Western Cape Article - South African Vacations

HISTORY AND ARCHITECTUREOns Huisie (“Our Little House”) Restaurant: Eat lunch in the simple elegance of a restoredfisherman’s cottage whose historical architecture is characteristic of this area.MAMREThis small village grew around a Moravian Mission Station that was established in 1808 at theinvitation of the then Governor of the Cape, Lord Caledon. Originally known as Groenekloof(“Green Valley”), the town was named Mamre in 1854. The name means “an altar to theLord”. Mamre lies 6 km north of Atlantis on Road R307.CUISINEMamreweg/Darling Wine Cellar: Despite its religious past, wine has for long been part of thearea’s history and economy and the cellar has the best of the region’s popular wines in stock.FAUNA AND FLORANature Garden: The beautiful Nature Garden is open seven days a week and the indigenousfynbos vegetation can be explored via several footpaths. The famous West Coast wild flowersalso grow here in season. The Garden lies off Road R307, close to the village.HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURELong House: The building was once used as barracks for the soldiers serving the Dutch EastIndia Company.Mamre Mission Station: The station has been restored and many buildings in the surroundingarea have also been carefully renovated and have retained much of its original atmosphere.Old Mamre Moravian Church: The fifth oldest church in South Africa was built in 1808 and,together with the cookhouse, shop and Mamre school (a national monument), takes us backto the time of the missionaries.Reed Houses: The Mamre area is particularly rich in colonial history and the old“hartbeeshuisies” (reed houses) that have survived the ravages of time are only some of themany buildings that are worth visiting.Watermill: The mill was built in September 1844 and has been renovated. At present ithouses a restaurant.MELKBOSSTRANDMelkbosstrand (Milkwood Beach) lies to the north of Bloubergstrand and was named after themany milkwood trees that grow north of the town.ADVENTURE AND SPORTBeaches: The sandy beaches are ideally suited for swimming, skin-diving and fishing. Thearea also offers breathtaking views and has several picnic areas.Fishing for rock lobsters: Rock lobsters can be caught on the northern side of the villageduring the season, although the lobsters on the south side are protected. Permits can beobtained from the Magistrate’s Office or from offices of the Receiver of Revenue.66