Righto, fellow hearties, time to don the captain's cap and pull up the urban anchor, for here’s a getaway with a maritime twist. And what better place to find your sea legs than on the Knysna Lagoon? Never mind Thesen Island’s boring clapboard condo, or the Tuscan wonders at The Heads, if you want to feel nature and the spirit of adventure, then Houseboat Myrtle’s your baby. A wood-paneled housebo
at anchored in front of the Knysna Waterfront, Myrtle is what we experts term a 'stationary houseboat' - she stays 'on anchor', as one would say. But this said, the old gal does come kitted with a small motor dingy to get you and the motley crew to and from the shoreline. Among the original Knysna houseboats, Myrtle is decked from top to bottom in a timber finish and sleeps four comfortably - comfort being a relative term, of course. There’s a main bedroom with Queen bed and another fold-out double bed in the lounge, while towards the 'aft' (back) you’ve got a small kitchen/'galley' with gas stove and fridge. As far as ablutions go, don’t fret, simply lean over the edge and… Just kidding. There will be no call to head to land and the nearest Caltex, 'cause Myrtle comes equipped with on-board loo and hot shower. The living area is a cozy setup with a dining table, paneled walls with navigation charts and comfy couches, where you can kick back and listen to the lapping water and approaching steamer. Goodness, there’s even a wood-burning stove to keep the socks dry during the winter months. On a good day the views are obviously lovely - the majestic Knysna Heads in one direction, the common landlubbers going about their urban chores in the other. Myrtle has two decks, both perfect spots to crack the chardonnay, open the Woolies salsa dip and gooi 'n line as the sun dips over the misty horizon. Skeptical? Well, in that case, check out the guest feedback rolling in like a wave off the coast of Phuket… “The perfect way to kick off our holiday after a long year. Relaxing on the deck with a book and good fishing was peaceful bliss!!” says a recent sailor groggy with delight. “We thoroughly enjoyed our stay," says another pirate from the UK. "We had a braai on the deck and the sunset views make for unforgettable memories. The dingy rides to and from shore on the choppy water can be quite thrilling." We bet they can be. Bottom line, Myrtle is either your thing or it ain't. If it is, you're gonna have a ton of fun!
