South
Africa - Day 9
Friday 30th January 2026
Participants: Kev & Tam
We have breakfast in the guesthouse at 8.30 am. A full English for me with scrambled egg, bacon, tomato and mushrooms and French Toast for Tam. The man who runs the place is an ex-chef and it certainly shows as the food is very good.
Our plan today is to walk the cliff path from Hermanus to Grotto Beach, a distance of some 6 miles. As soon as we set off Tam finds that the sole of her walking boot is flapping around and we have to go back so she can change into trainers. Just as well that didn't happen half way up Lions Head.
We walk into Hermanus where there are a few people at the old harbour looking out to sea. We soon find out why as we spot a whale some way off shore. It's not the mammoth Southern Right whales that are frequent in September/October but the smaller Bryde's whales. Still, it's a wonderful thing to see.
It was just about from here that we saw the whales.
There are statues and artwork all over the place in South Africa. Let's hope the seagull isn't making a critical appraisal on this one.
The walk along the cliffs is spectacular and very beautiful as we walk along the well defined path past lovely rocky bays with the surf pounding in. At Mossel Bay we stop and have a paddle to cool off as it's quite hot.
At the end of the walk we stop for lunch at Dutchie's Restaurant where we share the 18 piece sushi platter, 2 large beers and a large bottle of water to take away. The sushi is lovely and the setting very nice. Total is £23. After, we get an Uber back for £5.
We spend a couple of hours relaxing around the pool before getting ready to go out.
This is the little pool at the Penguino Guesthouse.
Our first stop is Bientang's Cave, which is a bar and restaurant right on the edge of the sea. It's a lovely evening and the server is very good as she tells the people on the next table about an octopus that comes out to see what's going on most evenings as she says it's very curious. Unfortunately we don't see it tonight.
As we leave we bump into this little fellow. He isn't the least bit worried by us as we climb the steps, but at least he doesn't try to cadge a cigarette off me.
After a drink in a wine bar we go to the Fisherman's Cottage restaurant. Unfortunately the young server forgets to put our order in and so we have to wait for an hour for our meal. Tam has sole with garlic butter sauce and I have the line fish.
We're still not really tired and have a
look on Google for somewhere to go with live music. We find a
place called Gecko in the new harbour and call an Uber for the 10
minute journey.
The place is right on the harbour and seems to be frequented by
boating people having a good time. There is a duo playing old
rock hits and it's got a fun and buzzy vibe with lots of people
dancing.
We both have a beer and a rum and coke before another Uber back home at midnight.