Mossel Bay - A small harbour town with a lot of muscle!Written by Gregory Hudson
Named “Mossel Bay” by famous Dutch navigator Paulus van Caerdon, whose crew consumed huge amounts of tasty molluscs after landing here in 1601. Today, this coastal town's famous muscles are prized by connoisseurs around world, but Mossel Bay has other tasty treats just waiting to be discovered... Between East Coast and Eden District This area, known for good reason as Eden District, is located on East Coast of South Africa. Found at start of a scenic strip aptly named Garden Route. Mossel Bay is only 4 hours drive from Cape Town on an equally picturesque stretch of road well worth travelling for its own sake. This is place where Indian Ocean laps pristine beaches and prehistoric fynbos dashes over hills... The climate has been compared to Hawaii, though it has its own unmistakable character. The Mozambique current, whose warm waters make for excellent swimming and sailing, have created a surfers Mecca similar to Plettenberg or Jeffrey’s Bay. Mossel Bay rests on a tooth-like cape, or point, named Cape St Blaize. From here several beaches lie waiting to be devoured, sandy stretches like Dias Beach, Victoria Bay and Santos Reef are famed for good all year conditions, miles of walking space and dazzling-pink painted sunsets. The land of Gouriqua and Khoisan peoples During past two thousand years, Mossel Bay region was inhabited by Gouriqua, an indigenous Khoi khoi tribe, and earlier by San people who were mainly hunter-gatherers. Cultural tours escort travellers to their existing settlements and enlighten them to ways of these friendly inhabitants, forefathers of our present indigenous people. A rich history is unravelled through cultural stories and art of their ancestral cave paintings. Things you'll discover in and around Mossel Bay... Many hidden details are waiting to be discovered in Mossel Bay. Among fascinating museums dedicated to explorer Bartholomeu Dias, you'll find a curious old Tree. This old giant, named Post Office Tree, is a Milkwood that is more than 500 years old. This tree oddly acquired name “Post Office Tree” after mariners posted letters in an old boot strung around one of its wild and willing branches. A freshwater spring, which for past 500 years has not run dry, flows beneath its aging roots. This tree is only one of Mossel Bay's many historical sites. Adventures in and around town will uncover many more.
| | Why Take A Mediterranean Cruise?Written by John Metcalfe
A Mediterranean cruise is without doubt most varied type of cruise available. There are more than 120 seaports around Mediterranean coastline, offering numerous combinations of cruise vacations over one-week, two-week or longer trips.A huge clash of cultures await all who opt for a Mediterranean cruise. You can visit no less than 17 different countries, including such nations as Spain, Italy, Greece and Egypt. Each nation has its own unique attractions, all of which you can sample as your cruise ship gracefully sails around calm blue Mediterranean Sea. More than 50 companies offer cruises along varied routes in Mediterranean. Some companies specialize in providing Western Mediterranean cruises, concentrating on ports of call around Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Morocco. Other companies offer Eastern Mediterranean cruises which take in Croatia, Greece, Turkey and countries in Middle East. Popular specialist Mediterranean cruises include a tour of North African nations, a Mediterranean islands cruise that visits island nations of Cyprus and Malta, as well as cruises around Greek Islands. If you're after a longer vacation, it is possible to arrange a cruise itinerary that takes you around most if not all of Mediterranean nations. History, culture, grand cities, ancient monuments, romantic islands and breathtaking views are all within easy reach on a Mediterranean cruise. In Western Mediterranean you can discover traditional white Andalucian villages of Southern Spain, sample world-famous Manzanilla sherry in Cadiz and visit cultural hub of Europe in shape of Barcelona, before travelling onwards to French Riviera.
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