Ann’s Villa

Although cars cross over the Zuurberg mountains from Port Elizabeth into the Karoo via the Olifantskop Pass within minutes these days, the journey was a much longer, slower and bumpier one if you go back 150 years or so. Back in those days travellers had to make use of the Zuurberg Pass which snakes it's … Continue reading Ann’s Villa →

Despatch attractions

Even though the town of Despatch between Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage is part of the Nelson Mandel Bay metropolitan area, its a fairly quiet place and most people from outside the area only knows it as the home of rugby legend Danie Gerber. One wouldn't really call Despatch a bustling tourist destination, but there are one … Continue reading Despatch attractions →

Grahamstown Observatory Museum

My visit to Grahamstown with Chaos Boy started on a high note with our visit to the Natural Science Museum but he got bored at the History Museum, so when I told him that we were going to a third museum he was obviously a bit reluctant to go in case it was boring again. Oh … Continue reading Grahamstown Observatory Museum →

Grahamstown History Museum

The second museum that forms part of the Albany Museum Complex in Grahamstown is the History Museum. This museum was established in 1965 and used to be known as the 1820 Settlers Memorial Museum. A couple of years ago it was decided to not just focus on the contribution of the 1820 British Settlers to the … Continue reading Grahamstown History Museum →

Grahamstown Natural Science Museum

Like father, like son. Chaos Boy has developed an interest in geography, the world, its wonders and its interesting bits and pieces like archaeology, legends and mysteries. One night I was reading to him about Egypt (he chose the book, not me) and I told him that there is a real mummy in the Natural Science Museum in Grahamstown. He … Continue reading Grahamstown Natural Science Museum →

Old Nick

One of the landmark destinations on the Garden Route at Plettenberg Bay is the Old Nick Village, a shopping and lifestyle centre next to the N2. The Old Nick Shop, the main shop in the complex, is housed in the building that was originally built by Aaron Toplis in 1880 as the Gansvlei General Dealers Store. Later on a … Continue reading Old Nick →

Mossel Bay Shell Museum

The Mossel Bay Shell Museum forms part of the Dias Museum Complex and is housed in the old Shirley Building built in 1902. Some people may think that it could be a bit of a boring spot, but museum houses a fantastic collection of shells from all over the world along with shell related artifacts … Continue reading Mossel Bay Shell Museum →

Dias Museum Complex

The first European to set foot in what in now South Africa was Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias. He inadvertently rounded the Cape in a storm and the first went ashore in present day Mossel Bay in 1488. Due to this Mossel Bay has a close association with Dias and this is where visitors will find the … Continue reading Dias Museum Complex →

Port Elizabeth Airforce Museum

I took the kids for a visit to the South African Airforce Museum in Port Elizabeth recently and just realised again what a gem of an attraction it is. The museum is housed in one of the old airport hangers behind the Port Elizabeth Airport and has a very nice collection of nine aircraft and … Continue reading Port Elizabeth Airforce Museum →

No 7 Castle Hill history visit

I got word last week that St Georges Prep's grade 4 class was having their annual visit to No 7 Castle Hill on Friday morning. "Why would you be interested in a grade 4 class' visit to a museum?" you ask. Well, because it has become an tradition for the kids from St Georges Prep … Continue reading No 7 Castle Hill history visit →