KNYSNA : QUESTIONS
1. What draws you
to Knysna ?
Of course the exquisite and unique natural surroundings. The
magical forest with its pre-historic ferns and mushrooms, the lagoon, the
different cultures, tastes, and birds, the extra-sensory experiences which the
town generates. There is a certain Joy which overhangs the town despite the
challenges of modern day movement, development and dealing with the legacies of
a segregated political and economic system. The acceptance of day to day life
of its people and living with Light and Darkness is evident in the town. The
town lives very near the Divine in all its forms.
2. What keeps you
in the town ?
Knysna is heavenly and earthly at the same time. One experiences
God and Goddess as Life on Earth. The changing colours of the town is both
distinct and ephemeral. The play of life and death is quite enticing and
magnetic.
3. Which season
makes the town feel most alive ?
In the summer festive season the town becomes very alive as
well as very busy. Tourists, both international and domestic flock to Knysna.
The town becomes a buzz of human commotion, but it seldom becomes overwhelming
or aggressively so. There is always a quiet place to escape to and reconnect
with the inner aliveness and alertness of the town.
4. What does it
feel like in the Autumn ?
Autumn feels restful and peaceful as the town prepares for
winter. Winter can be quite cold here, so autumn is a time to prepare to go
inward to reflect as well as do inner work for the summer time of going outward
and expanding. It is a napping time as the orange and yellow leaves fall quietly
on the ground and gardeners sweep them up for composting. Russet is the word
which comes to mind, a gathering darkness, a softness, like the womb preparing
its next lining.
Colours become subdued and subtle after summer exuberance. A
winding down happens. It is a lovely time of settling, earthing, giving
gratitude for the seasons past and the abundance provided for in spring and
summer times.
5. What time of
day do you most enjoy ?
The very early morning before dawn, before the sun rises. I
listen to the birds rising and calling and the cacophony of dawn sounds. The
rising sun on the lagoon is spectacular and watching the colours unfold from my
flat window over the lagoon is awesome. The dawn peels away the night to reveal
the day. The weather in Knysna can change daily and very much determines what
will happen on that day. So people here live very much in the moment without
realizing it.
6. Talk about the
natural surroundings of Knysna ?
Knysna forest is quite something. I saw both trolls and
fairies in the forest. This was on an occasion when I was walking without food
and water. I would not recommend this though, to everyone, unless you are determined
to have extra-terrestrial experiences and are inclined to speak to trees and
stones.
 |
| Ironwood in Knysna Forest |
The Outeniqua Yellowwood trees are magnificent, the large
spiders quite intelligent and the heart of the forest is PURE LOVE. The Lagoon has a personality of its own and has to be
experienced for what it is. It watches towns-folk and visitors with equal
detachment and houses its boats with majesty and kindness. The farmlands,
beaches and inhabited areas are equally enchanting. Buffalo Bay
7. Where is your
favourite green space ?
The Garden of Eden is a favourite when I am not inclined to
go deep into the forest. Here one can become part of the Green, a nature
creature.
 |
| Prehistoric Ferns, Garden of Eden, Knysna |
8. What is the
light like ?
Light in Knysna changes. Early morning mist is mystical. It
can quickly change as the mist lifts and the light flips to a bright luminosity, lighting up the sky to
bright blue. Sometimes this happens slowly which I find more enjoyable. Mid
afternoon can be very bright when the waters shimmer crystal clear and one can
see images across the water which becomes bright white light instead of azure.
Sunsets in our town are spectacular with the light becoming pink or pale
orange. It can also be bright orange when the mountains and hills turn purple
as the sun sets.
9 Where do you
like to escape to ?
When my teenager becomes too much to handle and her moods
draw my energy, I escape to a fishing spot on Thesen Island
The place is not quiet nor busy so it gives me balance. All
types of people fish here, both those fishing because they really need
something to fill their tummies as well as those fishing for leisure. It is
also fun listening to fathers giving advice to their sons and daughters on how
to fish as well as watching old aunties tie bait to their old rods. I enjoy
this very much.
There is also a marshy area down the road from where I live
with a jetty where I can watch hundreds of crabs and other tiny sand creatures
scuttle about. This is really good for the mind and easily takes it into a zone
of non-thinking. I also enjoy visiting the elephants in the elephant park from
time to time. They definitely bring one to a place of harmony.
10. What is your
best discovery ?
A best discovery in Knysna is not possible. There exists a
wide variety of discoveries waiting for human contact. One needs to explore oneself.
Karatara farmland area is a good place to explore to discover new people and
spots. It has wide open spaces as well as nooks and crannies. Its eeriness
makes one go inward to discover unexplored landscape within.
The Seven Passes is a spectacular discovery place for
tourists who do not want the too touristy Knysna, but would like to experience
some of its unique qualities without going to the heart of the forest. Rheenendal Rd is a
lovely road to travel along.
The Tree –Top Forest Chalet in Harkerville Forest
11. Is there
anything you would change about the town ?
The centre of the town can become congested at peak hour as
well as during festival seasons which makes travelling by car along the main rd
to get some groceries not so pleasant. I
would put in more traffic lights as well as design alternative traffic routes.
I would put parking spaces on the outskirts of central town and get shoppers to
walk into town for purchases. Everything is within walking distance, so this is
not a problem even for the not so fit.
As a municipality, I would restrict modern development of
shopping malls which impacts on the character of the town. As a developer, I
would give more thought to combining and integrating the modern techno age
movement and downward migration of people from other African countries with the
natural ambience of the town and its history.
12. What are your
favourite places to be with friends ?
I enjoy picnicking and walking in Pledge Nature Reserve as
it is in the centre of town so one does not have to travel far to connect with
nature.It is very peaceful and has an underlying alive-ness with a variety of
birds and insects. Meditation and calming the mind is so possible here, yet one
can chat and enjoy good company too to catch up on news without it overwhelming
one. The place is conducive to finding solutions or having pleasant fun.
13. What is the
best time of day to eat out. ?
Morning and late morning breakfasts are good at Chaplin’s or
Ill de Pain or any of the other places offering eat outside facilities. Yellow
sun streams on tables and life is not yet too busy at this time of day, so you
do not have to wait long for your food and the waitrons are still chirpy and
pleasant.
Late afternoon tea or an early dinner at Cruize Café on the
Waterfront is enjoyable. One can watch boats in a lovely light while chatting
and waiting for scones, with shimmering water around to keep company with.
Sirocco or Tapas and Oysters on Thesen for late morning
coffee or early evening snacks is a good try. The ambience is warm and relaxing
at this time. Chatters by candle-light in Gray Street , on the stoep, for good
wood-fired pizza, at night is satisfying.
14. Where do you
like to go with friends. ?
For a buzz and social noisiness, a lunch-time or dinner meal
at 34 South watching the waterway is a good option. Otherwise just enjoying the
Heads : watching the water here is an expansive experience. Exploring different
markets Knysna has to offer for titbits, bargains, and local organic fare is
enjoyable, then travelling further along to visit the wolves at their sanctuary
makes for a pleasant outing.
If there is time, hiking in Tsitsikamma is a must for
visitor friends.
15. Where would
you like to live, if you could not live in Knysna. ?
In Rome for a short while– for its majesty, for a continual combination of past with present, to move between realms of
past lives, modernity and post-modernity. For art, for robustness impacting on
refinement and vice versa, for colours constrained then running rampant as one
moves outward, for people who have a
deep sense of knowingness and understanding of society and what needs to be
protected and what needs to change, for its legacies it left behind.
In Galisteo, New Mexico , for
different reasons, for a longer while.
16. What games do
you like to play when you go about your day. ?
Life and living moment by moment is already a game. There is
no need to play any other game otherwise one plays games within games and life
becomes very complicated.
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