| Anyone that has ever been to South Africa will know | | | | often featuring on the menu. After dinner you may |
| that its West Coast is very different to its East | | | | want to join the other guests in the rustic pub where |
| Coast. Here the cold Benguela Current has left its | | | | the owner may entertain everyone with his guitar. |
| mark on the few coastal villages that dot this part of | | | | A walk around the little bay is a must for any visitor. |
| the world. Hondeklipbaai is no different. Situated 112 | | | | Be prepared to be joined by a dozen or more dogs |
| kilometers from the nearest larger town of | | | | as you make your way towards the rocky beach |
| Springbok, this charming little village offers the tourist | | | | past the houses. Out of every front yard a dog will |
| a unique experience. | | | | come to join you on your walk. On the way back |
| The gravel road from Springbok the Hondeklipbaai is | | | | the reverse happens, until you are left with only the |
| in itself quite scenic as it winds its way through the | | | | one or two dogs from the Honnehok. |
| Namaqua National Park over the sparsely vegetated | | | | Hondeklipbaai boasts two wrecks, which is a |
| hills towards the coast. You may just be lucky to see | | | | testimony to the gale force winds of the Atlantic |
| a Klipspringer or Tortoise along the way. | | | | Ocean. The second wreck is situated slightly south of |
| Probably the first thing you will notice as you | | | | Hondeklipbaai. The Aristea saw mine sweeping duties |
| approach Hondeklipbaai is the wreck of the Jahleel. | | | | during World War Two but was blown onto the |
| This diamond gravel boat ran aground in 2003 and lies | | | | rocks in July 1945 with the loss of one life. It is |
| almost squarely in the middle of the bay around | | | | possible to walk around its rusting skeleton and still |
| which Hondeklipbaai is situated. The next thing you | | | | see its boiler and engine. |
| will notice are the little whitewashed houses which | | | | On the way back to your accommodation, stop by |
| dominate the village. | | | | at the Hondekip or Dog Stone. This dog shaped |
| Accommodation in Hondeklipbaai is currently limited to | | | | stone is where the village got its name from. |
| the Skulpieskraal tented lodge, the Visbeen lodge, | | | | If you intend going back to Springbok, try using the |
| and the Honnehok chalets. At the later, the owner | | | | gravel road that comes out further south on the N7. |
| has set up a few small wooden cabins with a | | | | The scenery is well worth the additional 20 to 30 |
| restaurant and pub. The food served is excellent, | | | | kilometers driving. |
| with Springbok Stew and the Catch of the Day | | | | |