Go West! Life Is Peaceful There
South Africa’s West Coast is the ideal place to unpack, relax, clear your mind and refresh your soul.
12/12/2020
Let’s face it, life is stressful. Between going to work from nine to five, kids, a house and a worldwide pandemic you can feel burnt out and emotionally drained. You may even stop doing yourself the most ordinary things. You can consider getting professional help to edit my paper, no matter if you often managed to do it on your own. The only answer is rest, peace and quiet. You need a holiday. But where to? Cape Town and Durban’s beaches will be overcrowded, and you’ll be more stressed looking for parking than getting any rest. The answer:
Go West!
South Africa’s West Coast is the ideal place to unpack, relax and clear your head. We recently stayed in serene Paternoster. The little fishing village of Paternoster is less than two hours drive from Cape Town, perfect for a quick getaway weekend or an extended two-week, intense relaxation therapy. It is one of the oldest towns on the West Coast and has less than 2000 inhabitants.
It is widely believed that
shipwrecked Portuguese sailors named the town
which means “Our Father” in Latin.
Paternoster is famous for many things. You can
relax at the beach and ponder your life while
watching the waves break on the shore or take a
bike ride and explore this amazing place.
The Beaches
This town features some of the most beautiful beaches in South Africa. The beaches are still wild and mostly undeveloped by man. In a single day, you can explore multiple beaches, each with breathtaking views and each with a unique character.
We sat at the Voorstrand restaurant, sipping on an icy white wine whilst looking out over the ocean. Right next door at Tietiesbaai we had lunch at Die Seekombuis restaurant which looks out over the quietest and most serene beach I’ve ever seen. In Paternoster, you are spoilt for choice. The beaches have something for everyone in the family.
The Place and the People
Paternoster’s people and architecture are unique. The simple, small-town lifestyle is infectious. Things and people move slower here. You will be greeted with a smile wherever you go. We stayed at the Tietiesdraai Guest House – an example of the old West Coast style of building – white walls and dark grey zinc roofs. The owner greeted us with a big smile, and we felt at home immediately. We were surprised to find an ice-cold bottle of Sauvignon Blanc in our room waiting to quench our thirst.
The Food
Paternoster is famous for its seafood. Lobster is the main attraction here, but most menus feature prawns, line fish and of course fresh mussels. I opted to try the Sushi at Die Seekat restaurant. It was the best Sushi I’ve had… ever! Maybe the stunning view of the ocean had something to do with it as well ? The Noisy Oyster had the best fresh oysters, of course, washed down with a crisp white wine. You must experience the food in Paternoster. Your eyes and stomach will thank you.