On Walker Bay, Hermanus, South Africa
Hermanuspietersfontein, that's what Hermanus, South Africa, on Walker Bay, was once called. It was named after a farmer in the early nineteenth century - one Hermanus Pieters - who was a schoolmaster as well. He'd found a fresh water spring here on the coast for his cattle, and in 1855 the town was established. The local postmaster was exasperated at the long name of his station, and drastically cut it down to 'Hermanus'.
The ocean water on the horizon here is Walker Bay, apparently named for William Walker, a master of the Royal Navy who charted these waters in 1818. On the edge of The Land Over the Bay is Gansbaai, where last year I photographed the motorvessel Kolgans (a picture somewhere in my photostream: January 10, 2008).
Standing proudly on the craggy coast at the eastern end of Hermanus Is The Marine, an hotel founded by Walter McFarlane of Elgin, high on the mountain, in 1902. Some of the best seafood can be had here for lunch or dinner overlooking the blue of the Bay.
Behind the Hotel are these fancy flats, pristine in their whiteness, and stark against the bright azure sky.
On Walker Bay, Hermanus, South Africa
Hermanuspietersfontein, that's what Hermanus, South Africa, on Walker Bay, was once called. It was named after a farmer in the early nineteenth century - one Hermanus Pieters - who was a schoolmaster as well. He'd found a fresh water spring here on the coast for his cattle, and in 1855 the town was established. The local postmaster was exasperated at the long name of his station, and drastically cut it down to 'Hermanus'.
The ocean water on the horizon here is Walker Bay, apparently named for William Walker, a master of the Royal Navy who charted these waters in 1818. On the edge of The Land Over the Bay is Gansbaai, where last year I photographed the motorvessel Kolgans (a picture somewhere in my photostream: January 10, 2008).
Standing proudly on the craggy coast at the eastern end of Hermanus Is The Marine, an hotel founded by Walter McFarlane of Elgin, high on the mountain, in 1902. Some of the best seafood can be had here for lunch or dinner overlooking the blue of the Bay.
Behind the Hotel are these fancy flats, pristine in their whiteness, and stark against the bright azure sky.