Sometimes seeming a little depressing and forgotten, the wild West Coast of South Africa is not to everybody's taste. Weather in the West Coast has a mind of its own and can change drastically at any given time, summer time is the time of the nasty Cape Town winds known as the Cape Doctor, which can ruin plans in a minute.
However, growing up here there is no more special place to me on this planet. What may seem miserable and unpleasant to some is paradise to me. I like nothing better than watching my friend the South Easter whip the sea into a frothy fury and hearing his angry whisper through the trees putting me to sleep at night. This is the sound I've been going to sleep to since I can remember and I will not change it for all the money in the world.
Referred to as loving by the locals, the landscapes may seem a bit harsh at first, but with closer inspection you will see the unique beauty. Consisting of small towns dotted along the coast-line as well as more inland, the area offers a remarkable diversity of activities and attractions. Activities include the Crayfish and Cultural Festival in Lambertsbaai, always a favourite, the Kreef Derby in Yzerfontein, to the Houtstok Afrikaans music festival in the Swartland town of Malmesbury to something as unique and interesting as the "Gatskop" Interclub Paragliders Competition in Porterville.
The beginning of the Swartland Wine & Olive route is an area called Malmesbury, about an hour or so from Cape Town. It's the perfect day-trip destination for travelers heading to Namibia or the Northern Cape with plenty of fantastic accommodation options along the way. Accommodation ranges from small, neat and affordable bed and breakfasts, guesthouses and self-catering cottages to luxury hotels.
West Coast, a foodie heaven boasting with old family recipes! Plenty of small owner/chef run establishments abound, great coffee shops and large restaurants are to be found all over and the produce is mostly sourced in the area and everything is tried to be kept as local as possible. The focus is mostly on local cooking styles making use of old family recipes and methods. Both inland and along the coast tasty dishes await you, made with heart and soul, just like your granny use to make.
However, growing up here there is no more special place to me on this planet. What may seem miserable and unpleasant to some is paradise to me. I like nothing better than watching my friend the South Easter whip the sea into a frothy fury and hearing his angry whisper through the trees putting me to sleep at night. This is the sound I've been going to sleep to since I can remember and I will not change it for all the money in the world.
Referred to as loving by the locals, the landscapes may seem a bit harsh at first, but with closer inspection you will see the unique beauty. Consisting of small towns dotted along the coast-line as well as more inland, the area offers a remarkable diversity of activities and attractions. Activities include the Crayfish and Cultural Festival in Lambertsbaai, always a favourite, the Kreef Derby in Yzerfontein, to the Houtstok Afrikaans music festival in the Swartland town of Malmesbury to something as unique and interesting as the "Gatskop" Interclub Paragliders Competition in Porterville.
The beginning of the Swartland Wine & Olive route is an area called Malmesbury, about an hour or so from Cape Town. It's the perfect day-trip destination for travelers heading to Namibia or the Northern Cape with plenty of fantastic accommodation options along the way. Accommodation ranges from small, neat and affordable bed and breakfasts, guesthouses and self-catering cottages to luxury hotels.
West Coast, a foodie heaven boasting with old family recipes! Plenty of small owner/chef run establishments abound, great coffee shops and large restaurants are to be found all over and the produce is mostly sourced in the area and everything is tried to be kept as local as possible. The focus is mostly on local cooking styles making use of old family recipes and methods. Both inland and along the coast tasty dishes await you, made with heart and soul, just like your granny use to make.
About the Author:
The West Coast in South Africa is home to many hidden secrets and gems. Boasting with unique and beautiful landscape. There is plenty of comfortable and easy budget West Coast accommodation along with numerous amounts of exciting indoor and outdoor West Coast activities the whole family can enjoy.
