It’s Sunday morning and I am lying in a cloud of puffy white linen, watching the mist as it wafts through the door and swirls around the room, making patterns in the soft morning light around me. I am revelling in that half-awake state of being that is midway between deep sleep and consciousness – a rare and special place that we parents seldom get to visit.
The boys are staying in their own lodge, and Ralph has gone to check on them, giving me blissful time to wake up at my own lazy pace. We are staying in the luxury honeymoon tent at Misty Mountain Reserve in Tstitsikamma in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
A lovely surprise at our honeymoon tent
Tsitsikamma marks the start of the Garden Route, and is known for its scenic beauty and plethora of adventure activities. We visited Misty Mountain Reserve for an idyllic family weekend of relaxing, hiking and fishing.
Our first surprise was the incredible 180 degree sea view that greeted us as we arrived at Misty Mountain. The Indian Ocean was showing off with its best display of clear deep blue water and not a breath of wind, making it look like an enormous indigo lagoon. The sun set as we braaied on the family lodge deck, to the sound of laughter, chatter and the ethereal crying of peacocks.
Misty from above
On Saturday, we woke up with our heads in the clouds – a combination of balmy berg heat and cold ocean temperatures had conjured up a mist so thick that it enveloped everything in a milky white haze, and softened the sounds to a magical hush.
We met our guide, Oslen, who was to take us on the David Lane hiking trail. He dished out Misty Mountain walking sticks, and set off in the lead. We ambled behind, enjoying the misty rainforest, and stopping to learn about the trail and some of the vegetation along the way.
The David Lane hiking trail
When we broke through the forest to the coastal walk, there was a lovely wooden viewing platform and even though we could not see forever as I would imagine you could on a clear day, we enjoyed standing perched in the clouds looking down on the crashing ocean below.
A stroll along the bluff took us back into the forest, to Oslen’s pride – his secret hidden pool in amongst the trees. I can understand why Oslen puffed up like a peacock when he saw the delight on our faces – this was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Verdant green lush bush dotted with wild yellow lilies around a stream gurgling between large natural pools, separated by waterfalls – a true hidden gem.
One of the most beautiful places I have ever seen
Oslen served up an impressive spread of trail snacks as we changed into our costumes and jumped into the dark brown pool, stained from the tannins of the trees upriver. The water was cool and welcoming, and we paddled to the end of the pool and sat on the rocks above the waterfall below. All the while, we were surrounded by swirling mist, making it feel surreal, as if we had entered another enchanted world.
Swimming in paradise
When we arrived back at Misty Mountain, there was the most magnificent picnic waiting for us – a spread second to none, all packed in wicker baskets and complete with a bottle of bubbly (the alcohol free family version). We spent the rest of our weekend fishing, golfing, fine dining and sleeping, rounding off the most special family breakaway.
A magnificent picnic
Thank you Misty for sharing your magic with us, for enveloping us in your cloud and transporting our family into a realm where time moves slower, and peace and beauty reigns supreme.
Golfing in the mist
Watch the video highlights of our weekend at Misty Mountain Reserve:
Click here to watch on YouTube if it does not display correctly on your device
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