Garden Route “Blessings”
Stii and I took the boys to the beach today, for the first time this season (as everybody knows, the best time to come to the Garden Route for a holiday is during February/March). We’ve got the best weather during February, and with the recent floods we’ve had, the beach was out of the question. Today, being extremely hot, we set off to Hartenbos to visit my mom and dad and to take the boys to the beach. What a joy it was! I’m not particularly fond of the beach as I hate the sand that gets into places you never even thought you had, but Stii and the kids love it. I was sitting there thinking how privileged we are having the sea and the most beautiful mountains on our doorstep. The sad thing is that when you live here, you tend to forget about it. It’s only when you see all the holiday makers with GP and FS number plates that you all of a sudden realise it’s time to go to the beach again. Then everything/every place is crowded. You don’t get parking close to the beach and have to walk for 10 minutes, and you get irritated with the holiday makers, but forgetting that we’ve got the luxury of the sea 365 days a year. I still don’t see myself paying thousands of rands, to have a holiday by the sea (maybe because we grew up here and is taking our blessings for granted), but I also think that people are ripping off holiday makers in the daily rates they’re asking for accomodation.
To all the GP and FS people, you’ve got my sympathy! To all the locals, look around you, we’ve got so much natural beauty to be grateful for. Enjoy the mountains, our beautiful forests, beaches and the sea and think of all the people that have never smelled the smell of dampness and wet soil of our fern enriched forests or have felt the sand of the beach underneath their feet, or tasted exactly how salt sea water is when a wave unexpectedly hit you from your feet.
4 Responses to “Garden Route “Blessings””
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Marissa Theunissen responded on 12 Dec 2007 at 7:39 pm #
Yes you can say that again.
Paradise invaded… I used to be an invader myself and felt so privelidged to share in this beauty.
Enjoy your holiday.
Belinda responded on 17 Dec 2007 at 8:57 pm #
Thanks Marissa, and I’m SO looking forward to my leave that’s starting on Friday! It’s been a hectic year. Wishing you and your family a blessed & beautiful holiday season.
Imel responded on 18 Dec 2007 at 7:00 am #
Belinda, we are truly blessed to be living here.
I cannot describe the feeling I get every time I take the corner at dolfin’s point and look down at Wilderness.
Just a pity we have to share it every time a holiday appears
Belinda responded on 18 Dec 2007 at 9:00 pm #
You are staying in one of the most beautiful areas in the Garden Route and I’m glad to hear that you can still appreciate it every time you drive past there. There is one thing that will always remind me of being a child and that’s the smell of the ocean early mornings. It’s so clean and fresh and your soul actually feels like it’s been breathed new life into. Sitting on the cold sand and listening to the sound of the waves that forces out any thoughts in your mind, demanding your attention to be focused on the greatness and wonder of nature.
Yes, we are SO privileged to live here.