It takes ‘allsorts’ to make you feel welcome when you arrive somewhere and Allsorts, one of the resident cats at Hog Hollow, welcomed us warmly when we drove through the gates after a very wet, wild and windy drive from Cape Town.
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Once inside the Lodge, the warm welcome continued from a slew of staff who sat us down in an inviting corner of one of the lounges, plied us with good hot coffee and tasty biscuits, as we completed the paperwork and took in our lovely surroundings. Dinner menu appeared with details of pre-dinner canapés. Once we had the lowdown on the evening ahead, we wandered down to our accommodation.
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Our room, suspended above the forest floor, was beautifully appointed in ethnic African style with a lounge area, fireplace, bathroom en suite and a deck from which we took in the magnificent forested vista all around us. Tea/coffee station, mini bar, music centre and other little touches completed the feeling of bon homie. The promised bottle of wine sat waiting (part of our winnings). Little aside: a Knysna Turaco (Loerie) was perched off the deck as we arrived. A sight all visitors to this area strive to see and we were so lucky to have this shy bird flit back and forth during our stay.
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As the storm moved in, we unpacked, preparing for our evening foray up at the Lodge. A knock at the door and the ever attentive and quietly efficient Elvis produced two umbrellas and we dashed for the main building. Sadly, although the fire was lit on the boma deck, we were unable to venture outside in the storm. Lovely local pottery and ceramic touches on view everywhere even the rooms.
Guests were gathering, chatting about the day’s activities and we shared a pleasant pre-dinner get together, before being ushered in to the dining room. We had chosen to sit at one of the communal tables, a good choice indeed, as we all lingered ‘til late in the warmth of the fire and new friendships. Big Joe, Executive Chef, and his staff of kitchen elves gave us a 5-star dinner right down to the final plate of decadent petit fours. Excellent bar service with great wine choices.
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To bed, as the thunder roared and the lightning flashed, but with a cosy fire crackling and the lovely touch of chocolate on the pillow and a bedtime story to finish the day, bliss!
Day Two began with vervets bouncing along the roof and the sound of birdcalls drifting into the room. Tea on the deck breathing in the fresh washed, earthy smells of the forest before us. Ablutions and then, the serious business of making our way to breakfast!
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Breakfast proved to be a feast as dinner had proven to be. Scrumptious buffet, good farmhouse breakfast choices and lashings of coffee (confession: we are javaholics!). Freshness abounded and the service was quietly and effortlessly efficient. Much discussion and hilarity as the resident mama and her troupe of little monkey terrors arrived to join the guests and ‘help themselves’.
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After breakfast, time to indulge in the activities offered at Hog Hollow and further afield. We wandered around the lush gardens following the many birds in the canopy of trees, photographed the horses that take guests ‘trekking’ on the horse trails and although the pool looked very inviting, it was a tad cold to indulge in a plunge! There is a cute little sauna and spa (more about that on Day Three). You can wander down a steep forested path (actually more like a little hike) to the nearby Elephant Sanctuary and Monkeyland/Birds of Eden: all worthy of a visit.
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After making like a tourist in the surrounding areas, we collapsed back on to the boma deck for some late afternoon R&R with refreshments and a read of the Sunday papers. Tea/coffee and those biscuits are always available. We placed our dinner orders and looked forward to another night of good food and great company. The valley before us was truly beautiful in the early evening light.
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Another evening of fine dining and crackling fireside conversation. Earthy tomato soup, tender pink kudu slivers, silky crème brulee – all woven together by Big Joe and his kitchen elves. We went ‘home’ replete and contented.
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Day Three dawned warm and sunny. Another splendid breakfast out on the boma deck this time, Happy chatter from all the tables and happily chattering mousebirds in the trees, I went off to the spa (another winning perk) for a great manicure with the bubbly Nicola out under the trees: lovely to lie with the view ahead and the birds above. More bliss!
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Sadly, time to depart had arrived and we left the warm and wonderful environs of Hog Hollow after farewells and hugs with Jo. Our sincere thanks to Carmen, Lundi, Bukelwa and the rest of the Hog Hollow team for a wonderful couple of days in this magical place.
Our hearts sang, our spirits were lifted, our souls enriched, our bodies rested, and oh, our car was washed as well (thank you)!
Parting shot: Folks, if you don’t put Hog Hollow on your bucket list, you really, really need to do so … and soon! You won’t regret it.
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To stay at Hog Hollow, visit http://www.portfoliocollection.com/go/Hog-Hollow-Country-Lodge for bookings and info.
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