In the Umhlanga Winter Sun, the salty winter air is warm. The winter is colder than usual. It is a challenging year between Covid lockdowns, alcohol bans and political unrest. Nothing in South Africa is plain sailing, and no one expects it to be. South Africans are resilient with a continuous fighting spirit.
Checked In
After a short wait, you find yourself putting on your clothes for a morning walk on the beach. It was worth the wait. As soon as the lockdown level eased down to level three, you booked in.
The morning sun is shining through the ocean-facing window. You sip your last bit of espresso, looking out to the ocean and walk downstairs. It is quiet.
Beach Walk
You walk out the glass door, step off the balcony onto the grass and feel the wet dew on your bare feet. The morning air is crisp. You open the big gate that leads onto the deck and steps into the sand. Sunrise on the beach feels like calm meditation.
Every step sinks you deep into the sand as you walk into the wet sand with the warm seawater circling your feet. Few things in life are more pleasurable than an early walk to watch the golden sun rays play on the ocean surface.
Morning Coffee
After a relaxing beach walk, you take a seat on the balcony and order a coffee. You can smell the rich coffee aromas filling the lounge. The breeze is picking up slightly. The wind always seems a bit stronger once the sun rises over the ocean. The winter weather is fresh but with a welcome humidity.
Your coffee arrives. The steam escapes the white froth after your first sip. The golden caffeine liquid warms your taste buds with a mix of caffeine, roasted beans and a frothy milk taste, pure morning delight. You sit peacefully staring out into the ocean, watching the birds hover over the waves.
You reach for your cup, only to find that your coffee cup is gone. Your waiter took your cup away before you finished your last sip. What is better than that last sip of coffee or the last bite of a toasty? It is the grand final you expect to let your senses taste the last bit and mentally accept that you finished your sip or bite.
Service Please
You turn around, looking for your waiter. There is no one in sight. You start wondering if it was all a dream. Are you sitting having coffee or just dreaming about being back on the beachfront?
Your mind is playing games as you look around. There is no one else, just you, staring into the morning sun while the sun cast long shadows running through the lounge.
A door opens, you hear the footsteps.
A man dressed in a bright tropical red shirt walks towards you with a coffee.
Waiter: Here is your freshly brewed coffee.
You: O, Thank you. I don’t remember ordering another one. I almost thought to put up a fight and complain. That last sip in your cup is always the best.
Waiter: I know. You didn’t order another one. I just saw something in your cup and took it away. I know the soothing feeling of mentally finishing your last sip, so I brought you a new coffee.
You: Thank you, I appreciate it. I feel a little stupid now. I almost wanted to put up a fight.
Waiter: No problem, please enjoy your coffee.
You: O, one last thing, what was in the cup?
Waiter: A lost insect brought in by the ocean breeze got stuck in the coffee foam.
The Last Sip
The last sip is worth it. The anticipation and build-up are brilliant. It leaves you mentally calm, knowing you savoured every sip and taste in your cup.
You look out towards the waves crashing into the beach. The tide is coming in, increasing the wave size and the ocean sound.
Caffeine boosts you. The lost insect didn’t make it. You daydream about the insect drinking coffee and foam turning into an insect hulk climbing onto your cup’s edge, flexing muscles in the morning sun. It must be the rush of caffeine. Two cups will do that as you finish your last rich sip of coffee.
Book In Again
You think to yourself, the service at the North Star Micro Hotel is brilliant. The attention to detail is sharp. The staff notices the small details that mean the world to you. It is an understated service with attention.
The private setting with personal attention is what you are after booking a beachfront weekend, business trip or family splash in the waves.
Contact The Beachfront North Star Micro Hotel to book your next Umhlanga trip.
t: 076 611 4592
Enquiries:
Room | stay@northstar-hotel.com
Venue | info@northstar-hotel.com
26 Eastmoor Crescent, Umhlanga Rocks, Umhlanga, 4320
