Scarpetta in Woodstock

This time we made it and it was worth the effort. Coincidentally, tonight we bumped into the local man who’d recommended it to us a couple of days ago.

We told him we were trying again. If he’s reading this, thanks for the great advice!

The owner, Ricky, is of Italian heritage and we entrusted our meal selection to him. It was a wonderful home-made Italian feast. The bottle of wine we bought earlier today, a blend, complemented the food beautifully.

Probably our best meal of the current trip...

Scarpetta sells no wine or beer but offers free corkage. The bottle of wine we brought with us, Chocolate Block, proved to be a beautiful blend that complemented the food splendidly.

A local magazine has just featured them. Even on a Thursday night they had to turn people away. Lucky we’d made a reservation this morning...

South African Election

Signs of all parties are everywhere.

Touring the Cape Peninsula

Yesterday was a lot of fun - a private tour of the Cape Peninsula with Rob of Cape Convoy Tours.

https://capeconvoy.co.za/index.html

We saw some of the same sights we’d seen on our 2013 visit, but we were able to travel at our own speed and enjoy conversation with Rob while picking up a wealth of information.

We started the day at a popular surfing beach that features easy waves and no sharks (so it’s said).

We next got up close to some African or “Jackass” penguins, although we never heard them bray (the reason for the name).

When we stopped at the Cape Point Park booth, we spotted a couple of amorous baboons hanging out - or should we say letting it all hang out.

It was fun to ride the Dutchman Funicular to the top and take in the views.

On our way out, just after Rob mentioned he never sees ostriches here anymore, what did we come upon?

A couple of times we noticed baboons sitting on the tops of cars. It looks cute until you realize they’re checking door handles to see if they can get in and pick up some food.

A break for some excellent fish (Kingklip) and chips.

Kathy bargained for a non-edible fish on the way back to meet Rob.

Then it was a magnificent ride on the coast road and back to the Doubletree - a good day.

A Long Ride to Dine Out

It turns out the little Italian joint downstairs has closed.

A local suggested one called Scarpetta a few blocks away.

We asked the hotel if the shuttle took guests. No, but a taxi was cheap. They booked a taxi.

We wanted to buy a bottle of wine for this BYOB place.

It took three tries for the driver to find a store that was open. Brian chose a bottle of Bellingham Pinotage.

He then dropped us off at the wrong Italian restaurant. Fortunately, it’s also a BYOB seafood place and the food was fine.

We summoned our own Uber for the return ride and it was quick and cheap. An adventurous evening.

Cape Town DoubleTree Upper Eastside

We checked out of the Hilton just before noon, and a friendly Uber driver delivered us to this property 20 minutes later, with a suite ready for us.

It’s located in an industrial/office sort of neighborhood, but there are restaurant choices (Korean and Italian) inside this complex.

Tomorrow we’re going on a Cape Winelands tour, so this afternoon we’re relaxing here and finalizing some more travel plans for our summer expedition to Europe with three granddaughters.

We just talked to a hotel reservation desk in Innsbruck, Austria, for a few pennies. Thank you, Skype!

And here’s a welcome fruit basket just delivered. Thank you, DoubleTree!

Cape Town Sky

An Evening at Open Wine

An “enoteca” just across the street from the Hilton...

http://openwineza.co.za/