Oct, 09
Paternoster
Paternoster, meaning Our Father, is thought to have been given it’s name by a group of shipwrecked sailors in thanks for the sparing of their lives. Although Paternoster is still closely associated with fishing and the sea it has now also become a must visit destination for overseas travellers to South Africa.
- The easiest way to reach Paternoster is via Vredenburg.
I was honestly shocked at what I saw as I drove into what used to be a little fishing village. The first time I went to Paternoster was nearly 40 years ago and all there was then the hotel, the fishermen’s cottages and 2 houses. I was fortunate enough to have a friend who had access to one of those houses and a group of us spent a few long week-ends fishing, braaing and consuming many crayfish which we could buy from the locals for next to nothing..
I had been back again about 20 years later and a row of about 10 or 12 houses had been built along the beach front. Today there must be well over a hundreds houses both north and south with new developments everywhere. I found it all quite sad as the Paternoster I knew had basically vanished, still beautiful but completely different.
One thing that has not changed much is the small Paternoster Hotel. The original building was built in 1863 and in 1940 was bought by the Tollman family and turned into an hotel. There used to be only 6 rooms but that was increased by an additional 4 with sea view and balcony. There is also now a fabulous restaurant area in the front and recently The Shell Shop was added to the hotel. It is also famous (infamous?) for The Panty Bar which at one stage served as the local jail before the conversion to an hotel.
- Open air restaurant at front of hotel.
- A bit of history and info of the hotel.
- One of the stranger items for sale from the Shell Shop. I think it is called a Blaasoppie fish?
- The main beach near the hotel.
- One of the fishing boats ready to take to the sea.
- Development on the north side.
Development to the south.
- An original fisherman’s cottage which has been done up and I believe still belongs to one of the local fishermen.
- A new development on the northern side of the village.
- There are quite a number of guest houses one them being the Paternoster Lodge which also has a restaurant and pub.
- A fairly new addition, just in front of the hotel, are trading stalls for the locals.
- I just loved this item that was on sale at one of the stalls.
- As with many of the towns and villages there are always some creative people living and working there.
- Paternoster Clothing and Patchworks.
All in all I still love Paternoster, even with all the changes, and would recommend that if you can’t go for a weekend then go for a day. It is close enough to Cape Town and, if you include Tietiesbaai and Cape Columbine, is well worth the trip. Make sure you include a seafood lunch at one of the local restaurants.
I have a friend called Suzy Holzhausen who has a restaurant in PN. Eat there is you can. I think t is called Suzy;s.
Hi Michael Hope you are well. I did indeed see and photograph Suzi’s Restaurant but did not have a chance to eat there.
I love Paternoster, although the hotel is too busy for me! We usually buy crayfish off the boats and cook them ourselves…
You are so right about cooking crayfish yourself so long as you know what you are doing.
Spent a few nights there a few years ago, found a rustic fishermans cottage right on the beach. Took my gran there for a holiday. She died a few years later, but the memories that remain are so special, and seeing your pics brought back quite a special ones now. It was chilly when we went, but so beautiful at night, we wrapped our selves in blankets and had hot choc in the cold breaze and moonlight reflecting, beautiful…
@Danny Thanx for stopping by and glad you enjoyed the pix and memories. It is a special place and I just hope they don’t let the development get completely out of hand.
Gosh … I haven’t been here since I was a kid. It’s grown so much!
I think too much