The Boston Bulwer Beat - A Country Heart with Open Skies

An overview of Boston and Bulwer: The Beat with the Country Heart

zoom A paragliders dream

There's absolutely no mistaking our pristine, inviting surrounds for anything but a long-established seat of pastoral plenty - the luxuriant, generously watered grazing meadows and impressive forests a perfect setting for picturesque settlements that beckon with our hallmark hospitality. These open doors lead to the entire spectrum of holiday accommodation, from quaint country hotels, guesthouses, farms and B&Bs, to rustic self-catering cottages, backpack lodges and campsites.

To say that visitors to our slice of heaven are spoilt for choice would be an understatement. In addition to their number and variety, each and every welcoming address offers, at the very least, tranquil ambience with scenic walks and fish-filled streams or dams, plus easy access to the adrenalin-fuelled pursuits for which we're also world renowned. Certain of these establishments are themselves the focal point of pulse-racing adventures, and tempt their guests to not stray too far from their new home-away-from- home.

Two are found at opposite ends of Mahwaqa Mountain - 'The Frowning One' - that stands rather solemn guard over Bulwer village. Mahwaqa should, in fact, be rather pleased at earning top marks from international hang- and para- gliding enthusiasts, with the latter holding their bi- annual championships here. For novices keen to earn their 'wings', the slopes of Mahwaqa are further esteemed as a training site par none for both disciplines. At the mountain's southernmost extreme, Wild Sky Adventures and Lodge is the home of para-gliding, while 'Ride the Wind' - Kwela uMoya Hang-gliding School and Lodge - occupies the southern end about a half- kilometre away. Both offer tandem flights in safe, professional company for that first, heart-in-your-mouth thrill, and fully accredited courses with equipment included should you get hooked on the buzz.

There may be no rivalry in the skies, but each vies to tailor-make your holiday to include exhilaration from abseiling and mountain biking, plus 'low-altitude' escapades such as tubing, rafting and kayaking. Bird watching, fly-fishing and horse riding may seem relatively tame pursuits for such daredevils, but these too, can be arranged.

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Gauchos and Ghosts

Also beneath The Frowning One's gaze, horse riding with a difference lies in wait at Mountain Park Holiday Resort and Conference Centre, where the Cowboy Adventure is guaranteed to fulfill your big screen fantasies. Learn to ride like a celluloid hero and rope steers with true Texan grit - a few days of honest dirt and hard work, plenty of fresh air and fun will transform you from raw greenhorn into seasoned ranch hand. A sauna and jacuzzi at day's end will soothe aching limbs and get you ready for another favourite of the Clint Eastwood 'wannabe' - shooting pool. But are you John Wayne-enough to handle Mountain Park's spectral, yet apparently delightful after-dark visitors? Noel and Hettie are a seemingly reasonable couple whose 'haunt' of choice is the hotel pub, even though the drink goes straight to their heads. So should you see the odd glass fly across the room, or suddenly feel a cold breeze arrive from nowhere, you'll know that Noel and Hettie are now well in their cups. No point in calling them a cab, though! The odd couple has a dog - or perhaps he's just a 'stray in time' - with the appropriate name of Wisp. Certainly no 'Hell-Hound', Wisp is a friendly pooch who gambols about without need of doggie biscuits and never lifts his leg against the furniture.

Nan of the long, plaited black hair 'lives' upstairs and, according to hotel owners, earned her name from 'a deep love and concern for children. We've been told that so long as Nan is in residence, no harm will come to any youngster here.' Sharing upstairs with Nan is the somewhat mischievous Mystery Man, whose pranks include knocking on doors or locking them from the inside, fiddling with bathroom taps and, if he's feeling particularly frisky, stomping about on guests’ beds. So, cowboy, think you’re up for the Mountain Park experience?

Ready and Loaded

Should hunting, and not ghost busting, appear on your list of special interests, we have opportunities galore to bag trophies for the wall or shoot for the table. Plaisance Log Home is a self-catering, 3-bedroom cabin for six situated on a large farm where guinea fowl, pheasant and duck abound, and where bushbuck, duiker, eland and reedbuck can be hunted in season.

zoom The Cape Parrot

Saving for the Future

The same venue is where you'll see our renowned Zamokuhle Basketware creators in action, weaving their magic with skills handed down from generation to generation, originating many centuries ago around the Great Lakes of east-Central Africa. This visionary project assists in the development of local rural communities, and further helps to ensure that time-honoured traditions are maintained for the benefit of all.

Our country calendar features another 'conservation drive' we're proud to be associated with. Of the 100-plus listed bird species that call our region home, the Wattled Crane, Blue Swallow and Cape Parrot appear on the endangered list. Only 360 or so breeding pairs of the last-mentioned are still in existence - and most of them in our domain. Each year in May, Boston-Bulwer Beat assists the University of Natal in its Cape Parrot Count, and visitors are more than welcome to be 'sworn in' as honorary Cape Parrot Scouts for the duration! You obviously won't be able to take one home, but you can buy a hand-reared feathered friend from the walk- in aviaries at Birdhaven Exotic Bird and Waterfowl Park. Choose your new companion from the comprehensive selection of exotic ducks, geese and swans. The park will also arrange guided and educational tours.

Overview continued...

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