Sea monster

Could it be that there are sea monsters in the ocean around Port Elizabeth? Spotted this creature moving about in the waves just off Cape Recife. Immediately grabbed my camera and ... It didn't move off. Stayed in the same spot in the waves. Mmmmm, disappointment. Its only the remains of a shipwreck visible at … Continue reading Sea monster →

Cannon looking west

The cannon in Schoenmakerskop at the start of the Sacramento Trail is one of the cannons recovered from the wreck site of the Sacramento in 1977 and points towards the site where the ship went down in 1647. The Sacramento was a Portuguese Galleon on its way back to Portugal when it ran aground in a … Continue reading Cannon looking west →

Sacramento cannon head on

The brass cannon of the Portuguese galleon Sacramento, which sank close by in 1647, standing at the end of the road in Schoenmakerskop is a well known Port Elizabeth landmark and often gets photographed by both visitors and locals alike. I've taken pictures of it from the side looking both east and west, but this was … Continue reading Sacramento cannon head on →

Shipwreck?

Below the monument marking the site where the Sacramento wrecked in 1647 I found what looks like the remains of a row boat or something. I have no idea what it is, but it was ironic that it was lying on the rocks close to the Sacramento's wreck site.

Sacramento Cannon

At the end of the road at Schoenmakerskop where the Sacramento Trail starts is one of the original bronze cannons that has been salvaged from the wreck site of the Sacramento. The Sacramento was a Portuguese galleon which foundered on 30 June 1647. The 72 survivors who reached the beach set out to walk the 1300 km … Continue reading Sacramento Cannon →

Amterdam wreckage

The area of Amsterdam Hoek at the mouth of the Swartkops River in Port Elizabeth got its name from the wreck of a Dutch sailing ship. The Amsterdam was wrecked on 16 December 1817 on an return voyage from the East to the Netherlands. The ship was beached after sustaining serious damage during a storm at sea. … Continue reading Amterdam wreckage →

Sacramento wreck monument

A couple of hundred meters down the Sacramento Trail from the Schoenmakerskop side you will find a monument marking the site where the Portuguese gallion Sacramento ran aground on 30 June 1647. 72 survivors set out to walk the 1350 km to the closest port which was in Mozambique. Of the original 72, only nine … Continue reading Sacramento wreck monument →

Shipwreck Hall

Bayworld series #2: From the Dinosaur Hall you enter the Shipwreck Hall. I have to say this must be my favorite exhibit. Bayworld houses artifacts from some of Port Elizabeth's best known historic shipwrecks which include the Sacramento, the Dodington and the newest part of the exhibit, the Amsterdam.

Surfs up at Noordhoek

Wherever there are good waves there are bound to be surfers. In Port Elizabeth that can either be on the Eastern or Western side of Cape Receife, depending on the wind and the swell.These guys are surfing off the rocks at Noordhoek, on the Western side. Extra care needs to be taken to ensure that … Continue reading Surfs up at Noordhoek →