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Published: August 31st 2012
Knysna Heads
A lone bench where one can sit looking out to where the tides flow over the rocks. Lovely, lovely Knysna Heads.OYSTERS FOR BREAKFAST, THEN LUNCH
Succulent, delish oysters for breakfast. Couldn't ask for more. Our stay at the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa was a dream. And a perfect introduction to South Africa. (see Cape Town: A South African Introduction) The place must be teeming with seafood that this delicacy is made available so early in the day. And so with a good dose of excitement, I looked forward to our roadtrip to Knysna and Thesen Island. In Thesen Island, I was so pleased to find Shuck 'em Oysters!
Wild or farmed? No matter. They're good. so many oyster bars. Tried the 34Tapas & Oysters where we had a seafood degustation to accompany our beers. The perfect spot for your oyster fix. A tasting of 2 oysters -- the coastal (wild) and the farmed/cultivated (cultured) -- was the order of the day. Both good, but the next serving of MORE oysters was all coastal oysters. Our choice.
The Knysna Lagoon is famous for these oysters. It behooves me why they are sometimes called Pacific Oysters when the Western Cape claims to be where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean. Surely, there is no room for the Pacific Ocean there? 😊 Back home, I grew up in a place where oysters are ordinary table fare. When we moved to the city, they're among the firsts we missed. So now you'd understand my romance with oysters. Everywhere and around the world, I just had to try them oysters. Wild or farmed, I don't care. Just have them fresh "naked" and succulent and I'm good to go. Charming Knysna
More than the succulent oysters though, there's Knysna. All the lovely views of the ocean and the lagoon, the Garden East Head Cafe
How could I have missed you? I even have you listed in my iPhone Notes as among those I should check out. Must be Knysna's old charm taking over my senses. Route roads passing a few cliffside mansions lining the shore, plus some very quaint and charming bistros and cafes. I can stay more days here and practice my
Dining 101 and maybe never run out. There are so many dining outlets to try!
Fact is, I missed one big time. Easthead Cafe tops the list of Knysna food establishments for food, ambience and service. I passed it. And I missed it. Didn't stop even for a calamari sandwich and a glass of wine. Or one of those local beers! My bad! I'm writing this so you folks out there won't make the same mistake. Don't forget to claim a seat here in Easthead Cafe before or after sitting out on that lovely bench by the rocks and the lighthouse. Having said that, don't also miss the Waterfront in Knysna. A bit of shopping (from cheap souvenir items to precious stones for serious shoppers) and more coffee bars. More oysters to shuck too! The Waterfront is like where tourists and locals meet. Like a "happening place". Luxury yachts "parked" in the marina, bobbing up and down as the tide goes and flows, bistros and bars with outside Holding Trunks. Not Holding Hands.
The elephants here in this sanctuary look happy and content. Trivia: the females are called cows. The males bulls. The baby elephants are calves. Just like cattle! seating for diners to enjoy the waterfront while shucking and sucking some oysters and sipping some wine. Very, very charming. It is a must-stop destination if you are ever in this lovely corner within the heart of the famous Garden Route.
More Things To Do Too
And while there, you have plenty things to do too. Based in Knysna, you can do the whale watching cruise which I missed . Just hope and pray for good weather and calm seas. All set to go, bundled like a bear, but our premium whale watching cruise was canceled because the waters were far from calm even if the sun was out. If you happen to be not so lucky with the whales as I was when I visited, then visit the Knysna Elephant Park . This sanctuary is good for close encounters with them orphaned and abandoned elephants. Be sure to buy 2 (repeat, 2!) buckets of apples and oranges or whatever fruits they have at the time to feed the elephants. Trust me, you'd be sorry not to buy more than just a single bucket. A friend of mine got nudged at the back when she ran out of fruits to feed them. 😊 A TUKTUK IN KNYSNA?
Amatuktuk Safari takes you on a 90 minute ride around the Heads, Waterfront and Old Knysna. Imagine those trunks reaching out to take the fruit out of your palm. Just be sure not to turn your back on them. Or not to stand between a bucket of fruits and the elephants. Ha ha ha.
A TukTuk in Knysna?
And if you still have time to waste, don't waste it! Ride one of these tuktuks. Yes, like the Thai Tuktuks. They're called Amatuktuk Safaris here. You'd find one in the Knysna Waterfront Parking Lot. Lasting all of 90 minutes, the tuktuk ride will whizz you through the best sites in Knysna including........and hear this........including some refreshments in the Easthead Cafe by the lagoon! All that for less than 100R per person, though one can arrange a short half hour ride for half the price. But no refreshments 😞. So there. Tuktuk your way around Knysna. Shop at the Waterfront. Have your coffee. Stop by Easthead Cafe. Take your time, enjoy the breeze, claim that bench by the rocks and the lighthouse. And shuck them oysters. Naked. Fresh. Succulent! Hubba Hubba!
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Maisondubonheur
Pierre-Alexandre
Knysna...and Twelve Apostles....you know your way around life!
Love this entry...and made me laugh a lot...as tonight, Leslie and I are trying our first Argentinan Oysters! Food...well....we had a little celebration yesterday...lunch in the best peruvian restaurant in BA...and dinner...at the best steak place in BA....so I'm 100% with you! For your info, Knysna has also one of the best golf course in SA...I love it! I'm in JNB this Monday morning early...would be fun to bump in each others! Take care my friend...I know...life is good!