7th March - Days 6 + 7 - Some time off and a trip to Port Elizabeth

For our weekend break the reserve had organised us a visit to Port Elizabeth, South Africa's fifth largest city and third largest port in the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality. Port Elizabeth is home to the Sanlam Centre - the place in which Steve Biko was held in police custody for 26 days and tortured to his death - which runs along the coastal lowlands.

We were due to head out to PE at 0800 on Saturday morning. The bus that was supposed to take us there had however broken down and it took till noon for it to be fixed. So we arrived at our digs (cute little place called Lungile Backpackers) about 1.30pm.

Michelle and I had great plans to go to Bayworld to look at the Port Elizabeth museum and the oceanarium but given the hour lunch became a more urgent priority. So we + Kerry ventured out and found a nice little place to grab a bite whilst the rest of the gang (all 13+ of them) went off to the supermarket to get some supplies. It was gone 3 by the time we went in search of Bayworld which, after more than hour walking we just couldn't find it.

We did however stumble across the Boardwalk Casino + Entertainment Centre to which we agreed to return that evening. A stroll back, shower and change later we met up with the others an all headed back to the Boardwalk. This is a huge congregation of restaurants and bars all set around a lake with the casino - and gun safe! - in one corner. Reminded me very much of Montecasino just outside Jo'burg. Found a lovely little place for dinner that had the added bonus of serving Robertsons wine!! Those who know me know I'm not much of a wine aficionado but do think this is the most delicious wine I've ever had and always have some brought back by visitors from SA. So I was happy.

We did think, since PE is also home to more bars per capita than anywhere else in South Africa, that we should sample some of the local fare so made a night of it. Walking back found that we had walked past Bayworld about three times during the day and not noticed it once!

Up first thing to be out of our rooms by check-out. Some of the other volunteers feeling the effects of the night before. I was ok because although we were out late I hadn't actually had very much to drink. So Michelle + I went for a wander along the sea front. Had a little mooch about the market, stopped and had a delicious coffee looking out over the bay and then headed into town. Found the City Hall on Market Square and the Public Library across the road which were just beautiful. Were in search for some shorts for Michelle but couldn't find any in the shops that were open so caught a local taxi-bus back along the beach (we had walked for about 3 hours in the blistering heat so weren't desperate to do the return journey back on foot). Had lunch on the beach until the mist fell and the temperature dropped considerably then took cover in the Boardwalk. Never go shopping with Michelle Kershaw unless you want to part with money! One dress and 2 books later we emerged to a recovered climate and decided to stroll back along the beach and had a bit of a paddle along the way. Got back to base in plenty of time for our lift back to the reserve.

Was good to get some time off, take things at a slower pace and see some new sights.

A few of the volunteers leaving in the morning and another 9 (!) arriving so will be all change in the next few days.

Hope all well with you all.

Love
Joxx