Today, we packed up and left our ‘home’ in Johannesburg. We piled into Cromwell’s van with our overstuffed duffel bags, suitcases, etc. and headed to Pretoria to catch a train to Cape Town. Upon arrival at Pretoria station, we bid a sad farewell to Cromwell.  Porters gathered our belongings and placed everything in our respective cabins. While we waited to board, we were offered finger sandwiches, pastries, tea, and other delights. There were chandeliers on the ceiling and fountains on the deck where the train pulls up. The entire place conjured up images from The Great Gatsby.

We are embarking on a two-day excursion on a luxurious train called the Rovos Rail. Rovos Rail consists of Victorian Era trains that have been repaired and restored but still maintain their original charm. A family run business, Rovos Rail donated this luxury journey and 3 sleeper cabins to the ProjectExplorer crew so that we could experience (and share with you!) a bit of the past and the South African landscape.

When we finally boarded the train, Jenny and I couldn’t believe the size of our suite. There was even enough room for a table and two chairs! On the train, I felt as if I had been transported back to the 1930s. Everyone is in fancy dresses, suits, and fashionable sun hats! Before dinner, we all enjoyed afternoon tea and sweet cakes in the observation car, which is the last car on the train. From the observation deck, you can watch the tracks disappear beneath you. Dining on the train is a rather opulent experience - a 5 course meal. After dinner, we headed to the observation deck where I could see more stars than I EVER had before. I could even see the shadowy clouds of the Milky Way!

Day 11

Today, I woke up to an amazing African sunrise over the grasslands.  It was so peaceful to lay in our suite looking out the window, falling in and out of sleep as the landscape whisked by. We had a brief excursion from the train to Kimberley, an important town in South Africa’s history. It was here, in 2000, that a summit was held to discuss how to eradicate the world of ‘conflict’ diamonds, which led to a process for certifying diamonds’ origins now known as the Kimberley Process. It is also home to the Big Hole, which is where the diamonds were dug from the earth. It really has to be seen to understand its size and depth. (See my photo above.)

As night fell on the train, Jenny and I witnessed one of the most amazing electrical storms churning over the countryside. The lightning was so magical that we even tried to film it, but that proved nearly impossible.

Day 12

Today started with some exercise at sunrise. On this, our last day on the Rovos Rail, guests were offered the chance to disembark the train and walk or jog along the tracks for about 3 miles, while the train pressed-on without them. It was a very strange sight to see the train heading away as we tried to make our way through the South African landscape. Christopher and I jogged for as long as we could, but the terrain was a little rough in places so we opted to walk the remainder of the way. My time outdoors, paving my way back to the train, definitely made me feel more rooted in South Africa.

Once back on the train (and after breakfast) we sought out the always-friendly train manager, Peter Winterbottom, for an interview. We learned about the behind-the-scenes efforts on the train as well as the challenge of preparing meals for 70+ guests three times a day. After the interivew, we packed quickly because we knew we were nearing our final destination, Cape Town. As we approached Cape Town the terrain changed from grasslands to lush vineyards. Then, finally, our first view of Table Mountain (we will get there later) which is the beautiful backdrop to the big, fashionable city.  

At our new hotel, the Cape Diamond, in the downtown area of Cape Town, and ready to begin exploring tomorrow,

Part I: About Rovos Rail	Part II: Tour the Coaches with Sarah

Begin exploring Cape Town >

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