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Then and Now – Fort Frederick

Fort Frederick is the oldest building in Port Elizabeth and said to be the first permanent stone structure built by the British in Africa south of the Equator. The fort was built in August 1799 near the mouth of the Baakens River in Algoa Bay to safeguard the fresh water supply and to keep watch for a possible landing of French troops send to assist the Graaff-Reinet rebels during the Napoleonic wars.  The fort was named after Frederick, Duke of York and…

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15/12/2015
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A Boardwalk sunset

Last week I got to attend the opening of the Le Vino Wine and Tapas Bar at the Boardwalk complex in Port Elizabeth.  The restaurant has an upstairs area with a balcony overlooking the Boardwalk lake and it was here we were toasting the end of another beautiful day in the Bay while the sun was going down.  The sky was stunning and this is exactly why I always like to have my camera with me.

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15/12/2015
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Port Elizabeth icons, new and old

The Donkin Reserve and Route 67 truly are two of Port Elizabeth's iconic attractions.  The one is historic and linked to the very early history of the city while the second brings together all the aspects of the city's cultures, history, peoples and art.  The pyramid is actually called the Donkin Memorial and was built in 1820 by Sir Rufane Donkin in memory of his late wife after whom he named the town.  Next to it stands the tallest flag…

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14/12/2015
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Boardwalk Hotel view to Millers

This is the view standing on the Boardwalk Hotel's pooldeck looking towards Millers and Pollok Beach.  The middle rock of the lot is Bird Rock and Hobie Beach is just to the left of the picture.  With all the palm trees one who don't know the PE beachfront could easily think it's somewhere tropical.  Heck, with some of these hot and humid days we've been having it could just as well be.

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13/12/2015
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Boardwalk Fountain Spectacular times

Over the last couple of years the Boardwalk Fountain Spectacular has become very popular with both locals and out of town visitors visiting the Boardwalk in the evenings.  The fountain times vary between the seasons and at the moment the times are 8 pm, 9 pm and 10 pm daily.

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12/12/2015
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PE time lapse

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy4XBfA71iA&w=500&h=400]The Video Friday post for today is another time lapse.  It was shot from somewhere in South End looking towards the harbor.  It's only 15 seconds long so no excuses not to watch it.

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11/12/2015
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Tip a glass at the Le Vino Wine and Tapas Bar

Last night I joined some media friends at the Boardwalk for the opening of the newest restaurant offer in the complex.  In recent months the Boardwalk has opened two new restaurants, Coast and Craft, and these are now joined by Le Vino Wine and Tapas Bar.  All three of these fall under the Boardwalk's own banner and is managed by the Boardwalk's F&B department.  Le Vino itself is located in the old Dulce Cafe premises and offers a great spot…

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10/12/2015
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A walk along the beach in Jeffrey’s Bay

What good is a morning meeting in Jeffrey's Bay with perfect early summer weather if one can't leave a little earlier and go for a walk on the beach? Yeh, says me too.  Early morning and not a breath of air in Port Elizabeth so I took a chance and left just after 7am to give myself a bit of time for a walk along the beach at Kabeljous.The tide was low and water was flowing out of the lagoon…

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09/12/2015
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Fun with science

When it comes to fun science, everybody becomes a child.  It's no difference at the NMB Science and Technology Centre in Uitenhage.  There are so many fun and fascinating things to try.  Things like lying down on a bed of nails to just name one.  Another one that always fascinates me is the floating ball.  How do they do it?   

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09/12/2015
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NMB Science Centre

Looking for something to do with the kids this holiday?  Why not head out to Uitenhage?  The town has a few worth while spots to visit to keep the kids busy at.  Start at the Cuyler Manor Museum, visit the world class VW Auto Pavilion and round the day off at the Nelson Mandela Bay Science and Technology Centre.  Although the centre really has the potential to be so much more than what it currently is, it's sure to keep…

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08/12/2015