S1 - Ep 251 - Constantia - Driving Through Forests in a City!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ก.พ. 2023
- Driving through Constantia was like driving through forests in a city! It was absolutely beautiful, we thought were driving in a small town on the countryside. We had an early lunch at La Parada on the top of Constantia Nek, which was really awesome. Then we decided to go down to Groot Constantia. It was an absolutely incredible experience, all the more so when we learnt that this place dates back to 1685. My mind seems to have a bit of a bump when I think places can be this old, just around the corner from where I live. After this experience we knew we had to drive across Rhodes Drive to complete our visit to this breathtakingly beautiful suburb of Cape Town. #DustBugs #adventuretravel #southafrica #southafricavlog #travelongravel #capetown #westerncape #constantia #tablemountain
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Aha! I was waiting for Constantia! My birthplace. I was born in Strawberry Lane on my Oupas farm 63 years ago. Right next to the Moslem kramat and cemetary. My earliest memories are of fields of yellow lupins smelling like heaven, the little stone church on the way to Tokai, I was baptized in that church by Michael Norman, a blind priest. So many childhood memories, and I was 5 when we moved to Bellville. But I was very blessed to find a home in Plumstead with my Beloved and we lived there for many happy years, just a stones throw away. Today you drive through my back yard! It still is home to me. Yes, there is a lovely wine route to take. I would travel this way up Constantia main road and over Constantia Nek to Hout Bay to teach a dance class every wednesday evening. And of course I had a year permit for Kirstenbosch and could go as often as I liked, and I did. Lovely walks from Constantia nek too. Constantia nek restuarant has changed hands many times, but has always been a delightful place to have a coffee outside, or a wonderful dinner inside, many happy hours spent there. Groot Constantia is the scene of many a birthday. You can really feel the weight and the dignity of the years. And thats a fat vat, okay! Those massive trees are mostly bluegums, really old bluegums.
Well, you were certainly born in a very beautiful place! It is such a gorgeous suburb of Cape Town, we forget that when we haven't visited for some time! 🌳💚 Those memories all sound wonderful. The one that stood out to me for some reason was you driving over Constantia Nek to go and teach a dance class in Hour Bay! 💃 You put it perfectly, I most definitely felt 'the weight and the dignity of the years' at Groot Constantia, an awe-inspiring place indeed! I'm happy that we could take you on at least some of the roads in your old backyard! 🚗🍇
Wow. That sounds wonderful.
I forgot how beautiful Constantia is... time to go back!
I know! We always knew it was beautiful, but was blown away all over again. As we drove in to Constantia, we saw two roads with trees touching at the top forming a canopy. One wanted to be prettier than the other, so it took a little debate before the democracy finally decided which one to take first! Spoilt for choice indeed! 🌳🚗 You have to make a plan and visit again soon!
I forgot how stunning Constantia is. Thanks for sharing....from Canada. This makes me homesick!
Exactly, we also tend to forget how beautiful Constantia is because we don't get to visit all that often. Thanks for watching all the way from Canada! Nothing wrong with missing home every so often. It's just too beautiful not to! 🌳🇿🇦
There are some beautifull old houses in Constantia. Loved the old vats . Fruit looks faboulas !
Let me tell you, those litchis were indeed fabulous! 😁 There are some amazing properties in Constantia, those trees just make it all the more so! I also loved those vats at Groot Constantia! Thanks for taking this trip with us! 🚗🌳
Wow. Curtis, it is never to early for a Windhoek Lager. The beautiful trees, the beautiful Zinnias and all of that wicker (I want all of those chairs) reminds of the time that myself (then from Memphis), Tracy, JoAnne (from Los Angeles and Atlanta) and Clinton (from Springs, on the east Rand) were there for a wine tasting tour of Groot Constantia. You just don't know how uplifting this is for ones heart!!! From a cold, no leaves on the trees, Alligators in hibernation, brown grass Louisiana. I LOVE SOUTH AFRICA. Greg Thanks for sharing!!
If I weren't driving, I may have had a Windhoek with you, but it was still early and we had a long day ahead of us, so I opted for the wholesome option! 😇🍏 Sonia also wanted all those wicker itmes on display. She took a fancy to the laundry baskets, so she says you can have the chairs! 😁 I'm glad that our video reminded you of some good times at Groot Constantia, it certainly is a destination of note and I can only imagine what a grand old time you guys had.🍷From a sunny, no-clouds-in-the-sky, everyone out-and-about South Africa we send our best wishes to you! 🇿🇦
These road trips are just therapeutic! I like how you chat with random strangers you met.
That's the truth! The beauty which is right under our noses, is so often overlooked. We realised it all over again as we explored these areas closer to home. We so appreciate you joining us on these outings! 🌳🚗 Everyone was in such a festive mood which added to the fun time we had! 🥳
My hood. Well, my hood for walking and running. One thing that surprises me about Constantia is how big it is. You could easily make a second trip and take the lower areas of Constantia and still get a 30 minute video from it.
I have no doubt! Such an incredibly beautiful suburb with all the trees and stately homes and wine estates. Not to even mention the history! You're fortunate to be able to run and walk in these gorgeous surroundings! 🌳🚶🏻
Im back...in the back.
Lonnng time since I was there. Changed a bit but not....
Thank you for your wonderful efforts as always. You have the best videos of south africa on you tube. No jumpy camera....slow panning the scenery....really.... IT'S AMAZING... 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😃🤣😃 i forgot the information....ugh you guys
I hear you! The houses got bigger, the walls got higher, but it's still as beautiful as ever! Thank you for your very kind comment, we appreciate it so much! 😊 We're just too happy to have you back on the backseat and to take you to all these magical places, virtually in our backyard! 🚗🌳
When I was a child and growing up none of these houses had big walls around them. Lovely to watch though
I also seem to remember being able to see much more of the actual houses, but I suppose the walls are a sign of the times we find ourselves in. 🤷🏼♂️ It remains a stunning suburb of Cape Town regardless and it was wonderful to drive through some of the strees. Thanks for joining us! 🚗🌳
I have visited Cape Town often over the years but ive never experienced it like i am now watching all your lovely videos. Can 't wait for the next one. Thanks Curtis and Sonia....
Thank you, that's a big compliment! 🤩 The places are all so beautiful and we were so happy to share all this natural beauty with you. We appreciate you coming along and hope you enjoy the next one just as much! 🚗🌳
Hi again , stunningly beautiful, thank you from the bottom of my heart,. I want to sell up, buy a campervan & travel SA but hubby says we're too old, 70 isn't old is it? 😂. BTW, love how you have Sonja's back, my hubby would have " accidentally" put me on camera, 50 yrs of marital " bliss" and if I haven't divorced him by now I guess I never will. Enjoy , stay safe . Sending love to the both of you.
Thank you , I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed our drive through the tree-lined streets of Constantia, a very beautiful place! 🌳💚 Personally, I think hubby may have a point, but not as far as your age goes. Travelling is fantastic and fun, but having a homebase to return to, is incredibly important to us as well. By all means travel and do so as often as you can, but always return home. That's where we ultimately belong. I'm getting a little too deep for my own liking, so will stop now. 😊 Sonia absolutely hates being filmed and there'll be serious consequences if I do so without her permission, so I believe in 'better safe than sorry'! 🥰 You're extremely blessed to have been married for 50 years and counting, that's some achievement! 👌🏻
@@DustBugsTravel yes, I know, just dreaming about the campervan😁
Hi guys what a beautiful suburb love the trees making a arch over the road food stop great mountain views plus the views from the nek amazing food looks great what a great display of basket work love groot constancia vines upon vines nice gentle vibe panoramic view love the thatched roofs old Dutch style museum so interesting garden and lawns immaculate Rhodes drive wow fruit stall abundance of fruits I hope you enjoy your lechis thanks for the video cheerio till the next one
It really is hard to believe sometimes that Constantia is a suburb in a major city like Cape Town. We remembered there were many trees, but had forgotten just how many and how beautiful they were! 🌳💚 The litchis were awesome, all the fruits at that stall actually looked really good! 🍒🍇 We enjoyed our brunch with a view, it was fantastic to sit under the trees with a view over the vineyards and beyond. If I didn't stop Sonia, she would've bought every single wicker item for sale! Thanks for coming along with us today, it was a fantastic drive! 🚗😁
Loved, loved, loved this, especially the trees!
The trees were in one word awesome! We just couldn't get enough! So happy to hear that you enjoyed this drive! 🚗🌳
You are right "What can one say" my words to. Those trees are so beautiful its amazing. Loved the weaving so kind of him to show you how some of it's done. A place steeped in history. Just loved this episode. Thank you for having me along.
Happy to hear you also thought the trees were beautiful! 🌳💚 There were hundreds of baskets and other items on that sidewalk, all so skilfully made. The history just blew my mind, we loved it! 🚗🍇
Another great video!!! 😀 The last time I visited Groot Constantia was many many years ago. So I absolutely enjoyed travelling this route with you.
It was fantastic having you along! Groot Constantia is just too beautiful and it's quite overwhelming when one thinks how long it's been around already. So glad you enjoyed visiting it again today! 🍇🚗
In the 1800s eucalyptus trees from Australia were imported into SA, Greece and California, because of the same climate and these type of trees grow so fast. At the end of the video, those types of eucalyptus are gum trees; note the smooth bark that sheds off like snake-skin. Today both SA in The Cape and lots of California look and smell like Australia. There are about 20 eucalyptus that have a normal bark, quite substantial and corrugated that look very different except for the leaves. In both countries this eucalyptus project was a failure because you can't make lumber out of the wood. It's odd, but when sawed for lumber it will twist badly. Cut it twice and it twist twice. The USA railroad industry tried to make railroad ties out of them, but failed. If you fell these trees for firewood you need to buck it up and split it quickly as the sap will harden like concrete. Eucalyptus is a good shade tree in dry areas and the leaves feed koala bears, and have good oils, but the wood is just too difficult.
Thank you for this very informative comment! 👍🏻🌳 I only know eucalyptus trees with rough bark, so did not have a clue that these were eucalyptus too. Sonia mentioned to me afterwards that she though they were bluegums, so she was actually very close to being correct! So these trees are 'alien' who also consume more water than our indigenous ones. It's all much clearer to me now. They were still very beautiful and impressive though!
Hi you two! Thanks for taking me on this forest trip. It is out of this world. I'll have to put huge trees on my favorites list of blue skies and rocky mountains as you showed them all from the Neck.
The variety at 'basket-ville' on the roadside was also beautiful, and so interesting that a weaver showed us how it's done.
There really are no words for Groot Constantia, it is just such a breathtaking, beautiful, historic place.
Thank you again and
Keep safe!
Those never-ending trees were something else, they were all so magnificent! Big trees most definitely belong on that list of yours! 🌳💚 And we were indeed spoilt with another perfect day to be out-and-about in this beautiful suburb of Cape Town. Basketville (love that!) was aweseome to see, those weavers are so skilled and there were some fantastic items on display! There are no adequate words to describe Groot Constantia! It's a place so rich and deep in history and I felt it with every step I took on the estate. It's wonderful that you came along! 🚗🍇
Absolutely beautiful you two. The farms Constantia and Kirstenbosch used to belong to Olof Bergh during those years. He was my great, great, great, etc. grandfather on my mother's side.
Who has build the homestead and started the vineyards I am not sure.
Thank you for sharing the interesting info! 👍🏻 I read up a little about that now and apparently he became the owner of the portion of land which became known as Groot Constantia in 1716, four years after Simon van der Stel passed away. Olof Bergh's wife, became the owner in 1724 following his death. The history runs deep in these places, wow! 🚗🍇
Thanks, guys! I loved it as much as you did. 👌♥️
Thanks
Thank you kindly for your generous support of our channel! 😊🚗
Groot Constantia is certainly Groot. Thank you.🙃🙏💝
Ah yes, Constantia is beautiful. And then hopefully one day you get to drive in Nairobi, Kenya. A couple of rain forests within the city limits, e.g. Karura, Arboretum and Jamhuri (all very dense and biiiig trees) but there are others, even a national park with lions etc. The city is encircling these resources and striving to keep them intact. It's crazy to be in a very modern mall, drive 2 blocks and be in a forest! The rate of growth is also phenomenal, mow your lawn or have jungle in 3 months. It's even more epic in the real rain forest, the Mau, where you have about 3 weeks before you get lost from your front door to the driveway (slightly exaggerated). Lived in Nairobi for 8 years and loved it - would go back tomorrow if the opportunity arose.
I'm glad you enjoyed the drive through Constantia! 🚗🌳 Nairobi sounds like a remarkable place and one we'd love to visit one day. I've seen documentaries about the national park (I think) surrounded by the city and that's something I struggle to get my head around, so hope to experience it first-hand one day! It certainly appears that conservation efforts are strong there, so as long as the protection of fauna and flora is the priority, I'm all good with that. Human encroachment on wild open spaces remains a sad situation for me though. It sounds like you spent happy times there, thank you for sharing those memories with us!
Great video. It makes me appreciate my home even more, seeing it from a tourist's perspective.
Groot Constantia farm is breathtaking, my last visit 2014
It's time you go back! It's still as beautiful as you must remember! 🍷😍
I’m also enjoying the other viewers nostalgic comments of all these places! Catching some nuggets of South African history through the many eyes on your page! Baie Dankie👏👏
I'll met a friendly woman in Cape Town and bought her book, she was a former lector at Unv of Cape Town, "Villages of the Liesbeeck, Dr C Helen Robinson" with the old Cape history, included Constantia and Mowbray....
That sounds like a very interesting book, especially given how far back the establishment of vineyards in this area goes. It's great to have you around as our resident history buff! 👌🏻🍇
What can I say?? Thank you the two of you for a wonderful day out with you. The toer you gave us is marvelous. I enjoy your programs very much. May the two of you be blessed with many more years together with your camera. Thanks again........
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Thank you! 🤩 I'm very happy to hear that you enjoy travelling with us! Us and our camera look forward to taking you to many more places! 😁🚗
Just stunningly beautiful 👌
That was such an enjoyable tour - so much beauty everywhere you turned! Were the lychees/litchis any good, or did you decide to give them a pass?
The huge trees you were admiring are Eucalypts - Gum trees - native to Australia).
The litchis made it all the way home and was in the fridge immediately! Sonia loves them ice cold! 😁 They were delicious, I enjoyed them too! This place is really beautiful beyond belief, glad you thought so too! Good to know the name of those trees, they're enormous! 🚗🌳
Constantia neck, the bar where I enjoyed my best ever Vodka & Coke after walking there from Wynberg.
I just started watching your channel about 2 months ago. It has been fun to see people tour around the same way I like to travel. It is winter here in my part of the world (Canada) and it is lovely to see exotic countryside that doesn't have a snowy cover.
Greetings to you in cold Canada! 🥶 I'm glad to hear you enjoy watching our videos and I hope they warm you up a little too! 🚙☀️ Travelling is a wonderful pastime and we enjoy every kilometre on the road! We spent two weeks on the road one April in Canada and for us again, it was wonderful to still see a light little blanket of snow covering everything. It was about to melt though, so we only saw the tail-end of it. You live in a very beautiful country too! And so vast! 🇿🇦🇨🇦
We live so close but never go there. Thanks to you guys i went there now. Excellent footage Thanks for your hard work an effort i appreciate you
We haven't been in Constantia for many years, but it was fantastic to drive through these tree-lined streets again! It's just so beautiful one can hardly believe you're in a suburb of a major city. I'm glad you joined us for this fantastic drive! 🌳🍇
Was there an entry fee to the estate etc ? Superb drive and visit . Thanks
I'm very happy to hear you enjoyed this episode! There was no entry fee to the Estate as such, only a R30 fee for access to the Manor House. I hope you get to visit one day soon, it's a gorgeous place! 🚗🍇
the Constantia wine route is the oldest in South Africa.
Cheers for that info! 🍷
Loving the Cape Town series, we’re working our way through. I do have a question though. Why doesn’t Sonia come with you on the walks? Is she sitting in the car?
Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying our videos of places closer to home! 😁🚗 Sonia has had three failed knee surgeries, so navigating any uneven surfaces and climbing even a few steps or stairs are just things her knees can't cope with. So she sits in the car for the most part, unless the walk is short and the surface very even. 🥰
@@DustBugsTravel that’s horrible!!! So sorry to hear. Luckily the drives are so scenic there’s almost no need to get out!! Keep up the good work
similar suburbs can be found in Franschoek and Greyton.
Indeed! We've visited both towns before and thoroughly enjoyed both. 👌🏻🚗 We have videos of each of them on our channel as well. 😁
@@DustBugsTravel Ooo I wonder if you could do a video( or have already) of towns with a similar vibe?
@Michael Nuttall You're welcome to check out our visits to Franschhoek in Episodes 106, 107 and 108, McGregor in Episode 114 and Greyton in Episodes 117 and 118. They're all towns away from Cape Town though and not suburbs of Cape Town. Let me know what you think of those! 🚗🌳