After we finished up our coffee, we set off on a walk to find our bearings. We walked to a less commercial area and took in the incredible views of the coast. Once we had taken the road as far it would take us, we turned around and made our way back to the hotel. Jason and Claire were scheduled to be arriving shortly thereafter, so we needed to get checked into our room. We stayed in a single room the first night, but we were set to stay in a two bedroom suite with them upon their arrival. Easily one of the best decisions we've made thus far - this room has an insane balcony and view of the ocean. Very conducive to excessive wine drinking, which suits this crew quite well.
Knowing they were expected any minute, we hit play on the iPad, repeating Toto's "Africa" until they walked through the door. We ordered a fresh bottle of wine prior to their arrival, and greeted them with a glass as they came in. It was necessary to celebrate the fact that we were all finally in Africa!
The next few hours saw much of the same - drinking, discussing the trip ahead, recapping our traveling war stories, etc. But then it was time to get down to business - the choosing of the rooms. Arguably one of the most important elements of any trip, we always decide who gets what room in the only fair way we know how.... Through your standard best out of three paper, rock, scissors battle. Brandon "The Undefeated" Gayler came up big, after splitting the first two rounds. After the dust settled, we all unpacked quickly while getting ready for dinner.
For our first night, it only seemed right that we dine at a restaurant known for its local game. I personally spent a lot of time researching and planning for the food on our trip as a whole, so I was feeling some added pressure to deliver on night one. Carne SA is where we ate, and it absolutely did not disappoint. The ladies played it safe, ordering filet medallions, but that did not stop us from sampling from the men's more adventurous plates. They both got what was coined "The Safari." Made up of Ostrich, Kudu, Wildebeest, Impala and Blesbok, we all tried everything and loved it all!
After dinner wrapped, we decided to call it a night early. The Hylands were exhausted from all of the travel, and we decided we would wake up really early the next morning to hike Table Mountain. We are all in agreement that some physical activity is necessary after all of the sitting we had been doing on planes. We are so giddy that the trip we have been planning for so long has officially begun, we cannot wait to experience each day and watch each of our adventures unfold!
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