Western Cape Article - South African Vacations

who lived on the island to collect guano. The island has an abundance of wildlife and hasbecome the feeding ground of the great white shark.Whales: Southern right whales can often be seen from the cliffs at De Kelders, especiallyfrom June to November.HISTORY AND ARCHITECTUREDanger Point Lighthouse: In early times many ships met their doom on the Gansbaai coastuntil the lighthouse was constructed in 1895.Shipwrecks: The wrecks of ships, whose last journeys ended near the Gansbaai shoresinclude the Birkenhead, a British troopship which sank here with the loss of over 400 lives,the Johanna and the Nicobar. The skeletons of these wrecks still lie along the coast.GENADENDALThe town was established in 1738 around the oldest Moravian Mission Station in Africa.Genadendal means “Valley of Grace” and was founded by George Schmidt, a Moravianchurch missionary sent to preach to the Khoi people. With a little imagination, the beautifullypreserved village could transport you to life in the Cape two centuries ago.ADVENTURE AND SPORTGenadendal Hiking Trail: The trail begins and ends at the mission station and meandersthrough the Riviersonderend Mountains.ENTERTAINMENT AND SHOPPINGMoravian Church: The church is well known for its talented choir and brass band shows.Watermill: The mill sells bread made from stone ground flour and is baked in an open-airoven.HISTORY AND ARCHITECTUREGenadendal Mission and Museum Complex: The complex exhibits the history of the firstMoravian Mission Station in Africa, dating back to 1737. The first (unsuccessful) attempt toestablish a mission was at this location.Old Print Shop: The shop has one of the oldest mission printing presses in South Africa.GRABOUW / ELGINGrabouw, founded in 1856, lies in the fertile Elgin Valley, the main apple-growing region ofSouth Africa. The other main products grown in the region are fresh flowers and grapes,which also make for beautiful scenery.ADVENTURE AND SPORTHottentots-Holland Hiking Trail: The Hottentots-Holland Hiking Trail starts in a forest and endsin Franschhoek.Steenbras Dam: The dam is the main water supply for the Cape Metropole and was built in1921. Many hiking, walking and mountain-biking trails traverse the lovely area.141