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Gateway To Paradise
elcome to Mossel (watering place of St Blaize). In
Bay: an idyllic 1601 a Dutch navigator, Paulus
coastal village and van Caerden renamed it Mossel
harbour situated between Cape Bay, because mussels had become a
Town and Port Elisabeth. This welcome addition to the diet of
town is proud to be the his crew. The first trading also
historical capital of Cape took place here in 1497 between
Town's, world-famous Garden Vasco Da Gama and the local
Route. It also features in the inhabitants. Later this town
Guinness Book of Records as became a busy export harbour for
having the mildest all-year wool, ochre and ostrich feathers.
climate; second only to Hawaii.
Both South Africans and Europeans
regard Mossel Bay as their The warm Indian Ocean surrounding
‘secret' holiday destination; Mossel Bay is home to
whether your desire is for world-famous mussels and oysters.
bustling summer holidays, or lazy Gourmets rate them as some of the
winter retreats - you can enjoy best in the world. Incomparable
this perennial Mediterranean seafood and 24km of unspoilt
climate all-year round. coastline make this village a
holiday haven.
Mossel Bay is a town with a
rich history. The first What to do in Mossel Bay
recorded meeting between the
Europeans and the local Endless game drives put
inhabitants of Southern Africa you in contact with the Big Five
took place in Mossel Bay in 1488. at the numerous game reserves.
An explorer, Bartolomeu Dias Ride on elephants through the
anchored in a bay, which he Botlierskop Game Reserve; take a
called Aquada de Sao Bras boat trip to nearby Seal Island;
the home of about 3000 Cape Fur Mossel Bay Off Shore Yacht
seals, and an ideal spot for Race 2006: from the Royal
dolphin viewing and whale Cape Yacht Club in Cape Town to
watching. For adrenalin the Mossel Bay Boat and Yacht
junkies, there is bungee Club.
jumping, bridge swinging,
abseiling and South Africa's Culture
favourite thrill, shark-cage
diving. You can scuba dive and Mossel Bay is proud of its rich
shipwreck dive or go horse riding cultural diversity and
on the beach. For the less well-preserved buildings and
adventurous, there is an 18-hole houses, crafted from honey-toned
golf course to enjoy. The local stone. Khoi-San artefacts,
Oyster Catcher Trail is an dating back more than 80 000
eco cultural hiking trail along years, were found in the famous
the coast, starting from a Khoi Cape St Blaize Cave.
San cave in Mossel Bay and ending
at the Gouritz River mouth. The best place to experience the
Finally, for a truly unique way existing culture is at the
of whale watching, embark on a Bartolomeu Dias Museum
helicopter flip over the town and Complex. This complex
magnificent bay. consists of the Maritime museum,
Shell Museum & Aquarium, Granary,
Special Events famous Old Post Office Tree,
Etno-botanical garden, Munro
Mossel Bay offers seasonal houses and fountain. Here you can
festivals and events, such as visit the impressive life size
annual flower shows every replica of Bartolomeu Dias
September and October. Everyone caravel; the ship in which he
is looking forward to the sailed into Mossel Bay. The
cultural section focuses on the The best part of any holiday is
heritage of the town and surely the exotic and authentic
district. The Shell Museum houses food that will accompany your
imaginative shell exhibitions and stay. Mossel Bay is no exception!
portrays the history of the use For those looking for a taste of
of molluscs by man. Live animals Africa, there is the open-air
exist in their natural habitat in restaurant in the Khoi
aquaria. One of the most popular village. Foreign-flavoured fare
attractions is the Post Office includes Thai, Cuban, Portuguese,
tree. In 1500, Pedro de Ataide and Italian.
left an important letter in a
shoe or iron pot under a large Sample some of the finest
tree. In 1501, Joao da Nova found seafood at the many
this letter, and the first "Post seafood restaurants on offer, and
Office" came about. More than 500 don't pass up the chance to
years later, you can still come indulge in wild Mossel Bay
and post your letter here! oysters and Mossel Bay sole!For
an outdoor romantic encounter,
The Ethno-botanical Garden why not take a picnic basket up
is a collection of plants that to the Light House where you can
occur naturally in the Mossel Bay admire the crashing Indian Ocean
area and which, were used by the below.
Khoi, San, Coloured, Xhosa and
European settlers for shelter, Beyond its obvious attributes,
food and medicinal uses, as well Mossel Bay has a certain pathos,
as for their superstitious which is evident in the
beliefs and magic practices. landscape, and the friendliness
and warmth of its people. Mossel
Restaurants Bay leaves an indelible mark on
visitors who holiday there; just
as the old stone buildings form stay here and not feel part of
part of the landscape, you cannot the place.
About the Author:
Visit Mossel Bay Tourism http://www.visitmosselbay.co.za for all your tourism information, accommodation enquiries and details of Mossel Bays' many attractions.
Source: www.isnare.com
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