Author: fitravel

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Cherries in bacon and steak stuffed with mussels

For the last couple of years we've been away from home on a camping trip over Christmas and every year tried to make something special for Christmas lunch.  This year we were camping in Montagu in the Western Cape and decided to go out for Christmas lunch, but alas, by the time we were looking the few places open that day were fully booked already.  "Whatever!" *imagine me saying that with my finger waving in the air* We decided rather to…

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08/02/2013
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Baakens River tributary

The Baakens River cuts through the middle of Port Elizabeth from its origin to the west of the city and on its way to Algoa Bay where it mouths out into the Port Elizabeth harbour.  Most of the Baakens River Valley can be explored via the Guinea Fowl Trail, the trails through Settlers Park and a couple of mountain bike trails.  The Baakens River has a number of tributaries, one of which originates around Overbaakens and flows part Upper Walmer before…

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07/02/2013
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St Georges Park’s first tree

Perhaps the title of the post is a little bit misleading, but "The site of the first tree in St Georges Park which was blown over and isn't there anymore" would be a little too long.  The first tree to be planted in the park was done so during the official establishment of the park in 1861.  The tree blew over in 2001 with the original inscription then being moved to the municipality's park division offices in the park.  We went after…

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06/02/2013
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Bonnievale landscape

Most international visitors to South Africa know and get to visit the wine routes around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, yet there are others as well.  One such wine route, which the locals indeed know of, is situated around the towns of Robertson and Bonnievale with some super wine estates along the Breede River.  The picture was taken on the R317 between the two towns.

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06/02/2013
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Looking up the Donkin Reserve

The new look Donkin Reserve is drawing a lot of people back to the area thanks to Route 67, many who haven't been there since they were kids.  More tour buses are also stopping there which shows that the Donkin Reserve / Route 67 combination is truly becoming an Port Elizabeth icon and a must see when visiting the city.

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05/02/2013
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Dessie’s at the Tin House

Port Elizabeth has some wonderful art galleries and some outstanding coffee shops, so what would be better than to find a combination between the two.  Dessie's at the Tin House on Cuyler Street in Central is one such a place.  Its a delightful little coffee shop which allows local artists to exhibit (and hopefully sell) their work there.  The shop is situated in an old corrugated iron house which came to South Africa from England in kit form during the 1800's.

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04/02/2013
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Port Elizabeth – Firefly’s top 10 attractions

Geogypsy was one of the very first blogs I followed and still is one of my absolute favorites.  Gaelyn is a traveller at heart and spends half the year working as a park ranger at the Grand Canyon National Park.  If somebody gave her half the chance she would travel the world professionally and write about as she goes.  A couple of years ago she visited South Africa for a month but by the time she passed Port Elizabeth her time…

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04/02/2013
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Walkway

The Humpback Dolphin Trail walkway along the Port Elizabeth beachfront is a great way to get some fresh air and explore the beaches.  This section of the walkway follows the coast from the beacon at the end of Admirality Way towards Pine Lodge.

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03/02/2013
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Overlooking the valley

The Lower Guinea Fowl Trail starts at the 3rd Avenue Dip and ends down in Settlers Park.  I didn't really take the picture to show the start of the trail, but rather the houses overlooking the Baakens Valley. 

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02/02/2013