Cape Town

We were already in Cape Town when we woke up in the morning and got up earlier than normal and packed some of the big case before breakfast and then most of the rest of it after breakfast. We left the ship after nine for a six hour outing to Stellenbosch. 64 of us went on two coaches First stop at Stellenbosch where we had a short walk round this beautiful town with a guide and then had less for 15 minutes by ourselves. The church was particularly impressive. Then back into the coach for a 10 minute ride to the Muratie vineyard which was quite scenic and had about seven tables outside, seating nine people each.

We were here by noon but the second coach did not arrived for another 20 minutes or so. Then there was a wine tasting of four unimpressive wines. Only after this did they take the orders for lunch for which there was a choice between two starters and two main courses. But no food arrived till 2.30, which was the time which we were meant to be leaving. Then the food arrived only erratically. Eventually we had our fish which in fact was quite well cooked but then gave up the ghost and went for a walk by ourselves sitting overlooking table mountain and other mountains in a very aesthetic position.

Then we wandered round the multiple rooms of the museum part of the estate, before wandering back to the coach parked by a lake. Here we laid down on the bank to await the others. Eventually we set off back to town at exactly 4.00 pm, some 90 minutes later than anticipated. Of course the slight delay was glossed over by Matt on the coach saying it was all well worthwhile. Both of us went to sleep on the journey back.

I had started out with high hopes of this Stellenbosch wine tasting, but fear that we must have fallen foul of the Silversea bean counters who must have booked a really chap package that would have also been used by Celebrity or Royal Caribbean

We then spent 90 minutes in the cabin finishing off the packing, with great difficulties for David to shut the big suitcase. Then to the panorama lounge for our final cocktail and champagne for David. We had both got to the stage where food was no longer an attraction for us, so Chris just had cheese and a small salad and David a light dinner.

We then returned to the cabin and labeled the suitcases and put them outside the door before having our final café Roma and Irish coffee in the panorama lounge with a chat to Rolloff after he finished playing the piano.


The Dutch Reform Church in Stellenbosch	The stained glass windows were spectacular		Even the pulpit was a piece of art

Buildings around Stellenbosch

	Boys get a ride on a rhino	The useless Muratie vineyard restaurant	and our lunch menu

Adrian and Kevin seemed to be enjoying it	but Chris and the boys were not impressed	We wandered round the estate buildings

	We settled down in the grounds	..where there was a view of Table Mountain in the distance	They did have vineyards

We vacated the room by 8 am and left our possessions in the library and then had breakfast in La Terrassa. It was very foggy so not possible to eat outside on the terrace. At 9:30 am we had to leave the ship this was the final disembark time, and we proceeded to pick up our luggage and then went through customs and successfully ordered an Uber with no problems. It was just a short ride to the offices of. Bluu, The rental car company, in the centre of Cape Town.