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Phillip’s Tunnel in Hankey

Every little town has its interesting sites to visit, being it historic, natural or man-made.  Often visitors pass through without ever knowing about these places and in most cases they slowly become forgotten to all but a few.  One such site in my opinion is the Phillip's Tunnel in Hankey in the Gamtoos Valley.  There is a sign on the main drag through town but in most cases visitors are heading towards the Baviaanskloof and doesn't even notice it.  The road to the…

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27/11/2013
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Swartkops Nature Reserve

The Swartkops Nature Reserve along with the Aloe Reserve protects the northern escarpment of the Swartkops Estuary.  It plays an important part in the protection of Valley Thicket, also known as Valley Bushveld, along the estuary and is quite a good birding spot.  The reserve is one of the lesser know reserves in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro with not many people visiting it, but the good folk of the Zwartkops Conservancy does do guided hikes along the Flamingo Trail through the…

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27/11/2013
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Hello baby

Baby elephants never venture very far from their mothers and isn't always that easy to photograph as they zig-zag in-between legs and duck under adults.  This little guy looked quite at ease just playing around while mommy and the other big elephants were browsing next to the road in the rain.  We were about an hour into our game drive at Addo Elephant National Park and even though we've already has some great ellie sightings, having them so close to…

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26/11/2013
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Rock climbing at Van Stadens

After a couple of recent posts (including Wildflower Reserve Trails and Under Van Stadens Bridge)that covered the Van Stadens area, I received an email from Derek Marshall with a couple of pictures.  They were about, as he puts it, one of the more unknown aspects of PE.  Rock climbing.  I did a quick bit of research and found the following.  The Van Stadens River Gorge have 154 sport routes ranging from grade 17 to grade 34.  There are a couple of spots around the historic…

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25/11/2013
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Biggest sundial in the Africa

The biggest sundial in Africa and the Southern Hemisphere can be found somewhere in South Africa.  "Where in South Africa?" I hear you ask. Cape Town? You're cold.  Johannesburg? Very cold. Durban? Still cold. Port Elizabeth? Getting warmer. Where then? Its located in the humble Gamtoos Valley town of Hankey.  The Hankey Sundial was completed by local farmer Mr Dirk Schellingerhout in 1989 to commemorate the town's 160th anniversary.  The dial is located at the entrance to the town and just below Vergaderingskop, the final…

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24/11/2013
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PE landmarks

The Donkin Reserve with Route 67 is my favorite photographic location in Port Elizabeth.  There is so many different subjects to photograph and so many different angles to use.  Over the years the Donkin Memorial (Pyramid) and the Hill Lighthouse has become iconic landmarks in Port Elizabeth and is well worth snapping a picture of.

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24/11/2013
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Summer is coming

I've realised how few beach photos I've been posting over the last couple of month, but its been winter after all.  Last weekend I went for a walk along the beachfront I suddenly realised that summer is around the corner and people will be flocking down to the beaches again very soon.  Not that the weather's been very cold lately, but continuous summer weather will be very welcome and I can't wait to get back in the pool or down…

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23/11/2013
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The supposed to be closed open door

Today's post may not be of an landmark or attraction around Port Elizabeth but rather a bit of a quirky sight I encountered during a Hinterveld Mohair Mill tour I was on the other day.

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22/11/2013
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Harbour beacon

Although it looks like a lighthouse it isn't a lighthouse, not quite.  It does have a light though.  What is it then and where did I see it?  It is a beacon at the end of the breakwater forming part of the Port Elizabeth Harbour wall.

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21/11/2013
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Boardwalk Hotel from the sea

The Boardwalk Hotel and Convention Centre has really changed the beachfront skyline since it opened a year ago.  I've heard that some people think it looks out of place while comparing it to a Disney like castle while others absolutely love it.  But love it or hate it, the hotel and convention centre has become an integral part of the city's leisure, business and events tourism landscape and a great asset to Port Elizabeth.  The photo was taken while on a bay cruise on the…

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20/11/2013