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Early morning by the sea

I woke early that morning as a gentle sea breeze drifted through the window. There was a clear sense of anticipation, as the day’s planned activity was our dolphin-watching excursion.

I began the morning quietly with a cup of coffee and a slice of shortbread before getting dressed and preparing for the day. Once everyone else was awake and ready, we made our way downstairs for breakfast.

For breakfast, I chose pancakes topped with cinnamon sugar and honey, accompanied by a cup of tea.

I also took my medication with the meal before returning to the room to brush my teeth and pack my day bag. Once everything was ready, I contacted the group chat to confirm that everyone was prepared to leave, and all confirmed that they were ready.

On the road to adventure

Mum came to collect Daisy and me from our room, and we departed for our whale- and dolphin-watching excursion. I settled comfortably into the back of the car and soon fell asleep for much of the journey.

When the car came to a stop, I woke feeling a renewed sense of anticipation. Mum and Dad retrieved my wheelchair from the vehicle, and I was eager to begin exploring.

A lighthouse adventure

As we proceeded along the path, we came across a striking lighthouse. By coincidence, the visit took place on National Lighthouse Day, which added particular significance to the moment. I took the opportunity to capture a photograph with the lighthouse as a memorable record of the occasion.

I also spent time reading the information boards, which provided useful historical context about the lighthouse and the sailors who had once navigated this coastline. Although there were no dolphins visible that morning, the visit was still worthwhile, and we subsequently decided to continue our day by finding somewhere suitable for lunch.

Lunch at the harbour

We checked out a few places nearby — one just four minutes away — but the first didn’t look great, and the others were packed. So, we circled back to the first restaurant, which turned out to be quieter and had space for us.

The restaurant was tucked inside a busy shipyard, and when we arrived, we were greeted by a friendly car park attendant who asked for a 20-rand entry fee for security. The shipyard itself was full of cranes, cargo ships, and workers in high-vis vests, with strict vehicle logs being kept. It felt unusual for a restaurant visit, but it made sense given the industrial setting!

The pub-style tavern we found was cosy and full of character — wooden beams, local decor, and staff dressed in neat uniforms. The waiter greeted us in Afrikaans, which caught me off guard, but Mum — being South African — understood him perfectly. It was lovely seeing her slip back into her native language so naturally.

I ordered Hake and Chips, a classic South African comfort dish. It was delicious, though I was surprised to find it came with a side of grated carrot — not a usual garnish for fish and chips back home!

Evening in Hermmanus

Following lunch, we returned to the hotel for a calm and restful afternoon. Later that evening, we went out for dinner, where I began with calamari sushi, a dish I had been particularly eager to try.

For my main course, I chose a seafood poke bowl; however, the portion was extremely generous, and I was unable to finish it.

Before returning to the hotel, we stopped at the Hermanus photo frame to take a family photograph with the ocean in the background. It was a fitting and memorable conclusion to a full and enjoyable day.

Once back at the hotel, I took my medication and went straight to bed, ready to rest after an engaging and memorable day by the sea.