Oubos

On the rocky coastline of the Tsitsikamma, roughly 30 kilometres from Storms River and close to Kareedouw, you will find a very isolated, virtually unknown nature reserve, called Oubos. The spectacular coastline, all rugged boulders and small protected beaches, is bordered by the deep river gorge formed by the Grootriver East and nestled amongst fynbos and indigenous forests. To use words like idyllic or sublime do not even give you a hint at how incredibly spectacular this piece of paradise is.

It is a privately owned reserve, with 40 houses. It is the type of place where homeowners may not rent out their houses and access is off-limits to the general public. You have to pass the Oudebosch farm stall on the R102, drive on a dirt road past all the beautiful dairy farms of Eersteriver road, pass the fairly newly developed golf estate Fynbos and go through the access controlled holiday village Eersteriver to reach the locked gate of this remote sanctuary. Only then, after all that, are you amazed at your luck to have friends with a family whose grandfather bought a piece of land and build a house here 52 years ago, making it possible for you to experience it all.

My friend Retha invited us, along with our friends Andre and Kirsty, to a beach holiday at Oubos. Six adults and six kids, all between ages 5 and 1. Add the Yelvertons from Mosselbaai for a weekend (2 kids, same ages), and there goes the neighbourhood:-)!!

My little city slicker had the time of his life. He learned to cast a fishing rod and ate his own fish smoked on the fire. He learned to boogyboard and to catch the waves, and he learned to snorkel. He dropped everything every evening to run to the patio to see the spectacular sunset and watched dolphins ride the waves in front of the house. He showed a preference for sandcastles with long and deep moats, loved everything about the “coke” river, and was amazed to see prawns are actually black in the sea rather than the nice sautéed pink he knows. He rode his bicycle, launched his kite, played pirate-pirate and learned all about board games from his friends (Jan, only 5, explained the intricacies of chess to him and with Albert, who is 3, Monopoly became a full-on physical game – the two of them against the innocent plastic pieces!) 

What a wonderful experience not only for Daniel, but for all of us! Everything a beach holiday should be, and I came back to Johannesburg rested and ready to tackle the rest of the year. Thanks Retha (and tannie Vanda!) (and you too, Johnny :-). 

Image credits: All photography by me