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Guest Cottages – The Sandpiper Experience
Text: Adele Minnaar Images: Ray Magazine
This is your unique
experience at Sandpiper Cottages Boggoms Bay, on the Garden Route near Mossel Bay. It is as close as you will ever get to your dream of a holiday in paradise. It is rustic, but at the same time luxurious. The cottages are situated in an eco-friendly nature conservancy. They are also the hosts for the famous Oystercatcher Trail. Ray met with owner, Fred Orban, at the Cottages. Fred moved away from Gauteng some twenty years ago, where he used to be involved in the development, marketing and promotion of massive up market residential properties. When planning the Sandpiper Guest Cottages, Fred studied the full spectrum of traditional architecture, including the unique way of building by Tswanas, Xhosas, Zulus and Sothos. Historically the design and construction of the majority of these structures were determined by the local social and climate requirements as well as building materials available in the area. In the end he
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came to the relevant conclusion that only original fishermen’s cottages would really fit into the design concepts he had in mind for this area in Boggoms Bay. By adding a touch of old British colonial style to the basic architectural approach, he managed to still give each of the different units a specific character. The area was originally zoned for business purposes. Being a conservationist at heart and seeing what happened up north, Fred followed his instinct and declined the development of commercial sites. This led to him being severely criticized by some locals. The result is a crime free area, because of lack of ready cash and goods. Today everyone is in agreement that Fred was right and re-zoning the area was the best option. “I also adhere to strict environmental rules with no fencing allowed around the units, so that the growth and movement of indigenous fauna and flora would not be disturbed,” said Fred. The cottages are embraced by paved roads and cul-de-sacs, with unpaved walkways for visitors to enjoy the natural surroundings