Urban life becomes a distant memory and all those things that just seemed so important back home vanish - your only task is being.

 

 

Don’t worry, none of us had ever heard of it before either. It’s about five hours out of Cape Town up the Diamond (West) Coast.

 

The diamond divers used to base themselves on a little stretch of land near the De Beers area and have since left nine gorgeous, little huts in their wake. These can be rented from the lovely Dudley and Aletta Wessels, who arrange the necessary permits with De Beers too. Click here to see the beauty of Noup Diamond Coast.

 

 

Built by buxom divers, the huts are each unique in their structure but equally charming in a very rustic way.

 

Host Aletta claims they're rough and ready so we weren’t expecting much, but when we arrived, our jaws dropped. We all frolicked from hut to hut exploring the quaintness of each.

 

Over the years they've been decorated by the folk who have rented the spots. There are little touches that make you want to call it home.

 

It’s basic, but it’s beautiful.

 

Implored to explore...

For those wanting a bit of action, there’s the guided Shipwreck 4x4 track. Your host Dudley does not seem as concerned about time as he is about you.

 We stopped to note the flora and fauna of the area, marvelling at its hardiness to survive in such an extreme environment. Despite having lived in the area for many years, even Dudley remains in awe.

 

Tranquillity-lined coast

And then there’s just the wonder of there being nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing about.

 Just wicked weskus coastline extending in front of you, waves rolling in, diamond mines and shipwrecks a couple of km’s away - and you…

 

It’s magic

The mist rolled in every couple of hours creating a surreal, dramatic atmosphere.

 Surfers in our group disappeared in search of that elusive ‘best surf of my life’, there were bicycle okes meandering down the dirt roads saying howzit to little bokkies along the way - and me, tucked up in bed with my book and view onto the ocean.

Electricity is for sissies

The stillness engulfs you and the calm settles into your blood. Come night time, candles light the way before the gennie starts up for our daily three hours of electricity.

 Just enough to charge batteries and cook in light before it’s back to west coast chilledness. We all started to realize just how little we actually need electricity. (“hooray” shouts Eskom!)

 

It was to bed most nights for us as the gennie too went to sleep. We rose close to dawn to enjoy all the day had to offer, blessed with both good waves and good weather – someone was smiling down on us.

 

During the Spring flower season, they are 60km from the famed Namaqualand area and have their own design of spring flowers that are scattered in klompies around the area.

 

I can only imagine how glorious this would be, adding to an almost perfect spot as it is.

 

This is a true South African west coast experience and is not for those seeking fluffy white towels and pampering.

 

It’s rough, but it’s magical… I almost didn’t want to write about it, to keep it as my own little piece of heaven, but it’s too good not to share.

 

We managed to take five days out. I would recommend this amount of time as the bare minimum: enough to soak it all in and completely unwind before heading back refreshed, recharged and sparkling from the inside…

 

Contact Dudley or Aletta on 0832867080 or noup@kingsley.co.za to arrange a guided 4x4 trail, permits and accommodation.

 

  

In need of a city break? Then try one o these holiday packages.