Hermanus Whale Festival comes of Age!
The Whale Festival in Hermanus will be celebrating its 21st birthday later this year! Visitors will be arriving from all parts of the world to enjoy the festivities towards the end of September. More information can be found on www.whalefestival.co.za. Those who are lucky enough to be in Hermanus will have wonderful opportunities to amble along the cliff paths and sight the spectacular Southern Right Whales as cows give birth to their calves and others mate in our Walkerbay Whale Sanctuary.
The Hermanus Whale Crier, the only one in the world, will alert us by blowing on his kelp horn using morse code for the different sightings and whereabouts of the whales. You will find him along the cliff paths or on the seafront wearing his distictive hat and sandwich board which has the code for his "kelp cries".
The festival is usually at the end of September each year, but there is talk of moving it to the months of June or July when the whales can be welcomed in style! Accommodation will be more freely available at that time, which is our lovely green season. The air is clean and crisp and the cooler days refresh ones spirit. The fynbos will also be in full bloom and the Fernkloof Fynbos Wild Flower Show will be an added attraction.
For more information the Hermanus Tourism Bureau can be contacted on 0283122629 or you can visit our website www.eastburycottage.co.za and our manager Storm will assist you with enquiries.
Day trips from Hermanus
Day trips from Hermanus
As a visitor to Hermanus, and a guest at Eastbury Cottage Self-Catering and B&B, you might have just missed the whale watching season which happens from July to the end of November each year and the annual Whale Festival! Don’t be disappointed, there are more than 300 things to do in Hermanus and its natural surroundings that will entertain and interest you and your family. You’ll find that you will want to extend your stay in this, our beautiful Riviera of the South. In the following blogs, we will outline a number of day trips from Hermanus to the Overberg and Cape Whale Coast of the Western Cape that will keep you coming back for more!
Day trip 1: to Bredasdorp, South Africa’s first town, via Stanford and Napier
(Hermanus to Bredasdorp is about an hour’s drive – 200kms in total there and back)
Drive east heading out of Hermanus along the R43 (main road) in the direction of Stanford, along the foot of the majestic Maanskyn mountain range to your left and the bird rich Kleinrivier Lagoon on your right. Continue past fynbos flower farms, vineyards, mountain springs and waterfalls until you reach the turnoff to Stanford (28kms). Turn right into this charming village situated on the Klein River, famous for its boating and canoeing, fynbos flower cutting, abundant bird watching, quaint restaurants and many resident artists. Enjoy a farm fresh meal at the local farm stall and then wend your way back to the entrance to Stanford and continue along the R326 towards the N2, not forgetting to stop at the Birkenhead Brewery and Kleinrivier Cheese factory a few kms out of Stanford.
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of wheat farm lands and vineyards along the way until you reach the cross road. Turn right onto the R316 to Bredasdorp via Napier.
Napier is famous for its annual Potato Festival each year and is surrounded by a sheep and wheat farming community. Well known for its warm hospitality, stop for a rich cup of “Boere” coffee and a home baked cake or scone at one of their coffee shops and eateries that line the main road.
Bredasdorp, with its busy railway terminus for the area’s wool and wheat farming, is just a few minutes further along the road. Here you will find a wonderful Ship Wreck Museum to sail you into the past as you observe the many salvaged artefacts. The Kapula Candle factory is a “must see”. Make sure you give yourself enough time to wander through the showroom of the factory with its amazing hand painted and scented candles. Make sure you have enough space in your luggage to take home these delightful souvenirs. Visit the Heuningberg Nature reserve and Garden and the old milkwood tree at Renosterfontein.
If you have spare time, do drive a further 23kms on the R316 Arniston, a small fisherman’s village so named after a British ship which was wrecked here in 1815. Visit the national monument, Kassiesbaai, which historically, is home to Arniston's fishing community. The South African name for Arniston is now popularly known as Waenhuiskrans due to the close proximity of a huge cavern in the cliffs. It is said that an ox wagon and its oxen could be turned full circle in this cave, hence the directly translated name “wagon house cliff”. I’ll chat more about this picturesque village in our day trip to L’Agulhas via Elim.
The road most travelled to Hermanus and sights along the way
Leaving Cape Town or Cape Town International Airport you will head for the N2 highway which takes you in an easterly direction towards the beautiful Helderberg range of mountains where you will be driving on the famous Sir Lowry's Pass as you rise onto the Overberg Plateau. En route, you will first pass the Engen petrol filling station on your left, then the Somerset Mall on your right after which you will drive through the outskirts of the growing town of Somerset West which lies to your left with the more industrial area of Strand on your right hand side. As you approach Sir Lowry's Pass you will notice the turnoff to the right R44 (Gordon's Bay) being "The "road less travelled to Hermanus..."; see my previous blog on www.eastburycottage.co.za. Stay on the N2 as we follow the road over Sir Lowry's Pass. On the mountain slope to the right you will notice the letters "GB" spelled out with white painted stones above Gordon's Bay. Most people think this is depicting Gordon's Bay, but erroneously so! It actually stands for General Botha which was the Naval training college that was based in Gordon's Bay for many years and which is now situated adjacent to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town.
Sir Lowry's Pass is beautiful as you rise steeply and arrive at the top where you are able to pull off to the right at a look out point and gaze down on the magnificent view of the Cape Peninsula with the azure sea of False Bay sweeping around the coast line of white sandy beaches and Table Mountain in the distance as it stands majestically overlooking Table Bay and Cape Town Harbour. You might just be joined by a few of the mountain baboons who are ever inquisitive of what they might find as "left overs" in the rubbish bins. Be sure not to encourage the feeding of these animals. It will lead to their demise as they become tame and thus a safety threat to humans visiting their territory!
Welcome to the Overberg as you pass the very pretty area of the Steenbrass Dam on your right while continuing on the N2 (you will need a permit to picnic at the dam). The rocky outskirts of Grabouw and the famous Elgin apple growing and farming area flank the N2 as you drive along with forests of pine trees in the distance. The 2nd turnoff to Grabouw will take you to the Orchard Farm Stall (visible from the N2 on your left). Here you may stock up with fresh farm produce or indulge in cake and coffee to break your journey. If you miss this farm stall do not worry! There are more to come. As you approach the 3rd turnoff to Grabouw you will notice the Peregrine Farm Stall on your right. Many tasty treats await you! Further along you will notice the apple and fruit orchards of this abundant and beautiful fruit growing area. You will pass the Paul CluverWine Estate. Be sure to find out what theatrical shows will be presented at their open air amphitheatre during the summer months...just 30 minutes drive from Hermanus. Soon you will notice another farm stall and nursery on your left. I believe their lunches are superb! Further along as you approach the Houw Hoek Pass you will notice the very quaint Houw Hoek Inn on your left and the Houw Hoek farm stall on your right. Take a few minutes to visit this oldest hotel in the Cape. It has such charm and character and many a wedding reception is held on the lawns of this historical building. Feeling thirsty? Be sure to pop into the Houw Hoek Farm Stall just over the road for tea and muffins!
The Houw Hoek Pass lies before you and as you proceed you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the beautiful Overberg farm lands and mountain ranges in the distance and the small village of Bot Rivier at the foot of the mountain. These "patchwork" lands are seasonally changing in colours from luscious greens in Winter, to bright yellows, blues and purples in the Spring, to golden wheat in the Autumn and then terracotta browns in the dry Summer months. Be sure to look out for our National bird, the Blue Crane as it nests and lays its eggs on these open plains. As you come through the last, very sharp bend of the pass take the R43 turnoff to the left to Hermanus. Should you miss this turnoff from the N2, not to worry as there is another a few kilometers further along. The area known as Greater Hermanus now lies only a matter of minutes away as you pass another farm stall, pottery shop, petrol station and then the smouldering brick works on your right. Continue on the R43 and soon you will pass the turnoff to Kleinmond R44 (The road less travelled...) and the Bot River Lagoon as it balloons out to the sea on Sandown Bay and the 5 star Arabella Sheraton Hotel, Spa and Golf Estate overlooks the lagoon. Notice the beautiful mountain scenery across the bay as you enter the Greater Hermanus and pass Fisherhaven and Hawston communities on your right. Soon you will reach the thriving areas of Vermont, Onrust, Hemel en Aarde Valley and Sandbaai which are situated on the outskirts of the beautiful village of Hermanus, previously known as Hermanus Pietersfontein. Hermanus lies between the Raed na Gael mountains and the famous cliffs of Walker Bay, best know for its best land based whale watching in the world. Yes, during the first two weeks of December we say our last good byes to these wonderful creatures of the deep, our Southern Right Whales, whose presence boosts Hermanus Tourism greatly from May to December. BUT, as regular visitors to Hermanus and Eastbury Cottage Self Catering and B&B will tell you, Hermanus is not only about whales...there is much, much more to see and do! Welcome!
The road less travelled to Hermanus and wines!
November is promising to be a bumper month in Hermanus with regards to visitors. Bookings are looking very good at Eastbury Cottage, especially in self-catering www.eastburycottage.co.za .
The Southern Right whales are presently very active in Walker Bay and guests at Eastbury Cottage are being rewarded with wonderful sightings. The weather is warmer and the fynbos and proteas are in full bloom.
The drive to Hermanus from Cape Town via the Cape Whale Coast Route R44 which takes you past Gordons Bay, Rooi Els, Pringle Bay, Hangklip, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond is well worth the few extra minutes along this very scenic route. The lovely fynbos flora is in bloom, the magnificent views of the turquoise oceans of False Bay and Sandown Bay on the one side and the magestic mountain ranges towering heaven wards on the land side of the road are breathtaking. Enjoy and soak up the beauty...and if you think this is wonderful...wait until you get to Hermanus! It really is a "paradise on earth" as described by our aptly named "Hemel en Aarde Valley". This valley, which is divided from the town of Hermanus by the Raed-na-Gael mountain range, boasts world class wines from the most southerly vineyards in South Africa like Hamilton Russell, Bouchard Finalyson, Southern Right, Newton Johnson, Creation, Sumaridge, Whale Haven, Hermanus Pietersfontein, to mention a few. Take a day (or two) to taste the wines along this valley route and enjoy the restaurants like Heaven, La Vierge, Seasons, Eat, B's Steak House, The Classroom, Moggs Country Cookhouse and Sumaridge. Should you be in a hurry, be sure to visit Paul du Toit for his advice, as owner of The Wine Village, as you enter or leave Hermanus to stock up on excellent local wines. Here you may choose from one of the largest selections of wines from the whole Western Cape Wine Region! Indulge yourself!
Blogging, social networking and Whales in Hermanus!
Some time back I was encouraged to get “up to date” with social networking as an advertising medium and a way of having contact with visitors to Hermanus. I eagerly attended a workshop hosted by Chris von Ulmenstein in Hermanus. Chris is a blogger of note having being nominated as a finalist for the South African Blogging awards in the controversial section. Please excuse me if the jargon is incorrect, I am still learning! Being able to access the internet from my cell phone was a major achievement and now all this wonderful information about Facebook, Twitter and writing a Blog was placed before me. Where should I start? It all seemed like a fuzzy cloud to me. Joining Facebook seemed to be the first step as I had joined it previously in my private capacity in early 2009. I had been amazed by all the school friends from the 70’s who contacted me, as well as family members and guests who have stayed at our guest house, Eastbury Cottage www.eastburycottage.co.za and who have since become friends. They all came flooding onto my “page”. It was wonderful making contact with friends and family I haven’t seen for thirty-plus years. I immediately started uploading photos from our family gatherings and our first 4x4 trip to Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Photos are usually filed away in albums or cut into discs and stored in the drawer of the desk…but hey, here I could just log onto the internet and view my pics as well as those of all my contacts at my leisure…as well as find out instantly what was happening in their lives.
So Facebook it was as my first step in social networking. I managed to form a group for Eastbury Cottage Self-catering and B&B only to be told later by my webmaster that I should rather have a “page” for various reasons, hence Eastbury Cottage Guest House – Hermanus was formed. Well, I am still busy compiling the text and photographs for this “page” which will hopefully be completed soon.
Writing a Blog was the next step. De Wet of www.effectivehosting.co.za set up and designed the page so that it was in keeping with Eastbury Cottage’s web site. He sent me a list of instructions and away I went, writing my first blog “Well done DMO”.
This has been my second attempt at a blogging, so please bear with me as I attempt to report interesting snippets of news and information about Hermanus and happenings at Eastbury Cottage Self-catering and B&B as well as our 4x4 trips in South Africa and our neighbouring African Countries.
Registering on Twitter will be the next step-up on the social networking ladder for me…watch this space!
Oh, by the way my partner, Graham and I had lunch at Fusion Cafe on the sea front above the Old Harbour yesterday. The food was great, the Southern Right whales were breaching in Walker Bay, the Hermanus Whale Crier was blowing his kelp horn and the National Sea Rescue Institute had a band playing local music for funds. It was a wonderful day in "paradise." Guests report spotting 27 whales on Saturday!
Well done DMO (Whale Coast Marketing) -
At the recent Getaway Show, The Best Destination Award 2010, was won by the Cape Whale Coast Marketing (DMO). Well done to all those who participated and manned the stall at the Getaway Show in Johannesburg. This is a wonderful platform from which to showcase our beautiful Whale Coast to the local tourism market in South Africa. The 2010 Getaway Show took place from 10-12 September at the Coca-Cola Dome. According to the organisers the show was sold out a week before opening and a record number of visitors crossed the threshold.
The Chairman of Whale Coast Marketing, Clinton Lerm, presented a very good slide show to members of Hermanus Tourism Bureau at their AGM on the 21st September where he highlighted their recent visits to the ITB in Berlin and their visit to the destination trade show in Russia. The Whale Crier was a huge success and visitors were encouraged to try and copy his famous "Cry" by blowing the kelp horn. The Whale Crier of Hermanus has used this sound (much like the sound of the 2010 Soccer World Cup vuvuzela) from the early 1990's to alert the whale watchers on the famous cliff paths of Hermanus to the whereabouts of the whales in Walker Bay.
With the Whale Season reaching its peak during October and November, Eastbury Cottage Self-catering and B&B is experiencing a wonderful increase in bookings. This is a lovely time of the year to visit Hermanus with its fynbos in full bloom. Bunches of proteas for sale can be seen adorning the entrances of florists and local super markets.