The Beauty of Africa Surrounds Me

I returned to my homeland of South Africa in mid-March to visit my parents. Unfortunately, my father passed away a few weeks later and my travel plans changed.

I’ve struggled being back in the country as I contemplate a longer stay, mainly because I haven’t lived here for twenty-one years and have assimilated into another culture. South Africa is a beautiful country regardless of my personal difficulties with the culture.

Gordon’s Bay

Currently, I’m living in a little West Coast village nestled in the cradle of the Hottentots Holland Mountain Range and bordered by the towns of Strand and Somerset West.

It is a gorgeous spot with an exquisite coastline stretching along False Bay.

I have spent many hours walking stretches of the fine-sand beaches of Gordon’s Bay and Strand, contemplating my future and what I need to do to achieve it.

If you love to see the sun set over the ocean, make your way to the west coast of any country bordered by one. Luckily, that is exactly where I am right now and every sunset I’ve seen over False Bay has not disappointed. The sun dipping into the ocean on the West Coast of Southern Africa takes your breath away.

Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Somerset West

If good wine is your jam, South Africa should be on your bucket list. The country is world-renowned for its wines and rightfully so. The Western Cape region, where most of the vineyards are located, is perfect for growing and cultivating some of the world’s most beautiful wines.

Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Somerset West are three areas loaded to the hilt with excellent and well-known wineries.

They also happen to be right on my doorstep.

Old Cape Dutch architecture features prominently in many of the buildings scattered around the region and has always been a favourite of mine.

The tree-lined streets of downtown Stellenbosch make for beautiful autumn drives and I will wander through the Stellenbosch University campus on one of my future visits.

Table Mountain

Perhaps the most famous view in South Africa is that of Table Mountain, an incredible natural wonder that has watched over Cape Town for centuries.

Taking the cable car up the mountain, or walking it if you feel so inclined, you’ll find a rich ecosystem of fynbos (fine bush), a natural vegetation located in the Western and Eastern Cape areas.

Of the world’s six floral kingdoms, [fynbos] is the smallest and richest per unit of area.  — Wikipedia

Looking down on Cape Town and out into the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, you may gain new perspectives on life as you ponder natural beauty as far as the eye can see.

Ou Kaapse Weg & Boulders Beach

Ou Kaapse Weg (Old Cape Road) is one of the most beautiful drives you can take in the greater Cape Town Metropolitan area.

As you wind along the coastal road hovering above Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek, there isn’t a bad view to be had. Whether looking down on the Simon’s Town Naval Base or over the Silver Mine Nature Reserve, it’s all exquisite and can’t be beaten on a clear sunny day.

A quick continuation down the Glencairn Expressway and through Simon’s Town brings you to Boulders Beach where wandering down a series of wooden bridges allows you to say hello to the African penguins.

As they waddle along the beach and up the sand dunes, the crystal clear water beckons as the waves break against the large boulders.

Cape Point

If you prefer to drive to the “end of the earth,” jump into the car and head down to Cape Point at the Cape of Good Hope.

Whilst not quite the southern tip of the African continent, that honour is reserved for Cape Aghullus, walking up to the lighthouse does offer an incredibly vast view of False Bay to your left and the Southern Atlantic Ocean to your right.

Harold Porter Reserve

Let’s return to the incredibly rich ecosystem of the Cape Fynbos and visit Harold Porter Reserve along the R44 between Betty’s Bay and Kleinmond.

Many of you probably know of or have tried rooibos tea — marketed in other parts of the world as Red Bush tea. The colour of the rooibos bleeds into the waterways of the beautiful botanical park and the effect is something to behold.

African Fauna

Although South Africa is known for its incredible and unique animal kingdom, I have not yet visited one of the game reserves (safari parks) since my arrival in March. That treat is reserved for spring as we are firmly in the grips of an early winter here in the southern hemisphere.

No fear, however, when in Africa, you can’t go too far without seeing some signs of wildlife.

I have already mentioned the penguins I was privileged to hang out with. I was also lucky to catch a little sunbird gorging itself on the nectar from a King Protea on top of Table Mountain — quite a ways to fly for a meal if you ask me.

Walking along the many trails available, it is common to come across dassies scrambling out of the fynbos to snack on the fresh grass growing through the slats of wooden paths or stones.

Despite being as small as a groundhog, the dassie is considered to be the closest living relative of the African elephant!

Baboons are a dime a dozen here in the Western Cape, and although I have not been ready or quick enough to snap a photo of one, there are none more notorious than Basil, a large baboon who wanders into the houses here up against the Hottentots Holland mountains and takes whatever food he finds available.

I will endeavour to get his mugshot before I leave the continent.

Despite my struggles in my homeland, there is no doubt that beauty surrounds me at any given moment.

Looking at the view down into the village and out over False Bay towards the backside of Table Mountain from the balcony of my mother’s home, I know there’s a possibility of a rainbow at the end of every adventure.

Please feel free to buy me a coffee if you like what you read.