TRAVELBUCKET

TRAVELBUCKET

Tag Archive: visit Port Elizabeth

THE TALE OF THE SACRAMENTO

Like many old artefacts there is a story behind the story and so does the Sacramento canon also have a back story.  This canon was on the deck of the Portuguese galleon Sacramento when it ran aground on 30 June 1647 off the coast of Port Elizabeth – for those of you who do not know Jan van Riebeeck only arrived in 1652 in the Cape of Good Hope so five years prior to old Jan setting foot ashore at the Cape of Good Hope. What caused the disaster and how many people were aboard the Sacramento is unknown, but 72 made it to shore.  After 10 days the group decided to walk from Port Elizabeth to Maputo – which is about 1 300 km away by the way – from where they planned to get a ship to Europe.  It must have been hostile and wild country back then… Read more >

A CAR FOR THE NATION

I am pretty sure most South Africans has one or another Volkswagen advertisement that lingers in their minds.   Be it Gugu Zulu with his little rally car or David Kramer and his red veldskoene and the Volksie bus.  Which one is your favourite?  As the interest in motor sport runs deep in our veins we have visited a couple of motor museums in Europe in the past.  This is no Porsche Museum or Alfa Romeo museum that spread over several floors and hosts any model that  you can think of and more.  This is rather an intimate display of loved Volkswagen products on the premises of the factory located at 130 Algoa Road in Uitenhage. In  the “Meet the Beetles” area you will meet Herbie from the movies who needs no introduction.  Delilah which is in pristine condition with no plastic surgery done and less than 1 000 km on… Read more >

THE DONKIN RESERVE

The Donkin Reserve is truly one of the most iconic sites and sights in Port Elizabeth and has been named one of Nelson Mandela Bay’s Top 10 tourism icons.  The pyramid (I bet you never knew that we have our own little one here in South Africa) was built as a monument to Lady Elizabeth Donkin, after whom the Friendly City was named, by her husband Sir Rufane Donkin, who was sent to Port Elizabeth to oversee the landing of the 1820 Settlers.    The lighthouse was originally built in 1861 and the first lighthouse keeper was Charles Hammond.  The cottage next to the lighthouse was erected for Hammond’s family in 1865.  Hammond must have enjoyed a lush green scenery from the top of the lighthouse.  However, today the view of the city is quite different.  The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1973 as there were too many city lights interfering… Read more >

FREE HOLIDAY FUN IN THE FRIENDLY CITY

Seeing that the schools are closing today for a six weeks summer holiday break, I am putting up some holiday fun activities to do in and around Port Elizabeth. RISE AND SHINE! Get up nice and early.  Go for a stroll along Shark Rock Pier to watch sunrise over the Indian Ocean.  What a better way to start your day? BE A VOLUNTEER Sancobb (but you will probably still remember it as Samrec) is always looking for volunteers of any age to help with daily tasks caring for the penguins at the centre as well as to help protect our precious marine life. A GIANT FLAG Did you know that Port Elizabeth is home to the largest flag in South Africa?  Take a walk around The Donkin  and watch the giant flag of 12 meters by 8 meters, sitting on a 65 metre high pole, fly in the wind.   It… Read more >

THIS IS EAT, PORT ELIZABETH HARBOUR

From the outside this eatery does not look like much, but definitely  do not be fooled.  They serve excellent seafood! We popped in here for something to bite after our first ever  “amazing race” we did as a family as a fundraiser to make a sporty girl’s dreams come true and I can proudly add that we slotted into third place from 15 teams!  After the event our stomachs were running on empty so it was time to pop in and  fill up before heading home. As it was a  windy Saturday afternoon in Port Elizabeth the shutters were drawn against the elements, but did not dampen our spirits as we finished in third place in the “amazing race”.  So we had something to celebrate.  The eatery was rather quiet as it was still early and there was some major rugby matches on television. Situated in the harbour area it… Read more >

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