SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa: A Country That Refused to Be Just One Thing
South Africa was one of those places that kept changing on me in the best possible way. One moment I was drinking wine in the countryside, the next I was watching penguins waddle across rocks, then dancing at a ball in a long dress, standing above Cape Town on top of a mountain watching the sun fall into the ocean. It was elegant, wild, historical, fun, emotional, and endlessly beautiful. A country that refused to be just one thing.
I arrived in Cape Town and stayed with my brother, who lives there at the base of Table Mountain, with incredible views of Lion’s Head right outside.
Cape Town itself has a dramatic kind of beauty. The mountains crash into the sea, neighborhoods spill down hillsides, and the light somehow always looks cinematic. We drove along the coast at sunset and saw the famous Twelve Apostles mountain range glowing beside the ocean. Despite the name, there are actually more than twelve peaks, but the nickname stayed. They rise sharply above the Atlantic and make the whole coastline feel larger than life.
We visited Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, which felt like stepping into another world. Everything was lush and green. We climbed the tree canopy bridge, wandered through the gardens, and saw a statue honoring Nelson Mandela. It gave me one of those rare travel moments where history class suddenly feels real.
Cape Town also knows how to do city life. V&A Waterfront was fun to wander—shops, energy, musicians performing everywhere, seals in the harbor, and views across the water toward Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. South Africa constantly gave you beauty and history at the same time.
We took the cable car up Table Mountain and looked down over all of Cape Town. Ocean on one side, city on the other, cliffs dropping dramatically below us. Watching the sunset from up there felt like standing on the edge of the world.
Then there was the beach day. Stunning water, shells everywhere, sunshine… and freezing cold water. I learned that the Atlantic side of Cape Town stays cold because of the Benguela Current, which flows northward from Antarctica bringing icy water up the west coast. So yes, the beach looked tropical, but the ocean is always cold.
One of my favorite days was Boulders Beach. Penguins. Actual wild penguins. We walked around the rocks, carefully kept our distance, climbed around the shoreline, waded through shallow water, and found a boulder to sit on while penguins swam right by us. Then we went to the main lookout area where there were hundreds more. It was really special to learn about penguins and see so many!
We also made an essential stop at Kristen’s Kick-Ass Ice Cream, where I was thrilled to discover that I apparently owned an ice cream shop in South Africa. A shocking business venture I had no prior knowledge of. Naturally, I had to support the brand. It was fun, delicious, and one of those random travel moments that makes you laugh every time you think back on it.
Then there was afternoon tea at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel. Everything was pink, polished, elegant, and so fancy. A completely different side of South Africa.
I went to a ball there. I wore a long wrap dress and danced the night away. It was such a fun feeling to be welcomed into community life instead of just observing from the outside.
And the food? Dangerous. Oranjezicht City Farm Market at night was chaos in the best way. I had halloumi fries, rooibos iced tea, samosas, pork bao buns, spring rolls, and chocolate cake. We all shared family style. We also found a coffee shop called Plato Coffee that served the most amazing frozen coffee drink I still think about. Some memories are emotional. Some are caffeinated.
Wine Tasting!
Then we headed to Stellenbosch, South Africa’s wine country, and it was beautiful in a softer, slower way. Rolling vineyards, mountain backdrops, elegant estates, and that golden countryside light. We stayed nearby and spent days hopping between wineries.
Babylonstoren was unforgettable. We sampled ten wines, each paired with different bites, which felt both luxurious and slightly absurd by the end. We also visited markets like Root44, where everyone grabbed different foods and shared everything around the table. Exactly how eating should be.
Just us being silly after a long day at wine vineyards.
We went on a safari day at Aquila Private Game Reserve where we saw elephants, rhinos, zebras, lions, antelope, and more. I’ll be honest—it felt more curated than my safari in Namibia’s Etosha National Park, which felt wilder and more natural. But still, seeing those animals up close is never something I take for granted.
The Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden near Stellenbosch, where the flowers were gorgeous and the statues somehow even better. Massive bronze animals seemed to leap out of the landscape with the mountains behind them. We even got to make flower crowns there, which ended up being such a fun family memory tucked into an already beautiful day.
We also drove to Cape Point, the southernmost point I had ever been in my life. Windswept cliffs, dramatic ocean views, and that feeling of standing somewhere significant. It was a long drive passing little to nothing but it was worth it to be that far south.
We drove through Bo-Kaap, one of the most colorful neighborhoods I have ever seen. Its bright houses became symbols of freedom and identity after apartheid, and driving through it felt joyful while still carrying deep history. I learned that the homes were once required to be painted white, and when residents gained the freedom to choose for themselves, many painted them in bold colors as a celebration of liberation, culture, and individuality. It was a beautiful reminder that even after difficult chapters, people still find ways to create joy.
Another favorite memory was going to an Afrikaans sokkie dance. It reminded me a little of swing dancing but with its own rhythm and style. I learned, tried my best, laughed a lot, and loved being able to participate in something cultural instead of just watching it happen. Those are always the moments that stay with me most.
South Africa had so much to offer. Mountains and oceans. Wildlife and wineries. Markets and mansions. Deep history and joyful culture. Adventure one day, elegance the next.
And the best part? My brother lives there, which means I already know this won’t be my only chapter with South Africa. I’ll be back.
