In summer people head to the beach on nice sunny days, but during winter when the water is called the best you can do at the beach is go for a walk. So what is the alternative? Easy, head out to Addo Elephant National Park and enjoy some of the best African Elephant sightings you will have anywhere in the world.
The Swartkops River is the biggest river in Port Elizabeth (and here I'm not counting the Sundays River because technically its not in PE). Its so sad that the river has major pollution problems upstream from Uitenhage down towards the estauray. The kids got to see the river mouth for the first time the other day during our geocaching trip to Bluewater Bay. Chaos Boy just kept asking how deep it was and if he could walk through it. Drama Princess…
Yesterday was Tata Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday. Five years ago the Nelson Mandela Foundation decided to declare his birthday Mandela Day and asked people to give 67 minutes of their time to help those less fortunate than them. The 67 minutes represent the 67 years that Mandela spent in his pursuit of freedom for all in South Africa. Some people spent their 67 minutes helping people while others assisted with animals and in my case, a natural spot. A little while ago photographer Luc Hosten, who runs…
If I stand on my toes I can see the weekend. Just like this yellow mongoose I recently spotted at Addo Elephant National Park. Most people who see him standing like that may think it's a meerkat, but that would be a case of mistaken identities. Have an awesome weekend!
One of my favourite natural things about winter is the fact that it's when the aloes bloom. And if you can add to it a beautiful view, like this one of the Swartkops River and the ocean from the Aloe Reserve in Bluewater Bay, then even better. Today is also Tata Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday. Happy birthday Madiba!
The Swartkops Power Station next to the Swartkops River is one of those landmarks that has become part of the city scape over the years yet I don't think a lot of people know much about it. So in case you don't know its story, here goes. The provision of electricity in Port Elizabeth begun in 1906 with the establishment of the Electricity Works. This supplied fifteen private consumers and thirty street lamps with electricity. As industry in the area grew and the volume…
Ranger Ryan is the guy you want on your vehicle when doing one of the Addo Elephant National Park's scheduled game drives. He is knowledgeable and entertaining and there isn't many questions he can't answer. A ranger superhero of some sorts (not to be confused with the Power Rangers). I posted about him before and found another picture I took of him, this time explaining to the group about a black rhino dung midden.
Everybody loved the beach in summer, but there is no reason not to love it in winter as well. Specially on a warm sunny day like today. Only difference is you can't go for a swim. Personally I think winter is the best time for long walks on the beach or the adjoining boardwalk. At least the sun doesn't burn my ever growing forehead as much.
In 1942 during the Second World War a set of harbour defences was put up around Port Elizabeth to keep a constant lookout for approaching ships, submarines and planes. The defences consisted of Algoa Battery in Humewood, the Battery Observation Post on Brookes Hill and three Fortress Observation Posts at Amsterdam Hoek (Bluewater Bay), Seahill (Cape Recife) and Schoenmakerskop. I've been to the FOP's at Cape Recife and Schoemakerskop before and have decided that I want to check them all out even if its only to…
Clan Firefly spent a memorable long weekend across the Zuurberg enjoying the best the southern Karoo has to offer and as soon as I get a chance to edit the pictures and write a blog post or two I will share it all with you. Here's a taste of what we did so long, most of which were new experiences for the KidZ. Game drives at Kuzuko Lodge...... looking for big game. Learning about the history of Ann's Villa... ... and taking in…