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Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve

The Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve is situated about 40 kilometers west of Port Elizabeth.  The reserve is 450 hectares in size and includes both pristine fynbos along the plateau and coastal forest in the gorge.  There are several hiking trails through the reserve and one of them will take you to the spot from where the Van Stadens Bridge is visible.  One of the magnificent flowers that grow in the reserve is the King Protea, South Africa's national flower.

5 Comments
29/10/2010
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Shining on the slipway

Early morning sunshine by the old slipway at Humewood Beach. Humewood is the oldest Blue Flag beach in South Africa and has just been re awarded its Blue Flag status for the coming summer season. Visit Skywatch for more photos of the sky

7 Comments
28/10/2010
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Promenade

The promenade along the Port Elizabeth beachfront starts down at the Kings Beach parking area and runs all the way up to and past the beacon at the bottom of Admiralty Way.  The most popular section is that between the McArthur's Pool and Polock Beach with lots of people jogging and walking along it, specially in the mornings and late afternoons.

4 Comments
27/10/2010
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South African National Defence Force Memorial

The South African Defence Force Memorial is situated just outside the entrance to Fort Klapperkop in Pretoria. The memorial was unveiled on May 31 1979 and includes a statue of a soldier holding a R1 rifle, in memory of all members of the South African Defence Force who lost their lives serving their country. The individuals who have lost their lives are honored with an inscription on a number of marble plaques mounted around the statue. 

5 Comments
27/10/2010
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New Town Lodge Hotel

Another of the new developments going on along the Port Elizabeth beachfront is the new Town Lodge Hotel.  The hotel is being built right next door to the City Lodge while the Courtyard Suites Hotel and Road Lodge is just beyond that, making PE the first place in South Africa to have all four of the hotels in the group situated next to each other.  The 203 room, R133-million development is starting to near completion and will add much needed…

2 Comments
26/10/2010
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Fort Klapperkop

Sitting on top of the koppies (hills) overlooking Pretoria is a number of forts that was built prior to the Anglo Boer War in the late 1800's.  After the abortive Jameson Raid in 1895, the South African Republic (also known as the Transvaal Republic) had a number of forts built to protect their capital in case of a foreign invasion.  The Pretoria Forts consisted mainly of four forts, three of which was constructed by a German company.  I have on a previous visit…

4 Comments
25/10/2010
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Brookes on the Bay development

There are quite a lot of work happening along the Port Elizabeth beachfront.  One of the main projects on the go is the redevelopment of the old Brookes Hill Pavilion into what will be known as Brookes on the Bay.  Brookes Hill Pavilion was geared towards the younger crowd and contained pubs and a night club.  Unfortunately it had a bit of a bad reputation with a couple of incidents that happened there over the years.  The new development will apparently…

4 Comments
25/10/2010
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Klip-Els Guest Lodge

I recently had the opportunity to stay at Klip-Els Guest Lodge in North Riding area of Johannesburg.  The place was such a surprise to me when I got there.  Although the guest house is in Johannesburg, its situated on a 3 hectares property.  This gives one the feeling like you are somewhere in the bushveld rather than in the city.  Although you can hear some traffic somewhere off in the distance, you wake up to the sound of bird calls rather than city…

4 Comments
24/10/2010
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Bayworld fasade

The artwork on the outside wall of Bayworld was redone just before the 2010 FIFA World Cup and takes in a nautical theme.  The artwork was sponsored by Coca Cola.  Just for those who doesn't know, Bayworld consists of the Port Elizabeth Museum, Oceanarium and Snake Park.

4 Comments
24/10/2010