ALICE IN STELLENBOSCH'S WONDERLAND

Megan Jones

In the same way Alice landed in Wonderland, I discovered the fascinating, hidden world of the Botanical Gardens.

On a scorching hot summer day during Welcoming, we had no rabbit’s potion we could drink to escape reality. The only way to get out of the long hours of Vensters practice and Stellenbosch’s summer temperatures, was a visit to the Stellenbosch University Botanical Gardens.

Our budgets were accommodated with the free entry for SU students, and with only an hour to discover the garden’s beauty, we started with the first winding pathway. All along the gravel road, interesting species and artefacts, as well as facts about them, winked us closer. The water lilies showed off their summer blooms, and the bonsai trees bragged with their neatly trimmed coats. Our curiosity led us past a big greenhouse, herb garden and fern house. However, the tick-tick of Rabbit’s watch unfortunately hurried us along.

We weren’t met by the Mad Hatter’s tea party, but the smell of Katjiepiering Restaurant’s morning coffee created an air of sociability. We savoured the opportunity to temporarily escape reality in this peaceful enclose.

When the outside world started to call us back, we reluctantly folded our picnic blankets and dragged ourselves back to the entrance. The rabbit’s potion wore out and we were left with a faint jealousy of the creatures that call this lush garden their home.

Even though my visit to Wonderland was short, the Botanical Gardens had a lasting impact on my state of mind. I implore you to discover your curious side: drink the rabbit’s potion and dwell through the winding trails of Stellenbosch’s own Wonderland.