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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

EVE'S TRAIL



Description


This 2.5 day, 30km trail begins on the dunes of Elandsfontein Farm resting place of the three-toed horse and short-necked giraffe fossils that are millions of years old. From here, you explore the white endless beach south of the West Coast National Park as you make your way onto the narrow peninsula that separates it from the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Here, you will walk amidst breathtaking scenery in the footsteps of Eve, from who it is suggested that all human life - well before the emergence of Homo sapiens – is thought to have descended. In 1995, the oldest human footprints ever discovered, thought to have belonged to Eve, were found in the West Coast National Park. The area where Eve lived still looks more or less the same as it did 117 000 years ago. What was life like for Eve as she gathered food near the Langebaan Lagoon with its clear azure water, pristine white beaches and rolling hills covered in fynbos? Stand on the white dunes overlooking the lagoon and feel a link with the ancestors of humankind. Did Eve marvel at the thousands of seabirds who roost on sheltered beaches, and the vast concentrations of migrant waders from the northern hemisphere that take shelter in the salt marshes? Was Eve mesmerised by the bright colour of the bokbaai vygies, babianas, tritonias and nemesias as they are seen against the granite hills in spring, and in the summer by the pink everlasting flowers of the Peregrinus species, their long stems rising above the surrounding bush. Did Eve immerse her body quietly in the warm waters of the lagoon so as not to disturb the flamingos filter feeding in the shallows?
Experience what it was like to be governed by the sun, the stars, and the tides of the sea? Spend three days without your watch and live life at natures pace to replenish your soul.


Itinerary


Day 1: Elandsfontein Fossil & Game Farm

Time your arrival at Elandsfontein for mid-afternoon. Leave your car in safety at the entrance gate and hop aboard an off road vehicle for a short transfer to the lodge where you will receive a warm welcome from your hosts. After settling in, take a short drive to collect your quad bike. A quick quad bike lesson and it’s off to explore the dunes and look for fossils. A sunset game drive takes you back to the lodge for pre-dinner drinks and a sumptuous meal.

Day 2: Yzerfontein – Duinepos in the West Coast National Park (16km)

Wake with the birds for an early breakfast before setting off for Yzerfontein, where you will meet your local guide and begin your days walk. Explore the endless 16-Mile beach and swim in the icy Atlantic if you dare (Leg 1, 2 hours). Head up over the dunes for a fantastic view of the West Coast National Park wilderness. Make your way along a sandy but firm track towards Abrahamskraal, taking the time to absorb the small plants and animals that make the coastal plains so fascinating. Emerging from the vegetation out onto a road overlooking the azure waters of the Langebaan lagoon, your days walk has come to an end (Leg 2, 2 hours). Refreshing drinks, a snack and its time for a short ride to Kraalbaai to the spot where Eve’s footprints were found. Spend an hour lazing and swimming in the tranquil lagoon. Duinepos Chalets, your overnight spot tucked away in the sheltered renosterveld is the destination for your mouth watering fish braai.

Day 3: Duinepos – Seeberg in the West Coast National Park (14km)

Greet the day early with a cup of coffee and a pre-breakfast walk to explore the beautiful, nearby dunes, resting place of plant fossils from an ancient marsh (Leg 3, 1.5 hours). Then make your way to the historic homestead of Geelbek for an excellent breakfast. From Geelbek follow the road to the salt marsh, a wonderland for wading birds. Follow the track past the salt marsh and the old Bottlery Farmstead before making your way down to the lagoon (Leg 4, 1 hour). Stroll along the banks of the lagoon with views across to Churchaven. Keep a look out for fossilized oyster shells and other mysterious creatures embedded in rocks temporarily exposed by the outgoing tide (Leg 5, 1 hour). At the Flaming Jo car park, turn inland, crossing over the road to climb up towards the highest point in the West Coast National Park (Leg 6, 0.5-1 hour). Emerge triumphant on the hill top where you end your trail with a picnic lunch and spectacular views across the lagoon from the historic Seeberg Cottage.

Price

The trail has not been developed yet, but the itinerary described above is 70% of the way there and already a great experience. If you have a group of people who would like to do the trail as it currently is, we can arrange for you to do a Trial Run at cost and according to your tailor-made itinerary, accommodation and catering options. Interested? Contact Janette du Toit (jdutoit@capebiosphere.co.za).


Addendum: What is so exciting about the footprints? Theory suggests that all human life - well before the emergence of Homo sapiens - is descended from one common female ancestor, known as "Genetic Eve". We do not know absolutely whether the prints are hers (the chances of that are incalculably small). But experts say they were made at the right time and place to fit her profile.
Rick Gore, the senior assistant editor of National Geographic, who wrote up the story of the finding of these footprints, ended the article with the following words:"We cover the prints with sand and head back down the beach. I turn and conjure a parting image of that lone figure standing atop the dune, hair blowing in the breeze, dark skin aglow in the sunset. In my mind she will forever be Eve. I know that's romantic, but I'm a modern human, and I need my symbols and stories to make sense of this world. I imagine her taking that first step down the dune. It's a small and tentative step, latent with curiosity and 117 000 years later we still don't know where it will ultimately lead."

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