Wednesday, February 23, 2022 – Photo of the Day – Mount Nelson Hotel

WEDNESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2022 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

TODAY’S WEATHER Sunny High: 72°F 22°C Low: 62°F 17°C

DRESS CODE: CASUAL
For Ladies: DRESSES OR BLOUSES AND PANTS
For Gentlemen: SPORT SHIRTS AND SLACKS
No shorts or flip-flop-type footwear after 6:00 PM in indoor venues

Today’s Schedule

Belmond Mount Nelson High Tea & Diamond Dazzle – Morning Excursion

We had a 30-minute scenic drive through the city center passing the houses of Parliament and exclusive neighborhoods along the way. Our destination was the imposing entrance to the Mount Nelson Hotel where we were invited into the elegant lounge and terraced gardens to relax in comfort and style enjoying a formal High Tea Experience.

The Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel is the most iconic luxury hotel in Cape Town situated within a sprawling lush garden estate in the heart of the city’s vibrant cultural center. Accompanied by the sound of classical piano music we sampled the many delicacies from the High Tea buffet. We were enjoying the elegant atmosphere of yesteryear.

Afterward, we continued our tour to the Shimansky Diamond Factory Shop. We had a 45-minute tour with a viewing of the cutting, polishing, and jewelry factory in action. The tour included a secret chamber room where we touched and felt the rough rocks, and saw replicas of the world’s most famous diamonds.

Tale of Tales Event – OPERA IN THE QUARRY – Evening Excursion

Tonight we were treated to another World Cruise Event at a world-famous wine estate located in an old abandoned quarry. The Hillcrest Wine Estate and quarry had been transformed into a magical one-night open-air tent venue for dining and opera. We were greeted at the shore terminal by a group of youth violinists. After the bus ride to the estate, there were three puppet elephants to welcome and entertain us. The life-size puppets are the creation of Cape Town’s Handspring Puppet Company. They were so realistic from a distance we felt they were real. As we got closer we saw they were life-size puppets brought to life by the performers inside. They starred in “War Horse”, the famed play at London’s National Theater in 2007.

The tent was on a massive platform with clear ceilings and open sides and hundreds of chandeliers. We could see the open skies when we arrived, but after dark, the venue was magically transformed. The dinner 5-course meal was served with wine pairings for each course.

The highlight of the evening was South Africa’s brightest and most talented stars, whose soaring arias, duets, and choral arrangements filled this grand acoustical space with beauty while capturing our hearts along the way. They got and deserved a standing ovation.