We all have these photos … throwback photos!
It’s described as ‘nostalgia-inducing pictures … from a different era of your life”.
Every Thursday we will throw a photo of ‘way back when’ on our blog. Why on a Thursday? Because it’s just a day away from the weekend … and we love weekends!
You are welcome to join in or just enjoy the photos (#TB Thursday).
1995
Franschhoek:
In this post, we continue with our first road trip together in April 1995. After we visited Kimberley in the Northern Cape Province, we continued our journey down to the Western Cape Province. We decided to visit Franschhoek, a small town (and one of the oldest) in South Africa, situated about 75km (46 miles) from Cape Town.
It’s worth mentioning that Time (magazine) has put Franschhoek in the top 50 places in the world to visit in 2022 (Wikipedia).
Huguenot Monument, Franschhoek (Western Cape Province, South Africa)
The Huguenot Monument is dedicated to the cultural influences that Huguenots have brought to the Cape Colony (and ultimately the whole of South Africa) after their immigration during the 17th and 18th centuries. During this time the French and Belgian Protestants were fleeing violent religious persecution, especially in Roman Catholic France. This monument was inaugurated on 17 April 1948. (Wikipedia).
I feel like I’m standing next to a look-alike of Tom Cruise
Franschhoek is also well-known as prestige wine country. There are so many wineries and vineyards here to visit … one of the most favourite things to do, is to get onto the Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Train! We hope to show this to you one day!
- The above photos were scanned
Wet and Dusty Roads 
I feel like I’m standing next to a look-alike of Tom Cruise… Lyk inderdaad so, Corna.🤗
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Haha, my eie Tom Cruise 😁.
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Ons hou net so baie van Franschhoek! Kan jy glo ons was nog nie op die Hop on, hop off train nie! Het wel al die meeste van die wynkelders besoek. Lekker herinneringe!
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Ek kan nie daarop roem dat ons die meeste wynkelders al besoek het nie – of op die trein gery het nie – maar wie weet, dalk doen die geleentheid homself nog voor een dag! Hierdie is egter ‘n spesiale herinnering.
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Ek kan sien dis spesiaal 💕
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I’ve heard of the place but not seen many photos of it. Hope you’re having a good week.
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I’m afraid I don’t do justice to the beautiful town of Franschhoek with these photos! Maybe one day we’ll go back and do a thorough tour (which includes the wine train)! Thanks, we’re enjoying a few great last days … almost time to fly back to the Eastern Cape 🙃. Take care!
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It was our favourite location of our South African trip back in 2008. When I lived in Cape Town I couldn’t afford to eat out in Franshhoek!
You might enjoy this old post of mine:
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Your post brought so many lovely memories! Since that post of yours are closed for comments, herewith my thoughts on your visit:
“Just love-love this post Jude! I think the church in Swellendam must be one of the most beautiful ones in the Western Cape Province. Your description of Franschhoek really paints the lovely town that it is! Oh, and we love the wine of Haute Carbière (enjoyed one with my neighbour just last night 😁). I must admit, your food sounds really 5-star (good thing I just had lunch)! Boschendal is another favourite of ours – when we lived in Cape Town, we spent many Sundays here having a picnic! Thanks Jude, it was such a nice read!”
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These are wonderful throwback photos, Corna! The Huguenot Monument Museum lies in such a gorgeous setting and I love that there’s a pond filled with water that reflects the colonnade behind it. Thanks for sharing and I hope your week is going well 🙂 Aiva xx
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Thank you so much Aiva! Franschhoek is a stunning town – from art shops, amazing restaurants, boutique chocolaterie, hiking trails … you name it, it’s in Franschhoek! And the Huguenot Monument has that amazing mountains as a backdrop! Thanks for popping in and have a great week 🌸.
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Berto totally does look a lot like Tom Cruise in that picture!! I love it. I’m also intrigued by this hop-on hop-off wine train now.
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Oh … Berto feels like a real movie star right now 😄. The wine train is one of the most popular attractions in Franschhoek – they are stopping at some of South Africa’s oldest and most distinguished wine estates where you can taste wine and enjoy the breathtaking landscape. We need to get there soon!!
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How interesting! A lot of Huguenots emigrated to London but I hadn’t realised they went as far afield as South Africa.
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Oh, and I didn’t know they emigrated to London as well! Franschhoek is very proud of their Huguenot background and you will still find many farms with French names (like Grande Provence, Mont Rochelle and Chamonix).
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Another great throwback photo. That’s a bold statement from Time, Corna. I just had a quick look at recent photos of the Huguenot Monument, what a structure! should we start calling you Nicole?
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I was thinking the same thing about that statement from Time … but then, Franschhoek is absolutely stunning! One day I’ll do justice to this picturesque village and show you just how beautiful it really is! I’ll be the brunette (and South African) Nicole 😀.
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Nice memories, Corna! And the Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Train sounds soo interesting😊
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Thanks Christie! Oh, the Wine Train is apparently so much fun … we still have to try it! But I can just imagine how such a day can turn out 😉.
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As the picture came up I said “Oh, I’ve been there!” I went to South Africa with my mum, I think it was 1977. We went to Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town and then took the Blue Train back to Johannesburg. Such a gorgeous country. Not nearly enough time, of course. Say hi to “Tom”!
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And every time you mention that you were on the Blue Train, I’m so envious! With all of its problems, I still think South Africa is such a beautiful country (and I’m happy to call it ‘home’)! ‘Tom’ is acting like a real movie star tonight after all of your lovely comments 😄.
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A hop on and off wine train sounds fun, I’d love to travel on that Corna.
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I’ve seen photos of friends who have done this and it looks like loads of fun! This is definitely something I would love to do too!
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What a treat to get a photo with Tom Cruise, and in an amazing location too! 😉 More lovely memories. Thanks for sharing.
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Exactly Tricia … it’s not everyday that you can tell you know someone who stood next to Mr Cruise 😄. Franschhoek is a stunning town, surrounded by majestic mountains … one day, I’ll give you a proper tour!
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Seems like you caught it before it became a popular site! Especially since everyone wants to share it on social media these days
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Yes, Franschhoek is one of the most popular places that tourists now visit when they are in Cape Town. Back in 1995 it was a very quiet town (and we didn’t have to drive around to find parking then 😉).
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Feelings of nostalgia for sure, thank you for sharing Corna. I remember being much younger and hubby was called ” boyfriend ” 🙂 Franschhoek is indeed beautiful and fortunately I visited one of the wine farms there recently. One farm visit was obviously not enough, thank you for the encouragement Corna 🙂 Definitely need to do the Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Train.
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Oh yes, back in the days, Berto was my “boyfriend” as well … though, I knew I’m going to marry him from the moment I met him! I’m a little bit jealous of you visiting Franschhoek recently – it’s such a beautiful town. You and me both have an appointment with that Hop-On-Hop-Off Wine Train 😄.
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Cheers to the Hop-On-Hop-Off Wine Train 🥂
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Haha 😁 … Cheers Henrietta 🥂
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