PIN-PIN IN CAPE TOWN

MY VISIT TO ARNISTON

AN AREA FULL OF RICH HISTORY AND HIDDEN ATTRACTIONS

I have been postponing my visit to the Cape Agulhas region for a while so when South African Tourism invited me to join other Travel Writers, Bloggers, Photographers and Influencers to explore Arniston, I accepted the invitation with open arms without thinking twice even though I had a planned helicopter tour in Cape Town that same weekend. I knew this trip would be one I will forever cherish amongst many, and I could always do a helicopter tour because I live near V & A Waterfront.

This year’s Freedom Day marked 25 Years of Democracy in South Africa. So, South African Tourism organised this amazing event and hosted it in a local fishing village called Kassiesbaai, Arniston, to celebrate Freedom Day. Why Arniston? This was a way of promoting tourism in this beautiful small and unique fishing village with rich history and hidden adventures yet to be discovered.

Let me be honest, just like many, before this event, I had never heard of a place called Arniston or Kassiesbaai for that matter. I have however, heard about Cape Agulhas being the southernmost point in Africa. This has always made me wonder how many people like me thought or still think Cape Point is the southernmost point in Africa.

Arniston is a small seaside settlement on the coast of the Overberg region of South Africa, about 40km from Cape Agulhas, the title holder of southernmost point in Africa. Some refer to it as The Wreck of Arniston while others call it Waenhuiskrans, an Afrikaans name meaning literally "Wagon house cliff", named after a local popular sea cave, Waenhuiskrans Cave, large enough to accommodate a wagon and a span of oxen.

Arniston was known to many as just a small fishing village, but over the years has become a holiday destination for many travellers and paradise for nature photographers when hosting photography workshops. This village characterised by its lime-washed and thatched cottages, remains unspoiled and has been declared a national monument. Even today, you can still see Fishermen go to sea in their 19^th century-shaped boats like their forefathers used to do over 200 years ago. Another recognisable land mark in this area is the beautiful Arniston Hotel, the crown jewel of the Western Cape and this is where I met with the SouthAfrican Tourism team for the #MeetSouthAfrica registration and to kick-start our full-packed adventure weekend exploring Arniston and the surrounding areas. I booked my accommodation in Struisbaai, Cape Agulhas, because I wanted to have an opportunity to explore two beautiful and unique places at the same time and in the same weekend.

On Friday 26^th of April I packed my bags and hit the road, this felt like a real travel adventure for me because I was travelling alone and going to an area that I have not visited before. I passed few commercial apple farms including the well known Tru-Cape. The first small town I passed was Grabouw, then Bot River, Caledon, Napier and Bredasdorp is the last town you will pass before you reach Cape Agulhas or Arniston. The only low down about this place is lack of public transport going to there. I strongly recommend hiring a car and getting few friends to join you on this trip, it makes a wonderful road trip.

I started first in Struisbaai, Cape Agulhas because I had few meetings to attend in the area and to also check-in at Cape Agulhas Backpackers, where I had booked my accommodation. So, after a leisurely two and half hour drive, I arrived in Struisbaai, checked in and went out to explore few tourist attractions. I then hit the road again heading to Arniston for a little area assessment and to familiarise myself with the road between the two places. After spending about two hours in Arniston, I drove back to Cape Agulhas to catch the stunning sunset at the popular shipwreck called Meisho Maru no 38, a Japanese fishing trawler that succumbed to the mighty two ocean meeting point on the 16th of November 1982.

Early Saturday morning on the 27^th of April I drove to Arniston to meet with the rest of other travel content creators. Activity registrations started at 09:30am and first activities started at 10:30am. I signed up for an Arniston Walk because I wanted to see what this place had to offer. The walk started in Roman Beach and our guide and fellow travel contributor, @yanikalheit lead the tour taking us to the most epic spots and ended the tour at the Arniston dunes where you get a chance to have almost 180 degree view of this unique place. Later that evening we closed off the first day with a big street cocktail party to celebrate 25 years of Democracy in South Africa.

One thing that hit home about the entire cocktail party is that the team from South African Tourism asked the locals to cater for the event, making sure they get the locals involved and empowered at the same time. This also meant an opportunity for us to taste best local food made from original recipes and oh boy…the food was delicious and you could see they were made with love!

Unfortunately it was my time to leave Arniston and head back to Cape Agulhas to relax because I still wanted to explore Struisbaai the following day before going back to Cape Town. I left everyone in Arniston but I knew my heart had been captured by that village that showed me what real Ubuntu is and I knew my return was certain.

TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES IN ARNISTON

1. HISTORY AND HERITAGE SITES

This small and unique fishing village characterised by traditional lime-washed and thatched roof cottages on the Agulhas coast has now worked its way into the history books and hearts of many travellers, and few monuments have been erected to commemorate its key players. Along with its beautiful commemorative monuments, it also holds two important heritage sites. Kassiesbaai and Fisherman’s cottages in Pratt Street were declared heritage sites.

Visit Kassiesbaai craft store for some souvenir, have lunch at Willeen’s restaurant while enjoying the ocean view and also visit the harbour to see fishermen when they come back from fishing, the scene is spectacular to observe especially when community members clap for them like soldiers returning from a war.

2. WAENHUISKRANS CAVE

Waenhuiskrans Cave is a natural wonder not to be missed! This is a beautiful and hidden place naturally carved by sea itself. This enormous cave leaves one wondering how something that beautiful and great could be naturally formed. On your way to the cave make sure you pass at the "Arniston Cauldron" - a shelf of rocks that causes the sea to "swirl" through the opening before being sucked back out to sea and the seaside nests.

3. BEACHES

Beaches in this area are a real paradise and sometimes you forget that you are still in Western Cape, South Africa and not somewhere in a tropical Island. A leisurely two and a half hour drive from Cape Town, you can find this paradise, beautiful and welcoming white sandy beaches. Warmed by the warm ocean current, the warm water allows for a nice dip and sun barking. Two popular beaches in Arniston are Arniston Beach and Roman Beach.

4. KASSIESBAAI

Home to the traditional lime-washed and thatched roof cottages. Locals say a tour to Arniston is not complete without a visit to Kassiesbaai. Hidden behind the seaside golden dunes, lies this Instagramable Heritage site. The descendants of the founding families have managed to beautifully preserve the essence of this 200 year old village and it is only right to show our appreciation by visiting it when visiting Arniston. Owners of these cottages will welcome you like you are one of their own.

5. SEASIDE GOLDEN DUNES

Unlike at the Atlantis dunes, unfortunately 4x4 activities have been restricted, but you are allowed to use the dunes for surfing, building sand castles or just taking a walk.

6. FISHING AND FRESH SEAFOOD

Ocean in Arniston has kept this small village going for many years as a thriving fishing community and this means there is always fresh fish daily. Sometimes the tides trap fish in rock pools scattered along the shore and you might just find a fish or two if you are lucky.

This place also offers an array of fresh seafood caught daily by local Fishermen. Seafood is prepared in the creative yet traditional ways known to the locals. You can also enjoy your seafood meal while you sip on one of the many local wines produced in Cape Agulhas.

7. DE MOND NATURE AND MARINE RESERVE

This pristine reserve consists of 36 600 hectares of protected land and ocean all within the Cape Floral Kingdom and it’s home to 1500 plant species, 260 bird species and various mammals.

The Reserve holds various hiking and cycling trails, and is a must visit for any bird and plant enthusiast. Locals say occasionally you can spot Bonteboks, Cape Mountain Zebras, Ostriches, the Southern Right Whales that frequent the coastal area every year from July – November.

If you are looking for warm paradise-like white sandy beaches, delicious freshly caught seafood, a place with rich history, hidden unspoiled unique tourist attractions and photography spots then Arniston should be in your travel bucket list.