Hermanus – suemtravels

First Fridays Artwalk Hermanus South Africa

By: suemtravels September 7, 2019September 11, 2019

Africa, Hermanus, South AfricaABALONE GALLERY, ART THIRST, BELLINI GALLERY, BELLINI GALLERY & CAPPUCCINO-BAR, Blue Buck Bar, CANVAS OF LIFE GALLERY, Cecil Skotnes, Christine Henderson, Erna Dry, First Fridays, First Fridays Artwalk, FORTY X 40 GALLERY, GALLERY 19, GALLERY CHARMAINE DE JONGH GELDERBLOM, Harbour Road Hermanus, Hermanus, HERMANUS ART CIRCLE, Jeandre Marinier, Jenny Jackson, Judith Mason, KUNSKANTOOR, LEMBU GALLERY, Leon Muller, Liz Coates, Lize Van Der Walt, Lynette ten Krooden, MALCOLM BOWLING ART, ORIGINALS ART GALLERY, Phillip Badenhorst, Pure South, Raymond Andrews, Reinet de Jager, ROSSOUW MODERN, ROSSOUW MODERN SPACE, Susanna Swart, THE ART GALLERY HERMANUS, Walker Bay, WALKER BAY MODERN ART GALLERY, Zwelihle TownshipLeave a Comment

First Fridays Artwalk was a fun and lively evening! Hermanus weather has been glorious, forcing people out and about. The galleries were packed, and the crowd was overwhelmingly local. It’s late winter, and we’re in the throes of whale watching season, but a series of protests at Zwelihle Township have deterred would-be tourists.It was great…

Sea Kayaking Walker Bay South Africa

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 about a week Walker Bay was unsafe for kayakers. This morning it was clear, crisp, and calm with minimal swell, so I joined a sea kayaking adventure. Our group…

Cape Town 2019

It’s fantastic being back in Cape Town! A location that stole my heart during the first visit in 1987. The beautiful coastal city is surrounded by incomparable Table Mountain. I arrived on May 2nd after a series of flights beginning in Catania Sicily and passing through Rome and Addis Ababa Ethiopia – including two plane…

Fernkloof Nature Reserve Hermanus South Africa

Fernkloof Reserve is one of nature’s bright gems, and it’s a short 15-minute drive away! I’ve hiked the waterfall trail and am learning other routes. Fernkloof trails are gentler than Table Mountain with spectacular views of Walker Bay, Hemel en Aarde Valley, and Maanskynbaai (Moonshine Bay)! Fernkloof has four “routes” – green, red, blue, and…

Sandbaai Adventure Western Cape

What began as a meander along the Atlantic Ocean, turned into an educational mini adventure. Having been in Hermanus for nearly two months, I’m feeling comfortable and relaxed and becoming slightly complacent. I don’t always plan the day, and on a spur of the moment whim, decided to hike the Cliff Path but extend it…

Hoy’s Koppie Hermanus

By: suemtravels August 28, 2017June 3, 2018

Africa, Hermanus, South AfricaCape Nature, Danie Woensdregt, Fernkloof Mountains, Fynbos, Hermanus, Hoy’s Koppie, Koppie, Lady Gertrude Hoy, Marine Hotel Hermanus, Middle Stone Age, Sir William Hoy, Walker Bay1 Comment

Hoy’s Koppie is a historical contour hiking path with panoramic views of Hermanus, the Fernkloof Mountains, and Walker Bay. It sticks up like a big bump near the main part of the Hermanus business district. The rock outcroppings are stunning and “because of the koppie’s orientation”, different varieties of fynbos grow on either side. Klip…

Cape Overberg Nature Reserves South Africa

The entire Overberg is an exquisite nature reserve and floral kingdom with richer fynbos than any other area in the Cape. I arrived in July – the heart of winter – but the weather was dry and warm. During August, we’re still waiting for winter and have only had a few significant storms. The reservoirs aren’t…

Kleinmond Western Cape South Africa

Coastal weather in the Western Cape has been wild the past few days. Yesterday it was 90-degree beach weather, but today it’s back to a normal winter temperature in the 60s with dramatic skies and intense wind. A storm is brewing! Western Cape Biosphere There are many nature reserves and coastal areas to explore in…

Hermanus Western Cape South Africa

I haven’t posted on my blog since settling earlier this month in Onrusrivier – a few minutes’ drive from better known Hermanus. Onrus is a beautiful seaside town and whale-watching destination In the Cape Overberg overlooking Walker Bay. It’s surrounded by Voëlklip Beach and Grotto Beach. _____________ During peak whale watching season – August to mid-December – Southern…

Onrus Beach South Africa’s Whale Coast

By: suemtravels July 7, 2017June 17, 2019

South AfricaCape Whale Coast, Gansbaai, Hermanus, Kleinmond, Milkwood Bistro, Onrus Beach, Quoin Point, Rooiels, South Africa Western Cape, Stanford, Whale Watching4 Comments

There’s nothing better than a South African beach – except maybe the surrounding mountains! I spent some time at Onrus Beach yesterday and fell in love with the sky, surf, dogs, shorebirds, surfers, and children playing in the sand – a gorgeous place! This time of year you need a pair of binoculars to help…

Table Mountain Hike Devil’s Peak

By: suemtravels July 2, 2017July 8, 2017

Lion's HeadContour Path, Devil's Peak, Hermanus, Table Mountain4 Comments

Yesterday was wonderful hiking Table Mountain for the first time since returning to Cape Town – a euphoric day! I was feeling tired from recent travels, but my friend Jenny encouraged me to join the hiking group – so glad I did! It was perfect hiking weather and an easy-going group. We missed substantial rain…