We look forward to welcoming you to Casa Nostra and the West Coast! Here is some information relating to the house, followed by some tips relating to the area. 

Alarm

You are welcome to utilise the alarm while staying in the house. It is activated, on exit, by pressing the button showing a person leaving the house on the key holder. To deactivate, press the unlock button. You should always deactivate the alarm before entering the house.

Banks

Most of the major banks have branches in Vredenburg, just 15 km down the road, or at the new Weskus Mall. You will find our fabulous new mall (Sandton City look out!) on the road to Saldanha.

Beauty Salon

A beauty salon, Absolute Beauty (022 713 3412) is located in the Pick 'n Pay Centre in Vredenburg. The staff there are utterly fabulous – we’ve never had a bad experience. A full range of all the normal treatments – from facials to manicures, pedicures and massages – is up for grabs.

Golf

Your best bet is the Langebaan course (022 772 2112), which is an established 18 hole course offering wonderful views over the lagoon and sea.

Closer to home is the Saldanha course, but it isn't as established and only has nine holes (it’s located off the R45, approx. 4km from Vredenburg). Enquiries: 022 715 3003.

Cape columbine Nature Reserve

This nature reserve (022 752 2718), which offers rewarding bird watching and a wealth of coastal fynbos, is worth a visit if you're a nature lover. Seagulls, cormorants, sacred ibis and many other seabirds frequent the area.

The reserve is a fabulous place to go for a stroll. But be aware that you may just come across the occasional unfriendly creature – we spotted a black mamba sunbathing in the road towards the end of 2009!

The reserve is also home to the last manned lighthouse built on the South African coast. Climb to the top for a tremendous view! Follow the signs to Tietiesbaai to reach the nature reserve.

Check In / Out

The check in time is 2 pm and the check out time is 10 am.

Crayfish

Crayfish are available from the locals, who sell under the trees in front of the Paternoster Hotel). These locals may or may not have permits to sell the crayfish.

Please don't buy crayfish from vendors who approach the house. They may be criminals.

This is a common ploy – they pretend to sell you crayfish while checking out the house (and your belongings!) 

Also, be aware that, if you buy crayfish illegally and then transport the crayfish in your car, your vehicle could be confiscated. No, we are not kidding – it happens!

So, unless you’re using your mother in law’s car for your holiday (and the cops confiscate the car complete with her), we suggest you avoid this practice.

Die Winkel Op Paternoster

Visit this interesting little shop (022 752 2632), crammed with all sorts of goodies from sweets to souvenirs. It is located next to the hotel.

Dolphin and Whale Viewing

When whales or whale watching in South Africa is mentioned, Hermanus invariably springs to mind.

However, it is far less widely known that Paternoster's calm waters are a haven for whales and dolphins.

Enjoy our regular visitors… from a distance, of course.

Electricity

Electrical supply is via a prepaid system and the meter is located above the fridge. If, for some reason, the switch on the panel trips, simply press the "clear" button and switch the green trip switch on again.

Fossil Park

The fascinating West Coast Fossil Park, located on the R45 to Hopefield, is well worth a visit. Tel 082 694 1775/022 766 1606. There are tours once a day during the week, starting at 11:30 am. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the park.

Grocery Shopping

We suggest that you do all your grocery shopping in Vredenburg. It boasts a number of reasonable supermarkets, including a really nice Pick 'n Pay. You won't battle to locate the Pick ‘n Pay (the town isn't too large!) but, if you do, ask one of the extremely friendly and helpful locals. The swanky Weskus Mall is also home to a Checkers and a Woolworths.

A small café, which stocks a limited range of provisions, is located in Paternoster. You cannot miss it; you drive straight past it as you enter the village.

Internet

If you have a 3G card or modem, this will work at Casa Nostra – even though the signal is not brilliant (switch off your computer; now is the time to go strolling on the beach!!) If the signal is not fast enough for you, take a leisurely drive into the metropolis of Vredenburg, where you will find an efficient internet cafe. These are the contact details:

Jordaan Information & Technology Services (JITS)Atrium Centre, Main Street, VredenburgTel:  022 713 2949Cell: 083 463 4465Fax:  086 684 4675Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Pets

Sorry! Pets are not permitted at Casa Nostra. So please leave Fido with friends.

Restaurants

There are a number of truly terrific restaurants in Paternoster… even if you’re not a dab hand in the kitchen, you won’t starve while holidaying in our gorgeous little village.

The Voorstrandt (the green and red tin house, right on the beachfront) is the most famous. Like many other restaurants in the area, it specialises in seafood.

We strongly recommend that you make a booking in order to avoid disappointment.
Tel: 022 752 2038

The Noisy Oyster is located next to the famous and utterly fabulous Paternoster Hotel.

Their opening hours are limited (they’re normally only open Wednesdays through to Sunday lunchtime) but their grub is gorgeous.
Tel: 022 752 2196 
 

Whatever you do, don't miss the bar at the Paternoster Hotel... it is one of the most unusual bars on this planet, because it's populated by underwear (and some interesting locals; but that's another story entirely.

The hotel’s food is good too – honest home cooked and tasty. Tel: 022 752 2703

The Paternoster Lodge offers a variety of meals throughout the day. The view from their balcony is great. Tel: 022 752 2023

The Eatery is a great place to grab a tasty breakfast and/or lunch. It’s located next to the Pam Golding Office on St Augustine Road, Paternoster. Tel 083 375 4929 / 022 752 2063

Gaaitjie is a sensational new restaurant which, like the Eatery, is owned by the famous South African chef, Suzi Holzhausen.

It offers utterly yummy meals plus a gorgeous sea view nogal! Tel 083 375 4929 / 022 752 2063

The Fisherman’s Market also offers some great nosh – the fish and chips as well as the calamari are quite delicious.

Safety

Paternoster is blessed with a low crime rate. However, the locals do occasionally indulge in some opportunistic crime. So, please do not leave your valuables lying around. Never ever leave valuables downstairs when you go to sleep. Always check that all the doors and windows are locked. Also, always lock the house when you leave – even if you're going to the beach.

Seafood

Please clean your seafood in the outside sink.

Smoking

Smoking is strictly prohibited. Please don’t smoke in the house!

If you make the house all smelly, we will have to charge you extra to clean it… rather spend your money on some exceptional seafood and a really lekker bottle of wine. If you’re smoking outside, please close the doors, so that your smoke doesn’t blow inside. Please also take care when using candles inside the house.

We hope you thoroughly enjoy your stay at Casa Nostra self-catering accommodation in Paternoster and that you find the time to take in all of the beauty of this part of the Cape West Coast of South Africa.