South Africa - Port Elizabeth

On arrival by air in Port Elizabeth, we picked up a hire car and travelled a short distance along the coast to Trevor & Debs' house, interestingly called "Trust Me" by him in memory of his architect's favourite saying during its design and construction!  They treated us to a braai (barbeque) with enormous steaks, on their patio overlooking the sea and we saw dolphins and whales while enjoying it!

We took an inland route west from T&D's, very scenic through fruit growing country and into the hills.  Turning south towards Knysna on the coast, I ignored a road closed sign to Jean's chagrin and carried on down a very winding dirt road for over 80 km.  It took us through Prince Alfred's Pass and was quite dramatic, if a little steep at the sides at times!  It was worth it and it wasn't really closed.  We emerged from it and headed for the waterfront in Knysna where we enjoyed a very pleasant late afternoon lunch.  We then discovered our guest house at The Heads (not naval toilets but a narrow channel to the sea) had no water!  Off to another, which was really nice and not far away, where we bumped into a couple we had met on the Blue Train!

Rain fell the next day and our plan to make a few stops to enjoy the more direct coastal route back from Knysna were abandonned.

Back with T&D, we were treated to a potjie - a cast iron pot in which chicken and vegetables are slow cooked over a fire.  I had a few lessons, but it seems the process of cooking, over a few beers, is as much the enjoyment as the end product!

But, the centre piece of our visit here was the Sevens.  It took place in a fine new stadium, but the crowds were quite thin both days.  Beautiful weather enabled some fine rugby with New Zealand taking the cup, quite easily, Wales the Plate, Australia the Bowl and Spain the Shield.

We went Springboks for the day!

On our last full day, we paid a visit to the local Seaview Lion Park to see some white lions, bigguns too, lion and tiger cubs, leopard cubs and a black leopard.  It's a sanctuary, rather than a zoo, where the preservation of threatened animals is the goal, and it is staffed by mostly US volunteers who work for just their keep, very wortwhile.

So, albeit it in captivity, we did manage to see the Big Five during our fabulous trip, I am every grateful to Trevor & Debs for suggesting the visit during our US trip, and for being such great hosts while we were with them.

We had also hoped to be taken flying by Trevor, in his Cessna 140, but the weather and time conspired to prevent this.  However, we did have a look and a sit in the cockpit.  That's real flying!