The Ark Restaurant & Doppies Bar in Williston

The magical Karoo can pull some marvellous surprises from its hat.  On our off the beaten track route from Jo’burg to Cape Town, we left Prieska at 5am.  Carnarvon was still in dreamland when we passed through.  Breakfast became a gnawing priority, but the dot on our map representing Williston didn’t inspire much hope.  Plans were made to find a shop of any description to procure dried fruit or something to keep us going until our next stop in Calvinia.  Instead we discovered the delightfully quirky Williston Mall, a polar opposite to the repugnant malls which litter our cities.

Brimful with character, the Ark Restaurant and Doppies bar enchanted me.  Cappuccinos provided a welcome lift and the surroundings had me in orbit.  Breakfast was excellent value for money.  I longed to share the discovery with my BAT (Bikers against tolls) friends.  What’s more bikers get a 10% discount.

The Ark also offers B & B accommodation.  I would love to stay there sometime in the future.