A boy-mom's blog post by a recent guest about a place where young families can forge their own adventure with nothing but raw resources and pure imagination... but most importantly don't have to pack the kitchen sink!
As a true boy-mom, I'm always game for an adventure and a chance to create lasting memories with my family. I have an abundance of energy to surf with my tribe, climb ropes, do handstands on the beach, jump on a skateboard or race my boys down sand dunes... however the thought of mountainous packing and itinery planning quickly drains the eager-beaver "let's go" mantra from my soul. Moms need a break from... 'first to rise and shine' followed by making sure everyone wakes up on time and gets ready for the day; lunchbox planning and packing; reminding kids to pack correct sport kit for each day of the school week and so on and so forth until kingdom come!
So fellow endless list-making, itinery-tired moms... I have found the haven.
If you're looking for an easy weekend or mid-school break getaway that requires little to zero planning and light packing (I hear that Amen!), The Hatchery in Amatikulu, KwaZulu Natal, is the perfect destination for an outdoorsy family (or an indroorsy one who wants to give it a try). Travel light and enjoy the trip without worrying about packing or missioning too much.
I had my husband and boys pack their own clothes and toiletries (load sharing... yay me!), while I planned and packed food for a simple lunch and supper for two days. I baked some muffins for breakfasts and threw in some fruit, biltong and dried fruit for snacks while out and about. That's it. Of cause you can absolutely go extra and pack the mountain bikes, but I needed simple. Hubby did throw in the boys fishing rods last minute which was a win. The Hatchery has fully equiped communal kitchens so you don't need cutlery, crockery and pots and pans... it's all there! I did pack my mocca pot for morning coffee but I found they even had one or two for guests to use (bonus points to The Hatchery in my books!).
This beautiful rustic getaway is tucked away on the banks of the Amatikulu Estuary and is surrounded by natural beauty and adventure opportunities.
What did we do?
Day of Arrival: We came, we saw, we chilled.
This included carry one bag each with our clothes and toiletries to our room. Packing the food into the fridge. Meandering outdoors and throwing a line into the lagoon. Quick stix chicken burger throw-together for dinner. Day done.
Day two: Waking up at 'not the crack of dawn.'
For breaky we scoffed down some muffins and coffee. A super fast 'gooi it all in a drawstring bag' of snacks... a water bottle each, dried fruit, droewors and bananas. As well seasoned beach-goers do, we lathered the sunscreen and zinc before heading down to the lagoon, each with our chosen surf ski / paddle board (free to use) for our mini adventure. We paddled down the river month as far as our arms could bear (our boys are 9 and 11 and did pretty great), then hobbited barefoot to the river mouth - Barefoot because it is Autumn so the sand is not hot, but mostly because we weren't planning and thinking about packing wet shoes... simply going with the flow and making up the adventure as we went. It was a longish walk, fueled with bananas and dried fruit, writing in the sand, climbing driftwood tree trunks and choosing and changing walking sticks along the way. Arriving at the river mouth was so rewarding and granted a swim before we walked and paddled back to the Hatchery. We were properly hungry by now. But first a swim in the old prawn hatching pools. Then boerie rolls for lunch and some more sauntering in the sun. Supper of cause was braai time by the pools and the boys enjoyed the jacuzzi under the stars because 'dis mos lekker'.
Day 3: Accross and over and into the deep blue.
Last day. Re-fueled by all my lack of mom-day-to-day-duties, I arose before my tribe and paddled up the river a short stint, took a walk over the dune and breathed in the sea breeze. I then went back for my tribe. We all paddled accross the river, walked over the dune and took a refreshing swim in the ocean - of cause I shall never be too old or propper for handstands on the beach (not a soul around to judge anyway). Quick and easy pack up of our limited luggage and paraphernalia we set off a short drive home.
That's it. Simple. Light. Outdoors. Fresh air. Adventure without the hassle. Perfect for young families.
The more adventurous can pack mountain bikes and running shoes, canoes and so forth and check out www.thehatchery.co.za for trails and what is around... But it is good to know there is an option for families with young and middle school aged kids that is NOT 'another resort', NOT another 'place to be with things to do' where the entertainment options are endless and the people are plentiful. Nah! Give me the good old fashioned open outdoors (but every now and again without the misison of camping, setting up tents and bringing the kitchen sink!).
The Hatchery is a perfect adventure playground for kids to be kids and re-discover the 'let's go find something to do', 'let's go forge our own adventure' with nothing but raw resources and pure imagination.
Story and pics by Terri Cawood
