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Caroline's visit and Atlantic Fish Company in the Back Bay :)

 

I don't mean to confuse people, but all of these posts so far are a few months behind! *eep* sorry, hope I haven't disappointed a bunch of you!  But I have been getting loads of sweet notes and messages/questions from readers around the world and I didn't want to lead you on haha.

At this very moment, I am back in Boston...but here are pictures from late January (we were in South Africa in January) when our good pal Caroline came up for a mini-visit!

 

 

Lobster Roll--it was delicious, but not quite AS delicious as the one we have had at Neptune Oyster...I still can't decide if I like butter or mayo version more, hot or cold...hmmm, in the meantime, I will just have to eat more of both to decide, right? ;)

 

 

Eggs Benedict--this is always my go-to item for breakfast dining out, it's so yummy and I LOVE hollandaise sauce, though I am quite sure it's not all that healthy for you haha 

 

 

 

Bouillabaisse--I also love this dish everytime we're out dining at an Italian/Seafood place...this broth was amazing!  Peter, who usually isn't such a fan of bouillabaisse, thought the broth was sumptuous and tried to eat more of it! harumph! LOL  
 

 

 

Caroline and Me (Peter made me wear the Steelers jersey haha, I obliged 1) to make him happy 2) USC wasn't playing at the time anyways 3) I guess you can be a Steelers fan AND Trojan, right?) 

 

 

 

 

The Rest of South Africa Trip...

 

After sadly leaving Kapama River Lodge, we took a scenic bus tour back to Johannesburg... 

 

 

Peter and I during a photo-op by some mountains/canyon terrain along the way back to Johannesburg.

Me--Superfine Stars Tee

PZ--Junkfood Snoopy "Player" red tee 
 

 

We stopped along the way at some roadside diner where they were apparently known for their "crepes"!! 

 

 

I opted for the beef soup, it was a HUGE bowl and on bus trips (especially in foreign countries) I usually try to keep the eating to a safe minimum! 

 

It was super random, but on our way back to Johannesburg, we also stopped by this South Africa village and met with the "King" of this village community and saw a Medicine Doctor in action too...very interesting indeed.

 

 

We felt kind of cheated though since these cushions were made of foam padding, doesn't seem very "authentic/natural" does it? LOL 

 

 

 

Don't ask me what Peter was doing here, I had no idea he was posing like this (with the "King" of the village) until after the photo was taken LOL 

 

And then, we finally arrived in Johannesburg!! woohoo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We got to visit Soweto, but didn't really go into it like we did with the local town in Cape Town. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monica and I sad to be behind bars here haha...Monica actually looks much more convincingly exasperated than I do!

 

Whew, and that's it for our South Africa trek!

Thanks Dorian and everyone else on this trek for making it so memorable and fun!!

 

 

 

Safari Time :) :) Kapama River Lodge @ Kruger National Park

 

I think both Peter and I agree that our favorite part of the South Africa trip was our time spent at the Kapama River Lodge in Kruger National Park!!

 

Not only did Kapama River Lodge offer excellent service and gorgeous accomodations, we also had a super sweet Safari tour guide (Maggie--if you go, definitely try to ask for her!!) and an AMAZING few days of morning and afternoon Safari trips!!!

 

 

 

It was just so peaceful and quiet, well, I guess that is to be expected at like 6am anywhere...well, not NYC I suppose haha 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our first afternoon/night time ride was very spidey-filled, not such a happy camper since we couldn't see and we kept driving into spider webs ewwwww...LOL, but we survived and it felt a little more adventurous cos it was dark...though I guess I wouldn't have been as excited if we were ambushed by some lions or something =X

 

 

 

Back at Kapama, we had a buffet dinner layout for our first night...it was kind of hard to see though and a lot of the food inevitably had bugs flying around it which kind of made me feel like  "ehhh" about eating it haha

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apparently the wire fencing was meant to keep the monkeys off the power tower, oh well, I guess the monkeys had another idea in mind for them...nap time! 

 

 

Here are some Rhinos chilling, doesn't the squiggly tail remind you of a piggy's tail? haha 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reminds me of Bambi...even though I'm not sure if I ever watched the movie, just remember the story. 

 

 

Uh oh...and along out of nowhere, what do we have here?!!! 

 

 

 

Mr. Lion!!!  With some battle wounds too if you can see from this picture... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And what would a lion do after a fight??

 

 

Naturally, roll around and try to scratch his back!! 

 

 

 

This is probably as close/similar as this Mr. Lion gets to reminding me of Bow Wow.

Bow Wow, our miniature pinscher, loves rolling around our carpet and dragging himself along it to scratch his back!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Super intense "Lion Staredown" between two male lions.  Maggie told us that "word on the Safari" was that one male lion stumbled upon this territory that already "belonged" to another male lion.

And usually only ONE mail lion can be "ruler" of a certain area of land...so these two had been fighting it out to see who stays and who goes. 

 

 

 

Everyone else was hoping for some lion fighting action, but I was really hoping not (thankfully, no fighting happened before us) since I would have been in tears and would have wanted to jump out or shout for them to stop and call truce--which would have been a very bad idea I'm sure). 

 

 

Finally, one of the Mr. Lions decide to walk it off...yah, its not worth fighting over, right?  Can't we all be friends :) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me--Superfine Stars Tee, Cheeky Camo cap :) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter once again mistakening the binoculars for a phone?  I'm not sure why this keeps happening LOL 

 

 

 

Maggie showing us a quill (the sharp pointy thingy) from a Porcupine.  Apparently, porcupines lose quills randomly sometimes while shaking off or sometimes new ones grow to replace old ones...and no, they cannot shoot them off at enemies.  Too bad, that would have been a pretty cool mechanism to have!

 

 

 

Lunching with our Safari crew, Britt, Emily, Jamal, Nina and Me :) 

 

 

 

Peter and I decided to enjoy the spa at the Kapama River Lodge, it was super relaxing and definitely different, since you could see out into the wilderness while getting massages or soaking in a hot tub!! 

 

 

 

Will enjoying his spa experience by the pool :) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm so happy I found Marmite everywhere in South Africa!!  YUM!!!  I miss Vegemite so much, it's much harder to find in the U.S.  And everyone thinks I'm a super weirdo for liking this stuff too =X 

 

 

 

Right before one of our safari rides, a bunch of HBS kids jumped out in Lion suits...I guess they were trying to blend in haha 

 

 

 

Kwame had on a "Crab Suit," can't say they didn't come prepared haha 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This little guy reminds me of "Toucan Sam" from Fruit Loops (yummy!!) 

 

 

 

We thought it was interesting how these deer were just "playfully fighting" almost as if they were helping each other "sharpen" their horns! 
 

 

 

So cute, baby zebra with mommy (or daddy) zebra 

 

 

Peter found treasure!!  Wait, actually, just a big pile of poo!!! Ewwwww....*holds up nose!!* 

 

 

 

Petah looking quite darling here :)

PZ--Kid Robot Black with Gold Dunny hoodie, Current Elliot jeans, Vintage polo, Neil Barrett Palladium Suede Boots in taupe (such a cool color, LOVE these!!) 

 

 

Hello, just some giraffe crossing the path...such a cool sight!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inside our room at Kapama River Lodge :) 

Me--Wayne Camo Silk tee, Splendid Black Sweatpants, Puma Mostro Khaki shoes, Max Mara black croc embossed waist bag

 

 

 

 

 

 

I forget what Maggie was showing us here with Mr. Turtle, but I am quite sure he was super relieved to be put back down afterwards hehe 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It almost looks like he/she has heels on while walking here hehe 

 

 

Lion and her cubs napping nearby...it was crazy how close we were able to get to many of these animals.

 

We were also told that within the vehicle, we were safe, but if we jumped out or stood up or poked out of the vehicle too much, then we would represent danger/food to the lions/animals...either one would not be good, so we all tried to obey and behave for the sake of, well, our lives haha 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So cute, even lions sometimes sleep with a paw on the other's face (it's not just me!!) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

So cute, it was like this giraffe just poked out of nowhere...but by the end of our time at Kruger, we had gotten so used to seeing giraffes, it was like "eh...look, theres another group of giraffes." haha 

 

 

Our Safari crew with our ranger, Maggie and our "Shangaan tracker."

 

 

 

Bye Bye Kapama and Safari!!  We had loads of fun!! 

 

 

 

 

 

From Cape Town to Safari!!

 

Early in the AM, we all headed to Cape Town Airport for our flight to Johannesburg, so sleeeppyyyy 

 

 

But, at least we got to amuse ourselves with having our luggage "wrapped."  Apparently it's pretty common for international travel, and we were recommended to have ours done for "extra protection."

Of course, right after this was done, Peter realized he had left our passports in one of the suitcases and he had to tear it apart hahaha *sigh* 

 

 

 

Nando's was so hyped up by some fellow travelers, we were all super excited to get to try it out at the Cape Town Airport...(I may appear more excited than Anand, but I assure you, he was too!) 

 

 

I made Peter hold this red balloon, for old time's sake hehe, he once told me way earlier on that he loved balloons and parades...except he was embarrassed I guess in this pic =X 

PZ--Paul Smith polo

 

After arriving in Johannesburg Airport, we took a 6 hour bus ride to the Kapama River Lodge inside Kruger National Park...YAY, so glad to finally get off the bus!!!

 

 

The first thing we saw off the bus were animals...EVERYWHERE!!!

It felt like we were spending the next few days living INSIDE the "zoo" with the animals...except Peter had to keep telling me this was NOT the zoo and that I could be eaten at any time.  Thanks Peter =X

Me--Cheeky Camo Hat, Splendid Black Sweatpants, 2010 Fashion Night Out NY tee, Puma Mostro in Khaki Green 

 

 

 

 

Cape Town, South Africa Day 4--Robben Island & local town visit!!

 

 

 

Many many miles (or, km) away from home! 

 

 

 

Conor and Emily :) 

 

 

 

 

Peter grumpy face cos we had to wake up early haha... 

 

 

 

 

Now, happier :) 

 

And off we went on our boat trip to Robben Island!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me chatting with Katherine...

 

 

 

Our tour guide at Robben Island was a former prisoner held there, he had really interesting stories and it was very rewarding to have been able to have someone with such a personal connection to the place tell us about it. 

 

 

 

PZ and Anand, repping Section D! 

PZ--Junkfood Cat in the Hat tee, Penguin plaid shorts, Salvatore Ferragamo Brown Suede Sneakers 

 

 

It was really eerie at some parts of the Robben Island tour, but at other parts, like by the ocean, it was almost serene.

 

 

 

Yes, we loved snapping photos of these two hehe, just thought this was a cool angle/shot 

 

And when we got off our boat back from Robben Island, this is what we saw...

 

Sea Otters!!  or wait...are these Seals?  I forget...sorry, I can't tell!  (If someone knows, do let me know haha) 

 

 

 

We had to get into this "Ball Boat" though since the bridge back to our tour bus was "down for maintenance"... 

 

 

Brittany did not enjoy the ride haha... 

 

 

 

Whew, thankfully we survived and made it back to our bus safe and sound!! 

 

Next stop was another museum:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monica, Katherine and Me following Nelson Mandela :) 

 

Afterwards, we stopped by a small town where one of the tour bus guides grew up in...

 

 

Some of us volunteered to go up and try their hand at the local musical instruments. 

 

 

 

Peter was very happy playing along with the drums... 

 

 

 

Not sure if you can tell from this pic, but Peter was so into it, everyone else in the audience noticed it too hehehe 

 

 

 

One of our tour guides showing us around the community she grew up in... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, we love taking pics of other people taking pics too LOL... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local South African home brewed beer...interesting, but I decided to pass on it. 

 

 

 

But Will was pretty brave and had a go at it...it almost looks like hot chocolate, doesn't it? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back at the hotel, we got our laundry service back, it was wrapped so nicely in a gift box, that we thought someone delivered a package to the wrong room haha.

 

 

I've never seen our under garments folded with such care!! 

 

 

 

Seafood Soup--tomato base broth, so fresh and tasty!! 

 

 

 

Sauteed Calamari--YUMMM, reminds me almost of the delicious plate we used to down at Hook Seafood in Georgetown, D.C. :) 

 

 

 

Nina, Brittany, Dorian, Anand and Me and Petah!

Dinner was delicious actually, I usually am very happy with yummy seafood! 

 

I would definitely recommend Miller's Thumb!!

 

Cape Town, South Africa Day 3--Out & About with PZ and Monica!!

We decided to go exploring Cape Town on our own and with Monica this day...I think the plans for the rest of the group was to do some sort of exercise/hiking. Umm, yah, we don't really do hiking, especially when it's like 100 degrees outside.

 

 

Who knew L'Oreal was so big there?? haha...I think this guy IS the distributor for South Africa, jk!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

gosh, I guess we really did look like "tourists" haha...I wonder what gave it away, the floppy hat, us taking pictures every 50 feet, or us constantly slathering on sunscreen??? LOL

 

 

 

 

PZ--Burberry Vintage Magenta Purple polo, Plaid Blue Shorts, Salvatore Ferragamo Brown Suede sneakers and his trusty floppy hat that he wore non-stop in South Africa!

 

 

 

 

I'm not sure what happened here, but it looks like Monica's sandals just fell off?? hahaha...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don't know what Monica and I are looking out at here, maybe it was just posing for the pic hahaha

 

 

Then, we visited the Cape Town Slave Lodge Museum...really interesting and highly recommend!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A typical room inside the homes of the "relocated" people in Cape Town...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were all so famished and super excited for the food. The waiter was very animated and nice and he got our expectations super high for the pizza...sadly, the pizza in South Africa was THE WORST!!! They were all on super flat/hard bread, it seriously felt like you were chewing on cardboard...

Pizza Hut, quick, we know a market you definitely should look into!!!

So we basically all just ate the pasta, it was a pretty sad sight LOL, all 3 of us devouring the pasta, people probably thought we hadn't eaten in days or something haha

 

 

 

 

 

We walked past this on our way back to the hotel and we all suddenly got scared...

 

 

 

 

 

This was the stadium where the World Cup Soccer was played :)

 

Such a nice scenic view!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter at sunset :)

 

 

 

 

 

Brittany, Me and Dorian :)

 

 

 

 

 

Cape Town, South Africa Day 2--rest of the day!!

 

After the Cheetah encounter, we continued with the rest of the "Wine Tasting Tour" agenda for the day. Unfortunately, I think this was also one of the HOTTEST days during our stay in South Africa. Everyone, even the slightly tipsy people were BAKING under the sun, literally!!

 

 

Loved this shot, such a pretty entrance way picture :)

 

 

 

 

 

An outside picnic would have been awesome, if it hadn't been a million degrees outside haha...I could barely eat. I wonder, does anyone else feel this way? When it's too hot, I just totally lose my appetite!

 

 

 

 

This is a picture of Peter dying hahaha...

 

 

 

At least one thing still looked gorgeous and not sweaty and gross in this heat!!

 

 

 

 

Like Peter warned me, these champagne grapes were not sweet at all, in fact, they were super sour, ick!!

 

 

 

Me being naughty and pretending to run away...

 

 

 

 

 

Yep, I'm making a get away...actually, don't know where I would have gone, I'd probably have lasted just 10 minutes running haha

 

 

 

 

Peter thought he'd give the tractor a go...I don't know...I think tractor driving isn't Peter.

 

 

 

 

This is when Peter was already getting delusional from heat exhaustion...I think he thought this was a telephone or something LOL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me sprawled out trying to stay cool and in the shade :)

 

After washing up at the hotel, we were off to dinner...at Savoy Cabbage!!

Yes, even in Cape Town, I was doing a little Chowhound digging around :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amuse Bouche

 

 

 

Trio of Chicken, Pork and Duke Foie Gras with toasted brioche--this was pretty tasty, nothing mind-blowing but solid. Just sad that the "toasted" brioche was mostly burnt...and why is it that there never seems to be enough bread when they serve you foie gras/pate? LOL

 

 

 

 

Chicken Liver Parfait with figs and currant toast--this was okay, not too overwhelming and the figs were a nice, sweet complement.

 

 

 

 

Karan Beef Tartare with truffle oil and celery and quail egg--sadly, this looks WAYYYY better than it tasted! We were so hopeful too when we saw it, points for presentation though I guess!

 

 

 

Salad of wine poached pears, goat cheese, nuts and mesclun--quite refreshing and delicious :)

 

 

 

 

 

House cured Bresaola with wild rocket and parmesan shavings--we were all eh on the bresaola...not sure why

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

House-smoked Norwegian Salmon with a sweet pancake and grapefruit jelly--this was actually quite delicious. But Peter and I haven't really met salmon (especially raw salmon) that we had not liked hehe

 

 

 

 

Savoy Cabbage's Famous Tomato Tart--I have NO IDEA why this is so legendary, it even made it on the New York Time's "10 Things to Eat Before You Die" list!!! So I may be biased as I don't like tomato, but no one else on the table thought it was anything amazing, just tasted like sliced tomato, slightly cooked/softened, on top of a "meh" tart and field of greens. Really, no flavor, it was so ordinary!!

 

If anyone else has had this and felt differently, please tell us what we missed!!!???

 

 

 

Roast Rack of Lamb

 

 

 

 

Chilled Lobster Broth--this was perhaps the most terrible tasting soup I have ever had in my life!!! I'm so sad to say this but the lobster pieces were mushy and clumped together in the soup, and the broth was tasteless, almost like something you'd expect from an instant soup vending machine!!!

 

 

 

Rare spiced Kudu

 

 

 

 

Sauteed Kingslip

 

 

 

 

Creme Brulee

 

 

 

okay, this Strawberry dessert still makes me and my tummy smile each time I think of it. It was SOOOO delicious, that Anand (who was eating his creme brulee) and everyone else who didn't order dessert cos they felt too full...noticed me so happy and smiley that they all had to try it and I think everyone agreed, it was just amazing!!!

I don't know what it was but the strawberries and the sauce/glaze was just DELICIOUS!!!

I could have eaten like 10 more of these I think!!!

 

 

 

A very happy and full group of us--Monica, Me, Anand, Kathrine, Nina and Petah :)

 

Walking back to the hotel in the dark streets of Cape Town was another story. I think I almost had 10 heart attacks, one each time I saw a dark scurrying bug on the ground (cockroaches) EWWWWWWW

 

 

 

Cape Town, South Africa Day 2--Cheetah Encounter!!

 

Something super cool we got to do in South Africa was spend some time with Cheetahs! Well, it wasn't out in the wild, but as cool as that sounds, I'm not sure I'd be here writing about it now if I did just got to hang out with them in nature LOL.

 

This day was a wine tasting day and since Peter and I don't drink wine (no real reason, people always ask, we just don't like the taste of alcohol it seems haha). So we ventured off and found this Cheetah Encounter and chilled with the Cheetahs for a little while, well, I guess "chilled" wouldn't be so accurate cos I still clearly remember that day feeling like the sun was right on top of my head!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter and me petting one of the Cheetahs

 

 

 

 

Such a cute paw!! Reminds me of Bow Wow's paw, just much bigger...I actually thought of Bow Wow each time we saw animals, which was ALOT on this trip, and how much fun he'd have had...well except for the part where he'd likely have been eaten by someone, like Mr. Cheetah here :(

 

 

 

 

It's terrible but when Peter took a close up shot of the Cheetah's coat...I thought of Dolce & Gabbana...and Lanvin!! *gulp* But it IS so beautiful up close!! Of course my OCD self was also worried about ticks and fleas, though I'm sure they get all their meds regularly!

 

 

 

 

 

Now, you may not notice here in this pic, but look at Peter, doesn't he have a devious/naughty boy look on his face? As if he's about to do something naughty...like say, I don't know...REACH FOR THE TAIL!!!?? LOL

We were all given a quick chat before coming in to meet the Cheetahs, and were specifically told not to touch their tail, make quick movements of any kind, touch them on the head, etc...

Basically, everything they told us not to do, I think Peter did or tried to do...they kept having to gently remind him not to grab the Cheetah's tail or pat him on the head LOL...

 

 

 

Another shot of Peter looking quite naughty and mischevous...

PZ--Zanerobe Turquoise Blue tee, Paul Smith Plaid Shorts, Salvator Ferragamo Brown Suede Sneakers

 

 

 

Mr. (Mrs...I forget and can't tell from these pics) Cheetah saying "hello" upside down :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cape Town, South Africa Day 1!!

 

And before we knew it, we were in Cape Town, woo hoo!!

Somehow it went from super freezing cold in Frankfurt, to super super HOT in Cape Town haha...

 

 

 

Taking a stroll outside Cape Town with our trusty bottle of Coke. That's one thing I love about other countries. Why do they always get the nice bottles of Coke made with REAL SUGAR??!

 

 

 

The streets of Cape Town :)

 

 

 

 

Me--Van Cleef & Arpels Frivole WG with pave diamonds and Tiffany Platinum Diamond Fleur de lis Key, Roberto Coin Tiny Treasures WG diamond heart earrings and Tiffany Platinum Diamond Star earrings :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making a run for the bus...it's too hot!!

 

 

 

 

 

Being back on the A/C bus is so nice...ahhhhhhhh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PZ--Burberry Pink Vintage Polo, Paul Smith Plaid Shorts, Under Armour visor

Me--Splendid 2x1 White Tank, Max Mara black belt bag (PZ picked this out himself!), Hermes H White Epsom Bracelet with gold hardware)...shorts are from Shopbop but I forget the brand now...Oliver Peoples sunnies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had to get a picture with the "Baboons" sign, someone thought that a baboon is a bird hahahahahah...but to be fair, I don't think I ever saw a baboon in real life till I came to South Africa (though maybe I did before at the zoo as a child).

 

 

 

 

Monica and me happy to be back on the A/C bus :)

 

 

 

Checking out a roadside crafts market...most of the things were very similar all around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not to worry, from this pic it looks like some of them are dead/flattened, but inactuality, Penguins are quite lazy and most of the time we were there, they just lounged hehe.

 

 

 

 

 

So many Penguins!!!

 

 

 

 

Uh oh, why is Peter leaning in here??

 

 

 

I knew it!! Peter's trying to get at the Penguin!! Quick, someone save him from being the next "Fried Penguin" haha jk...do people even eat penguins I wonder?