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Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum

As today is National Heritage Day here in South Africa, I want to feature the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum which is situated at the entrance to St Georges Park. The museum was opened in 1956 and was formerly known as the King George VI Art Gallery. The collections are housed in two buildings flanking the entrance to the park and consist of South African art (particularly that of the Eastern Cape), British art, international printmaking and Oriental art (including…

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24/09/2010
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Insect skin

On our camping trip at the end of last year I found a few of these shedded insect skins on the trees around our campsite. I've been meaning to try to find out what kind of insect it is, but just hasn't gotten around to it. I am sure either Joan or Zane would know. Perhaps I should ask them. Mmmmm.... Or perhaps they would see this post and comment about it...

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24/09/2010
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Traditional dancers

Quite a number of the private game reserves around Port Elizabeth have traditional dancers as part of the entertainment for their guests.  Most of the youngsters in the groups dancing on the reserves either live on the surrounding farms or in one of the small towns close by.  Although South Africans are used to traditional African dancers, the international visitors love it and it always end up as one of the highlights of their visit to the reserves.

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23/09/2010
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Wire Madiba

Walking around one of the craft shops at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town the other day, I came around a corner and face to face with this life sized wire mesh Madiba.  What a stunning work of art and the likeness to Nelson Mandela was amazing.  I wipped out my camera and immediately put it back, walked over to one of the shop assistants, explained that I would like to feature it in my blog and got permission.Apparently they…

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23/09/2010
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V&A Clock Tower

Probably my favorite building at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town is the old Clock Tower.  Situated on the far side from the main shopping centre area, the Victorian Gothic-style Clock Tower has always been an icon of the old docks and has become an important focal point in the Waterfront's recent developments.  The building was originally the Port Captain's Office and was completed in 1882.

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22/09/2010
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Grave cross

On a recent exploration of the Russel Road Cemetery here in Port Elizabeth I found this very interesting grave stone cross.  It kinda reminded me of a Celtic cross and probably got its inspiration from the Welsh connection amongst the 1820 British Settlers as the grave dates from the mid 1800's.

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21/09/2010
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Walking with elephants

The Addo Elephant National Park is one of Port Elizabeth's biggest attractions. There is very few game viewing experiences that get close to having a big herd of elephants passing within arm's length of your car. But for those who wants a more personal elephant experience, a visit to Addo Elephants Back Safaris in the Zuurberg Mountains is a must. Although the main activity there is riding the elephants, my favorite experience was walking with them. It gives you the…

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20/09/2010
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Flowering Aloe

There are few flowers, in my mind, that comes close to the aloe when in full flower. Driving through the countryside and seeing hundreds of these magnificent flowers in full bloom makes me want to stop and pull out my camera. This one I photographed in the Gamtoos Valley west of Port Elizabeth.

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20/09/2010
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Cape wreck

Lying just off the beach at Bloubergstrand in Cape Town for the last year or so is the wreck of the Turkish ship Seli 1. The Seli 1 apparently dropped anchor in Table Bay when the anchor broke off in large swells. The ship drifted towards shore and landed on a sandbank before being pushed onto rocks which punctured a hole in the side of the boat. Fortunately it didn't cause any pollution along the coastline. Authorities have been unable…

5 Comments
19/09/2010