We are in the scenic bay of Mossel Bay, which for centuries was home to the Khoi-Khoi

"Strandlopers" were known to the earliest of seafarers and we are now learning of them! And we are having so much fun exploring this beautiful part of the country.

Our timing was not good to enter Knysna. The tide was going out and the swells were too heavy to enter the lagoon. The harbourmaster, on Channel 16, was very friendly but advised us not to enter the Heads. We sailed on to Mossel Bay and entered the port just as the sun was starting to set - wrong timing again. The sun sets directly in one's eyes, but fortunately the port is not very big nor difficult to find one's moorings. At last we were safely tied up, just in time for a sundowner.

A French traveller of the 1780's wrote: "The flowers that grow there in millions, the mixture of pleasant scents which arise from them, the pure and fresh air one breathes there, all make one stop and think Nature has made an enchanted abode of this beautiful place". Frans le Vaillant's words more than two centuries ago of this area and more descriptive than that I cannot get in 2002.

The attractions that this scenic part of the country offers, are many, various and interesting. The countryside is green and pleasant, the climate is outstanding - plenty of sunshine, the water of the ocean is clear and warm and invites the bather, surfer, sailor and deep-sea fisherman. Marine life is prolific and the ocean is coloured in hues of blue. All this is framed by the high and majestic Outeniqwa mountains.

Tourism is very well organised in this part of the world and Tourist Information Centres are in all the towns. The staff are multilingual, friendly and brochures are freely available for all the attractions, sights and must do's. Timing is of the utmost importance when sailing this part of the world, and I am now not talking about the weather and wind. You have to put enough time aside to explore this part of South Africa, there is much to do and every town offers it's own attractions and highlights. The Mossel Bay Yacht Club is central and within walking distance to the town, but to explore the area, a car is a must.

We visited Knysna, an hour's drive (110km) from Mossel Bay. Knysna is famed for the lagoon, forest and coastal countryside. There are various markets selling ham, cheese and organic products in and around Knysna and one should stop and visit and browse and taste - the experience lives on. The lagoon is a popular area for sailing, boating, canoeing, water-skiing and fishing. It is also one of nature's treasure-houses for oysters, a variety of fish, birds, crabs, prawns and for the rare sea-horse (Hippocampus capensis). The Knysna Yacht Club is however, close to the Knysna Waterfront Development. I found it not as child friendly, safe and private as in Mossel Bay. We felt that it was a good decision to rather stay in Mossel Bay and visit the area by car.

Plettenberg Bay is 40 km further, half an hour by car. Although it is a recommended anchoring spot in case of bad weather, it is not a spot where I would prefer to be. Although the town is picturesque with interesting shops, craft markets, etc., the anchorage is being used by fishing trawlers with boats speeding from the trawlers to the beach, laden with the catch of the day. To be used only in an emergency. There was an uncomfortable swell which rolled all the trawlers and made me very glad that I was watching it from this side of the beach!

We decided to explore the town of George on another day. The "Outeniqwa Choo-Tjoe" is a narrow-gauge steam train (Class 24) which takes one on a memorable day-trip through the mountains and the kids wanted to have a picnic on the train. But that was an adventure for another day.

The Mossel Bay Yacht Club is in a beautiful setting. The clubhouse overlooks the bay and it became a favourite pastime to watch the sun set, hear the children playing on the lawns and watch the sea-lions and dolphins frolicking in the water, metres away in the sea.. There are excellent braai (BBQ) facilities, a bar/restaurant and neat and clean shower facilities. One can also anchor out in the bay, right in front of Santos Beach.

This is a perfect way to give our landlubber relatives a taste of our cruising lifestyle....

Sound wonderful? It is, and that is why I am still in Mossel Bay, although we are planning to move on in a couple of days. We have to catch up on the schooling and also want to visit Oudtshoorn, the ostrich farms and the Kango Caves. More about that in our next update.

Yachts met: Clara , Sail Rover, Island Khaya, Dawn, Aligot, Corsair.

Recommended reading: Peter Joyce's - Traveller's Guide to SOUTH AFRICA.