The Eastern Cape’s beauty is unmatched, and although I only caught a tiny part of it, I was captivated by the majestic views.
A group of travel enthusiasts and I had recently had the opportunity to explore Tsitsikamma and Port Elizabeth courtesy of Huawei who gave us their latest release, the P3Pro, which boasts a 50XZoom feature as well as quadruple cameras to show just how wonderful this part of the Eastern Cape is.
Tsitsikamma, the Garden of the Garden Route, is known to have the world’s highest bungy jump in the world, the Bloukrans Bungy, which is a whopping 216m jump from the bridge.
Other activities in the town include a scenic quad-biking experience, segway and canopy tours to explore the Storms River Village, situated in Tsitsikamma.
The town, surrounded as it is by thick forest, is also home to some of the most beautiful beaches, guesthouses, hiking trails, restaurants and so much more.
Our first activity was the jump off the Bloukrans bridge. The energy of the men and women who work at this national key point was electrifying. They had music on blast and had positive attitudes as motivation for all who would take the giant leap of faith and jump.
The instructors start off by weighing each participant, you are then fitted into a harness that will hold you up during the jump. The next stage is what feels like the longest walk of your life towards the Bloukrans Bridge.
Each participant is fastened onto a tight metal rope that allows you to zipline from one point of the bridge to another.
I think the zipline is a smart way to get one used to the height of the jump. When you get to the other side you are met by high fives of a group of experienced bungy jumpers and Face Adrenelin workers. And then the anxious wait for your turn to jump begins.
While you wait, you can take in the beautiful scenery of the Indian Ocean peaking out in the distance from between the hilltops.
When your number is called, it is time to face the music and jump! This had to be one of the most exhilarating and thrilling experiences of my life. And I would do over again!
After all the energy expended off the bridge we drove to the Tsitsikamma Village Inn to catch our breath and freshen up for the evening ahead. The cosy set up at the Inn provided the much-needed warmth for a chilly Storms River Village evening where dinner was at Marilyn’s 60’s Diner in the heart of the village.
The restaurant is decked out in “all things” Marilyn with an American diner feel. The owners have two vintage cars, a few motorbikes and a jukebox on display for a believable American 60’s feel. To top it all off the couple who run the restaurant have their own craft brewery at the back.
A festive way to end off day one!
Port Elizabeth was our next destination. The city is situated in the heart of Algoa Bay and is known for its numerous beautiful beaches, hiking trails, Victorian landmarks and wildlife reserves just outside the city.
We enjoyed a hearty lunch at Ginger Restaurant in Summerstrand, which has a stunning view of Kings Beach.
The Port Elizabeth leg of the trip was all about relaxation after the adrenalin-filled first day.
We enjoyed individual spa treatments at the Raddison Blu’s Amani Spa & Wellness. The back and neck massage I received was one for the books. The relaxed feeling lingered while we enjoyed a meal in the hotel’s restaurant and a breathtaking view of the ocean.
Our stay in Summerstrand continued as we checked into the Beach Hotel right next to the Boardwalk. The hotel’s grand vintage interior was one thing that drew my attention. We enjoyed a night’s stay at the hotel with friendly staff to assist us along the way.
The PE nightlife is a vibrant and colourful one. Dinner was had at Two Olives, a quaint restaurant in trendy Richmond Hill. The area is buzzing with restaurants and pubs for locals and tourists to enjoy.
The intimate set-up at Two Olives, a great SA winelist and candlelit ambience was the cherry on top to the hearty meals we enjoyed.
The experience I had on this short trip made me want to see so much more of what our beautiful province has to offer. The Eastern Cape can be proud of its heritage and what it has to offer tourists...