|
GANSBAAI
'Meaning Goose Bay, a goose is definitely the last think that popped into my mind when I drove thought Gansbaai. The first thing that came to me was Great White Sharks with large white teeth only inches away, with only a steal cage keep this predator from making me his afternoon snack. Well on that thought maybe I'll give the Shark diving a skip for today'.
Over the past few years Gansbaai has become quite well known destination for Shark cage diving drawing even the rich and famous to our shores like Brad Pitt, Matt Deamon and Prince Harry and let’s not forget the lovely Ladies like Halle Berry and Blake Lively who have all dared these waters. 'They defelenty have more guts than I do'.
Well lets not give the Great Whites all the attention, as there is much more to Gansbaai ,getting the name the Big 2 town already tells you there is more than just sharks in this town. Gansbaai also yearly welcomes the giants of the ocean, the Southern Right Whales. Each year from July to December these gaints make them selfs at home in the save waters of Walkerbay. Walkerbay covers the western side of Gansbaai and has been a safe place for the Southern Right Whale for years to mate, give birth and rise their calfs till they are strong enough for the big oceans. But before these two attractions bought people from all over to this town, a small community of people formed next to the fresh water fountain close to where the harbor is located today, back then the fountain was also home to some wild geese and as came the name “Gansgat” (goose hole”), and later changed to Gansbaai as we all know and love it today. For many locals Gansbaai is still a fishing village as it has always been. The harbor still play a big role in many of the locals every day live and driving through Gansbaai you will notice that almost every driveway has a boat parked next to the family car. Gansbaai also host two main Festivals each year the “Kreef Derby” and the “Ganse” Festival that provides fun for all ages.
Gansbaai 's filled with restaurants pubs and other entertainment, a must do when visiting Gansbaai is visit the pub down at the harbour, order yourself a drink , have a seat outside on the deck and watch the sun set as the last boats come in. If you want to make this experience even more worthwhile why not make that drink a locally brewed beer from Birkenhead breweries or even one our local overberg wines Well that my bit on Gansbaai as the sun sets over the ocean and the seagulls saying their goodbays. copyright |