With a “pulsating 26-3 victory, the Springboks shattered Japan’s dream to reach the Rugby World Cup semi-finals, setting up a blockbuster clash with Wales next weekend“! Defeating Japan gives the Springboks a chance to play the final World Cup game against New Zealand or England and win the championship. I watched the exciting game with…
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South Africa is facing critical social and environmental challenges. Corruption, unemployment, a sluggish economy, violent crime, immigration, street gang violence, and land expropriation top the list. High priorities include education, energy, and government effectiveness. Surprise load-shedding yesterday got everyone’s attention and emphasized South Africa’s energy crisis! Why Load-Shedding and Rolling Blackouts? I’ve experienced load-shedding in…
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It was a festive week in Hermanus. Enthusiastic Heritage Day celebrations continued into the weekend and annual Whale and Wine and Food Festivals. September is peak whale season, when visitors and locals watch the glorious creatures carousing in Walker Bay. Wine and Food Festival I spent Saturday hanging out with locals at festivals and enjoying…
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De Kelders is a nearby fishing village in Walker Bay Nature Reserve. It’s a choice location for whale watching and too gorgeous for words! I visited De Kelders in the past but returned to spend more time exploring. The seaside village escaped the chaos of tourism and remains a quiet, peaceful place known for its…
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Hermanus Art Walk First Fridays Artwalk was a fun and lively evening! Hermanus weather has been warm and fantastic, forcing people out and about. The galleries were packed, and the crowd was mostly local. It’s late winter and peak whale watching season, but a series of protests at Zwelihle Township have deterred some would-be tourists.It…
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Stony Point Nature Reserve, formerly an infamous whaling station, is home to African penguins, Egyptian geese, seabirds, dassies, and shipwrecks. A rocky outcrop along the Atlantic Whale Coast, Stony Point is situated below the Kogelberg Mountains. It’s no secret that I think South Africa’s nature reserves are special, but Stony Point has a unique aura…
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I began volunteering at the Hermanus Animal Welfare Society (HAWS). HAWS “cares for lost, sick, abandoned, and abused cats and dogs”. I’m spending time with both dogs and cats. The dogs are so happy to get out of their kennels into fresh air and sunshine, walking them is especially satisfying! It’s good exercise when the…
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Elgin Valley is part of the Cape Overberg and Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. Undoubtedly, Kogelberg is one of the most beautiful reserves I’ve experienced! The reserve is surrounded by three magnificent mountain ranges that form a cool plateau around the valley – Hottentot Hollands, Kogelberg, and Groenberg. A few weeks ago, I went ziplining in Grabouw…
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A special joy of South Africa is its beautiful coastline. Experiencing it from a kayak is the best, but winter sea swells are often prohibitive. For a week Walker Bay was unsafe for kayakers. This morning the weather was clear, crisp, and calm with minimal swell, so I joined a sea kayaking adventure. Our group…
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Humpbacks, Bryde’s, Southern Rights Humpback, Bryde’s, and Southern Right whales – we saw them all during a whale watching trip yesterday! It’s early season on the Whale Coast, so I was hopeful but not overly optimistic. Heavy sea swells caused cancellation of previous Southern Right charters, but this time we hit the jackpot and delighted…
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For years I’ve wanted to experience ziplining. Saturday was the day! The adventure didn’t disappoint and was rich with adrenaline rushes, beautiful landscapes, and good company. I discovered Cape Canopy Tours with the help of a local adventure activity company – Walker Bay Adventures. After four attempts at joining a Cape Town kayak group and…
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