Travel

A Seaside Affair with Kleinmond

Unquestionably a fan of warmer weather, salt-scented ocean breeze blowing through my hair, listening to the chorus of birds chirping as the sun trickles behind the Palmiet Mountain range. This is Kleinmond.

Kleinmond beach is a staple in our holiday. A 90-minute drive from Cape Town easily becomes a favourite childhood memory that lives on in this marriage with my husband.

It’s no secret. Kleinmond is my beloved retreat. It’s a true love affair at best. A coastal town filled with adoring memories with two routes to get there. It’s either the famous Clarance Drive or, a mountainous oasis along the N2 – both equally beautiful journeys.

It’s a must to explore Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. UNESCO declared, the reserve encompasses fauna, flora and, provides nature lovers with numerous hiking trails. If you’re lucky, you might spot exotic birds, close-up sightings of the rare Strawberry Rain Frog and, appreciate the unspoiled mountain peaks.

The coastline is what draws you in. The ocean is azure which lures for adventure. I don’t remember ever not hearing children’s laughter on the horizon as they jump off cliffs; splashing into the sea.

A string of restaurants, cafes, and holiday homes line the main road and it’s easy to see why summers are bustling with friendly faces. Often hard to find a parking spot at the beach.

The lagoon brings back remembrance of a childhood spent kayaking with stories of us pretending there’s a sea dragon hiding beneath the marsh; racing to see who gets to land first. Ah, a recollection I will never erase.

It’s the first time we stayed over in a little cottage called La Mer right in front of the ocean with views as far as the naked eye can reach. It’s the honeymoon suite fit with the basics of a queen-sized bed, a leather couch facing the ocean, a tiny kitchenette, and a bathroom but with a showstopper; the view.

Sitting on the veranda, sipping on a glass of wine while listening to the sizzle of meat on the braai, you begin to imagine what life will be like to spend your days listening to the ocean crashing against the rugged coastline. It’s clear why so many spend their retirement here.

Besides going to the beach or grabbing fish and chip parcels at our favourite fisheries, Emma’s Takeaways, go for a hike or do some bird watching. There’s also a herd of wild horses that live in the wetland yet only viewed them from the road. It’s an activity to keep on my return back.

There is a sense of freedom here, what with the slow pace of life, and a place to feel like you don’t exist; only for a split second, I could certainly find appeal in seaside life – and there’s no better way to experience it than to explore Kleinmond.