Western Cape Article - South African Vacations

BLAAUWBERGBlaauwberg Tourism Bureau, 1 Marine Drive, Table View, 7441.PO Box 11317, Blaauwbergstrand, 7443.Table View 7441Tel: +27 (0) 21 557 8600 / 556 4399Fax: +27 (0) 21 556 4300E-mail: blaauwberg@absamail.co.zaWeb: www.blaauwberg.net/tourisminfoBlaauwberg, Dutch for “Blue Mountain”, is a truly lovely area and stretches from Mamre in thenorth to Milnerton in the south. It offers magnificent views of Table Mountain from acrossTable Bay, of Robben Island to the west and of golden wheat fields to the east. Apart from theviews, sun-worshippers and surfers also flock to its pristine white beaches to attain a naturalgolden hue and enjoy the refreshing surf.However, the area is not onlyscenic, it has also been at thecentre of some importanthistorical events. The famousBattle of Blaauwberg wasfought after the second BritishOccupation of the Cape in1806. Many ships also foughtand lost their last battleagainst the forces of naturealong the Blaauwberg coast.The wreck of the Reyfersdal lies off Silwerboomstrand and the SS Hermes was wrecked offMilnerton Beach in 1901 and lies just north of the lighthouse. The wreck of the NieuwHaarlem lies near the Milnerton Lighthouse and that of the Winton near Milnerton.But the area is not only a ships’ graveyard, the living are also very much a part of its ecology.There are several third generation “trek fishermen” who still operate along this coastline andtheir unique lifestyle is often of interest to visitors.ADVENTURE AND SPORTBeaches: Blaauwberg has a number of superb beaches, namely Dolphin Beach,Silwerstroomstrand, Sunset Beach and Table View. These beaches are ideal for swimming,sunbathing and surfing.Golf: Blaauwberg offers first-rate golf courses as well as facilities for many different kinds ofsport.Killarney Racetrack: This is one of the oldest motor sport complexes in South Africa andhosts many motor-racing events during the year.64