A quick trip out to Addo for a meeting meant that I only had a chance to glance an elephant at the main rest camp waterhole. Wish there was time for a drive through the park, but I had to get back.
This is the 7th and final post in the Boardwalk series of the last week. Its shows the casino building seen across the lake from the first restaurants. The casino features 24 tables and 900 slot machines in both smoking and non-smoking facilities. I'm not a gambling man, but I love the sound of the casino with the jackpot bells going off all around you as people try to strike it lucky.
The Cockscomb mountain is situated north of the Gamtoos Valley and visible from not just in the valley but also from the Baviaanskloof, Uitenhage and Addo areas. The reason its visible from all over is that it's the second highest mountain in the Eastern Cape. It gets its name from its resemblance to a rooster's comb. The Cockscomb is part of the Groot Winterhoek mountain range with the higest peak being 1 768 m above sea level. This picture was taken from Vergaderingskop (the burial place…
One of the things I enjoyed most about a visit to Sun City in North West Province a couple of years ago was the beautiful gardens that surrounded the hotels. The Boardwalk doesn't quite have the space to lay out such elaborate gardens and waterways, but they do have a stunning little tropical corner around the putt-putt (mini golf for those who don't know what putt-putt is) course. Look carefully in the picture and you'll see a croc waiting for…
The majority of the female elephants in the Addo Elephant National Park are tuskless. The general opinion amongst laymen is that it's because of selective hunting of the elephants with big tusks in the late 19th and early 20th century while others think it may be due to the vegetation (structure and/or nutrient composition) of the area. Long term records have been used to assess trends and it has been found that although it could have played a roll, selective…
This is post #4 in the Boardwalk series of this week. The Boardwalk lake forms the centre of the complex with the retail, food and entertainment areas all surrounding it. The lake is also where the Fountain Spectacular with its colourful lights and music takes place every evening.
Most South Africans probably know what a smiley is, but if you ask any international visitor to the country they would probably say something you use in mobile messages and online comments. The difference between a township smiley and an online one is very different though. A township smiley is a cooked sheep's head, regarded as a local delicacy. The sheep heads are boiled in salty water, sometimes with a stock cube thrown in. Once they are cooked they get put in the…
The Boardwalk has a wide variety of children's activities and entertainment ranging from putt-putt and go-carts to bumper boats and a game centre. I think my favorite entertainment item, even if its just in looks, is the good ol' traditional merry-go-round. Not just does little kids love it, it makes for great photography as well.
This is post #2 in the Boardwalk series I'm posting this week. In front of the casino entrance there is a fountain with a mermaid and two dolphins as centre piece. I don't know why but it has fascinated me since I saw it the first time. The fountain has also become a bit of a wishing fountain with people throwing coins in it. Luckily there is security at the casino door 24/7 to stop the coins from disappearing. Every…
The western point of Mossel Bay is named Cape St Blaze and long before the first Europeans arrived in South Africa this area was home to the Khoi people. The Khoi found shelter in the caves along this coastline, one which can be found directly below the lighthouse where archaeological digs have found that the early inhabitants lived on the abundance of shellfish available from the rocks below. The Cape St Blaze Lighthouse was erected in 1864 and up until recently…