Road Trip: Port Elizabeth. Beach and wildlife

Today is our anniversary. 39 years ago we were married in Port Elizabeth.  It is very special to be able to celebrate one's anniversary in the place one was married.
It dawned a beautiful, sunny, windless day - perfect for the beach.

On the way we saw the giant flag was flying again. The pole is 60 metres high and the flag is the size of a tennis court and can be seen even from the beachfront. There is a you tube video of it being taken down in a typical Port Elizabeth wind.

First we went to Angelo's on the beach front for breakfast. We had a lovely table with a view of the beach.

We watched kayaks paddle past, swimmers doing laps to the pier and back and people just enjoying the sea.

After a yummy breakfast we went to the other side of the pier to Hobie Beach.

I had forgotten how much fun swimming in the sea can be. Port Elizabeth must have some of the best beaches in the world.  The sand is clean and neither too course nor too fine. The sea bed is soft and the water is clear. We went beyond the breakers to the swells and bobbed up and down hoping the waves wouldn't break in our faces. I thought I was too old to enjoy swimming in the sea but I had so much fun!
A number of other people had realised what a lovely day it was and the beach was reasonably crowded.

Different people were having fun doing different things.

Divers coming in from their morning dive

Families making memories together

Nobody is too young to go to the sea

Some people had fun surfing in the waves

Others enjoyed digging in the sand

Once we'd had enough sun we made our way to Seaview Predator Park. It is a cross between a game park and a zoo. We drove around the game park area by car and saw some giraffes and wildebeest.

The lions and tigers were in fenced off enclosures

Lions sleep 18 - 20 hours a day

Tigers are not indigenous to South Africa. These were Bengal and Siberian Tigers.  Unlike lions, tigers lead solitary lives in the wild. Unlike most big cats, tigers love swimming. Every tiger in the world is unique; no tiger has the same stripes.

There is a restaurant nearby where even the chairs fit the wildlife theme.

From there the Sanctuary, or zoo,  is accessed via a rather rickety bridge/walkway.

The animals I found most interesting were the caracal and the meerkats.

Lots of information was given about the various animals on large signboards.

After an enjoyable  and interesting day in the sun, we finished off with dinner at the Beach Hotel which is where we spent our wedding night 39 years ago. I'm happy to report that the standard is just as good as it ever was. Tomorrow morning we are going to church at Walmer Methodist Church, the church in which Brian's Dad and his Uncle John conducted our marriage ceremony.