As we currently endure one of the strictest Covid-19 lockdowns in the world, those of us who live on the Atlantic Seaboard are extremely fortunate to have the ocean within our five kilometer radius rule. We might not be able to swim or walk on the beach, but we can see the sea, get close to it and continue to admire its power and magnificence. Breathing in fresh ocean air is fortifying, and an excellent remedy for just about any ailment, especially that of the soul. Looking out over a large body of water helps calm the mind during these uncertain times.
Unlike many others around the world, our coastline is a wild and unchartered affair. Just off the coast, in the cold and churning depths, lives a wide diversity of marine life. On a good day, you might catch a glimpse of a southern right whale coming right in to shore, breeching, frolicking or flapping its enormous tail. It’s not unusual for canoeists off Three Anchor Bay to find themselves paddling alongside one or two of these fantastic creatures. Schools of dolphin often pass by, either on hunting expeditions or just having fun in the surf. In most other parts of the world, getting close to these spectacular sea creatures necessitates traveling far distances by boat. Here, you can just look out of your window.
Robben Island has a huge African penguin colony, and Cape fur seals are a regular feature. Recently, now that the beaches are empty, an enormous elephant seal spent the day hanging out on Hout Bay beach, much to the surprise and fascination of locals. We humans have always been drawn to the sea, and one of life’s simple pleasures is watching waves roll in. The thick and shiny ropes of kelp which make up our ocean’s kelp forests surf the green rollers while the real surfers wait, impatiently, to be allowed back into the water. It’s very unusual to be able to surf just off the coast of a city, making Cape Town very unique.
What we see on the surface — the odd fin or blowhole spewing water — is, of course, a tiny fraction of what is happening beneath the surface. Our coast is teeming with life — huge schools of snoek and yellowtail keep the fishermen happy, and it’s one of the few remaining places on the planet where you can still get an abundance of excellent seafood like perlemoen, crayfish and octopus. Far below the turbulence of the tides and hidden from human eyes, exotic creatures like sunfish and sharks navigate our waters. A few years ago we sat quay-side at the V&A Waterfront watching four false killer whales, including a calf, swimming inside the marina. While they share characteristics with the better known killer whale, or orca, they are in fact a large species of dolphin which lives in tropical and temperate waters around the world.
Lately we are keeping our eyes peeled for the family of orcas that were seen in False Bay a few weeks ago, and which we know are in the area. They are getting closer, probably chasing the great whites. Towards the end of winter, you are guaranteed to see small crowds of people parked by the side of the road or standing on the beach whale-watching. It’s a real thrill seeing one of these creatures so close to shore as they come in to calve. Another thing many of us who live here sometimes take for granted is the glorious spectacle of the sun setting over the sea. There are not many places in the world you get to watch this splendid scene daily, and the sunsets we have been experiencing during lockdown have been even more spectacular than usual. While we wait, patiently, for our house arrest to end, the sea has been a great source of comfort. The predictability of the tides as they ebb in and out serve to remind us of the ebb and flow of life. And that this, too, shall end.
Lance Real Estate is based in Fresnaye, Cape Town and covers the Atlantic Seaboard from the Waterfront to Camps Bay. With over 23 years’ experience in the most sought-after residential areas in Africa, Lance Real Estate has sold over R 1 billion worth of properties in the last 3 years.
It is this hands-on knowledge that sets Lance Real Estate apart from our competition. We have built an extensive database of buyers and sellers over the last 2 decades who have grown to trust our market knowledge and depend on us to negotiate the best possible deal in any property negotiation.
We are now extending our reach and taking on houses and apartments for sale from the Waterfront through to Camps Bay.
If you are looking for a remarkable agency to buy, rent or sell your property on the Atlantic Seaboard, our friendly customer care team is a phone call away.
We also have a range of holiday rentals to offer. If you appreciate beautiful African sunsets over the sea and sublime mountain views, then visit our holiday rentals section on our website.
Contact
Email: info@lancerealestate.co
Tel: +27 82 416 6103
Website: http://www.lancerealestate.co
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