Mystery Venue 2023

Tags: 29th January 2023, Traveltime

MYSTERY VENUE TOUR 2023
Shark Bay-Langebaan
29th January 2023

Twenty-four of us boarded a 32seater coach headed out on our Mystery Trip. As usual, we offer clues so everyone can try their luck at guessing the venue! This year we had more entries than previously, and the winner in a computer draw was Elaine Conradie who wins a complimentary trip. (redeemable for any future tour).

We headed up the R27 from Tableview, our first comfort break being the Weskus Padstal, which is fast becoming a convenient stop on the R27. This Padstal is at the intersection of roads to Darling and Yzerfontein. – ‘Must soon take advantage of their Restaurant’ as well! They have a superb shop on site as well as offering plants from the area.

Nearing Langebaan our coach was pulled over by traffic officials and we ‘wasted’ 30 minutes whilst they debated about the permit that our driver produced. Eventually our transport company was issued with 2 fines – After sending a What’s App to Hylton Ross Operations Division the following was established :-

“All our operating licenses & permits are valid. We renew and drive on receipts as there is still not a fully operational permit board! Unfortunately, because we drive on ‘expired’ permits with ‘valid’ receipts of application for renewals a lot of our traffic officers do not understand the difference & logistics behind the permit board.”

On arrival in Langebaan, we were forced into a detour (yet another part of the Mystery behind today) – reason being that they are doing road works in Langebaan – and the Tour operators ‘listened’ to Dr Google who led us up a road that ended in a dead-end! However, after getting back onto Main Street, we took the correct road which leads to the West Coast National Park entrance and at Grysbok Crescent we turned off the road to the Shark Bay Hotel, our mystery venue.

What a superb venue – and a great welcome from staff at the hotel.

Some of the group settled into the lounge area and ordered cocktails which arrived looking ever-so-delicious!

After our arrival drinks, we were called to our tables for the starter: Smoked Salmon served with ciabatta bread!
Then a Sunday roast with Chicken/ Sirloin/ Bean stew/ Delicious pumpkin fritters and Potato wedges, also served by the Shark Bay team with huge smiles.
Dessert was ice cream with chocolate sauce.

After a lunch like this, on route home, the coach was quieter as people ‘mellowed’ out and enjoyed the drive back on a busy R27 – back to the city of Cape Town with Tableview as our first drop-off point followed by Constantia Village centre, the second.

All in all – a great way to start the New Year of 2023. Very enjoyable with fabulous people.

The following are a few comments we received after the lunch – (always great to hear people have thoroughly enjoyed the day)

Elaine – What a start to 2023! Thank you both for a fantastic outing yesterday – The Venue & Food were absolutely 5*
Angela – The venue – Shark Bay Hotel was the epitome of hospitality – innovative cocktails – food excellent & service with a smile.
Ingrid – Just a short note to thank you for a lovely day – stunning venue and view with delicious food!