Sunday lunch at Cape to Cuba

Cape to Cuba is a quaint restaurant situated on the Kalk Bay Harbour, serving Cuban inspired food here in Cape Town. Me and Annelie enjoyed the tapas, fish and paella-type dishes with a good bottle of Chardonnay on Sunday for lunch.

Kloofzicht Lodge

Kloofzicht Lodge is a five star establishment close to Muldersdrif in the Cradle of Mankind. I was scheduled to give a talk on the story of Fundamo in the morning so booked into the lodge the night before. I appreciated waking up with the sound of early morning birds and water flowing into the dams, especially after the hurly burly of Luanda

Visa Billboard in Luanda

Daniel Nascimento (the son of famous MPLA leader) is a well-known entertainer here in Angola, but also in Portugal. He features in an advertising campaign for one of the local bank's Visa pre-paid card. I saw a huge billboard of him in one of the streets of Luanda.

Arrived in Luanda

Rushed from the Luanda airport to my hotel, the Epic Sana, in order to change into a suit, so that I can be in time for my first meeting. I glanced through the window at the city's mix of old and new buildings, shiny cars and shacks. In the distance boats were waiting to enter the port.

Year-end at Waterkloof

Waterkloof is a new winery and restaurant set high on the hills outside Somerset West with spectacular views over False Bay. We had the year-end of the Kurktrekkers wine-club at this venue and it was once again one of the highlights of the year. Good friends, good food and wine, a perfect setting: all of this made it a perfect evening... again.

Jetlag

It is 03:00 in the morning and I am wide awake. Tired, but awake. I am back in South Africa after ten days on the US West Coast, watching CNN in a Protea Hotel in Johannesburg. One of those things, I suppose.

Great lunch at Emirates lounge

It is not often that one can enjoy a great lunch in an airline's lounge. I just had a great lunch at Emirates lounge at San Francisco International. The meal consisted of a Chinese duck salad starter with a good Viognier followed by a traditional Indian Chicken Tika Tika supported by great Californian Cab. This is why I prefer Emirates.

Techonomy12 Conference

I attended the Techonomy12 conference close to Tucson in Arizona. Participants were limited to a few hundred and speakers and panelists were entrepreneurs, execs from large companies academics and venture fund managers, as well as a few artists. The topics ranged from robotics to weather manipulation - all asking the question how are/or will technology impact our lives. During the social events, I met some very special people and made new friends. A worthwhile few days spent in the Arizona desert.

Giant cacti in Arizona

Arrived in Dove Mountain (north of Tucson in Arizona) for Techonomy12 conference at the Ritz Carlton hotel. I elected to do a guided mountain-bike ride after I arrived and it was such an amazing experience. The track was interesting with some technical descends and sand patches. The sun was setting in an orange glow and the air had a sharp, cold bite, but it was the vegetation that was the most spectacular. These huge cacti was everywhere also with a wide variety of other cacti and trees.

Pebble to San Francisco

I travelled back from Pebble to San Francisco in a rented Merc E350. The first stage of the route winded through a beautiful part of California and ended with the Multi-lane 280 towards the city. During the two and a half hour journey I enjoyed the balanced power of the luxury German car.

Passionfish

Who would have thought that a brussels sprout salad could be one of the best meals ever. I had this as a starter with business colleagues at a Monterrey seafood restaurant (Passionfish) and it was exquisite, well supported with a local Californian chardonnay.

Beautiful day in Pebble

It is such a peach of day at Pebble Beach. I am here for the annual executive off site meeting, but broke away for a two hour cycle today to appreciate the weather and environment. I cycled through Carmel and Monterrey on the famous 17-mile drive. It was a breath-taking experience.

Early morning Dubai Skyline

There is something beautiful (in a surreal way) to sit in the Emirates lounge in terminal two and watch the sun paint the Dubai skyline in the distance. Skyscrapers disappears into the murky, early morning air with buildings on the airport perimeter bright in the sunlight.

Pat Lambie

Pat Lambie, one of the finalists for SARU rugby player of the year sat at our table at the award ceremony. The ceremony was a spectacular event that show-cased a very successful rugby year for South Africa, but it was also special to get the opportunity to meet young stars like Pat.

No ties at the airport

I was trying to buy a tie at the airport and could not get one shop selling ties. The only tie I saw was the picture on the cover of Fifty shades of gray at CNA.

Garden office

The gardens of the Fundamo office are really special: trees, big lawns, lush plants, a gazebo and even a koi pond. On a beautiful day like today, some people (like Richard) do their eMails and telephone calls from benches in the garden.

Flamingos in the morning

Me and Annelie spent the night at MeerenBosch. In the early morning light we saw the flamingos feeding in the shallow water close to the shore. A very light rain added to the tranquility of the picture.

Coenie de Villiers live

Coenie de Villiers is probably one of the greatest Afrikaans song writers and performers. Me and Annelie were fortunately to listen to him in a small, intimate theatre tonight. His special lyrics and absolute control of the piano touched my heart.

Admin

Some of the times, one just has to take a break and do your admin. With tax return deadlines looming, bills to be paid and filing to be done, I could not postpone anymore. Notwithstanding the brilliant weather, I did the mundane stuff. But at least my life is a bit more organised now.

Wannabe cycling club

I joined the club this morning for a fast fifty km cycle through Stellenbosch. Afterwards we had a quick coffee at Dolce's as is customary.

Car wash entrepreneur

A few years ago, Alphonse walked into the office asking if he could wash some of our cars in the parking lot. He did such a good job that, when he arrived again, more staff joined the queue to get their cars washed. Today he employs three guys to wash all the cars to be washed in a day and the quality has not reduced.

Rainbow road

Returning from the airport to home, I was greeted by a spectacular rainbow. It started right in front of the taxi in the road on the horizon, encircled the Helderberg and ended in the distant Somerset West.

My proud dad

I could see that it took my dad a lot of exertion to take the few steps from his seat to the table for lunch. Bent-over and wheezing, he refused any help. You can take a lot away from this man (his strength, health and balance), but he will hang on to pride till the end.

I slept on the equator

It seems that the Mount Kenya Safari Club was built on the equator and it so happened that my bed was placed on 0.00 degrees. I did not experience anything different with one part of me in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern.

Agent cash-out points

On our way to the Mount Kenya park, we stopped at a small village. I counted at least five mobile money agents, representing mPesa, Equity and others. I witnessed a transaction (Cash-in) in real life and once again realized how this industry has transformed society fundamentally.

Passing by Bafana playing

On my way from the airport in Nairobi, stuck in traffic as is the case often here, we passed the stadium where Bafana Bafana was playing Kenya. It was brightly lit and created a lot of congestion. One day, I will travel to these exotic places to follow SA sport teams.

Ecclesiastes

As always, I started my day with scripture this morning and (as always) I was just amazed at how relevant the Words are even for today: "And whatever my eyes desired I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor, and this was my portion and reward for all my toil. Then I looked on all that my hands had done ... all was vanity and striving after wind... "

As if it was written for the realities of today.

Perfect Cape morning

The Cape's ocean this morning was very special, again. I joined the club for a brisk cycle to Kogelbay and back and once again realized how amazing the sea can be. The vista towards Rooiels with low clouds on the horizon in the early morning air was something to behold.

Protea at work

I noticed this huge protea fully in bloom at work today. We have such a special garden that often goes unnoticed, yet is full of jewels. It requires a few minutes to just stop and experience all the hidden treasures... a little like life, I suppose.

Early morning routine

With a bit more time in country and with summer on us with longer days, I started an early morning routine that I enjoy. I get on the bike for a 25km cycle and then in the pool for half a Km swim, before breakfast. I hope I can keep it up.

Laibach Claypot

Sometimes one should just open a great wine for no apparent reason. Tonight I did just that. I spotted a lonely bottle of Laibach Claypot Merlot in the cellar and decided there and then that it is cork-extraction time. The fruit-driven, meaty wine complimented the lamb that Annelie prepared perfectly!

Sunday lunch at Long Table

We had our sunday lunch at the Long Table on Haskells. The place was abuzz with people which is always a good sign for a restaurant. My lamb phyllo an Annelie's venison with berry sauce emphasized the skill of the chef. We enjoyed the food with the local Bertus blend and agreed that it was a special place when we left for home.

Grandchildren babysitting

What a privilege to look after our amazing grand-children for a while this morning. We were literally met at the door by two smiling little beings. We played together on the floor, talked, had some tea and I even managed to put Nina to bed successfully myself. Strange how seemingly insignificant things can have so much meaning.

Slow congestion

It is a pity that more and more people have realized that the best lounge at domestic ORT is the Slow Lounge. This means that tonight the food was not enough and one had to stand in a queue for a glass of wine.

Gautrain disappointment

Always loved taking the Gautrain from ORT to Sandton, but experienced a lot of frustration today when my card had R25 too little on it when I tried to exit. The slickness of process when things go wrong is often an indication of the quality of service. Gautrain should work on this.

Agreement in Singapore

At the end of a great dinner at the Tippling Club in Singapore, me and Steven concluded a contract to attempt to cross the Atlantic with a yacht in 2014. The dinner was a combination of inventive meals and special wines.

Efficient Singapore

It is true, Singapore is super-efficient. I placed my luggage in my hotel-room at Marina Sands within 45 minutes after touchdown. Consider that this include taxing of the aircraft to the parking bay, clearing immigration, 10 plus minutes taxi ride and booking in at the hotel; this is pretty amazing.

Family reunion at Gariep

Enjoyed a weekend at the Gariep Resort with Annelie's family. I met cousins and an aunt of Annelie for the first time. We celebrated new friends and I understood why family-ties are so important.., yet neglected so much in a modern world. I also took time to explore some of the surrounding areas on MTB.

Vineyards in the sunlight

One of the special things about living close to a vineyard, is to experience the cycle of life each year. From vines full of fruit in the middle of the season to the last red leaf dropping off the dead branches. But the most special stage is now, when new life bursts out of the plant in the form of bright green shoots.

Haircut at OR Tambo

Had my hair cut at the barber shop at OR Tambo because the shop was open and my hair needed a cut. The irony of what I was doing struck me when I realised the barber was from the DRC, having done a six month crash course in hairdressing. With Africa music videos playing I noticed the Nigerian cashier surveying her fingernails, explaining why she didn't buy the barber chicken for lunch. In the end my haircut actually turned out well.

Lions feeding on Kudu kill

The last game drive at the lodge ended with lots of excitement when we stumbled on a fresh lion kill. Two lionesses killed a kudu-cow literally a few hundred meters from where we were having a final beer and snacks on the banks of the Zambezi. The baboons signaled distress and our guide managed to get us close enough to see the drama of life and death in the bush. It was a memorable end to a special few days in Zambia.

Tiger fishing on the Zambezi

We lost a lot of Tigers because of inexperience, but in the end, we all successfully landed at least one Tiger on the boat - including Catherine. I managed to break the line on at least three big ones, but were successful with two nine pounders.

Royal Zambezi Lodge

On the Zambezi (below the Kariba), six hours by road, right in the wilderness, is the Royal Zambezi Lodge. We arrived here with a Cessna Caravan and immediately loved the luxury and service from the staff. It is great to have Ernst and his family with us, but we wished Izak could be here too.

Misty in Lusaka

There is so much growth in Zambia. New shopping centres, maintained roads and great restaurants are everywhere. I had a very good dinner in high style at the new Misty Restaurant with clients. The live jazz music added to the atmosphere to the degree that one just did not want to leave.

Aircraft at the end of the tarmac

It took an extra long bus ride to the B777 at the end of the tarmac for my flight back to Cape Town. What is the rationale to always park the aircrafts for the Cape Town flights halfway to Al Ein here in Dubai?

Rolex wrong

The challenge of any great brand is to keep the brand promise - especially something as well known and aspirational as Rolex. That is why it was interesting to me that all the Rolex wall clocks in the Emirates departure lounge at San Francisco International displayed the wrong time.

San Francisco in glorious sunlight

Today is a sunny day in San Francisco. The buildings in the city centre is bright against the backdrop of fog on the distant hills here from the 29th floor. In the distance, I can even see Alcatraz.

Upgraded to First Class

Getting upgraded to first class is great, but to have that happen on both legs of my trip to San Francisco very fortunate. The result was a comfortable journey to the Bay city in my own suite with the best food and wines. I managed to rest well, reflect on my business realities and prepare well for the week's meetings all at 30 000 ft.

Almenkerk winery

The new cellar and tasting room at Almenkerk in the Elgin region is impressive and so is their wine. We joined the Kurktrekkers wine-club for a weekend of wine and food in the relatively new Elgin ward. The white wines were beautiful (the Sauvignon Blanc from Iona being one of the best that I have ever tasted), but remember Lace (the second label from Almenkerk) - serious wines, made in bulk at an attractive price.

La Motte magic

We had such a special evening at La Motte with the Sippers. First we visited the art museum (with rare Pierneef pieces), then tasted eight brilliant wines at the wine centre and concluded everything with a scrumptious dinner at the award-winning restaurant. The warmth of the people, the perfect setting and the blue moon contributed to a perfect evening. As we drove back home, we acknowledged that we are extremely blessed and we thanked the Lord for this.