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Coastal escape<br />
Plett ... still (and always will be) the perfect<br />
destination for a mid-year coastal break<br />
With its plush boutiques and<br />
smart complexes, Plettenberg Bay<br />
is hardly a sleepy seaside village<br />
getaway. But, in spite of the dramatic<br />
development that has taken place<br />
in recent decades, the town remains<br />
a shrine to nature’s bounty. And<br />
there’s nowhere better to enjoy the<br />
view than at the Sky Villa Boutique<br />
Hotel, part of the Cape Summer Villas<br />
Collection.<br />
‘Plettenberg Bay always has<br />
the most wonderful sunrises,’ my<br />
mother tells me, reminding me of<br />
how we used to sit, hands wrapped<br />
round steaming mugs of coffee,<br />
watching a small red ball slowly<br />
climbing the horizon. That was back<br />
in the nineties, when Plett was our<br />
family holiday spot. And, although<br />
much has changed since then, the<br />
grandeur of the sunrise certainly<br />
hasn’t. That’s what I’m thinking as I<br />
watch that same red ball from my<br />
balcony, its rays refracted in a golden<br />
splash on the surface of the lagoon.<br />
Just beyond this gilded spectacle,<br />
the beach beckons…<br />
It’s no wonder that Plett’s<br />
legendary scenery draws legions<br />
of holidaymakers, local and<br />
international alike. But the same<br />
craggy beauty which makes it a<br />
joy for the eyes also makes for<br />
outstanding exploring. While it’s<br />
tempting to sit and take in that<br />
balcony view, I know there are even<br />
greater splendours beyond the hotel.<br />
There’s the famed Robberg hike,<br />
for instance – a favourite way for<br />
locals to spend the weekend. The<br />
walk takes you from rocky dunes<br />
(watch out for the views of seals at<br />
play) to wave-splattered beach. Then<br />
there’s cruising down the Keurbooms<br />
River, where shadow plays on<br />
fynbos-festooned mountains and<br />
amber-coloured water laps at private<br />
beaches. If ever there was a place<br />
that called you to spread out your<br />
towel and turn off your phone, this<br />
would be it – but, then again, that<br />
would be a wasted opportunity.<br />
The smooth, calm waters also make<br />
this an ideal spot for trying out your<br />
stand-up paddling skills. But if that<br />
idea doesn’t grab you, perhaps the<br />
thought of cruising slowly down the<br />
river, bubbles in hand, will.<br />
Plett’s beaches are also a favourite<br />
party spot for whales and dolphins.<br />
We played tag with them out on the<br />
ocean, and although the dolphins<br />
proved somewhat shy and elusive,<br />
nothing could beat the exhilarating<br />
sensation of streaming over azure<br />
blue waves.<br />
Then there are those boutiques<br />
and bakeries. Those who love<br />
browsing through interesting stores<br />
will find time flies as they meander<br />
down Plett’s high street, refuelling<br />
Text: LISA WITEPSKI<br />
46 Get It Bloemfontein <strong>July</strong> 2019 getitmagazine.co.za/bloemfontein
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