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| Top left: Looking at Kalk Bay Main Road from Kalk Bay Harbour. Top right: Picture taken in Rouxville road, opposite Lever Street Park. Bottom left: A view of the railway and Kalk Bay Harbour. Bottom right: Erin and I in Kalk Bay with the railway in the background. |
For now, we are focusing on the suburb Kalk Bay, and one
part you could go to in Fish Hoek. So let’s get started...
Firstly, a little introduction as to what to expect in Kalk
Bay: Kalk Bay is a fishing village. It lies between the ocean and mountains that
are structured by rugged cliffs of the Table Mountain Sandstone. A literal
translation from the Afrikaans/Dutch name “Kalkbaai”, is called “Lime Bay”. This
is due to the vast deposits of mussel shells found there, which in earlier
times, the settlers burned to make lime for construction. The lime kilns to
roast mussel shells are still found along the west coast. The Foundation Stone
for the harbour was placed in the year 1913. The railway from Cape Town to
Simons Town, passes through Kalk Bay and in some spots, the railway line is just metres
away from the water’s edge - and can lead to trains running late as sand can sometimes blow onto the railway tracks. Kalk Bay is also known for the famous surf spot
titled “Kalk Bay Reef”.
A few weeks ago, I went to Kalk Bay with my friend Erin, and
we both got to Kalk Bay just a little bit earlier than what we expected. We
took a train to Kalk Bay and I must admit, the view you have from Lakeside
train station all the way through to Fish Hoek or even Simon’s Town is breathtaking!
There is also a tourism train you can take, but Erin and I decided to go on
the normal train to Kalk Bay.
As we got off the train, the view you saw was spectacular
and just as you exit the train onto Kalk Bay station, you will find the
restaurant called “Brass Bell” where you can eat in a place and you can have a
great view of the ocean and also see into Kalk Bay Harbour.
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| Top: Picture of St. James train station. Bottom: The Brass Bell sign to the restaurant. |
Once we walked out of the train station, Erin and I decided
to go walking along Kalk Bay main road first before sitting at any restaurant. We noticed Kalk Bay has quite a few cafés
along the main road. There are roads you can walk up, along the main road, and
where there are shops and cafés up the roads.
Erin and I walked up the road titled Rouxville road, and up
this road, there is a park called Lever Street Park. You are welcome to go into
the park whenever you want, but when Erin and I were at the park, it looked
like there was a party happening on this day. So instead of interfering with
the party, we decided we would sit on one of the open chairs for a little time,
and then we decided to look around at what there was around the park.
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| Top: Lever Street Park. Bottom: The building opposite Lever Street Park showing the Pottershop and Bobs Bagel Cafe. |
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| Top left: Having a rest looking out into the ocean before walking along Kalk Bay. Top right: Picture of a building along Kalk Bay Main Road. Bottom left: Erin holding a "peace" sign while walking past The Courtyard Cafe. Bottom right: Picture showing a direction to The Courtyard Cafe. |
After spending some time at the park, Erin and I walked back down to the main road and continued walking ahead towards the shops/cafés. On our way, we decided we would go to the Olympia Cafe to have breakfast, but before we did that, we first looked around a little more in Kalk Bay. I was reminiscing about the past times I have been to Kalk Bay. I have been to Kalk Bay way back when I was a little girl, and my goodness! How times have changed. I was looking at what Kalk Bay once looked like back when I was a young girl, and a lot of things have changed. An example would be that there are new cafés around Kalk Bay. There is one store I know which has been in Kalk Bay main road for some time now, and that is the Ice Cafe: Real Italian Ice Cream – just a note: They only accept cash and no cards. I can remember my grandmother telling me how expensive this ice cream cafe was, and it still is now, but I must admit, the pricing for 1 scoop of ice cream is good. I just cannot take over how it has been years since I have actually looked around Kalk Bay and have seen what really changed in this place.
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| Top left: Picture of the Oh So Boho shop. Top right: Picture of The Kalk Bay Gallery shop. Bottom left: Picture showing what Kalk Bay Quarter sells in their shop. Bottom right: Picture of Kalk Bay Co-op while walking along Kalk Bay Main Road. |
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| Left: Looking down an alley while walking in Kalk Bay Main Road. Right: A picture taken where I used to go when I was a young girl. |
After reminiscing about the past, Erin and I then went to the Olympia Cafe as we could hear our stomachs growling for food. The Olympia Cafe was quite full, but the seating Erin and I got was a good spot as we could look out at Kalk Bay Harbour. What we realized was that the menu was all on the walls, and you do not receive any menus. We weren’t sure exactly what to get, so our waiter came and asked us what we wanted. We stated we do not eat meat and the waiter asked Erin and I if we would like hot food or cold food. We both said we wanted something cold with fruit, so there was an option on the menu which had mango, yogurt and granola in a glass. I picked this option – it could have been because I saw someone else with this food dish on their table – and Erin also had the exact same option as me. The waiter said he could change the mango for strawberries, which was a good option to choose as this dish tasted delicious! Erin and I also ordered freshly squeezed juice – I had an apple juice and Erin had the orange juice. The Olympia Cafe was a very nice café to be in as some of the words written on the walls were comedic and to me, the words seemed like a don’t-care-what-you-think sort of feel, but they were hysterical to read. I must admit, the Olympia Cafe has got great service as the waiters/waitresses are very helpful and also give some good advice about the food choices, should someone – like me – not come to a decision as to what they’d like to eat.
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| Top: The Olympia Bakery just around the corner from The Olympia Cafe. Bottom: The Olympia Bakery. |
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| Left: A glass with strawberries, yogurt and granola cereal from The Olympia Cafe. Right: Freshly squeezed apple juice from The Olympia Cafe. |
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| Top left: Picture of me in The Olympia Cafe. Top right: Picture of The Olympia Cafe's menu - and some of their funny comments. Bottom left: Picture showing what I ordered at The Olympia Cafe. Bottom right: Picture of what is in The Olympia Bakery. |
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| Top left: Picture showing Kalky's Fish and Chips Restaurant. Top right: Picture showing two boats with what looks like crab cages. Bottom left: Picture of Kalk Bay Harbour. Bottom right: Picture of Kalk Bay Harbour with the red lighthouse in the distance. |
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| Top left: Picture of the seal on a step. Top right: Picture showing a seal swimming in the litter of plastic/bottles/rubbish. Bottom left: Picture of me and the seal who came onto the harbour. Bottom right: Picture of Kalk Bay Harbour. |
Erin and I then walked all the way to the lighthouse, and it
was very windy where we were standing, so we quickly took some photos at the
lighthouse, and then walked to the other pier, but on our way there, we saw one
of the seals jump onto the harbour, which no one wanted to pass him because
they feared the seal might bite them. I didn’t have that fear, so I just walked
around the seal, his eyes were big, like his pupils dilated, but the seal was
alright, he didn’t do anything to anyone. I guess he wanted the fish the people
were selling.
Along the other pier, there were more fisherman boats. We
took some more photos by this pier, and it was also very windy, but we could
handle it.
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| Top left: More of fisherman boats with cages/nets at Kalk Bay Harbour. Top right: More of the fishermans boats while walking along the pier at Kalk Bay Harbour. Bottom left: Picture of the red lighthouse at Kalk Bay Harbour. Bottom right: A picture of the green and the red lighthouse, as well as the entrance for the boats to enter the harbour. |
After walking along the pier, taking in the beautiful view
of Kalk Bay and looking around Kalk Bay Harbour, we decided to quickly get some
ice cream before we went to Fish Hoek. As we were exiting Kalk Bay Harbour, we
quickly looked at Harbour House, and then we exited back to Kalk Bay main road
to get ice cream. As we were walking along Kalk Bay main road again, many
people were walking toward the beach as it was indeed a warm day, but the wind
kept this day from feeling the heat. We quickly had a look at Kalk Bay books,
where I bought the 6th book for the Mortal Instruments: City of
Heavenly Fire. We then walked along the main road, and I went into the restaurant
titled “Lekker” which I bought a croissant and a red velvet cupcake. The
service at Lekker was also very good; I was helped out straight away.
Below is a photo I posted on Instagram of the 6th book for the Mortal Instruments: City of Heavenly Fire I purchased from Kalk Bay Books:
After this, we went to the place The Ice Cafe: The Real Italian Ice Cream store. I must admit, the ice cream melted very quickly, so you had to eat the ice cream before it became like a milkshake – that is what Erin said. We then walked toward Kalk Bay train station as we wanted to go to Fish Hoek beach. We didn’t wait long before the train arrived that took us to Fish Hoek.
Below is a photo I posted on Instagram of the 6th book for the Mortal Instruments: City of Heavenly Fire I purchased from Kalk Bay Books:
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| Top left: Inside the Lekker Restaurant. Top right: The outside of the Lekker Restaurant. Bottom left: A picture of what the Lekker Restuarant offers. Bottom right: Cupcakes, as well as cans of cooldrinks that is sold at the Lekker Restaurant. |
After this, we went to the place The Ice Cafe: The Real Italian Ice Cream store. I must admit, the ice cream melted very quickly, so you had to eat the ice cream before it became like a milkshake – that is what Erin said. We then walked toward Kalk Bay train station as we wanted to go to Fish Hoek beach. We didn’t wait long before the train arrived that took us to Fish Hoek.
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| Top left: Picture of me with my ice-cream at The Ice Cafe: The Real Italian Ice Cream store. Top right: A picture of my ice-cream I ordered. Bottom left: A picture up on the wall inside The Ice Cafe: The Real Italian Ice Cream store. Bottom right: Kalk Bay train station. |
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| Top left: An overview of Kalk Bay Harbour. Top right: On a the train looking at Kalk Bay Harbour. Bottom left: Took this picture while on the train. Bottom right: Fish Hoek train station. |
Once we arrived at Fish Hoek, Erin and I walked to Fish Hoek
beach, while admiring the view of Fish Hoek itself. I wanted to get a picture
taken at Fish Hoek beach to show what I looked like now, versus what I looked
like back in the day when I was younger, at the same spot.
Below is the picture I posted on Instagram to show what I looked like then and now at the same spot in Fish Hoek:
Below is the picture I posted on Instagram to show what I looked like then and now at the same spot in Fish Hoek:
We then spent some time by Fish Hoek beach. There was a
quite a good couple for people on the beach, as well as in the restaurant. It
was quite a warm day. The restaurant on this beach is titled “The Beachcomber Bistro”. I bought yet another ice cream – on a cone and it was a soft serve –
only to realize the ice cream was quite a lot to have. Erin ordered a
milkshake.
After spending some time at Fish Hoek beach, we then decided
to leave Fish Hoek and go home.
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| Top left: Fish Hoek beach. Top right: The dolphin monument just as you enter Fish Hoek beach. Bottom left: A picture showing The Beachcomber Bistro in the background. Bottom right: A board sign titled "Sandy Shores" that has information about the dunes. |
There are also many caves to explore while in Kalk Bay. There
are 2 famous caves that are in Kalk Bay, and they are: Boomslang cave and Ronan’s
Well – this was names after the Walter Scott novel titled “St. Ronan’s Well”.
Southern Right whales also swim near the shore in Kalk Bay
during whale watching season, and the whales are often seen near the piers.
Lastly, I have been told by many people that one hasn't had the full Kalk Bay experience unless you walk up the side roads in Kalk Bay, as there are quite a few unique shops up these roads. So make sure to walk up the side roads and see what shops there are, and maybe take a walk in the park.
Lastly, I have been told by many people that one hasn't had the full Kalk Bay experience unless you walk up the side roads in Kalk Bay, as there are quite a few unique shops up these roads. So make sure to walk up the side roads and see what shops there are, and maybe take a walk in the park.
Here are some of the cafés and restaurants you can indulge yourself to - or with your family/friends - while you’re in Kalk Bay:
Harbour House
The Courtyard Cafe
Ohana Cafe
Bobs Bagel Cafe
With regard to the information I gave about Kalk Bay, I received my information from Wikipedia.
Thank you to everyone who has read this blog,
I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I wrote it!
The Courtyard Cafe
Ohana Cafe
Bobs Bagel Cafe
With regard to the information I gave about Kalk Bay, I received my information from Wikipedia.
Thank you to everyone who has read this blog,
I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I wrote it!
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