We all have these photos … throwback photos!

It’s described as ‘nostalgia-inducing pictures … from a different era of your life”.

Every Thursday we will throw a few photos of ‘way back when’ on our blog. Why on a Thursday? Because it’s just a day away from the weekend … and we love weekends!

You are welcome to join in or just enjoy the photos (#TB Thursday).

May/June 2016 – West Coast of South Africa

In our previous TB Thursday post, we told you about the cold and misty conditions we had along the West Coast while camping. That night we were very cold in our tent and when we got up the next morning and saw it was going to be another misty day, we decided we needed a night of luxury (meaning a cozy bed and not in a tent).

Another cold day

On this day we left the Namaqua National Park. But before we left, we had one more stop to make – a visit to the Spoeg River Caves. This site is of particular archaeological interest as it contains the earliest evidence of domesticated sheep in South Africa. Sheep bones found in this cave date back to about 2,000 years ago. The cave is thought to have been used by the Khoikhoi people when they migrated south with their flocks.

Information about the Nama people (largest group of the Khoikhoi)

Spoeg River Caves

As we drove a little further inland to leave the park, we had bright sunshine. It was actually quite warm, but we knew when we drove back to the coast we would see the mist again.

We drove through farm gates in bright sunshine

Our overnight stop was in a small seaside village with the lovely name Hondeklip Bay (loosely translated “Dog Stone Bay”). We stayed in the equally lovely Honnehokke Resort (loosely translated “Dogs kennels Resort”) … you have to love these names!

Our “dog kennel” in the Honnehokke Resort

Wonderful to sleep in a real bed again after more than a week of camp

Hondeklip Bay:

Hondeklip Bay is a popular holiday destination and serves the fishing community. It has a population of about 540 people and at the time of our visit there were two small shops and one restaurant. For a whopping 93% of the people who live here, Afrikaans is their first language, followed by IsiXhosa, Sesotho and English.

Fishing boats and part of an old jetty in the mist

Restaurant on the seafront

Do you also wonder how Hondeklip Bay got its name? Well, apparently Thomas Grace (ship captain) discovered Hondeklip Bay in 1846 and named the place after a rock formation vaguely reminiscent of a dog (you need a good imagination though)!

Die Hondeklip (The Dog Stone). The “ear” was later removed and the “nose” was struck off during a lightning storm

When we checked into our accommodation, the host suggested that we enjoy a ‘braai’ (barbecue) in their enclosed area to escape the cold wind and mist. It’s a lovely place with a swimming pool and unique decor.

Inside ‘braai’ area at the Honnehokke Resort

Unique decor

While we were enjoying our ‘braai’, the owner’s three doggies came running in to enjoy the heat of the fire. And, very quickly, they made themselves comfortable on Berto’s lap (all three of them). I think it’s appropriate to end this post of our stay in Hondeklip Bay with a photo of these three cuties on Berto’s lap!

Three doggies on Berto’s lap in Hondeklip Bay

In our next TB Thursday post, we leave the ocean behind and travel to the Orange River in the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.