You are here: Home Marine Wildlife Marine WildLife Articles Tags: Where to Stay

Bientang's Cave

Sunday, 16 June 2013
Author: Jaydee Media
Page Views: 27890

Short Description:

This cave was named after Bientang; the last known Koi Strandloper to have lived in the cave. She lived here at the turn of the 19th century and is said to have disappeared mysteriously, no one knows what happened to her and today it's a famous restaurant.

Full Description:

This cave was named after Bientang; the last known Koi Strandloper to have lived in the cave. She lived here at the turn of the 19th century and is said to have disappeared mysteriously, no one knows what happened to her. The cave proved to be a very suitable home for her as she could be totally self-sufficient. She dined on the rich supply of seafood which she gathered within metres of her home. Running water was plentiful, thanks to the ever-trickling mountain stream which still runs to this day under the staircase at the entrance of the cave. Fruit and vegetables were grown in her garden, which was where the restaurant kitchen stands today.

bientangs-cave400

Sketch: © P. Hugo Naude. Hugo Naude, one of the great SA Art Masters, visited Hermanus reguraly during 1890 - 1905. We have a smal sketch book of his, with skeches of Hermanus and surroundings.

Bientang was very protective of her home and guarded it passionately. It was not uncommon for her to hurl profanities as well as the occasional rock at people who dared to trespass into her domain. The ageing strandlopper was however not all bite and lived in total harmony with all God's creatures. It has been said that a family of Spotted-Genet cats were her constant companions.

Pods of whale return year after year to this exact same spot and remain for months on end. It is believed that it is the spirit of Bientang that attracts the whales to Walker Bay each year

"Bientang se Baai" - Bientang's Bay

Better know today as the Marine Tidal pool.

bientag-cave