Author: fitravel

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Plaatbos Nature Reserve

The section of indigenous forest next to Storms River Village through which the Storms River Pass runs is called Plaatbos Nature Reserve. It used to be under the control of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, but now forms part of the Tsitsikamma National Park under the control of SANParks. The only way to get into this forest is by bicycle or on foot. Storms River Adventures offer tours down the old pass which is very informative, but there…

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10/07/2009
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Marine Hall

The Port Elizabeth Museum at Bayworld has a number of excellent exhibits covering a wide field of subjects and events. One of the main attractions can be found in the Marine Hall and is the 15m skeleton of the last Southern right whale harpooned in Algoa Bay. Now I know somebody is likely to ask when this happened and before they do I have to say I don't know. I have been searching the Internet and can't find a specific…

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09/07/2009
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Forestry house

One of the houses that used to belong to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry on the edge of the Plaatbos Nature Reserve in Storms River Village. I think ownership now falls with SANParks. Some of the houses here are occupied while others like this one stands empty.

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09/07/2009
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Hobie Beach

I know its winter and a bit cold outside and this is a summer picture, but I feel like going to the beach for some reason. Hobie Beach is one of Port Elizabeth's main beaches. It can be found across the road from the Boardwalk Casino complex and is where Shark Rock Pier is situated. The beach is one of Port Elizabeth's 4 Blue Flag Beaches and is a favorite with both young and old.

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08/07/2009
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Cadillac Shack

One of the most unlikely things you may expect to find in the little village of Storms River in the Tsitsikamma on the Garden Route is a Cadillac museum. The Cadillac Shack is a small privately owned collection of these magnificent cars which can be viewed by prior appointment when in the area. Michael Caine might tell you that the Big Three Cadillac's are the '58, '59 and '60 as they have the biggest fins of all the Cadillac's. The…

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08/07/2009
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Tree Fern

Today's post are all shots of new tree fern shoots. I love ferns and specially tree ferns. These I took in front of the hotel I stayed at in Johannesburg recently, but for me there is nothing like seeing a great tree fern growing inside an indigenous forest.

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07/07/2009
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Donkin Reserve

Today we are back home after our "trip" covering all the towns surrounding Port Elizabeth. So just to start off on the home front again, I am featuring one of Port Elizabeth's iconic landmarks. The Donkin Reserve. On the Donkin Reserve visitors will find the Donkin Lighthouse as well as the Donkin Memorial Pyramid. The story of the pyramid goes as follow: Sir Rufane Donkin married Elizabeth Frances Markham in 1815 and barely 2 months later was posted to India.…

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07/07/2009
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Oudtshoorn

Today out tour of all the towns surrounding Port Elizabeth (and a little further away) ends in Oudtshoorn. From George and Mossel Bay the road takes you over the Outeniqua Mountains into the Klein Karoo (Small place of Thirst). It is a area flanked by the Outeniqua Mountains in the south and the Swartberg Mountains in the north. The climate here is much different from that along the coast. Its is dry and hot. Ideal ostrich country. The main attractions…

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06/07/2009
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Mossel Bay

Mossel Bay is the last of the Garden Route towns we visit. From here heading west towards Cape Town the road goes via the Overberg which is mainly farming area. I don't really have any photos of this area to show.Mossel Bay was the spot where the first European explorer set foot in South Africa. Bartholomew Diaz landed here in 1488 and in 1988 for the 500 year anniversary a replica of his caravel was built and sailed from Portugal.…

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05/07/2009