| The
town "Knysna", a Khoi San word
for "place of wood", rests on the north side of the Lagoon,
the tidal estuary of the Knysna River, and has a most
interesting history. |
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| First used by pirates
preying on trading vessels, this jewel is well-disguised
from the seaward aspect. Sailing through the "Heads", a
treacherous, narrow passage guarded by high rolling
cliffs, these plunderers of the high seas discovered the
perfect safe harbour - with indigenous forests full of
hard wood to repair and careen their ships, fresh water
and plentiful wild game, they found santuary at Featherbed
Bay. |
| |
| George Rex (a bastard son
of George III of England and a Quaker named Sarah Lightfoot)
colonised this paradise after being banished from England
in 1797. His grave in "Old Place" is a National Monument.
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Landward
access to Knysna in those far off days, when time was
unimportant, was extremely hazardous and
arduous. Travelling by ox wagon or horses, the
visitor negotiated his way through |
|
| dense Afro-Montane
forests and deep ravines. Crossing swollen rivers with
the added danger of large herds of elephant and buffalo
to reach this Eden. |
| |
| These passes may still be
driven and explored today. Woodworking crafts are still
practiced using the famous Knysna Yellowwood and Stinkwood
which can be seen in all the beautiful colonial buildings
of the Cape. |
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