This is part of a series of posts following the LookSouth Road Trip from September 2023. Click here to read Part 1.
The coastal town of Boggomsbaai, near Mosselbay, was where we met our fellow hikers for the Oystercatcher trail.
Located in the centre of the bay called Vleesbaai, the village has a self-contained nature reserve within it, comprising small reptiles and mammals such as tortoise,
guinea fowl, rabbit and small antelope.
The three days of hiking took place along the coastline between the Gourikwa Private Nature Reserve and Mosselbay, crossing the spectacular Gouritz River along the way.
Although a bit tricky clambering up and down over rocks on the daily hikes, as always spending time in nature invigorates the soul. Highlights included the sighting of more than 20 pairs of near-threatened African Black Oystercatchers, more sightings of the magnificent Crowned Crane, the spectacular mosaic tunnel at Pinnacle Point and learning about the history of the area.
Pinnacle Point tunnel
The start of the final day of the hike was at Pinnacle Point promontory. We were awestruck to find the 50 metre-long mosaic tunnel at the start of this hike.
Pinnacle Point leads to Eden Bay Beach. Its walls are covered in mosaic art. The mosaic project is led by the Pinnacle Point Arts and Culture Association and artistic volunteers do the art.
It is believed the 84-panel mosaic artwork in the tunnel will be one of the largest mosaic showpieces in the
Southern Hemisphere. On the one side, the history and scenes of Mosselbay are presented. The other side of the tunnel celebrates South Africa’s marine heritage.
Excavations since the year 2000 of a series of caves in the area have revealed occupation by Middle Stone Age people between 170 000 and 40 000 years ago. Sharpened stones found in the Pinnacle Point caves are believed by archaeologists to have been made and used by prehistoric man as tools. There is a quest for the Pinnacle Point caves to become a World Heritage site.
Click here to continue reading Part 5 of the story