VTT Postcard - Cape Town Overview

So that marked the end of our Cape Town tour. 7 days in the Mother City was very short indeed.

We did not even get to see the other beauties in the place, like Robben Island and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, but I suppose there might be a next time for other stuff.

All in all, the place held many wonders and certainly aimed to impress. It does not disappoint.

I have no idea when we will ever go back to Cape Town but it is definitely a trip worth making.

Movie Watch: Ip Man 2

You knew this was coming, didn't you?

I've always looked at sequels as a mere shadow of the original. And after all the praises that I recently showered on Ip Man, you'd think that I couldn't inundate much more on its sequel. Indeed, I never thought I could offer more myself. Until I saw Ip Man 2.

I wouldn't go as far as to say it was better than the original. But both films are definitely on par with each other. There is a slight feeling of glamour on the second one as the connection to Bruce Lee is highlighted slightly at the end of the movie.

Ip Man 2 follows Yip Man and his family's hardship as they try and settle in Hong Kong after fleeing from China. To make ends meet, Yip Man decides to open a martial arts school teaching the Wing Chun discipline. He is challenged by the local martial arts masters to pass an initiation process, where he shows his excellent ability to fight.

Because of this, Yip Man slowly gains respect. He becomes friends with the head of the local master, Hung. During a friendly match however, a British boxer named The Twister, challenges Hung to a fight and kills him. Yip Man moved by this, steps up to the plate and accepts a challenge to fight the Twister. The ending is expected, Yip Man once again proves that Wing Chun prevails all.

I especially loved the fight scene when Yip Man was on initiation. They did the fight on a round table and they were not allowed to step off the table. It was really a spectacular martial arts masterpiece when it came to choreography. (Which I found out later on that Sammo Hung directed).

So definitely another film to add to your weekend viewing.

VTT Postcard - Cape Town - Two Oceans Aquarium

We always seem to end up in an aquarium when we go for a family outing. Well, okay, if there is an aquarium in town, we are definitely there.

It was no different when we got to Cape Town. The Two Oceans Aquarium was on the agenda even before we arrived. I've planned it on the last days because I wanted to enjoy outdoor activities while the sun was shining. I have been told many times that Cape Town weather changes like a lady changes her mind, so I was saving the trip to the Aquarium for a rainy day.

And like mentioned before, that day was D-day. The weather was overcast in the morning and it had started to rain when we left the Nederburg Wine Estate. There was a bit of a queue at the aquarium when we got there but we were offered to use the online services if we were paying by credit card.

We got in and walked around and were treated to an array of sea animals. Big fish, small fish, and any other waterlife that you can think of. It was a trip more for the kids and my youngest really enjoyed the place.

I think it is still no match to Durban's Ushaka Marine World but the Two Oceans Aquarium can definitely hold its own when it comes to attractions.

For more information, visit the Two Oceans Aquarium website.

Easter Egg Craze

Easter eggs are always in abundance when Easter comes every year in South Africa.

Normally, I would just buy the Easter marshmallow eggs that are sold at shops. But this year, I am lucky to have found a seller of Easter Egg hampers.

The hamper was huge and affordable. It came in different chocolatey forms. There were even chick eggs (though I am not really sure what they've got to do with Easter, but anyways).

My children were very excited and couldn't wait to start devouring the sweets.

I wonder if this craze with Easter eggs is celebrated all over the world?

VTT Postcard - Paarl - Nederburg Wines

On our last full day in Cape Town, the weather started changing. It was shiny and sunny for the last 7 days and on that day, it started drizzling. Even as we went out early in the morning, the clouds opened up.

On an impromptu move the previous night, after discussing how much we enjoyed our visit to the Constantia Wine Farm, we decided to visit Paarl, where more wine farms could be found. I selected a well-known wine estate this time - Nederburg.

Again, we did a tour of the wine factory. This time, aside from the normal machinery and equipment, we got treated to seeing big wine barrels. The Nederburg estate was quite big and the tour lasted just over an hour. I loved the Nederburg wine selection for the wine tasting. Loved it so much that I got tipsy a little afterwards...again. Boy, you'd think with the way the wine makes me feel that I'd just have the good mind to stay away from it. But nooo, I keep on coming back and coming back for more.

We finished at around noon and decided to head back to the Mother City for the rest of the day.

An Emigration Choice - The Why's

Emigrating is nothing new to me. In fact, when I get to Canada, it will be the second time I have emigrated in my life.

So how did it all started? What prompted the urge to move again?

Well, emigration is a very personal thing. It is something that you undertake because you feel the the environment where you live in no longer works for you. Be it the crime, the economy, the people, the government - whatever it is, people emigrate for many, many reasons - sometimes even all of the above.

I don't profess to preach that it is good and well to emigrate. It differs among people.

It is also such a big life change, an upheaval of everything you know. The thought of starting over is already scary enough. This decision is not to be taken lightly.

Ultimately, it deals with how you feel where you are in your life and how do you think the future will affect you and those most dear to you. This step is not for everybody definitely. And you are not doing anything wrong by not moving. Neither are you wrong if you want to get out.

It is just your choice. As simple as that.

VTT Postcard - Cape Town - Ratanga Junction

It was a day for the kids.

We've decided to celebrate New Year's Day at the one attraction that was opened on this public holiday - Ratanga Junction.

Ratanga Junction is an adventure theme park where kids of different ages enjoy rides with different intensity. It is situated in Century City, Cape Town.

We set out to Century City and arrived at Ratanga Junction around 11am in the morning. As we were getting older, hubby and I decided to just be non-riders accompanying a couple of really brave adventurers, namely our two daughters.

We toured the whole place and both my kids went on different rides - fast and slow. We've decided to get my youngest to try out some rather faster rides than she was normally accustomed to. And being my daughter, she really got into the whole thrill-seeking bit.

I was really surprised that we were out of the theme park around 4pm. The theme park felt rather small compared to Gold Reef City.

But the most important thing is my kids enjoyed the day. Success!

For more information, check out Ratanga Junction.