Ahoy there sailors!
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| Platbos Forest |
Upon waking up at The Windsor
Hotel on a typical Hermanus winters morning you might think to yourself what
should I do today? With so much that Hermanus has to offer you still might be
challenged to do something a little different. Our suggestion is that you treat
yourself to something that can only be described as really getting in touch
with nature and finding inner peace. In order to do that climb in your car and
drive 30 minutes towards Gansbaai, turn left at the Grootbos sign just before
De Kelders and drive onto the dirt road, go down the little pass and come to a
truly ‘unique South African Forest Jewel’ that is the enchanting forest of
Platbos.
Upon entering the Platbos Forest
you will immediately know that you have come across something that touches you
deep in your soul. Abandon your car at the car park and lose yourself in this ancient
indigenous forest. Hug a tree that’s hundreds of years old and feel the
vibration of Africa penetrate your deep inner self.
What makes Platbos so unique is
not only that it’s thousands of years old or that it’s Africa’s Southernmost
Indigenous Forest. No, what makes Platbos truly unique is that it’s a botanical
mystery. In a time where the planet is gradually warming up, all relic forests
are retreating into moist mountain ravines, but not Platbos. Platbos stands on
a North-facing gentle undulating alkaline soiled terrain with no river course
feeding the forest and given the relatively low rainfall in the region it is
absolutely amazing that this forest even exists.
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| Platbos Forest Location |
One might attribute it’s existence
to the cool coastal mists which blanket the forest in the early hours of the
summer months. The abundance of mosses, epiphytes, trees, unique flowers and
plants that are available to see are truly a sight to behold.
Platbos is one of the few
indigenous forests left in the Western Cape given that only 0.05% of the land
is covered in indigenous forests, this is truly a rare experience.
A great time to visit Platbos is
in the month of May when the guardians of the Platbos Forest put on a couple of
exciting festivals such as the Re-Forest Fest which is a great opportunity to
mix music + Trees = Love and you get a chance to help them re-forest the area
with indigenous trees. Please check out Platbos Forest Reserve website as well as their
Facebook Page to help support them and be part of a healing process.
GreenPop Facebook Page.
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| Platbos Re-Forest GreenPop |
Platbos has a range of
accommodation options and forest trails, they even have a nursery where you can
buy indigenous plants from them. All your support goes back into protecting and
growing the Platbos Forest. While you’re at Platbos you’ll make great friends
with the guardians, Francois and Melissa Krige truly lovely people who will
show you things that we just would not see with our city eyes.
Treat yourself to a Platbos soul
generating, thought provoking and magical experience.
Wish you all pain sailing
until we meet again next week, same place, same time.
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| Re-forestation of Platbos |
