Short description
Offbeat South Africa is both a guide and tribute to the strange and surreal people, places and things that make this country great.
Long description
Offbeat South Africa is both a guide and tribute to the strange and surreal people, places and things that make this country great. It is an off-the-radar directory of idiosyncratic attractions for all those who have dreamt of jumping in their car and following the road less travelled. Readers will marvel at the world's largest pineapple and a four-legged ostrich, meet a rapping granny, explore a bizarre hobbit-like house and the quirkiest town in South Africa, go for a pint inside the world's first tree pub, and frolic with frogs at a festival. Magnificent, amusing, or just plain kitsch, all are celebrations of the distinctive South African psyche.
Review
Introduction
When people think of strange and unusual destinations, places that are, shall we say, a little off beat, South Africa doesn't usually rate very highly. But the fact is South Africa is home to some of the weirdest, wildest and wackiest people, places and things around.
Have you visited the world's biggest artificial pineapple in Bathurst? Or seen the four-legged ostrich in Calvinia? What about having a beer at a bar in a big baobab tree in Modjadjiskloof? Or have you leaped with frogs at the Frog Festival in Chrissiesmeer? As we said, South Africa really is a weird and wonderful place.
From crocodile cage diving and ghostly tours to wild donkey cart races and madcap marathons, to curious collectors of bizarre gizmos and thingamajigs, this country has a knack for turning the absurd into the viable, and the viable into the profitable. So rather than give you a list of time-honoured tourist attractions, we've searched South Africa high and low to unearth all the lesser known, but much loved, off beat oddities that make this country great.
With listings under headings such as Odd Attractions, Bizarre Museums and Quirky
Collections, Peculiar Places to Sleep, Fun Festivals, Unusual Tours and Wild Rides, Wacky Races and Weird Activities, and Strange Safaris and Spiritual Spaces this book is for the intelligent, humorous, curious, off beat tourist who doesn't want to follow the crowd. So if you're up for the challenge then come and join us on our fascinating, enlightening and thoroughly entertaining journey across South Africa. Where necessary we've provided directions to some of the more obscure destinations. Otherwise just ask a local when you arrive - they'll be sure to know where all the weirdest sights in town are. If not, we're sure they can fill you in on a few new ones. Contact details and opening hours have been listed, but be wary as these may change frequently. Besides, if the places really are as off beat as we say, their fanatical owners will more than likely be out in the field increasing their collection.
While we have done our best to search under every rock and stone throughout the country, there's bound to be a madcap attraction or two that we've missed. Perhaps it's in your town. Or perhaps it is you? If so, we'd love to hear from you. So send us your tips on new sightings, photographs and updates on quirky collections and must-see oddities.
Email: offbeat@mweb.co.za
Table of contents
Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: Odd Attractions
Chapter 2: Bizarre Museums & Quirky Collections
Chapter 3: Peculiar Places to Sleep
Chapter 4: Fun Festivals
Chapter 5: Unusual Tours & Wild Rides
Chapter 6: Wacky Races & Weird Activities
Chapter 7: Strange Safaris and Spiritual Spaces
Index
Glossary
Photo Credits
Offbeat List