Oak Tree Lodge

Paarl ( meaning pearl)

by antonela

"Bit of history"

The Khoikhoi and San people were the first people to live here. San rock art can still be seen around Paarl.
Paarl is the third oldest European settlement in South Africa.
People of Paarl are descendants from the Khoisan, African and Eastern slaves, Dutch, French Huguenots, Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe, Italian prisoners of war and Xhosa migrant workers. A real diverse community, approx 108 ,000 , largest town in the winelands.

"Views, views, views"

In 1657 the public treasurer of the Cape of Good Hope settlement ,Abraham Gabemma, after seeing the huge granite rock in Paarl glistening in the sun after rainfall, named it t the "Diamond and Pearl " mountain, and Paarl retained the name (from its Dutch history).
Because of our mediterranean-like climate, and the fertile soil, the settlers planted orchids, vegetables and vines.
Thanks to the French Huguenots, and their skills and knowledge of winegrowing, they planted vines, today some of the best red wines in the world are produced in Paarl. Paarl has the commercial structure of a small city, without sacrificing its country atmosphere.

"http://www.flickr.com/photos/paarlwinecountry/sets"

Paarl has a Main road of about 11 km, lined with old oak trees, many vineyards in and around the residential neighbourhoods ,attractive Cape Dutch Houses, many historical homes. Paarl is the only town to have an Afrikaans language monument, as the language originated here.
Many attractions, scenic drives, hiking trails, about 100 winetasting estates, and excellent restaurants.
Paarl ironically has not really been discovered by tourists, maybe being overshadowed by neighbouring towns like Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, so it is still rather affordable to spend a holiday here.

AFRIKAANS

by austinmax

Paarl, 35 miles north-east of Cape Town, is one of the three oldest European settlements in South Africa. Here in 1687, on the banks of the Berg River, farmlands were given to Dutch settlers, just 30 years after Jan van Riebeeck's landing at the Cape. The fertile ground and the Mediterranean climate provided perfect conditions for farming. The settlers planted orchards, vegetable gardens and above all, vineyards.

The Afrikaans Taalmonument was constructed according to the drawings of the architect Jan van Wyk. He described its symbolic meaning as follows: "Afrikaans is die taal, wat vir Wes-Europa en Afrika verbind. Dit vorm 'n brug tussen die groot helder Weste en die magiese Afrika." (Afrikaans is the language that connects western Europe and Africa. It forms a bridge between the great light West and magic Africa.