Paxton Hotel

SOME HISTORY OF P.E.

by PEE-WEE

Welcome to the Friendly City !

Port Elizabeth, set along the beautiful shores of Algoa Bay, is located on the south eastern coast of Africa, and is a major tourist destination better known as the Friendly City! The city offers the best mix of eco-attractions as a holiday destination with a rich diversity: scenic nature trails and wildlife experiences, long golden beaches, historic heritage and a unique coastal climate. The calm waters of Algoa Bay, its shores lapped by the warm Indian Ocean, make Port Elizabeth a Mecca for all beach and watersport activities.

Port Elizabeth enjoys more sunshine hours and fewer rainy days than any other coastal city in South Africa. The city boasts a moderate climate all year round with sea temperatures ranging from 16 degrees C in Winter to 23 degrees C in Summer. The average temperature for Summer and Winter are 25 degrees and 17 degrees respectively - truly an ideal place to holiday!

Greater Port Elizabeth is often referred to as the Gateway City to the Eastern Cape: the famous Garden Route, Settler Hinterland and Sunshine Coast.

Port Elizabeth's population comprises over one million, making it South Africa's fifth largest city in terms of population and the second largest in terms of area.

The city is an important centre for the automobile industry and is a major transport hub; its well equipped airport, harbour and port linking Southern Africa with other national and international destinations.

The actual founding of Port Elizabeth dates back to the arrival by sea of 4 000 British Settlers in 1820 to become the first permanent British residents in the country. On 6 June 1820, Sir Rufane Donkin, Acting Governor of the Cape Colony at the time, named the city after his late wife, Elizabeth.

Port Elizabeth was incorporated into the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality in 2001.

Historical Site: Donkin Reserve

by PierreZA

This monument was erected in honour of Elizabeth, the wife of Sir Rufane Donkin, after whom the city was named.
It is located on Donkin Hill. There is a pyramid and lighthouse. You may climb up the stairs of the lighthouse for a good view of Algoa Bay.
It was built in 1861.

NO 7 CASTLE HILL

by PEE-WEE

No 7 Castle Hill Museum



No 7 Castle Hill Museum is regarded as the oldest surviving Settler cottage in Port Elizabeth. The house, which dates back to 1827, has been painstakingly restored to reflect the history and elegant lifestyle of earlier days. This picturesque family dwelling located in Castle Hill Road, Central, has yellow-wood floors and beams, a restored slate roof and is furnished in the style of the mid-Victorian period. The doll house, lace displays and kitchen are particularly impressive.

Starting along the Garden Route

by Bert_Pearson

"Map"

To the east of Cape Town, between Mossel Bay and Storms River lies the Garden Route, so named because of its unspoilt natural surroundings of lagoons, rivers, lakes, forest and waterfalls and miles of white sandy beaches.

The garden route starts from Fort Elizabeth. It continues to Knysna, George town, Mossel Bay, kleinwood and Cape town.
On the way you can visit the Ostrich farm and the Cango Caves.

"Protea , the National Flower of South Africa"

The king Protea is the largest of all the spiecies. It derives its name "Cynara" because of its snowy-white center which so closely ressembles that of an artchoke.

In George town, I could see the trace of my Ancestors.... a street was name after them.