Wouldn’t it be magical if forests were every bit as alive as fairy tales imagine them to be? One German forester says they are.
Platbos indigenous forest, Gansbaai. Photo by Scarlet Nguni.
A few months ago I visited Wuppertal in Germany, a place known for its lovely forests. On one cool, overcast day, I went for a run and, afterwards, sat under a beautiful beech tree. For about 20 minutes I kept very still, and slowly, the forest around me came to life.
Bird calls rang out and were swiftly answered, creatures rustled about in the undergrowth, squirrels busied themselves on branch highways stretching towards the light, and the trees shushed and creaked and tapped. I felt in my bones that there was an entire conversation happening around me.
Imagine then my delight when I read about a book by a forest ranger in Eifel (not too far from Wuppertal, in fact), Peter Wohlleben, who has cared for forests for a couple of decades. In The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, What They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World (who says a title has to be brief?), Wohlleben posits that trees in the forest are social beings – they talk, they count and remember and learn, they nurse each other and warn about danger. They even befriend one another. It’s a beautifully romantic idea. It makes the world an even more magical place. Wouldn’t you agree?
Imagine, then, the stories a 1000-year-old milkwood tree in Africa could tell if we could speak its language. Now I know this is a fantastical idea, but if there’s any time this could happen, wouldn’t it be in the dreamy-fantasy state of sleep? For me this would be an incentive to go to Platbos Forest campsite in Gansbaai, suggested by Marshall Rinquest in our camping story on page 82, where you can sleep under just such a venerable tree. Interestingly, it’s also the place where Greenpop hosts its incredible tree-planting event, which has grown strong in the five years since its inception. Find out how you can join in this festival on page 20. It’s a great event for everyone, families included.
Speaking of family, our gear editor Melanie van Zyl took her dad with her to the pontas in southern Mozambique. He had in mind a holiday; she was there for work – in that story (Ponta Break: 2 Ways to Do It, page 72), you will find proof of how hard we work for our readers to root out great finds in each destination. If you plan on going there this Easter, use this guide to make it work best for you, whether you love the quiet or the party scene.
Another fabulous story is one by former Getaway photographer David Rogers and his 11-year-old son Liam. In it they both write about a hike the family did in the Transkei. It’s a charming story, and if you have children might inspire some less ordinary holiday ideas. Read about their time on page 90.
From all of us at Getaway, I hope you enjoy the issue, and find plenty of inspiration for your next escape.
This article was first published in the March 2016 issue of Getaway magazine.
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