Summer in the African south – paradise at its best

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Summer time continues to bestow its bountiful blessings upon us here in sunny South Africa on the southernmost shoreline. Bright blossoms abound and the bush is looking as green as ever. Rainfall has diminished naturally, though downpours still occur occasionally, so life and nature appear to be in harmony as always. There is a large cyclone crossing Madagascar right now to the east of us, which may hit the east coast of Africa in the coming days, but it’s probably too far from us here at the southernmost shoreline to cause us any difficulty, despite the minor flooding already being experienced inland.

Flowers splashed across the rock face like an artist's canvas

Nature certainly teaches us to be prepared for anything and to live with the ebb and flow, while remaining flexible throughout. Here on the southernmost shoreline, where I continue my hiking trail and exploration, I’m in the region called the “Garden Route” which is particularly calm at present, thus making it the ideal tourist destination and adventure hotspot for intrepid global travelers.

Clear pools for swimming in the warm Indian ocean, lush with life

Now that our main holiday season is over locally, and schools are back at studies, local visitors have left this neck of the woods for their respective homes. However, this is the month of the year when more foreign or international tourists love to visit these particular shores. Summer is at its best now and thus they escape the northern hemisphere winter by coming to our sunny shores during the month of February.

Just see how close we are to the shoreline 

I always welcome international visitors and invite anyone to come for a holiday in paradise, where I live permanently, basically by default due to being born here. And of course I've found just the right little bay to really capture the best angle of paradise on these southernmost shores. So if you want to experience the best of the best in the west, then the Cape province on the south coast of Africa is the place to be, and Plettenberg Bay is the exact alcove at which you want to aim your ship.

Dramatic shoreline along the southern stretch of Africa

The East, of course, has Thailand with its multitude of paradise beach hideaways, but there is also the Cape, here in what is perhaps not the west but more the center, midway between east and west on the planet, although certainly deep south. If you don’t mind the daily two hour power cuts, which really take you back to a more basic level of existence, then you will quite fine here. The daily power cuts disappeared for a year or so, but they recently returned as they do every few years it seems. Sometimes we have two a day, which means four hours without power in total. And sometimes it’s just once a day.

With back to the sea, facing north, you can see the path of descent down to the shoreline, and the lush flora

Fortunately there is a pre-arranged schedule, so that you know exactly what time your two hour power cut is due in each town. How organised the chaos is here. I choose those two hours to take my hike along the shoreline, so I miss nothing really. If the power cut is in the evening, then I use my solar panel and battery to provide the power I need for lights and laptop. In this way there is no real anxiety. Third world living comes with its limitations on the one hand but makes up for them on the other with blissful natural conditions, free from snowy winters and lush with appealing outdoor environment and loads of space.

Rock pool with sea water reflecting the sun

The above photo is of the sun reflected on a rock pool at the shoreline. You will notice the pale patch on the rock that looks like a sun with its rays. Simultaneously you have the actual sun reflected on the water’s surface, like a white blob, with scattered dots extending outward. I found it a curious combination. The water is so clear that you can hardly see it.

A tenacious little tree grows from a crack in the rock face at the shore

In the above photo, you can see another example of the tenacious plant life growing out of a mere crack in the rock. I’m constantly impressed and inspired by such shows of resilience by the humble plants along this rocky terrain where very little actual soil exists down on the shoreline itself. Nature truly is inspiring here on the southernmost shores of Africa, so be sure to make it one of your bucket list destinations as an international traveler. You too will be pleasantly inspired.

(photos my own)

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