
  • Muizenberg and St James for their colorful bathing boxes
  • Top of Table Mountain
  • Chapman’s Peak Drive
  • Robben Island
  • The amazing wineries

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A Girl’s Trip to Turkey and Greece: Arriving in Istanbul

It was June and my best friend, Melissa was trying to put together a girl’s trip to Turkey and Greece.  She had spent last summer there and wanted to bring a group of us to experience these amazing countries with the friends she had made there.

At the last minute, I learned that I would have to leave early because of an FDA audit, but I was so excited to meet up with our friends, old and new, for an opportunity of a lifetime.

From left to right:  Shawna, Amye, Melissa, Trish, Me and Maria

Since each of us lived in different states, we met together in Newark enjoying drinks and snacks at the United Club’s lounge.  Most of us had arrived early, so it was a long day of waiting but so much fun catching up and getting to know each other.

We decided to have dinner at the airport before our flight and agreed upon Vino Volo.

Our flight was scheduled for an evening departure the flight but was continuously delayed until we learned that the pilot bringing in the flight had too many hours and therefore, the Istanbul flight was cancelled.

We found a local hotel for the evening and would be back the next day in hopes of catching the next flight out.

We woke early the next morning only to learn that there had been a shooting at the hotel so we were sequestered in the lobby until they could finish their investigation.  About an hour later, we called a taxi and began our quest for reaching Istanbul the next day.

We were able to board a flight to Frankfurt instead of the direct flight we had attempted the night before.  At least we would be closer to our destination and have more opportunities in the event there were more flight cancellations.

Our flight from Frankfurt to Istanbul was a couple of hours away, so we found a corner to drop our bags and wait while Melissa took care of all of the details.  We had fun listening to music from Bruno Mars, Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams, which became our trip’s theme songs.

As the time approached to check in, It was down to the wire. We were worried that we would be split up so that some of us could make the trip and the rest would follow.  Luckily, they had just enough seats for all of us and we were becoming more excited about our arrival into Turkey.

I had the perfect seat to watch us land into Istanbul.  The sun was shining and we could see the beautiful city and the Bosporus.

As soon as we had arrived, Melissa’s friend Timur had met us at the airport.  He had arranged a couple of cars to pick us up, provide a driving tour of the city.  We had a few minutes to stretch out while we were in the heart of Istanbul and I couldn’t get enough of this amazing city.

After strolling around for a couple of hours, we continued our carpool tour escaping near accidents with wild drivers and narrow tunnels.  The sound of car horns is prohibited adding to the charm of the Old Town and its cobblestone streets.

The traffic was in full force as we had arrived during the Muslim holiday of Ramadan.  Locals filled the streets and vendors were selling their Turkish Taffy (Ottoman candy) and trinkets.  Restaurants were open as usual but hardly filled due to the fasting that is required of the Muslims during this time.  We found a cute little cafe for lunch, ordered pita bread with hummus and drank the local beer.

Timur was hosting a welcoming party so we decided to go back to his extravagant house along the Bosporus.  Timur is an art dealer and has done exceptionally well in the city.  He was so happy to host us, enjoy some time at his home and then go out on the town for the evening.  We were excited to have the opportunity to spend time with him and learn more about the customs of Istanbul and make plans for our afternoon in Istanbul the next day.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Istanbul?  Were you on a guided trip or had the pleasure of meeting one of the locals to take you around?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my first-ever visit to Istanbul and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Contact a Local Tour Guide to take you around the city!

Where to Stay:

Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel Istanbul
Alemdar, Ticarethane Sk. No. 10
Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey
Telephone:  +90 212 522 32 00

Where to Eat:

Cozy Pub and Restaurant
Alemdar, Divan Yolu Cd. No. 60
34110  Fatih/Istanbul, Turkey
Phone:  +90 212 520 09 90

Tip:  Take the elevator up to the rooftop for spectacular views of the Blue Mosque and surrounding area.

What to Eat: 

  • Baklava:  made with puffed pastry, this dessert has chopped nuts (my favorite is pistachio), and is covered in honey.
  • Gozleme is a type of bread that is shaped in a square and stuffed with various fillings such as meat, cheese, potatoes or vegetables and then cooked over a griddle.  The cheese and spinach reminds me of spanikopita.
  • Iskender Kebab:  thinly sliced lamb is smothered in tomato sauce and served with traditional bread, then topped with yogurt and butter.
  • Mezze is a sample of several small bites that may include yogurt with herbs, hummus, olives, dolmas (stuffed grape leaves), meatballs, eggplant, white cheese and warm bread.
  • Simit is a fun street food bread that is similar to a pretzel.
  • Turkish Apple Tea is absolutely amazing and was one of my favorite drinks while visiting Turkey.
  • Turkish Delight:  a delicious dessert is made up of dates, pistachios, hazelnuts, which is pink in color.
  • Turkish Ice Cream, also known as Dondurma, is a little thicker in consistency, but it will not melt.  A must try.
  • Turkish Pizza is outstanding and tastes so fresh.  Made from Turkish Pide (a type of pastry), it is similar to a flatbread with a variety of toppings.
  • Turkish Ravioli:  dumplings stuffed with beef or lamb served with yogurt.

What to Read: 

  • Istanbul: Memories of a City, by Orhan Pamuk
  • The Bastard of Istanbul, by Elif Shahak
  • My Name is Red, by Orhan Pamuk
  • Istanbul Passage, by Joseph Kanon

Photo Guide for Istanbul: 

  • Galata Tower for views of Istanbul and the Bosphorus River
  • The Blue Mosque for its amazing blue tiles
  • The Rainbow Stairs at Sali Pazari Yokusu
  • The Rooftop Terrace of Seven Hills Hotel for views of the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace AND the Hagia Sophia
  • Rooftop Terrace of Cozy’s Restaurant for views of the Blue Mosque
  • Inside the Hagia Sophia in the afternoon when the light shines in from the windows
  • The Grand Bazaar
  • Balat for colorful structures in the former Jewish neighborhood

The Liebster Award: Nominating Fellow Travel Bloggers for their Exceptional Talent

I want to extend a humbling thanks to the wonderful staff of bohotraveller at http://bohotraveller.com/ for nominating me for the Liebster Award, an award by fellow travel writers who in turn recognize other  writers for their amazing contribution to travel!   I am overwhelmingly grateful for the recognition as I had recently started sharing my travel adventures this year!  Here is what bohotraveller had to say about my travelblog:

A travel bug bit her when she was a little girl and her passion for travel increased multifold when she took up a job as Assistant Purser on the SS Vera Cruz. What hooked us to her blog was the amazing collection of pictures from around the world and her coverage of Arizona just blew us off our feet. So before we spill more beans on her, why don’t you pay a visit to her on https://www.thesuitelifeoftravel.com/ and get in touch with this lovely traveler!

Many thanks to bohotraveller for taking an interest in my blog and for the nomination!   It has been such an amazing experience to share stories with others who are just as passionate about travel as I am!  I look forward to posting more information that I hope can be helpful to all my readers with their travels and thank you for your continued support!  I can’t thank you enough for the honor, bohotraveller!  Muah!

Having accepted this nomination, I have answered the ten questions that were provided by bohotraveller and have thoroughly enjoyed this process as it has taken me back to some of most memorable adventures!

Question 1:  Tell us a little about yourself.  And do add something that we do not know about you!
Travel is my passion and I currently work in pharmaceuticals on the research development side of the industry.  I have been an active traveler for most of my life living on both coasts of the United States! I am an insane lover of all animals, especially cats, big or small and have one of my own named Sammy.  When I was in the sixth grade, I won the highest honors for a singing contest for the state of Ohio!

Question 2:  What is your blog about and when did you start? 
My blog is a compilation of travels that I have experienced both internationally and in my backyard.  You can find an opportunity to write a story if you just look for it and explore the places that interest you, even in your own hometown!  My first blog post was published on January 1, 2014!

Question 3:  Why did you feel the need for a blog?
I have always been fascinated by travel writing, and kept journals of my cruise ship life and all of the travels I had experienced since my early vacations.  I did not have the courage to submit my writings to be published, but my friends and colleagues encouraged me to start a blog as a way to keep up with me and my travels.  And voila! It has since become a passion and second career, to say the least!

Question 4:  What is your most favourite destination till date?
Working on cruise ships, this was always the question I dreaded to answer.  Mainly because each place that you visit will usually make an impact on you in one way or another.  But to be fair in answering, I would have to say Bali, Indonesia, for several reasons.  It was my first major solo travel trip with the help of a Balinese friend that I stayed in contact with over the years since my cruise ship days.  Secondly, I was invited private Hindu ceremonies that brought me closer to the culture of the Balinese.  Finally, if you have ever seen photos of Bali, you can see the beauty in the island and the diversity that you can experience here!

Question 5:  What is next on your bucket list?
I have a bucket list that seems to be unending.  This year I will be hitting Madeira, Portugal, Vietnam and Cambodia as well Nova Scotia and New Brunswick!   Next year I have already begun planning my two top bucket list items which are trips to Israel and Machu Picchu!

Question 6:  If you could live only in one place all your life, which place would you choose and why?
I have always been fascinated by the Italian culture and their way of life.  I would have to say that living in Tuscany would be the ideal place for my laid-back personality and love of wine. The only drawback would be that the weather can be cold at times.

Question 7:  What is the biggest challenge that you have ever faced in your travels to date?
Having missed my connecting flight to Venice, I worked with the ticketing agent to “creatively” create an itinerary that would allow me to arrive before the cruise ship for which I was scheduled to embark the next day.   Within a 24 hour period, I had visited five countries.  The route went from Newark, NJ where I was to fly into Heathrow, England and taxi to Gatwick.  The time to reach Gatwick was too short, so the agent booked me on a flight to Frankfurt, Germany.  Upon arrival they immediately provided me a ticket to Paris, France, as there were no seats available for Venice.  From Paris, I boarded the final leg of my flight, finally arriving in Venice, Italy!   I was about 10 hours late from my initial arrival, but I somehow managed, with the help of the airline staff, to make it before my cruise the next day!

Question 8:  You are a seaside person or a mountain person?  And why?
Maybe it’s my living on cruise ships for so many years, that I love the sound of water and love to watch the waves crashing on the beach.  It is such a therapeutic experience for me to smell the salty air and sink my toes in the sand.

Question 9:  Apart from travelling, what else do you really enjoy doing?
Photography!  From family photos to landscape and animals, I absolutely love to capture incredible sights on film!

And with that said, I want to once again thank bohotraveller for their kind words of introduction, the nomination and keeping in touch for some travel inspiration!

For some, travel is an outlet that takes one to a whole new level in understanding culture, seeing the beauty in the world and experiencing an education that you can’t always find at home!  This is what I found in MY nominees for the Liebster award!!

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