Obrigado* Canimambo

There's not much that surpasses the travel experience, except perhaps, and quite ironically, coming home to your own bed after a long journey away from home. What undoubtedly enhances travel are the great meals (read 'extraordinary culinary experiences') in unexpected places... as well as the unexpected and highly intense social interactions with other human beings on the 'same level' as you that par for the course. Now imagine bringing these two together... but while travelling!

A restaurant in my own province, of Mpumalanga, that I've often dipped into after a day or few days of being on the local road, is Canimambo in Graskop. It's never let me down.

I love the combination of Mozambican, Portuguese and South African cooking.

I love the friendly staff, like our waiter Maxwell who looked us in the eye and welcomed us, as well as the fact that the host (Lance) leaves you well alone to write your notes, to take your time with whatever, including eating, and that - most of all - his partner (Carla) is hands-on in the kitchen.

That they have Portuguese wine and Mozambican beer is another plus. Also that it's always full with a great mix of locals, local tourists, and foreign visitors.

Not to mention that Canimambo is value for money. On Sunday evening my starter was mussels with cream and garlic sauce (R39.90), while for main I supped on a hearty bean stew with chouriço and smoked chicken (R59.50). (Delicious Portuguese chouriço – sausage - get its distinctive smokiness and deep red colour from dried smoked red peppers). I also made a point of dipping into Steffen's aromatic chicken chauti, a Mozambican dish served with coconut rice and salad (R59.50).

Next time I'm heading straight for their renowned seafood platter. 

Info: +27 13 767 1868

Canimambo Restaurant, Graskop

Corner of Louis Trichardt and Hoof Streets

They have a sister restaurant in Dullstroom, which I'm dying to try. Canimambo also boasts a Platinum Star Award from the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.

* 'Obrigado' is ‘thank you’ in Portuguese.

Pinnacle posing

The Pinnacle and gorge, just outside Graskop in Mpumalanga, was the
turnaround point of Sunday's road trip. After the bracing, wild
grass-scented air at the escarpment's edge, it was time for sustenance at
one of my favourite restaurants, Canimambo, in Graskop.

Pinnacle

At the Pinnacle viewpoint, just before God's Window, gulping in fresh, fresh air fragrant with the scent from veldt grasses and herbaceous bushes. This is life at the edge...of the escarpment. There's the Lowveld below, and on a clear day Mozambique in the eastern distance I'm sure.

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Crisp green & seedless grapes

I've not been home long, nevertheless it's good to be out of the house, out of the town, and on a road trip of sorts.
Just over the escarpment and down the Long Tom Pass we stopped and while gulping in the view, fresh mountain air and crisp green and seedless grapes. That lifted my spirit somewhat.
Now we're sitting at Harrie's Pancakes in Graskop sharing scrumptious carrot cake and chugging on a stainless steel coffee plunger for two. This has also lifted my spirit somewhat.
A peek through God's Window and to the east would have been good for some spiritual perspective, but I know not to waste my time in this low cloud and drizzle. The persistent curio sellers would undoubtedly peck away at whatever gains I'd made in trying to raise my spirit from the floor.
It's a moody Sunday afternoon at the very beginning new year; grey all-round.
Worst of all the camera on my phone has been broken since November last year, so no images as company to these postings.

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Discipline must follow lethargy

I've had neither the will nor the discipline to write this last month. Last year took everything out of me. I believe, as a powerful side affect, this has left my passion and joie de vivre extinguished. Consequently some of last year's challenges are hanging loose-ended, untied over into this year. Tomorrow the new year kicks into action, so I must stoke my passion and courage to tackle these frayed, stressful ends. And I need to be disciplined.
I pray for wisdom and understanding.

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