Seaview Road is open

The Seaview Road, which was completely submerged in water due to the heavy rains in August 2012, is open again for traffic.

Photos taken on 4 November 2012

 The last two years the Seaview road has been closed frequently. Cacadu district road engineer Marius Keyser said: "There is a natural lake which forms there when there is heavy rain. There is no simple solution to solving the problem. The only option would be to level the road but it would be very costly – costing around R5-million. It is not viable at the moment because there is an alternative road,” Keyser said.

Van Stadens Bridge

The N2 concrete arch bridge over the Van Stadens River

The Van Stadens Bridge is a concrete arch bridge over the Van Stadens River in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It carries road traffic for the N2 national highway.

The Van Stadens Bridge has a reputation as the Bridge of Death. Today, 27th of December 2012 @19h30, the bridge claimed its 87th victim, a 35year old man, since it opened on November 11, 1971. Family asked for his name to be withheld. The number of lives lost for 2012 stands at 5. Since it’s completion it has earned itself the reputation for being one of the world’s most frequented suicide spots.


Bridge details:

Height 140 metres (460 ft)

Longest span 198.10 metres (649.9 ft)

It was the longest concrete arch bridge in South Africa and the sixth longest in the world at that time.

The N2 concrete arch bridge over the Van Stadens River in the background with the old R102 Van Stadens Pass bridge in the foreground.  

The river was named after a pioneer farmer, Marthinus van Staden, and the gorge was a major road obstacle for many years.  A road was built in 1867 but was repeatedly destroyed by floods and the descent was hazardous.  In 1971, the modern bridge was built.

If you are feeling depressed or are considering suicide, contact Lifeline in Port Elizabeth on 041-3738666 or on their national number 0861322322.

Christmas Day fire at St. Francis

St Francis like we knew it - October 2008

A fire broke out at St. Francis Bay today - again.  25 Dember 2012

The St. Francis Chronicle reports on its website that the fire was at no 5 Canal Road.  It says the fire started as the people who are renting it for the holidays, including foreign, visitors, were about to settle down for Christmas lunch.

The blaze was spreading rapidly as strong south westerly winds were fanning it.

Many houses in the area had thatched roofs.

Update: According to Eye Witness News, one house had  been gutted and four others damaged.

Ruins of the 11 November 2012 fire
Taken on 16 December 2012

More than 70 thatch-roofed homes in the holiday town caught alight on Sunday the 11th of November, causing damage amounting to hundreds of millions of rands. the fire was being fanned by a strong wind.




No reports of injuries were received.



More pictures of the runes: taken on 16 Dec 2012
(click for bigger view)

Source : http://www.algoafm.co.za/article.aspx?id=4602

Road to Sardinia Bay

The Road to Sardinia Bay parking lot is no more...


Sardinia Bay, situated between Schoenmakerskop and Sea View, is accessed by traveling along Sardinia Bay Road. Over the years authorities have struggled to keep the sand dunes in check and have recently given up the battle, leaving the dunes to take their natural course.  Thousand of Rands has been spent on moving sand off the roadway, and it has all been in vain. "To keep on doing it would be wasting public funds"

According to an aticle posted in 2009 (http://www.sardiniabay.co.za/?p=40) "The Environmentalists evidently warned ten years ago that the dune would eventually envelop the road. It has now happened. In fact, the sand dune moved 5metres in the past year. Every strong westerly wind moves it even more. Long term forecasts are that the dunes will soon cover the toilet block and within a few years the lifesaving clubhouse will be under threat."

This is a photo I took in 2008... The toilet block is now long gone!

Getting to the beach is still possible by climbing the sand dunes or to take the boardwalk.  Still worth the trouble, the beach is as beautiful as ever!  The beach is frequented by sand boarding enthusiasts, surfers, kite surfers and locals also flock to Sardinia Bay to walk their dogs or to ride their horses along the beach.

Something Good Roadhouse

Date taken:  15 December 2012

The Something Good Roadhouse in Summerstrand brings back many childhood memories. Apparently it close its doors in 2008 and I was sad to see it in this state on my return to Port Elizabeth.

Today I read in the newspaper about the "Making Something Bad Good" project plans and I was delighted! There will be an upgrade and redevelopment of the iconic Something Good roadhouse building at a cost of R3m!

According to The Herald, "the roadhouse was a pivotal part of the beachfront experience for locals and tourists for decades, but degenerated into a rundown and graffiti-covered eyesore before it was shut down in 2008.  Nelson Mandela Bay-based Shimda, which recently concluded a five-year lease agreement with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, said it would be investing R3.17-million in the project, which was expected to take between four and six months to complete.

Now that is good news!  Isn't it!
Will watch the progress of the project and post updates.

Source: http://www.peherald.com/news/article/10988

ROUTE 67 on 12-12-12

12 December 2012  (12-12-12)

Today we did a guided walk of Route 67 in Port Elizabeth Central. It is so named to commemorate the 67 years that Nelson Mandela contributed to South African politics and the struggle to abolish apartheid.

The walk started off at the The old Hill Lighthouse (commissioned in 1861), also known as the Donkin Lighthouse on the Donkin Reserve.  We followed the route along Western Road, across Govan Mbeki, past the city hall and Vuyisile Mini Square and the Main library, past the old Harbour Board building to the Campenile Tower and then back up the steps to the Donkin.

The tallest flagpole in Africa towers over the park, and at the top, the largest South African flag in the world.

When complete, Route 67 will comprise of 67 different pieces of art that represent each year of Madiba's contribution to public life and each piece will represent a specific period during these 67 years eg certain quotes, media articles and historic events that helped shape SA into what it has become today will be on
display.





Donkin Reserve, Pyramid and Lighthouse

Position:
Latitude : -33° 57' 43.92" S
Longitude : 25° 37' 13.94" E

Situated on the corner of Donkin & Belmont Terrace, Port Elizabeth (Central)

Email: donkin@nmbt.co.za

The new Boardwalk Hotel

New 5-star Boardwalk hotel (click for bigger view)

This is the new 5-star Boardwalk hotel, as seen from Kingsbeach, Port Elizabeth. The Hotel and Convention Centre, owned by Sun International, is scheduled to open its doors December 14th, 2012.

Prior to the official commencement of construction on the new 5-star Boardwalk hotel, over seventy trees had to be uprooted and moved to make way for construction work.  The trees have been successfully transplanted in a temporary location, and  will  be  replanted  on  The  Boardwalk  premises  once  construction  is completed.

One of the new attractions at The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World is a Las Vegas style multi-million rand musical lake extravaganza, featuring dancing fountains that will dominate the lake-side of the complex. 

These fountains are designed to shoot the water up to 60 meters high, entertaining visitors with day and evening shows.

Wow! Can't wait to see that!

The Fountain Spectacular at the Silverstar Casino, situated in Muldersdrift, Gauteng," is the BIGGEST water show ever built in Africa and THIRD BIGGEST IN THE WORLD." 

Silverstar Casino Fountain Spectacular: Read more here  

Is that about to change?  Will have to wait and see...

Source: wikivillage.co.za

Harbor Wall

This is the Port Elizabeth harbor wall at the end of Kingsbeach.  We were trying to walk the wall but was stopped by the harbor authorities.  Guess it is not safe. :-(

Chokka Boats

What is chokka?

"Chokka is the South African name for squid, and the species caught in our waters is Loligo Vulgaris. Before the 1980’s chokka was mainly caught and used for bait, but as European food markets were selling it as a high-priced delicacy called calamari, soon local fisherman investigated and explored the opportunity to export our squid to mainly Europe, today a multi million industry. A squid has a head with eight tentacles, and a tube like body. The tube is either opened up and served as Calamari steaks or cut in rings, hence the confusion that you are eating octopus!! The heads are often deep fried, and make a scrumptious treat!"

Squid feed at night which explains why the Chokka boats are fitted with tremendously bright lights. Chokka is mainly caught at night. The lights attract the different fish species chokka feeds on. They swarm up to the light and are caught in nets. It is packaged and blast frozen at -40degC on board, as it is caught. The frozen product is mainly exported to Europe.

Chokka Boats at Sunset - Seaview

"These vessels are indeed sea based factories, and stays at sea for up to three weeks. The industry is well regulated, as vessels are only allowed to carry crew according to the total amount of permits they were issued, and the industry have four closed seasons a year." 

Source: http://www.portstfrancis.net/marina/chokka-hake-pilchard-fleet/

Now that I know Chokka is not octopus, I will definately give it a try next time :)

Calamari anyone?

Seaview Hotel "Jewel of the Ocean"

 6 December 2012

 "Land-bound Titanic....The Seaview Hotel : "Jewel of the Ocean"

Visited Seaview at sunset to get a photo of this historical site.  The Seaview Hotel, "Jewel of the Ocean", (also known as the Minetti Hotel in earlier days) is a heritage site and of historical importance to the city. She  is, as Blogger Axe wrote: "like a crew-less ghost ship, hovering in the place where it used to be a crown jewel, now nothing but a tarnished remnant of the gem it once was."

For those who do not know, The Seaview Hotel was auctioned off to the Kat Leisure Group for R15.4-million in 2007,  and  "has continued to deteriorate and according to residents is becoming a breeding ground for vermin." according to Weekend Post.

The Manager's Office

According to Axe, this was the office of the manager, situated on the top floor. "We used to call it "The Tower Room" because it was the only one facing the ocean that had this circular window."

She visited the hotel in 2008 and had a quick peek inside! The part of her story where she tells about the radio, playing in the famous hotel Bar, The Corel... crackling every now and then like an old AM Frequency would, arouse my curiosity and I find it facinating!  Like she says... there is no electricity!

The hotel previously belonged to Dutchman Bob de Ronde, who ran it through a company called Jewel of the Ocean Hotel (Pty) Ltd.

If you have photo's of the hotel while it was still in operation, consider contributing to this article, with full credit of course.

Any "Seaview Hotel by night" photo's out there?

Anyone know how old this Hotel is?

Click for bigger view

Source:
Spookstories: HOTEL HELL
Weekend Post

Ocean Racing Series

11 November 2012

Ready, steady, Go!

Africa's largest family lifestyle beach event, (5 fun, family sports events) on alternate Sunday mornings throughout Summer at Hobie Beach, Port Elizabeth.

Join in the fun in the 1km Ocean Swim, 2km Ocean Swim, 5km Beach Run, 5km Beach Walk, 1km Kids (12u) Beach Run/Walk.

All events run at the same time, so you may only take part in one of the above on any given race day.

Contact number: 041 484 7860
http://www.oceanracingseries.com

Contact information and links to websites were correct at the time of blogging.

Cape Recife Lighthouse

Date visited: 2 December 2012
(click photo for a bigger view)

I was pleasantly suprised to see the Lighthouse, freshly painted, and it's immediate surroundings at low tide on Sunday.   I have seen so many photo's and heard of it's beauty before, so I had go and find out for myself!  With all the rocks and reef exposed by the low tide, we could take long walks and view the Lighthouse from a "different" angle.

You will find the 161 years old (2012) Lighthouse in the Cape Recife Nature Reserve, located off Marine Drive in Schoenmakerskop.

The 24 meter high octagonal shaped tower striped in broad black and white bands, was commissioned on 1 April 1851 (April's Fool Day!)  Lots of information about this lighthouse are available on the web, but just in short:-

• The Cape Recife Lighthouse is built on a rock foundation, known as D’Urban, and it situated on a headland in the midst of a large expanse of sandy beach.
• It warns mariners of a large spine of rocks, known as Thunderbolt reef. Thunderbolt Reef is the graveyard of numerous ships, the last being the Kapodistrias on 29th July 1985.
• The initial range of the light was 12 miles, however with the development of technology it is now 29 sea miles. 
• The warning system is equipped with a fog signal, radio beacon, a red light (28º) and a flashing white light (332º) that shines every 30 seconds at a focal plane height of 28 meters above the high water mark. The current sighting range is 29 nautical miles with a light power of 4 000 000 Candelas.
• It'sPosition: 34 01 43.97 South, 25 42 03.90 East

More information @ www.lighthouses.co.za

Good to know:
Entrance permits (annual or weekly) are available from Pine Lodge Resort located at entrance to Cape Recife Nature Reserve. Entrance only with permit!
There is visible security in the reserve during daylight hours. Picnicking is allowed and also dogs but they must be on a lease at all times.
www.pinelodge.co.za
Tel: +27 41 583-4004

Contact information and links to websites were correct at the time of blogging.