lifeisacelebration

It was an uneventful flight into South Africa. Via Emirates, we took our connecting flight to Capetown out of Dubai. The flight was fully booked from Manila to Dubai, and there was hardly an airport seat without a sleeping passenger waiting for a flight. Airport shopping presents an alternative but in my sleepless condition, it offers no pleasure. Dubai Airport makes one feel like you’ve never left Manila as many sales people hail from dear Philippines.

It would be another grueling 9 hour flight into Africa. Literally pushed myself out of my aisle seat and shouldered my bag walking out of the plane. Overcast skies did not dampen my excitement as we exited the airport in Capetown. Table Mountain greeted us upon arrival. I felt like Alice stepping into the looking glass. Though overwhelmed by its beauty, everything felt incredibly safe and familiar. Must be in my dreams. After all, this has been in my bucket list since I watched “Out of Africa” back in 1986.

As our bus weaved along the coast, the glassy surface of the Atlantic Ocean presented an amazing seascape in all its hues of blue. For the next 2 nights, we would enjoy this seascape from where we were booked for the next 2 nights. Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa is one very charming hotel. Twelve Apostles Mountain Range behind you, and the Atlantic beckons from the hotel entrance. The sun has set and it’s twilight time here in Capetown as we checked in. Lovely from every angle.

This landmark hotel combines nature with luxury.  All the trappings of modern amenities and comfort without losing its colonial charm.  It would have been perfect to check out the state-of-the-art therapy or treatment rooms. The ultimate luxury! But I was so zonked out after that day-long flight it would be wasteful to sleep through a good massage.  

The mood here in Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa is definitely very exclusive and relaxed.  The jaw-dropping panorama of oceans, blue skies and mountains makes it a nearly sacred place. And such polished elegance!  If you ask me, I felt like I was in some film set. Expect Brad Pitt or Richard Gere to step in through the glass-paneled door to the balcony!  No, make that pre-botox Robert Redford of “Out of Africa” fame. 

I could have said they could starve me here so long as I get this daily dose of earth, sky and ocean.  Bloated from all that airline food while our legs cramped from lack of mobility, I failed to do justice to the buffet spread of kudu pies and biltongs, vegetable bredie, grilled lamb, boerewors (that very South African sausage), koeksisters which resemble our local “pilipit”, salads and coal-roasted sweet potatoes. There were more, but I was just not into it tonight. A pity, but this sleep-deprived zombie was no foodie tonight. Rather, I hurried back to my hotel room dreaming of a bath and drying my hair just enough before diving into the folds and softness of the duvet. Aaaahhhh….. Dreamland. Ssssshhhhh. Night Night

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