Part 2: Cape Peninsula’s Secret and Interesting Stories

In Part 1 of this blog series, we looked at everything from historic water pipes to Hout Bay's forgotten WWII radar ladies.

Now, in Part 2, we're going to share some eerie ghost stories with you!

A Tragic Hout Bay Love Story

Lead photo credit: Kronendal1713 via Facebook

Kronendal Farm and its manorhouse, which is now the location of the historic braai restaurant, Kronendal 1713, was once home to the Cloete family.

Daniel Cloete's daughter, Elsa, it is said, was renowned for her beauty. Yet, she had the misfortune of falling deeply in love with a soldier posted at the British garrison.

Because she was Dutch and he was British, it was a love story just as impossible as Romeo and Juliet - and indeed, in a sense, it might be our own tragic South African version.

Because, sadly (when even their secret meetings at the homestead's front windows were not enough to satisfy his love for Elsa), the soldier hanged himself, in desperation, from a tree in an oak avenue across the road.

After this, the story claims, Elsa died from a genuine broken heart.

Since the 1970s, there have been several witness accounts of people sighting either a man standing among the oaks (which remain there to this day), staring longingly at the old Cape Dutch-style building. Or else, they say that they have glimpsed Elsa's ghost, wearing blue, in the homestead itself.

Each account is strangely similar too - the man is usually seen around sunset, while the lady often appears near the front windows.

When the restaurant was formerly Kitima, back in the 1990s, the owner began setting a table for the ill-fated lovers.

They set one place in Elsa's honour and today, the tradition continues. Guests may not sit at the table and all it costs the owners is a glass of wine but it has never once felt silly to them.

Whatever your beliefs on this secret story, I think we can all agree it is desperately sad.

Note: Today, Kronendal is a National Monument site in Hout Bay.

The Cape of Ghosts

Now, Cape Town and South Africa at large are not short of their fair share of ghost stories or haunted tales but one which might surprise you as a South African ghost story is that of The Flying Dutchman.

What perhaps will not come as a surprise, though, is that the Cape of Storms bears its foreboding name for a reason and no spot more accurately than the fiercely dangerous waters near Cape Point.

It is here, off the South African coast, that the fabled Flying Dutchman, an eerie ghost ship, is set to sail for eternity.

According to legend, it all began in 1641 when Captain Hendrik van der Decken attempted in vain to round the stormy cape with a loaded vessel, brimming with Indonesian silk and fragrant spices.

He swore an oath that he would round the Cape, even if he had to sail until Doomsday. And fate or supernatural powers, whichever you wish to believe, granted that request.

After that, the ill-fated crew is said to sail around the coast for eternity and they are desperate to make contact with other seafarers in the hopes that they will send word or give letters to their loved ones.

Over the centuries, there have been accounts of sightings that have kept the myth of this haunted ship alive. In 1823, the crew of HMS Leven spotted a vessel off False Bay. But apparently, after lowering a boat, it vanished into the mist.

Then, later in 1881, while serving aboard the HMS Bacchante, the future King George V claimed to have seen a glowing red phantom ship.

Again in 1939, beachgoers near Glencairn claimed they saw a vessel sailing full canvas on a windless day... Well, whatever you believe here, you can actually hop aboard The Flying Dutchman for yourself!

Or, at least, you can pay to ride the Flying Dutchman Funicular at Cape Point up to the lighthouse - and it's about as close as we dare get, don't you agree?

Photo credit: Cape Point official website

Rest Easy at DK Villas

If you are weary from your travels or want to shake off the ghost stories and focus on the modern-day magic of Hout Bay and surroundings, why not book a stay with DK Villas?

We offer three luxurious, self-catering apartments in Hout Bay. Each comes fully equipped with the best amenities and appliances, graceful furnishings and decor, lovely scenery and/or views and above all, each apartment enjoys its own excellent proximity to local attractions like the beach, harbour, shops or restaurants.

Best of all? Our three apartments, namely Riverview, The Boardwalk and Harbour View, can host couples, families with kids, business travellers and solo adventurers between them.

For more information or to book a stay with DK Villas, please contact us directly or visit our full website: www.dkvillas.co.za.