The trail incorporates Mossel Bay's St Blaize hiking trail and traverses panoramic cliff top paths, massive sand dunes, ancient fish-traps, fynbos and deserted beaches.
Setting off in high spirits on our three-day slack-packing hike (after enjoying a sumptuous breakfast at the Fynbos Restaurant in Mossel Bay), George Herald and Mossel Bay Advertiser journalists were elated to see a spy-hopping whale, dolphins and abundant bird life during one sunny August long-weekend.
Heading up the rocky steps of St Blaize trail, we admired the cliff top scenery, and glanced back onto the lighthouse and rock pool at Mossel Bay, before heading to Pinnacle Point Golf Resort and Dana Bay. At Pinnacle Point Golf Resort the passionate Mossel Bay archaeologist, Dr Peter Nilssen, explained the significance of the epochal discoveries made at the Pinnacle Point Caves, where our middle-stone age ancestors revealed cognitive behaviour associated with early modern man.
Although very few human bones were found, the caves, now named the 'Point of Origin Caves', were believed to be populated by humans 200 000 years ago and even during the ice age. Their skills included making bladelets from silcrete stone, and making composite tools through heat treatment in ancient hearths dating back 72 000 years.
Visits to the caves are open to the public, and are led by appointment by Dr Nilssen who gives a power point presentation at the Pinnacle Point Clubhouse, before leading visitors to Cave 13B where the ongoing research in the archaeological finds is explained. Nilssen said, "Our ancestors had an understanding of lunar tides and lived by them." He pointed out that we have a lot to learn from our ancestors who lived in close harmony with their environment.
It was thus with heightened awareness that we examined every shell-midden, stone-age fish trap and wildlife spoor encountered on day two - walking a scenic 10km from Dana Bay to Boggom's Bay. We walked gingerly on the sand dunes trying to leave as few traces of our visit as possible. We came across leopard as well as bush buck spoor.
Congenial host
Our congenial host, well-known conservationist/developer Fred Orban, was on hand to welcome and transport us to his comfortable Sandpiper Guest Cottages. We were treated to wholesome cooking, conversation around the hearth, packed lunches, pre-dinner snacks and general luggage/people portage which all form part of the four Oystercatcher Trail packages.
Along the route, our tour guide, Willie Ko-mani, pointed out indigenous plant species and old natural remedies and cures like the figs and baboon grapes, milkwood, Noem-Noem bush, camphor bush, white rosemary, September bush, and confetti bush. They are for treating ailments ranging from nose-bleeds to upset stomachs and cancer.
On a sunny and balmy third day, we were dropped off at Canon Nature Reserve beach from where we did the pleasant 10km coastal stretch to Fransmanshoek with its spectacular orange coloured rocky coastline. Before heading home we enjoyed a lunch on the beach and bade a fond farewell to our colleagues and to our hosts after resolving to come back and hike the Gouritz River Mouth section of the trail.
For our pre-departure stay, the George Herald contingent stayed at the luxurious Ana's Place apartments which have a panoramic view over Mossel Bay. We enjoyed fine dining at Mossel Bay restaurant Route 57 owned by Louis Oosthuizen, and Nel and Anzelle Zeelie. For more information about the various hiking packages, contact 044 699 1204 or 082 550 4788.
There were cosy fire side chats at the Sandpiper Guest Cottages' dining room in Boggom's Bay. Delicious breakfasts and hearty dinners were served to the weary hikers who revelled in all the home comforts supplied by the congenial host, Fred Orban (second from right) and his staff. From left are Dave van der Merwe (photographer), Corrie Laubscher and Pauline Lournes (journalists), Fred and Cornelle Carstens (journalist of Mossel Bay Advertiser).
The Point of Human Origin is open for select viewing by appointment.
ARTICLE: PAULINE LOURENS, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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