The freeway off ramp on Settlers Freeway which goes nowhere. In yesterday's post on the Green Mosque I mentioned that the mosque was due to be demolished according to the Groups Areas Act and that they wanted a freeway off ramp to run across the land. This is how close they got to doing it.
A quick trip out on the Elandsrivier road outside Port Elizabeth meant that I had to do a little bit of dirt road that morning. On the way back I noticed something on the road which looked like a stick and I have it a wide berth not wanting to damage a tyre. As I flew by I noticed the stick wasn't a stick at all but a puffadder crossing the road.The puffadder (Bitis arietans) is probably one of if not…
Residents of Port Elizabeth all know the green mosque next to the Settlers Freewat. The Masjied-Ul-Aziz, also known as as the Pier Street Mosque or Green Mosque, was officially opened in July 1901. The mosque was destined to be destroyed by the declaration of the Group Areas Act to make way for a freeway off ramp, but the matter went to the United Nations where Islamic countries prevented its destruction. The mosque remains in daily use as a place of…
If I could go for a walk in an indigenous forest every day I would. I love the beauty and peacefulness of it and don't think I'll ever be able to get enough for it. One of the thing that I always find very interesting are the young fern leaves that's coloured pink, something I saw quite a lot of in the Tsitsikamma last week. I asked somebody in the area once why the young leaves are pink before turning green and…
The ocean off Cape Recife churns white, specially at low tide, as the waves hit Thunderbolt Reef. This notorious reef has claimed numerous ships over the years and was named after the HMS Thunderbolt which struck this massive reef in 1847. The Cape Recife Lighthouse was built in 1851 to warn ships of the eminent danger but even with it's presence close by ships accidents have still happened. But its not all bad news. The area around the reef is a very…
Its amazing how you get to interact with the animals at game reserves not just from on top of a 4x4 but somethings also face to face. At a recent visit to Pumba Game Reserve I was walking along the walkway to the rooms at Pumba Water Lodge when I passed this warthog grazing about 2 meters away. He looked up at me, snorted (as if to let me know I'm in his space and not vice versa) and watched…
The 470 square meter mosaic next to the pyramid on the Donkin Reserve is one of the art pieces that has been installed in the area as part of the Route 67 development. The mosaic celebrates the many cultures, heritages, diverse histories and abundant fauna and flora that characterises the city and province. The mosaic was done by students from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and is made up of a lot of different details. I have posted a similar…
We spend a couple of days in the Tsitsikamma this week chilling out and exploring the area. The lilies in the forest are in full bloom and truly stunning, some as big as two hands cupped together. I have a lot more Storms River and Tsitsikamma (one of the most beautiful areas in South Africa) stuff that will follow.
Township tours are very popular with international visitors to South Africa. Often locals can't really understand why the tourists would like to go and see the townships. A few weeks ago we (we being me and my colleagues) took about 50 locals on a township tour with a difference and afterwards they couldn't stop talking about it. They got to meet and interact with the people, see the sights, hear the sounds, eat (some of) what the locals eat, visit the local market…
Die Nelson Mandelabaai Stadion in Port Elizabeth was een van die stadions wat voor die 2010 FIFA Wêreldbeker gebou is. Die 44 000 sitplek stadion het R1,1 miljard gekos (omtrent $150 miljoen) om te bou en is die eerste wêreldklas stadion in die Ooskaap. Die stadion is langs die Noordeindemeer geleë en het gou een van Port Elizabeth se uitstaan landmerke geword. Die stadion maak vir 'n absoluut pragtige foto op aande wat daar 'n wedstryd plaasvind.Die stadion is die tuisveld van…