Today is Nelson Mandela's 91st birthday. I have never met or seen this great man in real life, so unfortunately I don't have a nice photo (taken by myself) of Madiba to post.The picture below was taken at his birthplace in Qunu in the former Transkei. Qunu is near Mthata (Umtata) in the Eastern Cape.It was here in Qunu that Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on 18 July 1918. He is also known worldwide as Madiba, an honorary title adopted…
The section of indigenous forest next to Storms River Village through which the Storms River Pass runs is called Plaatbos Nature Reserve. It used to be under the control of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, but now forms part of the Tsitsikamma National Park under the control of SANParks. The only way to get into this forest is by bicycle or on foot. Storms River Adventures offer tours down the old pass which is very informative, but there…
The Port Elizabeth Museum at Bayworld has a number of excellent exhibits covering a wide field of subjects and events. One of the main attractions can be found in the Marine Hall and is the 15m skeleton of the last Southern right whale harpooned in Algoa Bay. Now I know somebody is likely to ask when this happened and before they do I have to say I don't know. I have been searching the Internet and can't find a specific…
One of the houses that used to belong to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry on the edge of the Plaatbos Nature Reserve in Storms River Village. I think ownership now falls with SANParks. Some of the houses here are occupied while others like this one stands empty.
I know its winter and a bit cold outside and this is a summer picture, but I feel like going to the beach for some reason. Hobie Beach is one of Port Elizabeth's main beaches. It can be found across the road from the Boardwalk Casino complex and is where Shark Rock Pier is situated. The beach is one of Port Elizabeth's 4 Blue Flag Beaches and is a favorite with both young and old.
One of the most unlikely things you may expect to find in the little village of Storms River in the Tsitsikamma on the Garden Route is a Cadillac museum. The Cadillac Shack is a small privately owned collection of these magnificent cars which can be viewed by prior appointment when in the area. Michael Caine might tell you that the Big Three Cadillac's are the '58, '59 and '60 as they have the biggest fins of all the Cadillac's. The…
The Tsitsikamma National Park is definitively one of my absolute favorite places on the Garden Route. It is a awesome park with such contrast and natural beauty, its hard to find anything better anywhere else. Forests, towering cliffs, black rock coastline, white waves, blue ocean, streams, beaches... I can go on and on. The park is a very popular stop for tourists travelling the Garden Route. I have done several posts on it on my other blog. These can be…
The Tsitsikamma (Khoisan word meaning "Place of many waters") is the official start of the Garden Route. The Garden Route is one of South Africa's most popular tourist routes and follow the south coast from the Tsitsikamma to Mossel Bay. For travel and tourist purposes a Garden Route tour will take you from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town or the other way around..The Tsitsikamma forest is a indigenous forest which are highly protected by law. It consist of indigenous trees…
At the top of the Gamtoos Valley one would find the Kouga Dam, one of Port Elizabeth's three main water supply dams. The Kouga Dam was the first double arch dam to be built in South Africa. Other than for urban use, the dam is also the main supplier of irrigation water to the Gamtoos Valley. The pic was taken a little while ago when the dam last overflowed.More information on the dam can be found here.
The Valley of Desolation is situated just outside the town of Graaff Reinet. It can be found in the Camdeboo National Park which provides the visitor with insights into the unique landscape and ecosystem of the Karoo, not to mention awesome scenic beauty. The Karoo was formed hundreds of millions of years ago and in some places, dolerite form jointed pillars. The best examples of which are found in the Valley of Desolation where erosion of the softer sedimentary beds…