Babylonstoren

         When we were at Mosaic Lodge and we told the “Brits” that we were staying at Babylonstoren, they were so impressed. “How did you manage to get reservations?” That answer was all due to our Elsewhere travel agent, Natalee. Remember, we found her through Lonely Planet? This place is quite unlike any other place we have stayed. when we mentioned it to anyone, they were positive we would love it. It is a wine farm (not called vineyards here), a water buffalo farm, that also has huge vegetable gardens, orchards, Peking ducks, guinea fowl, chickens, and of course roosters which we heard this AM at 5:30. Everything is farm to table. And everything is free range and as organic as possible.

The lounge with a serve yourself bar

Dennis working hard on the blog

Dennis in front of our room at the farm house

The living room of the farm house  

        Our first reservation was at the Bakery. The walk there was short but gave us a chance to see a bit of what the farm has to offer.

        The food at the Bakery was from a set menu and we couldn’t handle it. Just the salads to start us off were too much. There was a caprese salad and a vegetable and fruit salad that was enough for at least six people. This was followed by a mushroom ravioli bowl and then as many slices of pizza as you could eat, topped off with chocolate chip gelato with figs. Do you need to take a walk, just from reading this?

        This morning we went on a tour of the water buffalo farm. It is quite an operation. Very well-run, beautifully maintained with every thought given to the comfort of the animals. We got to put a female name for a new baby into a lottery. 

        All of this was followed by an amazing breakfast and then a short walk to see some of the many shops that are here. 

Dennis is out for a bike ride. I am waiting to hear about the resolution of a travel glitch, and even if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be bike riding that is not a good option. The old saying, once you know how to ride, you never forget? That is so not true. 

He was joined on his ride by this big guy.

        Now for the travel glitch—Lufthansa cancelled our flight. So after a frantic call to our travel agent in Indiana we are confirmed on the next flight back which is Thursday rather than Wednesday. We are crossing our fingers that this will go through. And we are relying on our South African travel agent, Natalee to find us a room for Wednesday night as Babylonstoren is all booked up. 

        

        To drown our potential sorrows we went to the wine tasting room…

A snack for one, that we couldn’t finish.

Seven wines per tasting, we could finish that!

        After the tasting we headed for the meeting point of the Mountain drive again with Morne. An absolutely stunning drive, culminating with a picnic at the top of the mountain.

 

        What a lovely way to end the afternoon. And our travel plans seem to be moving ahead. Natalee found us a place to stay in CapeTown and Debbie got us confirmed on flights. We’re good to go. With one last  word from Mr. Dennis—

        Today for me, was the highlight of our African trip. Yes, the lodge we stayed in was wonderful but the mountain drive with our guide Morne (More-nay) was exceptional. Babylonstoren (the lodge) encompasses approximately 3000 acres of land in the Drakenstein Valley. Accommodations? Outstanding! Great rooms and staff. Activities? Even better but the drive up the side of the mountain was mind boggling (that’s the word I was looking for). To look over this valley from 3000 feet above sea level? Our pics don’t do it justice. 

        Seeing acres and acres of vineyards that are irrigated by miles and miles of 1/2 inch irrigation lines and thousands of posts supporting the vines, I asked Morne, “Where does this water come from?” He said, “The river we have access to.” I noticed land that was fallow and asked, “Why isn’t it being used?” His response, “Land is not the issue, water is!” We have all the land we can use but without water?”  Where have I heard that before? The Colorado River through the USA? Water? Climate Change? It finally struck home with me…and home we’ll be headed for shortly.