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Flowering Spekboom in Addo

I like pizza... and braaivleis...  and burgers... and... and... and...   Elephants like a whole bunch of things as well.  One of those things is Spekboom (Portulacaria afra).  Spekboom, also called the elephant bush, forms part of the Subtropical Thicket biome and is prevalent in the Addo Elephant National Park.  In actual fact its one of the reasons why Addo has such a good elephant carrying capacity as the Spekboom is a succulent and also supplements their water intake.  Although the Spekboom normally…

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04/12/2013
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Arrival of the Blitzbokke

This weekend (the whole week actually) is a big weekend in the Bay.  Its the weekend when the South African leg of the International Rugby Boards 7's world series takes place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.  Its two days of action packed rugby on the field and lots of party action off it.  All 16 teams taking part came in on two flights last night and I was lucky enough to make the special list to get me past the supporters and into the arrivals area.  I…

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03/12/2013
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A Saturday morning hike on the Flamingo Trail

I'm probably the most overweight, unfit active guy there is.  There is no hesitation to go if I get the opportunity to get out and about and because of my love for the outdoors I make an effort to explore and do as much as possible.  I've been fortunate that I've had the opportunity to do most of the day walks around Port Elizabeth with the exception of only a few.  One of those being the Flamingo Trail in the…

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02/12/2013
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Welcome to the Port of Port Elizabeth

The harbour control tower is very much the same as an air control tower at an airport, just without the planes.  I really like the fact that there is a welcome sign on the tower visible to ships sailing into the Port Elizabeth Harbour.

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02/12/2013
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Taking a gardening break before the wind comes

It's been a beautiful day in the Bay today and with some bad weather coming I made the most of it.  Spent the morning Geocaching with the Kids and did a quick bit of gardening in the afternoon, although I did feel like this wind vane at times.  I snapped the pic at Ann's Villa recently.

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01/12/2013
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Furry friends welcome

Port Elizabeth's beachfront is popular with everybody. Joggers, walkers, surfers, families, cyclists, skateboarders, people walking their furry four legged friends, visitors and locals alike.  All of these were delighted to see the redevelopment of Something Good and all of these are welcome there.  Yes, even the furry friends.

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01/12/2013
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St Georges Wild Fig

The Park Drive Bowling Club's clubhouse visible from underneath one of St Georges Park's Wild Fig Trees.  The Wild Figs around St Georges is over a hunderd years old and are seriously impressive trees.

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30/11/2013
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Frames Reservoir – Port Elizabeth’s oldest dam

Growing up I wanted to be an archaeologist.  Somebody like Indiana Jones who discovered lost cities, found ancient artefacts and went places that most can just dream of.  So now I work in tourism and love travelling with the explorer in me always waiting just below the surface.  Since I started Geocaching my explorer persona gets released on a regular basis.  I may not go in search of artefacts but looking for a cache feels like the same thing.  Don't think I can call the…

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29/11/2013
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34 Lights on Route 67

 The Mosaic Stairs from the bottom of the Donkin Reserve up towards the Great Flag at the top is lined with 34 Lights.  Each light has a different object on top of it.  The 34 lights represent the journey along the Voting Queue and Mosaic Stairs, telling a story about past, present and future.  The lights form part of Route 67 and was a collaborative project.

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29/11/2013
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Treating penguins

The guys (and girls obviously) at SAMREC does an absolutely amazing job in the fight for the survival of the African Penguin.  The beauty of SAMREC is that you get to see a bit of what goes on behind the scenes and the other day I was lucky enough to be there while one of the patients was being treated.  Taylor, one of the centre's Emperor Penguins, was busy with a penguin needing daily treatment.  He started by feeding him his fish…

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28/11/2013