Enjoying sunrise

Having only two nights in Plettenberg Bay and with lots of rain about, the chance of getting a beautiful sunrise over the bay was very slim.  I still set my alarm early enough for the first morning to head down to the beach for sunrise.  There were clouds about but enough sky peeking through, so the odds looked good.  One drawback though was that I didn't have an object to put in the foreground.  I did have my tripod though, so it was a case of focus, press button and 10 seconds to get into position.  Somebody looking down from the houses next to the beach must have had a good laugh at this guy running up and down the beach.  This is one of my two favorites.  The other one I'll keep for another time.

St Peter's Anglican Church

Most people visiting visiting Plettenberg Bay either end up on the beach or visiting one of the very good attractions in the area like Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, The Elephant Sanctuary and many more. Not many search out the interesting historical sites in the town as they aren't really promoted that much. The Damselfly and I had an alone (and very wet I have to add) weekend away without the Rugrats courtesy of GAA Plettenberg Bay and made use of the opportunity to look up a couple of these lesser known attractions.

The first place we found was the St Peter's Anglican Church which wasn't even marked on the tourist map that we had.  I searched the internet a bit, but couldn't find much info on it except for the fact that the first service was held in this sturdy little stone church in 1881.

St Peter's reminded me quite a lot of the little Belvidere Church in Knysna.  The church with its beautiful stone work, slate roof and stained glass windows is also surrounded by a number of old graves, but that will have to wait for another visit.

Walkway to sunrise

One of the boardwalk walkways leading down to Solar Beach in Plettenberg Bay at sunrise

Black-Backed Jackal

Warning: The second picture may be disturbing to sensitive viewers

One of the smaller animals to look out for on a visit to the Addo Elephant National Park is the Black-Backed Jackal.  Named for the "mantle" of black flecked with white stretching from the back of his neck to his tail, the jackal is active both during the day and at night.  Their "nyaaaa-aa-aa-aa" call is probably one of the most distinctive bush sounds in Africa.  This individual came trotting through the veld and paused...

... before making his way over to a kudu carcass (lion kill perhaps) lying a little way off the road.

Fungus scales

The Funnel Woodcap fungi on this tree makes it look like it has scales

Sneak peak at the Kelway Hotel

I was one of a fortunate few that had an invitation for a sneak peek at the Kelway Hotel's newly refurbished 3 star rooms.  The Kelway Hotel is a log hotel situated very close to Bayworld on the Port Elizabeth beachfront and was built in 2004, replacing the Caboose budget hotel that burned down shortly before.

The hotel offers 61en-suite rooms split between the hotel's 3 star and 4 star wings. Over the last couple of months the 3 star section has been undergoing a "nip and tuck" and the rooms are just about ready to be used again.

Catering for the occasion took place in the very popular Farriagers Restaurant at the hotel furnished with sea - grass chairs imported from Indonesia and hand crafted tables from Knysna.  The decor is a combination of wood and modern art with interesting features like this wall full of old records.  Not forgetting a very inviting fireplace on a cold evening.

        

The Farriagers also took the opportunity to show off some of the items on its new look menu... in bite sized portions.  Finger licking ribs, melt in your mouth calamari, prawns, veld and vlei (a very unusual venison and shrimp combination and my personal highlight, Wild African cream and chocolate chip cheesecake - which I only realised afterwards that I never took a photo of.

And what is a post featuring a restaurant without some food porn...

More food porn.  This time topped with whipped cream and strawberries *wink*

Plettenberg Bay landmarks

We are in Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route this weekend for a short getaway and in anticipation of the photos that I will be (or are or have depending on when you read this post) taking I am posting pics of Plettenberg Bay's three main landmarks.  These I took passing through on our way home from Knysna after Easter weekend.

Keurbooms River and Lagoon

The Beacon Isle Hotel and Piesang River

Robberg Peninsula in the background