West Coast Part 2 - Saldanha, Jacobs Bay and the West Coast Fossil Park
Episode 25: As we discovered early on our journey of exploration on the West Coast, this area is full of surprises and unexpected attractions. We spent some time exploring the West Coast peninsular region and discovered all kinds of unique activities.
Read more about our first leg of the Cape West Coast here:
_________________________________________________________________
Blog:
Instagram:
Twitter:
Facebook:
West Coast Fossil Park a potential world heritage site
South Africa is known as the cradle of humankind so it would stand to reason that we have a lot of fossils to prove that on the west coast there is another potential world heritage sites like, the west coast fossil park. Latitude travels to the park and spoke to the parks Director Pippa Haarhoff.
West Coast Fossil Park
West Coast Fossil Park video produced by Universoul Media -
West Coast Fossil Park: A lottery success story
The museum that is about to open at the West Coast Fossil Park is an example of Lottery money well spent.
Video by Roxanne Joseph
West Coast Fossil Park Field Trip Movie
*THIS WAS A SCHOOL PROJECT*
Music hy Henrik Olsson
Mountains and flatlands of Piketberg
We spend a few days close to the West coast of South Africa going cross-country in the valley of Piketberg and Porterville.
Strong winds and crazy thermals made it possible to push the limits and go further distances: I was able to make it over 60km long and 2.5km high over the flatlands in one flight and reach the cloud base!
Selling shellfish in Saldanha bay lifts many families
Saldanha Bay, on South Africa's west coast, is the heart of the country's shellfish industry. It's also home to many families whose livelihoods depend on mussels. CCTV's Julie Scheier takes a look at how one company has helped local farmers.
Hopefield & Die Plaasmol
Hopefield is a settlement in West Coast District Municipality in the Western Cape province of South Africa on the R45 between Malmesbury and Vredenburg. The town is east of Saldanha Bay and Langebaan, 40 km southeast of Vredenburg and 120 km north of Cape Town.
The Dutch Reformed congregation (Zoute Rivier) was established December 1851, and the town was founded in 1852 on the farm Langekuil, it became a municipality in 1914. Named after two people who laid it out, Major William Hope, Auditor-General, and a Mr. Field.[4]
The Air Force Base Langebaanweg, 22 km west of the town, as well as the West Coast Fossil park 25km west from town, falls within town limits.
There are two schools in town, Hopefield Primary, presenting Gr 1-7, an entirely state-sponsored school and Hopefield High, presenting Gr 8-12, a semi-state school with minimal sponsorship from the government.
In earlier years, this now small town was considered the capital of the West Coast, with banks, filling stations and a multiple other shops and businesses. The only access to Vredenburg, Langebaan, and Saldanha were through Hopefield. With the re-routing of the R45 road, passing the town on the outside and the construction of the R27 (West Coast Road), the infrastructure gradually shrunk away.
Die Plaasmol Farm stall is 5km out of Hopefield on the R45 in the direction of Langebaan/Vredenburg. It has a family-friendly restaurant/coffee shop, bar, pet shop, curio/gift shop and a nursery. It's an ideal place to stop and enjoy a meal on route to the many attractions in and around Hopefield.
Werstern Cape South Africa 5 Places to visit
A few drives around Cape Town, no more than a hour's drive. On this trip we took our mom who was visiting to see nature. She loves gardens, nature, plants, flowers and pays attention to the detail. Join us for beautiuful scenery, nature, and some fun and food.
Places we visited:
- Babylonstoren, Franschhoek.
- Theewaterskloofdam
- Rooiels
- A valley just outside Pringle Bay, Overberg
- Some moments at the beach close to Blaauwberg Hill, West Coast
Music at
- Sunny Side - Text Me Records
- Run One Down - Dan Lebowitz
- Lil Cookie - William Rosati
- Baby We Did It - The Whole Other
- At Depth - Lish Groove
- 5-O-July - Dan Lebowitz
- Red Ant - Quincas Moreira
- Oceans - Text Me Records - Bobby Renz
- Reverie -Endless Love
West Coast of South Africa
New Project
West Coast pendant-Jacobsbaai
Stone and stailess jewellery
West Coast Beach Restaurants, South Africa (update with aerial shots - https://youtu.be/YdygwOxI6ec)
Our new website africajourney.co.za
Mike and Greg Copeland explore the west coast of South Africa to visit some unique beach restaurants.
Langebaan Country Estate
Take a trip through the beautiful Langebaan Country Estate.
Langebaan is a picturesque lagoon village located off route 27 on the West Coast, a short one hour drive from Cape Town.
The West Coast stretches from Cape Town as far as the border with the Northern Cape at Touws River. It is by far an undiscovered treasure trove of unspoilt beaches and incredible mountain ranges which are rich in geographical diversity and boast luscious carpets of astounding wild fauna.
The laid-back holiday town of Langebaan has fast become the popular choice for those looking to settle into the town permanently.
Nicknamed the ‘Jewel of the West Coast’, Langebaan, is simply phenomenal - from its sparkling waters and white sandy beaches to its dramatic mountain ranges and acres of stunning spring flora. The picturesque, modern town has something for the whole family. Its natural beauty, safe waters and almost all year-round sunshine attracts most residents who have a zest for the outdoorsy lifestyle, while its unique beach restaurants, abundant seafood and shopping is fancied by many others who visit the spectacular town.
Langebaan falls under the jurisdiction of the Saldanha Bay Municipality which provides extensive protection of its pristine natural habitat. To preserve its culture as a fishing, holiday and retirement village, Langebaan does not allow any industries.
For those who are fond of nature and all that the outdoors has to offer, Langebaan is the ideal neighbourhood choice. Close to the town, at Langebaanweg, is the West Coast Fossil Park, which is home to the ancient Big Five that once roamed this area. Visitors can enjoy an informative tour of a fossil dig and hunt for their own fossils. Those wanting a more active experience can go biking, hiking and horse riding through the park.
Large sporting events such as triathlons, the downwind dash, cycling, car gymkhanas and more take place in this area. There is a monthly craft market, as well as art exhibitions throughout the year in Langebaan. For seafood lovers, the Langebaan Mussel Festival takes place on the first weekend of October every year.
The Langebaan Golf Estate, in particular, affords residents the opportunity to own exclusive yet affordable property on the West Coast’s only 18-hole Black Knight golf course – designed by Gary Player.
The estate offers a harmonious balance of sport, leisure and conferencing facilities, and is set against the spectacular West Coast scenery.
Find out more about this estate here:
Collectors flock beach in Cape Town for toothsome fossils
Fossilized shark teeth are washing up on the beaches of Cape Town. And residents have discovered they can fetch a pretty penny. CGTN's Travers Andrews has that story.
Subscribe to us on YouTube:
Follow us on:
Facebook:
Twitter:
WEST COAST SOUTH AFRICA
This video portrays the raw beauty of South Africa's West Coast. The brightly-coloured fishermen boats and white washed houses are typical to the region. This part of the country is also rich in a wide variety of indigenous fauna and flora species.
Photographing Langebaan Lagoon in the West Coast Park by Joes Camera
Photographing the beautiful Langebaan Lagoon in the West Coast National Park of South Africa.
Langebaan is one of the oldest towns in South Africa with a history dating back more than 400 years. It has an archaeological history of a few million years. Twelve kilometres east of the farm Elandsfontein, a fossilised skeleton was found that dates back to the Stone age. This fossil deposit is considered to be one of the richest in the world.
Seal hunters from France frequented the area long before the time of Jan van Riebeeck.
Produced by catfishjoeproductions.com
Photography by joelategan.com for Joes Camera
#langebaan #langebaanlagoon #photographinglangebaan #photographingsouthernafrica #joescamera #joelategan #nikon #westcoastpark
The West Coast Fossil Park by Patricia (2)
Barge stranded at Jacobsbay
Langebaan
Some wild birds at the lagoon in the West Coast National Park, South Africa. The resolution of the video taken with a mobile phone doesn't actually show the birds, but they really were there.