Last March I was introduced to Chris and Kreef Tours on a work trip to Cape Town and needed help on two fronts – firstly finding a good academic partner to take us through an informal settlement to understand the impact of urbanisation and innovation, and secondly to relax for a half day with good wine, sun and fun after a hard week’s work. Chris knocked it outta the park on both fronts! So, on this current work trip, where we had to cram all our meetings into about 48 hours, we gave Chris a simpler wish list for our one day off – wine, prawns and beach. Chris didn’t just deliver; he created a day we will never forget!!
We started with a yummy breakfast and Prosecco at Peregrine Farm Stall to fortify ourselves before we were off to the first winery – Oak Valley Estate, Elgin Valley. A magical place, where I could slowly sip the Stone & Steel Riesling all day and listen to the old Elgin railway still chugging through the vineyards.
After a dreamy stop at Oneiric Winery, we were then off to lunch… and the highlight of the day. This is where Chris took our request for prawns to heart!
At the Hangklip Hotel in Pringle Bay, we were surprised with a private prawn-fest of epic proportions prepared by non-other than the famous Chef Renette Vosloo and her partner Emile, who I now refer to as The Prawn Whisperers. Platter after platter of fresh jumbo prawns emerged from the kitchen until we had to raise the white flag. More than the best pawns I have ever had in my life, Renette and the Hangklip team made us feel like we were old friends over for lunch – we relaxed, we ate, we laughed, we listened to good music and we ate more. I left the Hangklip with a contented smile on my face, a belly full of prawns and new friends!
Last stop: Strand Beach, a long stretch of powdery sand in False Bay, where the water is 5-10° warmer than nearby touristy beaches. We screeched like schoolgirls as we jumped in big waves crashing to shore on the Cape. And last but not least, we sat along the cement promenade, surreptitiously sipping Soweto Gold beer, just as the sun was dipping into the Atlantic Ocean.
Now you could stop at any of these places on your own if you like, but if you want an experience like the one I just described, you will only get it by booking a Kreef Tour.
