Dear reader, we would like to share with you some the travel memories of our trip to Port Elizabeth.

We booked our rental car online, which was quick and easy. While on line we came across some interesting statistics like the following, 77% of tourists consulted online reviews, when making destination choices. Another 88% arranged travel details like airline tickets and accommodation bookings.

When we landed at the International Airport in Port Elizabeth and made to feel extremely welcome by the friendly staff at car rental Port Elizabeth. Clutching our keys and the baggage in the boot we drove the 25 kilometres to the city in just over half an hour.

We had read about Port Elizabeth having the nickname “Windy City” but were not quite ready for the sudden gusts that buffeted us. The porter at our hotel had made a cheerful jibe about holding onto our collective holiday hats. Most of the interesting sites to see are but a short drive in any direction.

We chose the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium as our first port of call. You will find it at the North End of Port Elizabeth on the shores of the Lake Khulani. A guide explained the city and it parking areas were too small for the 2010 soccer cup and so this grand stadium was built on the outskirts.

Next was the harbour for our scheduled whale watching trip. This trip is such a great photo opportunity, so bring all manner of cameras along for this trip. We were fortunate enough to get awfully close to a Southern Right whale that came within a few metres of us. A few of our party were partial to the sea and motion sickness. They chose to take the Apple Express, a narrow gauge steam train trip instead. This “old school” ride is a wonderful family excursion, which kids and adults alike will enjoy.

Port Elizabeth eateries run the length of the causeway strip and we had no problem securing a table with a sea view. After a sumptuous sea food platter, the subject of the “fear of the sea” topic came up. Thankfully by dessert, we had all voted to head off to the Bayworld Aquarium. Our land loving friends were so enthralled by the various species of fish on display and huge glass viewing area, it gave them a new respect for the sea.

We had planned a diving trip for the next day with one of the many dive centres in the city. Our newly anointed sea-loving friends had decided to join us. What fun we had to watch them venture out in the ocean, albeit only with goggles and snorkels.

• Bayworld Aquarium:
  Beach Road,
  Humewood,
  Port Elizabeth
  Phone Number: +27(0)41 584 06501

• Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
  70 Prince Alfred Road
  North End
  Port Elizabeth