Western Cape Article - South African Vacations

views of the coast. The reserve is attractive throughout the year on account of the fynbos thatis never without some flowering plants. The Fernkloof Reserve is also home to the largestcarnivorous plant in the world, the Roridula gogonias.Rotary Mountain Way: The road up the mountain offers truly magnificent views of the localscenery.Whales: Hermanus is the only town in the country that has an official whale-crier. During thepeak of the whale season, in September and October, the whale-crier parades through thestreets, announcing new arrivals with a blast on a kelp-horn. The vantage points from the lowcliff-tops and the clear water at the base of the cliffs provide the best land-based whalewatchingopportuinities in the world.HISTORY AND ARCHITECTUREFishermans Village Photo Cottage: This old building in Market Square above the Old Harbourexhibits many fascinating photographs that depict the history of the village.Old Harbour Museum: The Old Harbour features a row of beautifully restored fisherman’scottages, one of which houses the museum. The museum has an underwater microphoneattached to a sonar buoy in Walker Bay that picks up and transmits the songs of the whales.It also has a telescope through which the whales can be watched.OTHER ATTRACTIONSMagnetic Observatory: The observatory monitors the variations in the earth’s magnetic fieldand is one of many such observatories in the world.Tiger Eye Manufacturing: Tours of the factory reveal how these gemstones are cut andpolished. The Rock Shop sells the stones and jewellery made from them.KLEINMOND (including Hangklip, Betty’s Bay, Pringle Bay, and Rooiels)This popular holiday destination draws its name (meaning Small Mouth) from its location on aminor mouth of the Bot River. Kleinmond has safe swimming conditions and canoers frequentthe lagoon. The entire Kleinmond area, including Hangklip, Rooiels, Pringle Bay and Betty’sBay is recognised for its significance as a biosphere of extreme natural and botanicalsignificance. The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve was proclaimed in 1998.By the late eighteenth century Hangklip had gained the reputation of being a hideout fordeserters and outlaws. They frequently stole livestock from the local farmers but, when theythen turned to murder and kidnapping, the authorities tracked them to their hideouts andkilled many of them. Today, Hangklip’s rustic atmosphere is enjoyed by anglers, divers andthose who need peace and quiet.The three small lakes at Betty’s Bay offer good swimming, canoeing and board-sailingconditions.Rooiels is named after the rooiels (red alder) trees that grow along the banks of the river.The small pretty bay is set amidst a coastline of jagged rocks and cliffs. The coastal fynbosreaches almost to the sea.Beautiful Pringle Bay, at the mouth of the Buffelsrivier, has one of the safest swimmingbeaches along this part of the coast. Canoes can travel up the river, deeper inland.145