Heritage forms a huge part of our lives. Regardless of our backgrounds and descent, culture and tradition play a distinctive role in our upbringing. This Heritage Month we take a look at a few amazing spots that you can add to your adventure list. Whether you are an eager beaver or a lone wolf, these historic and educational sites are worth visiting.
BOS 400 Shipwreck, Hout Bay, Cape Town
If you are a fan of the outdoors and love being in nature, this one’s for you. But if you are not, don’t be nervous or a train wreck . The place offers fun and a few things to discover. Take your compass and follow the coordinates as this adventure will be on the rocks!
Just a bit of history – A Russian Tugboat Tiger was booked to tow the BOS 400 from Pointe-Noire in the Republic of Congo to Cape Town, South Africa. But due to a heavy storm the tow-rope broke loose and caused the vessel to run aground off Duiker Point, near Sandy Bay, where it blew against the rocks. On June 26, 1994, BOS 400 – French derrick barge, became stranded and all crew members aboard were airlifted to safety.
Today, closer to the shores of Hout Bay, you are able to find the marvelled BOS 400 that remains a wreck with a large crane and part of the superstructure being visible above sea level. However, being stagnant and immovable for more than 20 years now, the wreck is slowly disintegrating.
A good family bonding moment with a strolling hike along Sandy Bay Shipwreck Hiking Trail will take you to the site. However, it is not recommended that you board the physical ship, nor enter the ocean.
Historic Ghost and Day Drives, Simon’s Town, Cape Town
Do you feel like doing something bizarre, something you’ve never done before that will leave a lasting impression? Then join the tour guides in Simon’s Town on an extremely popular and family fun two-hour meander through a haunted village. Whether you are a scary cat or night owl, this one is guaranteed to bring skeletons out of the closet.
This little haunted village has been around for decades but has been opened to visitors as a tourist attraction since 2016. What can you expect from the informative tour? Discover buildings, hotels, peculiar history and ghosts of the oldest burial sites. My tour guide told me that with Simon’s Town being built on old graves, every building in town has a story to tell. During the tour, guests also learn about the resident Poltergeist – a baby killer, the mysterious Lavender Lady who haunts the museum, the unsinkable coffin, chilling tales of the unknown and more.
Enriched in naval history of yesteryear and ghost stories to go along with it, Simon’s Town is known as one of the fifth oldest villages in South Africa with arguably the most haunted corners in the country. The Historic Ghost and Day Drives team takes you through interesting paranormal activities and renowned haunting sites while strolling under a full moon from Jubilee Square.
Do not miss out on this calling. Book to be part of this thrilling experience.
Cradle of Humankind, Gauteng, Johannesburg
This historic site is the rebirthing of mankind – homiosapiens, arthropods, gorillas and more. Extinct species and remains have returned to mother nature and became a living tourist attraction and a reminder of humankind.
The Cradle of Humankind, situated in Johannesburg, was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 after the discovery of limestone caves, human species and fossil remains in the area. Three prominent and main tourist fossil sites include the Sterkfontein Caves, Swartkrans Caves and Kromdraai Caves. The walls on the caves explore traditions and cultures dating back many centuries ago, as well as tell stories of what the world was like when human ancestors were evolving close to – what we would imagine to be, 2-3 million years ago. The Sterkfontein Caves host remains of more than 500 Hominids – members of the Hominidae family, the great apes: orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees and humans, that proved the ‘Out of Africa’ theory. The Swartkrans Caves is known for being the site of extremely richly inhabited archaeological materials – human remains, while the Kromdraai – Wonder Cave, is best known for the fossils of Paranthropus robustus and described as the prettiest cave in South Africa.
If you are interested in discovering your broader ancient history and want to pique or satisfy curiosity about the origins of humankind, then this place is perfect for you. You will find an exhibition centre at the Sterkfontein Caves, but there’s also the interactive one at Maropeng, on site.
Any time is the best time. Take a few friends and family to help you find your way through the boney pieces.
