By Richard Hamburger
"Why do you want to go there? There is nothing to do," we were told.
Well nothing could be further from the truth.
The first things that strike you as you arrive at L'Agulhas are long beaches, its impressive lighthouse, friendly people and the lack of concern regarding security.
We spent four glorious days at the southernmost tip of Africa. Even though the weather was not kind, we found plenty to do as a family.
Although we had transport, most things within L'Agulhas could be reached on foot, including the beach, the lighthouse, the shops and the restaurants. Even with the summer behind us, the beach was an attraction with its many little rock pools, which fascinated children.
On our very first day we had supper at the Lighthouse Restaurant. It was more than good enough - as were the teas with a magnificent selection of cakes - for us to return during our short stay. The lighthouse can also be climbed by steps by those intrepid enough to go to the top for the view.
Another feature of the lighthouse is the museum of lighthouses which is housed next to the restaurant tea room and one must also browse through the historical books on sale.
Inevitably - as we did on our second day - one takes the walk down to the southern-most tip of Africa and it is a humbling experience to look out to sea from there and know that the next land due south is Antarctica.
Of course, the age-old debate continues. Do the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet at Cape Point or Cape Agulhas?
Dyed-in-the wool Capetonians, of which I am one, will claim Cape Point while, of course, residents of Agulhas will claim their Cape, and do so with a plaque at the southern-most tip. The debate did not detract from the truly spectacular views from that point.
One thing that strikes any visitor to L'Agulhas is the friendliness of its people. In all of the restaurants that we visited - the Lighthouse and Angelos, as well as the friendly fish and chips place that is extremely popular, the reception and the service was magnificent.
Local residents are clearly very proud of what they have and of what they do and are willing to share it all with visitors in the nicest possible way.
Of course we took the car out one day and went to nearby Struisbaai, to Bredasdorp and to Arniston.
Something that strikes you in Struisbaai - and in L'Agulhas itself - is the complete absence of security gates and fences. This is sadly becoming a rarity in this country. Clearly there is less crime and more openness at the southern tip.
Struisbaai claims the longest beach in the country at 14km in length.
In Bredasdorp the Shipwreck Museum, with other museums of local history, are a must-visit. Here one can relive the experiences of those unfortunates onboard the Birkenhead, the Queen of the Thames and other vessels that met their end on the southern Cape Coast. There are many nautical relics on show.
In Arniston much development is occurring but so far it has not soiled the natural beauty.
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