Hogs back is a magical
place in the Eastern Cape, run by people who truly lose themselves in all it has to offer. With
Fairy walks and carefully manicured gardens, you can really enjoy a weekend
away physically and mentally.
There
are two theories that I know of as to how the little town got its name. The
commander of fort Michell was called Captain Hogg and it is believed that the
village was named after him. Others think it may be because of the three peaks
that are near to the town, as they look like a hogs back when you see them from
a specific angle.
In
South Africa we don’t have snow during Christmas time, but many indulge in a
second Christmas during the July winter season, where a “White” July Christmas can
be enjoyed amongst friends and family. When I went there, it was late winter,
and the snow had already disappeared.
Upon
arrival, I had no idea what to expect, and was advised of a few places to go
and see, and educated on the numerous possibilities of entertainment. The first
place I chose to stay was at Away with the fairies, a place that firstly
sounded like my kind of spot and secondly they are very environmentally
friendly, respectful and conscious. Me being the nature person I am, I could
not resist the sound of it, and was more than excited to climb the scariest
tree house, or have a bath in the tub with a view.
When we
arrived there, the Hippie vibe surrounding the whole town was very evident, but
I really enjoyed it. The break, the escape in the natural rolling hills and
forests, with people who truly live freely was exactly what I needed. After
setting up tent in what felt like someone’s backyard, we went to have a drink
the Wizards sleeve bar. Too excited to explore we kept conversation short and
headed straight for the tree house!
It was
a short experience at the tree house, because Hogs back boasts scores of hiking
trails (and wild forest cows) in which you are exposed to a beautiful indigenous forest, wonderful
crystal waterfalls and over 150 bird species. With a map in hand (which never
proved to help us, due to our lack of care to sticking to a path) we hiked
every single day. Some days we hiked twice a day. Being that it is so beautiful
it was easy to hike without thinking of the exercise involved in exploring the
beautiful forests.
There
are many places to stay in Hogs back, so whether you prefer the rustic environment
with camping or a B&B or an inn, there is an option for every type of
person, although I do suggest stocking up with your favorite supplies as the
grocery store is more of a small convenient store, which is more than
sufficient if you are not a fussy type. There are also wonderful restaurants,
and I enjoyed two of them during my stay there. One that served chilli
chocolate samoosas with a wonderful fireplace was Happy hogs, I sat there and
drank great wine while enjoying the awesome food and the cozy flames.
During
the days spent there, we visited the St Patricks Church which is situated on the left
around a windy road. The garden is full of bright rhododendrons and azaleas. There
is also a brass bell (which I couldn’t help but ring) that stands as a memorial
for the Reverend Dr Bride Dixon, who was the first woman priest in South Africa
as well as the Doctor there. We also went on the fairy walk which is owned by
an elderly couple. The gentleman allowed us to watch him in his art studio as
he created concrete sculptures of fairies that once painted, and carefully
placed, come alive and sparkle with magic.
We
also spent a night at Swallowtail, which was wonderful due to the rain, as they
had a traveler’s lounge where we could make a fire, enjoy a glass of red wine,
and cook our meal. Swallowtail is perfect for campers and caravaner’s alike,
with wonderful bathroom facilities and amazing hospitality.
All in
all, I would definitely go back there. It is one of those places that captured
me, enchanted my spirit and left me dazed in peace when I left. If I had not
gone there, I would have put it at the top of my bucket list!
To see more information about Away with the fairies i have added a link below:
http://awaywiththefairies.co.za/
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