
The 150-Year Celebration: Cape Town Style!
When a fabulous couple invites you to Cape Town to celebrate a whopping combined total of 150 years—courtesy of their 60th birthdays and 30th wedding anniversary—you pack your bags and join the party! We made our way to the city by the sea to honor these milestones.
What do you get when you add 60th birthdays and a 30th anniversary? A 150-year bash in Cape Town, of course! We kicked off this monumental celebration by invading the homes of dear friends who are basically family.
The first evening, we embraced the quintessential South African experience with a braai (barbecue) that brought tears of nostalgia and laughter of “remember when” moments that only true South Africans can enjoy.

Saturday dawned with adventure as we set our sights on Bloemendal Wine Farm for a cycling escapade. Brimming with excitement and a touch of confusion (directions, what are those?), we queried the friendly locals at the coffee shop for tips. Equipped with maybe-kinda-sorta directions, we embarked on our path, only to follow some cyclists who mysteriously vanished! Lost yet undeterred, we climbed the Everest of trails, pondering the art of uphill pushing but valiantly pushing on pedal power alone.
At the summit, dumbfounded we were until another kind-hearted cyclist saved our bewildered souls. He wisely advised us to avoid sharing the path with seekers of serenity (walkers and runners), and back we went, enjoying a gentler ascent this time. Finally, we found ourselves choosing between “Veer Factor” and “Bloemennice”. Channeling our inner wiseness, we opted for Bloemennice—a downhill delight with exhilarating twists and turns. Our decision was justified as glimpses of Veer Factor promised more fear than fun.

After exploring and surviving several more user-friendly trails, we might have wished for clearer trail markers. A system like Crossways with precise color-coded paths is a confidence booster for out-of-towners like us. But hey, nothing beats the element of surprise, right?
Post-ride, we reunited with our friends at Maastricht Wines. The cheese, biscuits, and wine were spectacular, but the memory that will forever warm our hearts was sitting on a grassy hill under a tree, sharing stories and subtle giggles, sipping Sauvignon Blanc like carefree children soaking up the Cape sun.

After a morning of adventurous cycling and delightful wine sipping, it was time for the grand finale of our Cape escapade: the 150th celebration at the stunning Degrendal Wine Estate. We headed home to don our fanciest attire and set off for what would be an unforgettable night. Upon arriving, the estate felt like a hidden secret retreat, welcoming us into its enchanting embrace.
The evening began with drinks and snacks on the veranda, a delightful prelude to the main event. As we entered the main area, we found ourselves enveloped in an atmosphere of elegance and charm, with decorations meticulously crafted by none other than the birthday girl herself.

We were treated to amazing food and wonderful speeches that celebrated the incredible couple and their journey together. The entertainment featured three phenomenal local female singers who lifted our spirits and made it impossible not to hit the dance floor. We danced the night away in pure bliss until the sobering reality of tomorrow’s journey back home loomed over us. But for now, the night was ours to celebrate, laugh, and enjoy every moment of this 150-year milestone!