A trip on the Blue Train had been on our bucket list for a long time. We were delighted when the opportunity presented itself… and it did not disappoint!
We chose the Cape Town to Johannesburg route, the return leg home after a business trip to the Mother City. On boarding the train we were shown to our suite and introduced to our personal butler who took care of our every need during the three days on board. Whilst at first sight the suite appeared small, we came to appreciate the very clever design elements that allowed for a comfortable and luxurious cabin experience. As the train rolled out of Cape Town Station, the beautiful scenic Cape countryside was enjoyed from the stylish comfort of the Club Car with its old-world charm, as we were entertained by Brian, a long time Blue Train employee, barman and first-rate tour guide. His knowledge of the route and points of interest, as well as his enthusiasm for sharing it with us, was infectious.
The train stopped in historic Kimberly. As part of the trip we were afforded the opportunity to visit the Big Hole, the sight of the diamond rush in South Africa. We learnt about the vast and important mineral wealth of this country, as well as the intrepidness and resilience of the human spirit. A highlight of the trip was the dining experience. The ladies looked elegant and sleek in their evening wear and the men debonair, reminiscent of scenes from old world movies. The culinary feast was, well, simply to die for. We indulged in the delicious gourmet food whilst being serenaded by the dulcet tones of the saxophone.
The journey came to an end all too soon but in its place, we have a treasured memory of a unique and very special trip.
My Experience of TRAVELLING IN SOUTH AFRICA DURING COVID
After much trepidation, my husband and I decided to set off on a trip within our province of Western Cape, South Africa, which was allowed at that time under Lockdown Level 3.
After being in lockdown for so long, especially for someone who loves to travel extensively both locally and internationally, it was such a great feeling to get out and moving again, even for a fairly short road trip.
We took as many sanitizers, masks, wipes, sprays as we could pack and expected to need.
Masks are compulsory to wear in South Africa and have been since our initial lockdown in March 2020. This in itself makes you as a traveller feel secure and more at ease. TBCSA, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, produced a complete manual of protocols for hotels, guest houses etc. which need to be followed and it is highly recommendable to ensure that the property booked for guests or yourselves adhere to these and have the logo displayed.
I checked all the properties I intended to visit and even phoned them to ensure all was in order before I booked and so Connect 2 Africa will give you peace of mind in this regard for your own bookings.
Each and every property I went into (3 establishments over 3 separate nights) all took my temperature, took all details – like ID (or passport), home address, phone numbers and noted temperature reading. Sanitizers were visible everywhere (and offered to you usually by a staff member – not just for you to do yourself) on entry to each establishment, in dining rooms (in one dining room we were even given disposable gloves to lift the individually wrapped breakfast offerings), and in bedrooms etc. There were screens up in front of all reception staff in every property we visited, again reducing possible transference of any symptoms. All staff in all establishments wore masks throughout our experience at reception, in the public rooms and in dining rooms (although you can remove yours to enjoy your food or drinks).
Most of the breakfast food offerings were in individually wrapped containers – portioned for one person and all dry goods such as bread, muffins etc. were individually wrapped.
For dinner we did not experience a buffet on this trip, as all were a la carte meals and care was taken from each establishment to say they only prepared meals on request for safety reasons.
I did experience a buffet-style meal at a local hotel, before this trip, and there the chefs stood behind screens and you pointed to what you would like and they served and gave you your plate at the end, which also instills confidence.
I personally have experienced now that the South Africa hospitality industry has taken every protocol very seriously and will continue to do so, making travellers feel safe. Many hotels have rooms totally sanitized and rooms are sealed before the customer enters the room (they break the seal).
I must say, that we felt extremely safe and protected, and after checking into the first hotel, and every hotel thereafter, you relax and simply enjoy your trip, especially also as the properties are not overcrowded. Now is the perfect time to travel to unwind.
If it is hidden gems you are looking for either as a traveller yourself or for your clients, then you will be amazed how much the old harbour town of Mossel Bay really has to offer. A lot of people still have the perception of Mossel Bay being a sleepy little town, but do I have news for you!
Whilst recently visiting family in the area, I was amazed to experience something new every day and these experiences have left such an impression on me, that I just have to share and promote these.
Now an absolute must is to visit the Cape Saint Blaize Artisanal Distillery, formerly known as the Inverroche Gin School. To be honest with you I am really not much of a Gin fan and it would not be my first choice of drink on a game drive, but having taken part of this Gin Master Class I just have completely been blown away by this entire experience. It is so detailed, refined, absolutely interesting and most of all such a unique and fun experience. And to top it all off, you end up making and bottling your very own exclusive Gin to take home and to enjoy. For Gin lovers this was the cherry on top and even I am proud to present my Gin when guests visit. You will find the Cape Saint Blaize Distellery right next to one of the best seafood restaurant in town, the Gannet Restaurant and please prebook your seat for the Gin Master Class, as it has become extremely popular!
For adrenalin junkies, you can not leave MosselBay out of your itinerary, as where else would you find the longest over-ocean zipline in the world! This is the most exhilarating experience ever, zooming over the ocean and past the cliffs at almost 80 km p/h (if you feel daring to go for top speed) and yes, you can expect to get slightly wet by the crushing waves just underneath you. This is certainly one of the latest super highlights of Mossel Bay. I would recommend doing the zipline before the Gin tasting, in case you are thinking of combining these, for a number of reasons…
And to end your day off here are some personal tips for an amazing dinner experience. If you are looking for a super casual location, where you are amidst the locals, on the beach, then try the De Vette Mossel Beach Seafood Restaurant. It is very basic, has a super vibe, the food is cooked on open fires and offers extremely good value for money. And to top it off, you will get excellent delicious fresh seafood.
If you are looking for a special more elegant night out with superb gourmet South Africa Cuisine, then a true gem is the Transkaroo Restaurant. It is highly recommendable and rated by some as the best dining experience around. Please note that pre-bookings are essential, as it is very popular. They are open for lunch and dinners.
I decided to go visit Cape Agulhas and the surrounding areas, as I haven`t been to the area for about 25 years or so. So really excited I set off fully prepared with all sanitizers, masks, hand wipes, picnic hamper for en route, GPS and yes even a good old map book (as I have been taken on some perilous routes previously via the Sat Navigation).
It is an easy and interesting drive from Cape Town via Sir Lowry’s Pass, Caledon and Bredasdorp, taking about 2.5 hours. There are some lovely small towns to stop for lunch or coffee en-route. We stopped in Napier, a real farming community with a couple of interesting and good coffee shops and deli’s.
We arrived in L`Agulhas in the early afternoon, being a stunning summer`s day in Africa and checked into the Agulhas Country Lodge. It is really a luxurious accommodation at the Tip of Africa. There are 8 en-suite luxurious rooms, which offer stunning sea views. The rooms are well-appointed, but good to know is that it is a bit of a climb up to reception and to the rooms situated upstairs. Due to the stairs, the property is unfortunately not wheelchair friendly. This accommodation really offers great value for money and amazing views from every window. Due to COVID Lockdown restrictions, we were not able to try out the fine dining, but there are also some great seafood restaurants in town. Just ensure to check on their closing times, especially if lockdown rules still apply.
After breakfast the next morning we went to explore the L’Agulhas National Park and the Lighthouse (which is declared a National Monument and was the third lighthouse built in South Africa). Unfortunately, we were not able to go into the actual Lighthouse Museum as still closed due to COVID, but it is a must when there. Good paths and boardwalks take you to the point where the two oceans actually meet (the Indian and Atlantic Ocean).
We then set off for the small harbour called Struisbaai (which is only a 10 minute drive from L`Agulhas) and thoroughly enjoyed a late lunch at the Catch Cook Restaurant, which is situated right by the water (see picture on the right, this is your view). The restaurant is well spaced out and offers a great menu with very good prices and fresh seafood. Tip, ask for the special of the day. Our special was Yellow Tail which is definitely one of my favourites. The service here was excellent and all protocols were observed.
Next we carried on to the Arniston Hotel & Spa, where we also stayed over. I can definitely recommend this hotel and if you can pay a little extra, the sea-facing rooms are so worth it. We stayed in a sea-facing room and these are really stunning and large. Although the pool facing rooms do not offer views of the sea, they are just as nice and spacious. The hotel offers great dining options, such as the Main Restaurant or the Bistro, which offers a terrace, perfect for sundowners and cocktails. The staff seems very well trained and most have been with the hotel for many years which just adds to the amazing atmosphere.
This 4 star property, is very conveniently situated as there is so much nearby to explore, such as caves, beaches etc. I would even recommend a couple of night stops here. We only stayed one night and I wished we had more time here!
The next day we travelled 50km to De Hoop Nature Reserve. Important to note is that all but about 10km of this stretch is dirt roads and most are being worked on, so it will take longer to get there. But the drive is interesting and scenic, from initially flat farmland to hilly terrain. De Hoop is amazing in that it has a huge marine reserve right along the beaches where in-season whales breed and land-based watching is only allowed. The reserve itself is home to antelopes, great birdlife and flora & fauna amongst other things. This is also a paradise for active guests, as there are great hiking and walking trails. Every type of accommodation is offered here, from Rondavels (round huts) to camping, from self-catering little cottages to luxury houses. There is a good on-site restaurant, which offers light meals throughout the day and a la carte menu in the evening. It is so unique and relaxing here, I would suggest staying at least a couple of nights. We stayed in a self-catering cottage, which sleeps 4 (2 bedrooms) and it is equipped with everything you require. The staff at De Hoop are very friendly and very strictly follow all COVID Protocols.
My overall impression of my trip:
It is such a stunning area that is quite often overlooked in the rush to get along the Garden Route as is approximately 100km off the N2 and the same coming back. But if you are looking for something different, something unique and off the beaten track, then a visit to this area is so worth it and allow a few days for this area. Every property and restaurant we visited adhered strictly to COVID protocols, which made us feel safe and secure. So don`t delay and plan your trip to Cape Agulhas and surroundings!
It is an easy and interesting drive from Cape Town via Sir Lowry’s Pass, Caledon and Bredasdorp, taking about 2.5 hours. There are some lovely small towns to stop for lunch or coffee en-route. We stopped in Napier, a real farming community with a couple of interesting and good coffee shops and deli’s.
d out and offers a great menu with very good prices and fresh seafood. Tip, ask for the special of the day. Our special was Yellow Tail which is definitely one of my favourites. The service here was excellent and all protocols were observed.
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