Yanks to take braaiing back to the States
As they prepare to begin their journey home on their newly completed catamaran, American couple Thomas and Terri Sand reflect on the past 10 months they have spent in Knysna, describing it as an adventure of a lifetime.
The couple, who hail from Annapolis, Maryland, USA, happened upon a Knysna-based yacht company by chance in 2017, when they visited their brokers in Annapolis to discuss building a boat. "We saw a photo of the boat on the wall and immediately asked about it. I did some more research on Knysna and saw the lagoon, the Heads, and I knew that this was just going to be perfect," Thomas said. They visited Knysna for the first time in November 2017 when they met with James Turner and his team, and for the second time in February 2018, both times to check up on the progress of the boat's construction.
They then arrived for their third stay in Knysna in October 2019 with the hopes that their catamaran would be completed in about a month, but this wasn't to be. "There were a few unexpected delays along the way, and of course then Covid came in March and put the project on hold," Thomas said.
Thomas and Terri have not regretted their stay here one bit. "The surroundings, the people, the food, the weather, the wine, it's all been absolutely amazing," Terri said.
The couple, who have spent their time renting accommodation in Brenton, said the beach between Brenton and Buffalo Bay has been one of the highlights of their stay. "The coasts here are so rugged, and have been kept intact, you won't find something like that in the States," Thomas said.
They both agreed that a braai is far better than a barbecue. "We will never barbecue again. Braaing is just so much better," according to Thomas.
They are hoping to leave Knysna on their boat within the next month, and with the help of two local captains they'll be embarking on a six-month journey and expect to arrive in Miami in February 2021. "When we do finally leave the Heads and make a right, there will be tears in my eyes. We are going to miss it so much," Thomas said.
The couple are currently awaiting approval of their trip back to the US.