EVERYTHING IS BEACHY KEEN

Sunday, February 28, 2016
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Our trip has been so much fun, but it has been exhausting. So, we decided to head to the beach for a few days of R&R. What a good idea that proved to be. Our destination was Plettenburg Bay, considered to be one of S Africa's most beautiful beaches. With miles and miles of yellow sand contrasting to the emerald waters of the Indian Ocean, Plett Bay is a popular place for tourists and locals alike. We did nothing here but laze in our lounges, go to colorful restaurants, and soak up the ambiance. Seafood is taken seriously here, and Bonnie was in her glory. She had what had to be the biggest prawns imaginable, for a ridiculously low price-- a whole basket of them, no less. Another night, we went for Mozambique cuisine, spicy and delicious. With the declining value of the Rand, it has made costs so reasonable for tourists, so we can indulge ourselves without guilt or sticker shock at the end of the meal. The Europeans are making out like bandits here.

Besides the beaches, this area offers a plethora of attractions and adventure sports . Want to go whale/dolphin watching, dive in a shark cage in Great White-infested waters, tend elephants for a day, see the wild cats, etc?

Opting for less demanding activity, one afternoon, we drove to Birds of Eden, a huge tropical rainforest covered and surrounded by a 5-story high net. It contains hundreds of different types of exotic birds moving about freely. You can meander along treetop walkways, along pathways, beside stunning waterfalls, encountering the birds as you go. I took tons of pix over the hours spent there. We concluded the day by driving to the Bloukrans Bridge to watch bungee jumpers dropping from the highest commercial jump site in the world, at 215 meters, or 705 ft, (65 stories!). It looks like 30 seconds of terror, followed by 5 minutes of swinging and dangling by your ankles. And people were lined up to do it.

 Our last stop on the Garden Route was Port Elizabeth, a pretty drive where the speed limit constantly changes what seems like every 2 minutes. We think they do it to catch speeders and raise funds. It can drive you nuts, as it's been very common on the roads everywhere we've driven. The city didn't hold much interest for us, other than being the origin for the flight back to Johannesburg, and the start of our last leg of our time in S Africa- our 3- day safari.
 


 
 

 

Comments

Cecile Lapowich
2016-03-01

Hi, I'm so glad you had a chance to get R&R and swim in the Indian Ocean. Nothing beats that! And it sounds like your weather has been wonderful, never mind the seafood. I know the prawns of which Bonnie enjoyed! YUMMY!
Here we are expecting a winter storm starting about rush hour today and lasting overnight. I'm hopeful it is winter's last gasp!

Hope Springman
2016-03-01

What a wonderfully relaxing few days you've enjoyed! And Bonnie getting the Royal Seafood Treatment! Watching the bungee jumping was excitement enough for one day! Look forward to reading all about your upcoming safari! Our flight home today was cancelled due to the storm in Toronto, so we're forced to spend an extra day in Palm Springs - we're trying not to suffer too much! Home tomorrow and safe travels to you both! Love, Hope

Myrna
2016-03-02

Your South Africa adventures continue to amaze! I am delighted that you got some r&r...you truly needed it! Now on to your next stop before going Israel...continued safe travels! Love and miss you both!

2025-02-12

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