Earlier this month saw the re-launch of a fresh, new-look Protea Hotel Fire & Ice in Cape Town! My hubby and I were invited to spend a night at the hotel and experience “More Fire More Ice” for ourselves. [Read more…]
Steenberg Hotel ~ 5 Star Luxury
Steenberg Hotel is situated on one of the oldest farms in the Cape and has a rich and fascinating history. The farm’s original owner, the feisty Catharina Ustings Ras, was the first female landowner in Southern Africa. Catharina’s life story tells a fascinating tale! One steeped in lore and myth, filled with daring escapes, tumultuous loves and untimely deaths. [Read more…]
City Escapes with City Lodge
As you know I love travel, both locally and international but time and budget constraints, usually only allow international travel once a year. We also like to venture along the coast or into the country, for weekend breaks but lately we have been doing more City Escapes. Staying closer to home and exploring more of what Cape Town has to offer! [Read more…]
Joy Wedding Venue at Gelukkie in Paternoster
We recently attended the launch of Joy Wedding Venue at Gelukkie in Paternoster. For those of you who have never been, Paternoster is a Seaside town, up the West Coast, approximately 2 hours from Cape Town.
Joy is the latest addition to Gelukkie, a smallholding situated just outside the town of Paternoster. Gelukkie is truly what I would call a hidden gem and is one of those rare, romantic places, which allows you to completely escape from the real world! As well as the recent addition of the wedding venue, Gelukkie boasts two beautifully appointed cottages.
Gelukkie is also home to owners Ruth and Andrew, a couple who have dedicated their lives to building a place, which is both unique and rather special!
Joy the aptly named venue, is the perfect setting for a magical wedding experience. The seaside location lends itself so well to creating an atmosphere, which is both elegant and relaxed. I love the simplicity of the traditional white washed-architecture, sage shutters and natural wood accents.
As well as gorgeous surroundings, a passionate and experienced family team, will ensure everything runs smoothly. A kitchen renowned for its excellent Fire Food is all you need to complete this picture.
The two beautifully decorated cottages, Klein Gelukkie and Nog ‘N Gelukkie, allow the bridal party the convenience of staying over at the venue. Paternoster itself, offers a wealth of additional accommodation options, for guests.
We had the good fortune of spending the night at Klein Gelukkie, after the event. What a spoil 🙂
Klein Gelukkie is a spacious self-catering cottage, containing a king size double bed, chill out room, dining area and fully functional kitchen. The decor is wonderfully quirky and the space is both cosy and inviting.
The kitchen opens out onto a beautifully landscaped private garden, which includes braai facilities.
Gelukkie offers the use of the Joy functions venue, semi-enclosed Garden Room, outdoor garden area and bar, as well as the services of wedding co-ordinator Cindy. You will also have the services of decorator and cook Ruth, and Byron and Andrew who will ensure that the food and bar services run like clockwork.
A variety of wedding packages are available and can be tailored to suit your specific needs. The team is on hand at every function to make sure that the bridal couple and their guests have a wedding experience, which only a sanctuary like Gelukkie can provide.
Visit the Gelukkie Website to find out more about celebrating your wedding, birthday or anniversary there or contact Cindy on 071 881 2831 or via email to arrange to visit and experience to magic of Gelukkie.
A big thank you to Cindy and her team for a wonderful afternoon and the use of their gorgeous accommodation!
Disclosure Ranking: 4
24 Hours in Hogsback – All the holiday you need
Out of all the places I’ve stayed in South Africa, the small town of Hogsback is the place that simply stole my heart. It only took one day in Hogsback, staying at Away with the Fairies, for it to feel like I’d been on holiday there for a week. Here’s how you can get that feeling too…
08:00 – Bath time
After a morning eye rub and a yawn it was bath time! Away with the Fairies has the most amazing view of the Hogsback Mountains and their very own viewpoint bath from where you can enjoy it.
09:00 Time for brekkie
Grab a healthy breakfast at the hostel. The giant bowl of muesli, yoghurt and fresh fruit is highly recommended. What better way to fuel your body for a day of adventure?
10:00 The treehouse
If you don’t climb the 15 metre treehouse, you won’t get the reward of the incredible view. The rough, yet sturdy, tree house will make you feel like a kid again, so give it a whirl. The ascent is like something out of a book – with every step up, you head higher into the delicate green vegetation that surrounds.
11:00 An enchanted hike
The Amatola Mountains are carpeted with thriving, dense forest and a hike through it is simply a nature lover’s dream. Set off on a hike through the rare Afromontane forest which leads to the Madonna and Child waterfall. Along the way you’ll pass Yellowwoods, wild plums, blackberries, butterflies of every colour and size, as well as rushing streams and mini waterfalls. The canopy of trees keeps you cool while trekking through this fresh swirl of green and brown.
15:00 Pancakes!
The hike’s path leads you out of the forest and onto Hogsback’s main street. Having worked off breakfast, it’s time for a bite to eat and a water-refill. Pop into The Gallery, which is a small café and curio shop and Mmmm your way through two banana and caramel pancakes.
16:00 Time for a dip
Away with the Fairies has converted an old reservoir into a swimming pool. After your pancakes and some well-deserved time resting under a shady tree, a dive and a swim is most definitely in order.
17:00 Melt into the sheets
Time for a massage!
19:00 Din-dins
At about 7 pm a massive bonfire is lit in the outside fire pit and is the best place to enjoy one of the kitchen’s homemade pizzas.
20:00 Sunset & fireflies
Gather a few newly acquired travel buddies and head down to the viewpoint with a bottle of wine to watch the sunset. After the sun has disappeared, wait a few minutes for the flashing bottoms of firefly-type bugs to appear. Magical!
21:00 Night cap
Head down to the hostel’s Wizard’s Sleeve Bar for a night cap before heading for bed. Refreshed, relaxed and de-stressed after only one day in Hogsback.
Thank you to our Travel Writer Dalene for this wonderful account of a day in Hogsback!
Hogsback is a magical world of mountains and forests. It is situated high up on the Amathole mountains of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, and is surrounded by centuries-old indigenous Afro-montane forests.
For more information on this area please visit the Hogsback Website.
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