Moyo at Spier Wine Estate.

Seeing as we weren’t really able to do any anniversary activities until this weekend (got paid on Friday!) , so we of course went to ANOTHER wine tasting at Spier (it never gets old). Then, we had diner at Moyo and saw a great musical act- Christian Duo.

Mmm- goat cheese, blue cheese, and some kind of local cheese.

Green fig and kumquat.

Moyo has a great little store with lots of local crafts (I’ll post about them soon). Their dinner service and buffet doesn’t start until 6:00, so plan accordingly. We were greeted warmly and stood by a fire until our table was located. It was right by the stage. We were told that the buffet was R250 each (a little pricey for us, but you only celebrate your anniversary once a year!) and given a drinks menu. They have an extensive drinks menu, and we went for the cheapest bottle of wine they had for R100.

Moyo's main dining area is under a tent! They provide blankets and tall heaters to keep you toasty warm.

They served us wonderful circular bread (a hole cut out middle, like a wheel) with coriander seeds and leaves, a lemon wedge, and some olive oil. Tasty! Then, they brought us a salad with spinach, rocket, pumpkin seeds, butternut squash and feta. I really wish I’d taken pictures! A woman came around with face paint, and we both had some “traditional” Xhosa designs done with white dots.

Then, the buffet was opened. They had different stations for chicken, venison, fish, starches, soup, potjie rices/stews (cast-iron three legged pot), vegetables, and desserts. We tried many of the items and got seconds of what we liked. There was a brief opening act with two dejembes and a large drum.   

Then, the main attraction set up a set of bongo drums and an acoustic Fender guitar. Moyo describes their sound as “A vibrant mix of Central & West African folk music fused with Afro Latin beats.”

Lead singer and guitarist.

Drums and harmonizer.

OMG. They were so good! They sang in many languages- French, Swahili, Portuguese, and English, to name a few. The song’s I recognized were Bob Marley’s Stop the Train and Lionel Richie’s Stuck on You. The lead singer, has a wonderful, slightly raspy tone to his voice, and a lovely smile while he sings and plays his guitar. The bongo player is talented and his vocal harmonies are spot on. I could really see them playing in a backyard party or up on stage for a small event. I don’t have any parties planned, but I guarantee you, you wouldn’t be disappointed if you hired the duo! After their first set, I spoke briefly to the lead singer, Chris, and he told me he is from Congo (that’s why he sings in French) and gave me his contact information. You can reach Chris Bakalanga at 076 657 38 28 or chrisbakalanga@yahoo.fr and he’s on FB here.

I’m pretty sure we’re gonna have to go back- 

I’m sure you all want to see pictures of the food, right? ;)

Again, another wonderful experience at Spier. And no, they don't sponsor any of my posts!

Song of the Post: Stop The Train by Bob Marley and The Wailers. I’d never heard this until last night. Video's a little fuzzy.

Our Second Wedding Anniversary.

Today is our second wedding anniversary. We’ve been together more than eight years total, and I can’t believe how quickly time has passed. It does not feel like eight years. Look here for pictures from our wedding. Last year, we had been in South Africa for a few months, but we’ve now been here 15 months. I’m not much of a sappy writer, but I was reflecting on how our life in the last year has been so different from any of our past experiences.

We’ve always been each other’s best friend, but the last year has solidified it. We’ve learned (and are still learning) how to communicate better, how to accept each other’s quirks, how to support each other’s goals, how to present a united front to the world. Sometimes, it really does feel like “us against the world” and whether we make it all depends on our dedication to each other.

Us in April. Photo taken by a friend.

My grandmother e-mailed me this quote once, I keep it by my computer:  

No one falls in love by  choice, it is by CHANCE. 

No one stays in love by chance, it is by WORK. 

And no one falls out of love by chance, it is by CHOICE.

                                    - Author Unknown

Loving each other is a choice we make every day. A metaphor I’ve always applied to marriage is two horses with blinders on the sides of their eyes, pulling a cart down a path. Marriage is like that. We saddle ourselves with our burdens and our tools, choose not to get distracted by the periphery, and set a course for an agreed upon destination (does this make sense?). Working as a team to get through difficult parts and taking the load for one another at times.We are a united front, holding hands, loving.

We’re not perfect, but we’re perfect for each other. 

Song of the Post: The Promise by Tracy Chapman.  I played this song often during the three years we were in a long distance relationship.  It is a BEAUTIFUL song and truly one of my favorites. The film is a little blurry, but the sound quality is great.

Wine Tasting at Spier Wine Estate.

Last month, we and a couple friends went to Spier Wine Estate for a wine tasting. It was the day of the Two Ocean’s Marathon and many roads in Cape Town were closed. It was also rainy, so we decided to get out of town and head towards Somerset West and Stellenbosch.

Click here for beautiful pictures of the time we rode Segways at Spier.

The huge chandelier made of wine bottles cut in half and glued together, the bottoms discarded.

Anticipation!

Spier had really changed their wine tasting set-up since we had last been there. The main wine tasting area was in a new building, gorgeous with high ceilings, plush couches, and fireplaces. 

Our wine tasting menu.

The good stuff.

We perused the menu and made our selections. We also ordered a cheese plate to complement out tasting. It was superb. Unfortunately, we were too early to eat lunch, and I was sorely disappointed.

Three kinds of cheese, artisan crackers, and green fig (with something else I couldn't recognize). Yum.

After, we went on a short walk while it was sprinkling, to see the protea garden.

Not many were in bloom, but there were some beautiful examples of blooming flowers.

I don't know what kind of Protea this is.

The creek on the Spier Estate.

The King Protea- a few pictures of it's life cycle.

I just love Spier. I’d go there any day you asked me to!

Song of the Post:  A Good Start by Maria Taylor.

 

K-Day 2012: People and Style Watching.

One thing I love to do, is people watch at large events. K-Day was an event where people dressed casually (for the most part) for picnics and sitting on the grass under a hot sun. I sat right near a pathway, and took pictures of people as they walked past. I debated about posting them and actually looked up various perspectives on it (good reads are here, here, here, and here), and decided that I’d post the pictures because in my opinion, none are unflattering and they accurately depict the crowd. I've organized them into some simple categories.

 If you see yourself in a picture and have an objection, I will of course immediately take it down.

I’d love to hear your opinions (for or against) on posting pictures of people while at an event!

P.S.- This is the follow-up post to my previous post about the music of K-Day 2012. 

Babies... 

Keep 'em covered.

So tired...

Like father, like daughter.

Better than nothing...

 

 Popsicle eaters...

Perfect thing to cool off.

Going on her third one...

Second best, lime!

Cherry, my favorite!

Walking by...

Flowy dresses.

Rolled up shorts.

Long necklaces, tank tops, sunnies.

Leather pants.

Casual, natural hair.

Caps and purses.

Sorry ladies, he looks taken...

Fun at any age.

Natural Beauty.

There's no Starbucks in SA!

Black and Blue.

So fun.

Love the hair!

Growing up.

Perfect couple.

Nice tats!

Summer, please don't end.

The Twins...

I Heart Mom.

Never too old!

Hold on to your hats!

Long skirts.

Natural beauty in stripes and red hats.

Flowing hair and stripes.

Who you looking at?

Friendship.

Locnville groupies.

Song of the Post: Stars Above You by Locnville, who were at K-Day.