Pine Lodge Zipline

Did you know you can zipline right here in Port Elizabeth?  No? Well now you do.  Pine Lodge has a three cable zipline as well as a high ropes course that is well worth the visit if you don't have the time to travel to the Addo or Tsitsikamma areas.

Black Oyster Catchers

I remember how people were moaning when they banned all driving on beaches back in 2002.  One of the reasons given for the ban was the Black Oyster Catcher and how vehicles driving on the beaches destroyed nests, and thus eggs, as well as killed chicks.  The pro beach driving group blew this off as rubbish yet research have shown an increase in Black Oyster Catcher numbers since the ban has been implemented.  A win for conservation and the environment. 

The final Great Moscow Circus performance in PE

I got to attend the final performance of the Great Moscow Circus in Port Elizabeth tonight (Sunday 26 Feb) before the pack up and move on to Durban.  Wow, what a performance.  I commented earlier in the week how I felt that it is affordable to take a family to see the show and I stick to that statement, but after seeing the setup and all the equipment I realise why it is so expensive.  Just a pity that so many people would not be able to experience what we experienced last night.  I think the first thing to point out is that this is a modern circus so there are absolutely no animal acts.  Everything are done and features people and their abilities.

Although each and every act was exceptional in it's own way, there were three headline acts that really stood out.  The opening act featured trampolinists who absolutely amazed with their performance.  The second was the four guys on the revolving circles (first picture) and was probably my favorite act of the night.  The closing act featured one, then two, then three, four and ultimately, for the first time in South Africa, five motorcycles in a metal globe.  A globe which then opened and had three circling in the top section and two in the bottom.  

Miggie had a few anxious moments during the show...

... even closing her eyes a couple of times.  

A big thanks to my friend Poekie who was able to organise me tickets at the last minute.  Jy is a vriendin duisend.

Just a footnote about this and other events that come to Port Elizabeth.  It's really a great pity that bloggers aren't seen as "mainstream media" enough when media invites are sent out when something like this comes to town.  Newspapers and radio stations are included and get to promote the event after first hand experiencing it yet bloggers, with what is often a very good reach of their own, don't.  I know of a few bloggers who bought tickets and went, then posted about it on their various social media platforms, but why doesn't PR companies see them as influential enough to invite them along with traditional media as they do in Cape Town and Johannesburg?  I shared a number of photos and videos on various platforms in addition to this post, but in all essence it's really just showing people how a good time we had as it was the last show and it wouldn't be able to influence anybody to go and buy a ticket for a subsequent show.  Who knows, cause I don't?  Anyway, enough of that.  

Checking the river

A Cormorant checking the tide to see if everything is in order for this Sunday's River Mile at on the Sundays River at Colchester

This is Winter on the Wild Coast

With summer in full swing, the Wild Coast Holiday Association has just launched a destination promotion video promoting the Wild Coast as a winter destination for the upcoming winter season.  I'm sure a lot of the Wild Coast locals would ask you what winter is as they have stunning weather over this period and it's a great time to head east from Port Elizabeth to go and explore the Wild Coast. 

The Slides at MacArthur's

On Saturday Miggie had her birthday party at MacArthur Pool and the kids spent most of the day on MacArthur's slides.  Even though they really are kiddie slides, even I decided to go down once or twice... or five times.  Who's counting?

Party by the pool

On Saturday we had Miggie's birthday party at MacArthur Baths on the beachfront.  At R40 an adult and R20 for kids 12 and under it really is a bargain venue to have a party.  We didn't book before hand and just took up minimum space to put down our stuff, but there were four other parties that booked and had tables set and reserved for them.  The complex can also supply party packs at at additional charge but the great part is that you can bring your own food and drinks in for the kids and parents (as long as you don't bring in alcohol or glass).  So next time you have a kiddies party to host, there are no need to go and do it at an expensive party venue.  MacArthur's is the perfect venue.

Taking a swim at the MacArthur Baths

I remember spending a lot of time at the MacArthur swimming pools when I was a kid.  The fresh water pool, the salt water pool with the diving board and the sea splashing over into it at high tide and the slides. I remember when we were small we used to slide at the old kiddies slide a few hundred meters further down (not there anymore) and how we "graduated" to the bigger slides when we got older.  Ah the good old days.  On Saturday we spent the day at the sparkling blue swimming pools at MacArthur's Baths even though some things have changed, a lot of things are still the same.  Oh how the memories came flooding back.  Now if I only remembered to put on sunscreen....

Flat Rocks at high tide

Flat Rocks was named so for the exposed reefs of flattish rocks that you find along this piece of Algoa Bay's coastline.  But when you visit at high tide there aren't any visible flat rocks so you won't have any idea what the locals are talking about. 

A beach cleanup on Kings Beach

We spent the day at MacArthur Baths and I spotted this group of kids busy with a beach cleanup on King's Beach.  Well done guys on doing your part to keep our coastline clean and beautiful.