Page 243 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

THE GARDEN ROUTE T O GR AHA MST OWN  241

VISITORS’ CHECKLIST Exploring Mossel Bay and
the Bartolomeu Dias
Practical Information Museum Complex
Road map C5. Mossel Bay. One of the main attractions
n Cnr Church and Market sts, in the seaside town of Mossel
044 691 2202. Museum: 1 Market Bay, situated 397 km (246 miles)
St. Tel 044 691 1067. & = east of Cape Town, is the
∑ diasmuseum.co.za
interesting museum com plex
and the historic centre, both
overlooking the harbour.
Seafaring history is the sub ject
at the Bartolomeu Dias Museum
Complex. Apart from the
outstanding reconstruc tion of
Dias’s caravel, there are old maps,
photographs and documents
detailing the first explorations
. Stained-Glass Windows around the tip of Africa. The
Three beautiful windows by Ria complex also includes the Protea
Kriek commemorate the early Hotel Mossel Bay, which dates
voyages of discovery. Shown here back to 1846 and is thought to
are the sails of the Dias caravel. be the oldest building in town.
The town is probably best-
The Epic Voyage of Dias known for its controversial and
A small fleet left Portugal around August 1487 costly Mossgas development,
under the command of Bartolomeu Dias initiated by the discovery of
(see p50). The explorer made several natural offshore gas fields.
landfalls on the West African coast, erecting The real charm of the settle-
padrões (stone crosses) along the way. In ment lies in its natural beauty,
February 1488, he dropped anchor off the fine beaches and walks. The
South African coast. The inlet he named 15-km (9-mile) St Blaize Hiking
after São Bras (St Blaize) is today Trail winds along an unspoiled
called Mossel Bay. stretch of coastline from Bat’s
Cave to Dana Bay. Santos Beach,
the only north-facing beach in
South Africa, guarantees sunny
afternoons and safe swimming.
Regular cruises take visitors
out to Seal Island, while White
Shark Africa offers shark cage
dives or snorkelling and certi-
fication diving courses.
4 Romonza–Seal Island Trips
Mossel Bay Harbour. Tel 044 690 3101.
∑ mosselbay.co.za/romonza
White Shark Africa
7 Church St. Tel 044 691 3796.
∑ whitesharkafrica.com
Bartolomeu Dias Protea Hotel
Museum Complex Mossel Bay
Maritime MARKET ST
Museum
The CHURCH ST
Granary
SANTOS RD GRAVE ST
Post Office
Tree FOOTPATH
FOOTPATH
Malay Fountain Ethno-Botanical
Graves Munrohoek Garden
Cottages Shell Museum 0 metres
FOOTPATH 100
0 yards 100
Cape fur seals on Seal Island, Mossel Bay
For keys to symbols see back flap
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