I recently did just that, and returned for a second weekend to complete the experience. The 2-level stone cottage, with its thatch roof and awesome deck, has an elevated view of the magnificent Scarborough beach, and comes fully equipped for a self-catering weekend or holiday. Janis will tell you to make sure to keep the door and windows closed when you aren’t around, or risk the cottage being visited by a troupe of curious baboons! Baboons are protected in Scarborough and walk freely through the village, a clear indication of how the locals are committed to co-existing in harmony with their natural surroundings.

Much of the area surrounding Scarborough is protected national park, covered by thick fynbos vegetation, a distinct tundra-like landscape which extends over the mountains and down to the beaches. And what beaches! Powdery white, white sand and translucent green waters, almost tropical in appearance, except for the waves, gliding along in perfectly symmetrical sets. There was a big swell while I was visiting, and the sea around Scarborough was filled with countless, billowing, colourful kites, and the intrepid surfers attached to them, leaping over waves and racing in and out of the bay.

As you would expect from a seaside place, there is some great seafood on offer in the local restaurants. The Camel Rock in Scarborough had a succulent yellow tail on special when I went visiting, and almost all the menus along the peninsula will offer local dishes like oysters, calamari, kingklip, and kabeljou. The cottage itself has a fully equipped kitchen should you wish to make your own food, and there is a braai on the deck if you want to relax outdoors, as we did every evening, watching the sun go down and the changing colour of the water. Janis, the host, joined us for sundowners at that point, listening to our experiences and telling us about the place, the people, the vegetation, the wildlife, and everything there is to know about the area.
Thanks for everything Janis! We had a rocking good time in your cottage in the beautiful, seaside village of Scarborough.