Take a virtual tour of our little piece of southern paradise right here.

Staying in De Kelders? You'd be mad not to beg for a room at Whalesong Lodge, and if they're full or you too want to purchase a place in paradise, go straight to De Kelders B'n B.

"Two X's mark the spot." That's literally what our estate agent and friend, Gerhard, wrote in an e-mail in April 2005.

That's language one is used to reading in children's mystery novels and adult fiction in the pirates and treasure genre. It turned out that Gerhard chose his words wisely.

For "XX" indicates a discovered gem near the southern tip of Africa. A virgin plot of land overlooking breathtaking Walker Bay -- the three-month watery nursery to Southern Right whales that frolic metres from the shore (acknowledged best land-based whale-watching in the world); a pristine and protected playground for small game amidst the Fynbos biome (the most diverse floral kingdom in the world); home to two of South Africa's finest vineyards and a short drive to the infamous Cape winelands; and with views that stretch to Cape Town and the very tip of Cape Point.

Take a virtual tour of our little piece of southern paradise right here.

None of this would have been possible without the guidance and friendship of the proprietors of Whalesong Lodge. This amazing couple -- Stanley and Lainy -- have not only created a B'n B that no one in their sane minds would ever want to check out of, but, also connected us with the man who helped us track down the property that became ours in August 2005.

A wine label from nearby Bouchard Finlayson invokes the spirit of the place: "Transport your imagination to a small valley framed by old Cape mountains, a stones throw away from the sea near the Southern point of Africa."

And that is the view from our little plot of land. Across a sweeping bay with perfect sunsets, to a mountain range the foothills of which they call, 'Hemel-en-Aarde' (Heaven and earth).

On this little plot we plan to place a little eco-friendly home (ensuring we preserve and nurture the indigenous and endemic vegetation, as well as the continued right of passage of paws, feathers and proboscii).

Gathering inspiration from the plethora of design journals we subscribe to and experienced friends, we plan to have our home constructed in the next few years. We are in the process of evaluating consultants, so please let us know if you can recommend an architect/builder based in the area (up to and including Cape Town).

Come back here to keep up-to-date on our progress in paradise.