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A slow and luxurious morning

We had an unexpected additional day in Franschhoek, having been thoroughly impressed by the elegance and comfort of the hotel in which we were staying. Although I did not have any cash with me, this did not prevent me from enjoying some shopping later in the day, as I was fortunately able to use my credit card.

For breakfast, I chose a bowl of crisp granola served with fresh fruit and creamy yoghurt, accompanied by a hot latte. At first, I assumed the two chocolate buttons placed beside it were intended as a small treat, but Mum quickly explained their actual purpose. I enjoyed the breakfast thoroughly while we waited for our room to be prepared.

During the wait, I took the opportunity to enjoy a foot massage followed by a back and shoulder massage at the hotel spa, both of which were exceptionally relaxing. Afterwards, I waited for Mum to complete her treatment, and we spent time together in the guest lounge, drinking tea and conversing until lunchtime.

Lunchtime adventures

As we needed to return promptly in time for Ruby’s treatment later that afternoon, Mum and I decided to have a quick lunch while Dad was still completing his spa appointment. Mum had not brought any food with her, as she had been waiting for Dad to return from his appointment. They had previously been at a restaurant called Frank’s; however, Mum and I decided that we would prefer to try somewhere different.

We found a nearby burger restaurant and chose to give it a try. I ordered calamari rings with crisp chips, and they were exceptionally good — among the best I have ever had. Unfortunately, we were unable to stay for long, as we needed to return in good time for Ruby’s appointment.

Once Dad’s treatment had finished, Mum and I met him back at Frank’s, where he and Mum had their lunch. I enjoyed a red cappuccino made with rooibos tea and spent a short while checking my phone before we continued with the rest of the day.

Afternoon shopping

After lunch, we took a leisurely walk through the local shops and visited several boutiques. I purchased rooibos loose-leaf tea so that I could prepare red cappuccinos at home, a stylish notebook as a thoughtful gift for the director at work, and a selection of colourful keyrings and fridge magnets as souvenirs.

Once our shopping was complete, we returned to the hotel to freshen up and prepare for dinner.

Dinner at Tuk Tuk

That evening, we dined at Tuk Tuk, a vibrant local brewery and restaurant where guests could observe the beer-making process. It was both interesting and enjoyable to see the brewing process first-hand, as well as to sample some of the finished products.

For dinner, I selected the Mozambique Prego Roll, a spicy chicken sandwich served with seasoned chips. The meal was flavourful and satisfying, and it paired particularly well with a Don Pedro cocktail, which was creamy, refreshing, and well balanced.

Throughout the evening, we played several rounds of Uno at the table, enjoying relaxed conversation and shared laughter. It was a pleasant and memorable evening, marked by an easy sense of enjoyment and togetherness.

Winding down for the night

Upon returning to the hotel, we enjoyed one final brief game of Uno before I chose to retire early for the evening. With an early start planned for the following morning, as we prepared to pack and continue to the next stage of our South African journey, I wanted to ensure I was well rested and ready for whatever lay ahead.