Between the Strand and Onrus

Between the Strand and Onrus, about 80km away, the Faure Marine Drive or R44 takes one through lovely seaside towns like Gordons Bay, Rooi Els, Bettys Bay, Kleinmond and Fisherhaven. The R44 runs into the R43 near Botriver, and that in turn runs past Fisherhaven on the Botriver Vlei, Hawston and Vermont to Onrus. The images in this blog come from our drive along this route to Onrus and back in 2014.

The view northwest from the R44 just outside Gordons Bay. The Strand is off camera to the left. In the distance lie the Hottentots-Holland Mountains.

Looking southwest across False Bay towards the Swartkop Mountains on the peninsula leading to Cape Point.

Part of Gordons Bay, with Bikini Beach closest to the camera and the harbour on the left.

Kogelbaai, looking towards Cape Hangklip.

Kleinmond beach: the view across towards the Hermanus, with the Babilonstoring, Kleinrivier and Franskraal mountains on the horizon.

Another view of the Kleinmond seafront.

Botriver Vlei is an estuary lagoon in the Bot River. Here we are looking northeast towards the village of Botrivier.

Looking at the Palmiet mountains across Botriver Vlei (A “vlei” in Afrikaans can be a swamp, any stretch of shallow water or a lagoon.)

A moody sky over the Palmiet mountains.

Late afternoon sun on the Botriver Vlei.

Tidal flats at sunset.

Dramatic scenery is common on the Vlei at this time of the year (late winter).

Dark clouds gather…

I love winter in the Cape.

Looking across the Vlei towards the Atlantic Ocean.

The peaks of the Palmiet mountains above Kleinmond.

The beach, Onrus, looking across Walker Bay towards Gansbaai and the Franskraal Mountain.

En route back to the Strand. Cape Hangklip on the horizon.

Sunset drive along the Faure Marine Drive with the Blousteen and Kogelberg mountains towering over False Bay.

Another view of this stunningly scenic drive, matched only by Chapmans Peak Drive for beauty.

Late sun paints the mountains.

Looking across False Bay towards the Strand from Gordons Bay.

Back in our holiday apartment and the night view across the Strand towards Somerset West and the Helderberg Mountain beyond.

Both Sides of False Bay: Muizenberg and Gordon’s Bay

Detail, Casa Labia, Muizenberg.

Helderberg mountain seen across False Bay from Muizenberg.

From the Hottentots-Holland mountains to Cape Hangklip.

Muizenberg has some wonderful old houses, like this one on Beach Road.

The main beach, Gordon’s Bay.

Looking south by west across False Bay from Gordon’s Bay. Next stop Cape Point, and then Antarctica!

Part of the yacht harbour, Gordon’s Bay. The mountains on the horizon are on the Cape Town side of False Bay.

There are quite a number of really stunning (and expensive!) beachside houses above Bikini Beach, Gordon’s Bay.

Homes of the lucky few above Bikini Beach.