South Africa's complex history includes a few hundred years of back and forth between the Dutch East India Company and the builders of the British Empire. We checked out one slice of the tale at a restored plantation that was built by an early Dutch East India Company administrator (or something or other). It is a place called Vergelegen (try pronouncing that one) just to the east of the town of Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch is where Ben teaches Applied Mathematics at Stellenbosch University the home base for South Africa's wine industry.
The day we went -- and actually ever since -- was quite hazy. As we drove closer to our destination, the air become more acrid and soot had dusted everything. A fierce brush fire was raging, covering the apparently beautiful Stellenbosch mountain range from view. But we enjoyed our time at Vergelen nonetheless, taking in the huge Camphor trees, the fine Dutch Colonial architecture and the impeccable gardens.
Part 2 of our day was spent at a few wineries around the Stellenbosch region. The haze and smoke had drifted in another direction, so we finally could enjoy the stunning setting. This made for happy tasters. We also stopped at a place that offered tastings of their own excellent olives and olive oil.
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