WITH lockdown restrictions eased somewhat for the first time in almost a year, fans of the annual Mystery Ghost Bus tour have something to look forward to again – a once-off tour for the year on Saturday, March 13.
It is not to be missed, especially because it’s on the dreaded “13th”, which has its own superstitions.
Things are slightly different though. The ‘bus tour’ has evolved into a ‘jaunt’, where participants use their own vehicle to join a convoy, just like a fun mystery car rally.
The jaunt follows the same old route, but it is more interactive since groups are given a short script that is read out aloud by someone in the vehicle. All the major out-of-vehicle stops are still performed by the ghostly host. The organisers promise a fun event.
“When we tried the jaunt in other cities, people would bring picnic baskets with them, which adds to the fun,” said Mark Rose-Christie, owner and host.
“We also now use free ghost hunting apps, where we show the guests how to download them onto their cellphones, which takes a few seconds. The electromagnetic fields and electronic voice phenomena we pick up are astounding, and the apps are very accurate.”
Some of the highlights are the lost ghost baby at The Black Steps in old South End, the soldier apparition at The Drill Hall, and spectres at The Little Theatre and Fort Frederick. At the pub stop at the Maritime Club, guests are taken to The Dark Room for a chilling story.
From there it’s on to ‘Knockfierna’, one of the town’s first ‘park villas’ along Park Drive, and then to the old Park Hotel, for a gruesome murder, the shadow of a man who hanged himself from a tree due to depression, and two mischievous ghosts.
The Provincial Hospital has a sad tale of a little boy who died before his family could visit him, while nearby is South Africa’s most famous Poltergeist House, which suffered 71 fires in the early 2000s.
At Richly House, now called Champions, it’s time for a drink to calm the nerves before continuing to the tower, where a nun hanged herself after bearing a baby whose echoing cries are still heard. This is in addition to the more malevolent spirits downstairs – be careful which toilet you use. Then it’s down Target Kloof to try out some dowsing rods at the river, while the host gives some live demonstrations of the paranormal using various mysterious effects, including the bending of a key using that mind power known as ‘psychokinesis’. So bring your old or spare keys.
Finally, the tour winds up at the cemetery with a thrilling effect by 22:00.
Bring a torch, camera and ‘pub & grub money’, where umbrellas are a must.
For details and bookings, visit www.mysteryghostproductions.co.za.
