Port Elizabeth is fortunate to have a lot of very nice spots to go for a drink or cocktail after work or a relaxing Sunday afternoon. One of these is the Verandah at the Beach Hotel with its stunning view of Hobie Beach and Shark Rock Pier across the road. I haven't been here for a while until I rediscovered it the other day while having drinks with colleagues after a hard couple of days.
Kids are doing it. Students are doing it. Triathlon athletes are doing it. Chad le Clos is doing it. Heck, even the weavers in my garden are doing it thanks to the birdbath. So why not the elephants? Elephants don't have sweat glands so they stay cool by flapping their ears and using the blood running through their ears like water running through a radiator. They also like to throw water over themselves to stay cool and occasionally they like…
For years now people have wondered what will happen if Nelson Mandela had to die. Many hoped that they would never have to see the day and that Madiba will live forever. But he was just a man after all. Not an ordinary man though. A very special man. Many white (sic) people saw him as a terrorist as he fought for the freedom of this country. I say this country because although the fight against Apartheid was seen by many as…
This morning the world woke up to the news that the father of a democratic South Africa, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela has passed away. I don't want to write a whole long post about him because every newspaper, magazine and news website there is will have his whole life story. I just want to say that on this day we shouldn't just mourn this great man, but also celebrate his life and what he did for peace in South Africa. May his memory…
http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/BGS7SpI7obY&source=udsThis was the first song I though of this morning when I heard the news of Nelson Mandela's death last night. Rest in peace Madiba.
Rhino poaching is a serious issue in South Africa and the more awareness that is created the better. Playing his part in this is the sand sculptor at Hobie Beach. Passing by the other morning I spotted his sand rhino and had to snap a picture.
Over the years Willows Resort along Marine Drive on Port Elizabeth's Wildside has become an PE institution. During the year many locals spend weekends here camping or staying in the very distinctively Willows rondawels while out of town visitors pack it out during the Summer holidays and over Easter. I've popped into Willows for various reasons in the past, but got to stay over for the first time on a weekend organised by my in-laws recently. Willows has it all to…
I like pizza... and braaivleis... and burgers... and... and... and... Elephants like a whole bunch of things as well. One of those things is Spekboom (Portulacaria afra). Spekboom, also called the elephant bush, forms part of the Subtropical Thicket biome and is prevalent in the Addo Elephant National Park. In actual fact its one of the reasons why Addo has such a good elephant carrying capacity as the Spekboom is a succulent and also supplements their water intake. Although the Spekboom normally…
This weekend (the whole week actually) is a big weekend in the Bay. Its the weekend when the South African leg of the International Rugby Boards 7's world series takes place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Its two days of action packed rugby on the field and lots of party action off it. All 16 teams taking part came in on two flights last night and I was lucky enough to make the special list to get me past the supporters and into the arrivals area. I…
I'm probably the most overweight, unfit active guy there is. There is no hesitation to go if I get the opportunity to get out and about and because of my love for the outdoors I make an effort to explore and do as much as possible. I've been fortunate that I've had the opportunity to do most of the day walks around Port Elizabeth with the exception of only a few. One of those being the Flamingo Trail in the…