Welcome to the blog of Michael Faust and family.
For the past few years we have been blessed with many opportunities to travel the world for both business and pleasure. It has enabled us to make life long friends all over the world, gain a whole new perspective about other cultures, and allowed us to see places and sites that most people only see on television or magazines. Our children have gained invaluable life skills and education that no academic institution could ever provide.
This blog allows us to share the memories and experiences, and perhaps inspire you to stretch your wings and set your own goals to explore other places far from home. You will be richer for it and will see the world from a whole new paradigm.
In June, 2009, our family embarked on a 6 month stay in Cape Town, South Africa, to help expand our business and provide an opportunity to experience living in a place far from the comforts of life in Australia. Many of our closest friends and family all expressed their concerns. Their view of South Africa was carjackings, robbery at gunpoint, break and enters, and other horror stories perhaps shared by people who had moved from South Africa to Australia, and perhaps some biased media reports. People said, “Everyone is leaving SA to head for Australia. Why would you do the opposite?”
I guess they don’t know Matilda-anne, my wife, and I. We have always been people who did not follow the conventional thinking or ways. Our life was one long journey of challenges and victories, risk taking, and a strong desire to enjoy all life’s adventures. I also had the benefit of 3 previous visits to South Africa and 2 trips to Nigeria, so I had some idea of what to expect.
We chose Cape Town because it was the one place in Africa that was a little like home…modern, multi-cultural, a lifestyle city, lots of international tourists, beaches and good summer weather.
Then there is magical Table Mountain that casts it’s spell on you. You sit in awe as you see a veil of cloud hanging over the top of the mountain like a tablecloth when there is not a cloud anywhere else in the sky. From Table Mountain you move down to the beautiful coastal mountains including the Twelve Apostles that lead down to the Cape of Good Hope where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic.
Look a little north and you discover the rich wine lands of Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschoek where 400 or more vineyards of international standard dot the surrounding hills each offering wonderful wines, restaurants, spas and accommodation.
Then there is the incredible cliff side motoring drives along Chapman’s Peak and down to Hermanus that rivals any of the great coastal drives in the world.
When a few friends from Australia came to visit I proudly showed them the sites of Cape Town acting like a local travel guide. Even after a few months I felt like a Cape Tonian…lol.
We picked the Waterfront Marina precinct as it is very secure, close to shops, entertainment and schooling. It was great to be within a few hundred metres of one of the most dynamic waterfront developments in the world. The Cape Town waterfront never sleeps. Musicians playing local African music and jazz are always playing, the restaurants are always busy, and you can hear the many languages of foreign visitors everywhere.
Our favorite restaurant was Willoughbys, an amazing Sushi place that was always packed out. I highly recommend the creamy spicy shrimp on salmon sushi or the rainbow sushi with salmon and tuna.
On December 4 we arrived back on the Gold Coast, Australia, after more than 31 hours of flying and transit time with mixed emotions…..pleased to be home in familiar environment however very much missing the friends we made in South Africa.
Our view of South Africa is very much different from the horror stories. Yes you have to be security conscience and there are dangers being in the wrong place at the wrong time…much like many cities of the world. However we experienced so many positives such as the great hospitality, the best friendships we have ever had, people with raw honesty who cherished the simple pleasures of life, and people with a passion for their country.
We have such great memories. Sitting on the beachside at Hermanus having a braai (bbq for the non-SA people) with friends on a beautiful spring day with the seals playing on the rocks. Gazing down at the whales playing in the bay at Hout Bay after enjoying the famous fish and chips. Sitting on the lawn at one of the many vineyards in Cape Town sharing a bottle of Pinotage as the sun sets.
Toasting marshmallows over the fire place at a country cottage in Franschoek after a wonderful dinner at a restaurant where the children can create great artwork on the table cloth and make characters out of pizza dough to be cooked up.
On the eve of Christmas we reflect on the many cherished moments of the past 6 months and look forward to opportunities to return to Africa to explore more of it’s amazing countryside, spend more time getting to know it’s incredible people, and creating more life long memories.
To all our friends, have a blessed Christmas and may 2010 be the best year yet!
Posted by Michael_Faust 
