If given the opportunity to spend a couple of days in a submarine, would you do it? We recently had the chance of doing just that – and we loved it! I mean, how can you say “no” to spending some time in a yellow submarine ?
Well, truth be told, it wasn’t exactly a real submarine but something that resembled a submarine to some extent, including some of the trimmings you would expect to find in a real submarine.
Best known for it’s delicious apples and other fruit, the beautiful Elgin valley is a relaxed hour-long drive from Cape Town. This region has also made quite a name for itself for the excellent wines being produced here and has become quite a tourist attraction in recent times. One such attraction is called the “Old Mac Daddy luxury trailer park” ( see here ), a uniquely styled hotel located on a hillside, in the middle of apple orchards. What makes this place unique is the fact that the guest accommodations have been built using genuine vintage Airstream trailers specially imported from the USA. Each one is uniquely styled and decorated in a different theme, and extended with bathroom, living room, outside deck, etc.
One such trailer is called “The Yellow Submarine”, and this is the one that we spent a couple of days in recently.
View from the bedroom (called the Captain’s quarters) into the main area, showing the chart table in the middle.
The control deck with periscope (it actually works!) and chart table to the left.
View of the bedroom (Captain’s quarter) from the control deck.
The Airstream trailer viewed from outside, showing part of the added-on living room to the right.
The living area as seen from the trailer door. The en-suite bathroom is just round the corner to the left.
View of The Yellow Submarine from outside, showing the trailer and living area, as well as the outside deck.
The restaurant and hotel reception as viewed from the outside deck. Hidden behind the trailer in front is the swimming pool.
Inside the restaurant, I’m not sure why Jaunine dipped a finger in her wine !
As mentioned previously, the Elgin area is also known for producing some excellent wines due to it’s cooler climate. We naturally took the opportunity while in the area to go wine-tasting at some of the nearby wineries 🙂
The beautiful basement wine cellar at Charles Fox – producer of fine MCC (Methode Cap Classique) sparkling wines.
View from the tasting room and restaurant at Oak Valley Estate.
Situated high on a mountain close to the ocean is Iona, makers of excellent Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and other equally excellent wine. What drew our attention immediately was this lovely Porsche parked inside the tasting room and surrounded by beautiful artwork!
We really had a fabulous and relaxing time in the Elgin valley and enjoyed our stay in the Yellow Submarine enough to want to go back !
Jaunine just could not resist the temptation, even though she was still recovering from a surgical procedure!
Life is good – inside and outside of the Yellow Submarine 🙂
Many thanks to Boone, Tessa, Simon, and Jeanneke for spoiling us like this – we really appreciate it!
(All images (except the last two) were shot with a Nikon V1 + 10-30mm lens, the last two with a Nikon D800 + 14-24mm lens)
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