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Bayworld exhibit of the wreck of the Amsterdam

One of the best know shipwrecks around Port Elizabeth is that of the Dutch Sailing Amsterdam that ran around close to the mouth of the Swartkops River in 1817.  People may not necessarily know much of the wreck, but the fact that Amsterdam Hoek along the banks of the Swartkops is named after the ship helps.The ship, captained by Hermanus Hofmeijer, hit a fierce storm in 1817 with the wind ripping apart the sails and snapping the masts.  After eleven hours of fighting…

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08/01/2014
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McArthur Pool on a quiet day

Over the summer holidays Port Elizabeth's beaches have been packed due to some notably outstanding weather.  Looking at some pictures I took in November I found this one taken at McArthur Pools with Kings Beach in the background.  Not a soul in sight.  Tranquil compared to what it looks like around there at the moment. 

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07/01/2014
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Port Elizabeth Harbour sunset

Since the Jester started with cruises of Algoa Bay in 2012 it has become one of the most popular attractions (or should I say activities?) in Port Elizabeth.  Locals, visitors and corporates alike all love cruising along the beachfront doesn't matter if its a short leisure cruise, their popular braai cruise or a charter for a party or function.  I've had the pleasure to do an late afternoon cruise and the sun started to disappear over the city as we…

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07/01/2014
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Foggy hills

We are slap bang in the middle of a warm hot sweltering summer spell.  Days are hot and the crows are yawning, every bit of shade gets used by big and small and people, specially the farmers, are keeping their eyes skyward in the hope of a shower to cool things down a bit.  When the sun rises in the east and the hills are covered in early morning fog, like this Gamtoos Valley scene close to Patensie, its a sign…

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06/01/2014
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People of PE – Serving prawns at Cubata

Cubata Portuguese Grill house in Sydenham is fast becoming a real institution on the Port Elizabeth restaurant scene.  Just don't go there if you're looking for sophistication and service excelence.  But who needs that?  The restaurant is very informal and patrons bring along their own drinks (there is also a self service honosty cold drink fridge for those who arrive empty handed).  Seeting is on wooden benches and the waiter is the owner himself, so don't "pop" by if you are in…

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06/01/2014
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Buffalo in the rain

Most people associate Addo Elephant National Park with elephants only, but its really so much more than that.  The park has had Cape Buffalo right from the start although they stuck to the bush and lived a nocturnal life due to hunters in the early days.  After lions were introduced into the park the buffalo changed the behaviour back to normal and visitors started seeing them more and more.  My last visit was on a rainy day and we found a big…

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05/01/2014
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Remains of a lifeboat

At the eastern end of Schoenmakerskop you will find one of the lifeboats from the Oceanos that sank on the Wild Coast in 1991.  Personally I think its quite a significant "wreck" on our coastline.  Going the other way, about halfway along the Sacramento Trail west of Schoenies, there is what also looks like the remains of a lifeboat.  Some of the knowledgable locals may know where its from, but I just thought it made for an interesting object to include…

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04/01/2014
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The biggest South African flag

Over the last few years Port Elizabeth has had a couple of new landmarks go up that has very much become part of the city's landscape.  The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, the Boardwalk Hotel, the wind farm turbines and the great flag on the Donkin Reserve.  The great flag forms part of Route 67 and flies on top of the second tallest flag pole in Africa.  At 65 meters tall its only shorter than a pole in Angola.  The flag itself…

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03/01/2014
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Baby sea turtles at Bayworld

Visitors to the Oceanarium at Bayworld will find a tank with baby sea turtles in it.  Most of these were hatchlings that got washed up after storms forced them out the warm Mosambique current and into Algoa Bay.  They're often in cold shock due to the sudden change in water tempreture that also compromise their condition.

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03/01/2014
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T-Rex in Port Elizabeth

If you had a time machine and could choose any time to go back to, what time would you choose?  I think most children would choose to go back to the time of the dinosaurs.  Bayworld gives visitors a opportunity to get to know some moving life sized dinosaurs fairly up close and personal.  Amongst them a life size T-Rex.

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02/01/2014