Travel Blog

Uncategorized

Black Wattle

The Black Wattle is an invader specie that was introduced to South Africa from Australia. The first Black Wattle was planted in 1928 and it was hoped that it would provide fuel, building materials, and shade In the early days the Black Wattles were also grown in a controlled environment to harvest its tannin. Unfortunately in later years they were allowed to spread through South Africa like wild fire.Unfortunately it is estimated that invading aliens cover 10 million hectares of…

5 Comments
18/12/2009
Uncategorized

Harbour Tugs

I posted a shot of the tug mooring area from a harbour vantage point in August, but got a totally different view from the top of the Campanile the other day which I want to show you.

4 Comments
18/12/2009
Uncategorized

Sedge

Sedge photograped next to the Maitlands River. I was checking my The Wildlife of Southern Africa book and it seems that this may be Cyperus dives.

3 Comments
17/12/2009
Uncategorized

NSRI rescue boat

The NSRI guys on their way to their training exercise last weekend. Its amazing how fast that rubber duck was moving even though the sea was a bit on the rough side. Seeing the way the crew was going about their way in the exercise, I would say that one would be in good hands when they come to rescue you in the case of an ocean disaster.

2 Comments
17/12/2009
Uncategorized

Fog

We don't get much fog in Port Elizabeth and if we do it clears up by mid morning at the latest. The other day the coastal part of the city was shrouded in fog for most of the day. I stopped at the Humerail Shopping Centre overlooking the harbour to get a pic of what it looked like. Pity I wasn't on holiday yet as I had lots of photo ideas I would have liked to have tried out. Oh…

3 Comments
16/12/2009
Uncategorized

Spotted Dikkop

The Spotted Dikkop (Burhinus capensis) must be one of my favorite birds. I was surprised to find this pair and their chick (picture below) at the bottom of the Donkin Reserve. The Dikkop is a fairly big bird with a height of 34-43cm. The are normally found in pairs and prefer walking over flying. When they do fly is usually during dusk when they are in search of water. They are also a lot more noisy in the dark than…

4 Comments
15/12/2009
Uncategorized

Boys and their toys

We went to ride the miniature trains at Londt Park last Sunday and it was very interesting to watch afterwards how the guys clean them by taking out the burning coals and blowing the trains clean with a steam gun.

2 Comments
15/12/2009
Uncategorized

The Symbol of Multiculturalism

Situated next to the German Settler Memorial in East London is The Symbol of Multiculturalism. With Wednesday 16 December being Day or Reconsiliation, I thought that this is actually a very relevant post. The Symbol of Multiculturalism was created by Francesco Perilli and was donated by the Nereto Municipality in Italy to the people of the Eastern Cape Province and for the African continent.It quotes Nelson Mandela in saying: "We might have our differences, but we are one people with…

5 Comments
14/12/2009
Uncategorized

Exporting cars

Looking east from the top observation area of the Campanile, one looks across the Port Elizabeth Harbor. One of the things you immediately notice are the cars waiting for export. With both General Motors and VW have big export contracts, a lot of cars get moved through the harbour which means that there are a number of car ships docking every week.

1 Comment
14/12/2009