Eastern Cape Provincial Article - South African Vacations
Eastern Cape Provincial Article - South African Vacations
Eastern Cape Provincial Article - South African Vacations
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Mountaineering: Scaling the high cliffs is a dangerous activity and is<br />
recommended only for very experienced climbers.<br />
Strandloper Hiking Trail: This 5-day hiking trail, the ultimate coastal adventure,<br />
starts at the Strandloper Ecotourism Centre at <strong>Cape</strong> Morgan and ends at<br />
Gonubie. The route promises scenic views, sandy beaches and beautiful<br />
estuaries, coastal forests, soaring cliffs, as well as opportunities for bird<br />
watching, fishing and swimming.<br />
Water-sport: The lagoon formed by the Ntshala River is ideal for swimming,<br />
canoeing, water-skiing, board-sailing and fishing.<br />
PEDDIE<br />
The historic little town of Peddie lies 50 km south-west of Bisho, on the<br />
Grahamstown road. In 1835, during the Sixth Frontier War, a fort was built at<br />
this spot and named after Colonel John Peddie of the Seaforth Highlanders. A<br />
village developed around the fort, which was built to protect the British and<br />
their allies, the Mfengo Tribe, against the indigenous Xhosa tribes. A road<br />
through the nearby Double Drift Game Reserve, now part of the Great Fish<br />
River Complex, links Peddie with the town of Alice.<br />
HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE<br />
Anglican Rectory: The building was once used as a military hospital and<br />
mortuary during the Frontier Wars. The Church itself was formerly part of the<br />
original earthwork fort.<br />
Cavalry and Infantry Barracks: The old cavalry barracks is now the residence<br />
of the magistrate of the town and the old infantry barracks have been converted<br />
into the town’s courthouse.<br />
Resettlement Memorial: A bronze plaque on a milkwood tree commemorates<br />
the resettlement of the Xhosa tribe, the Mfengo, who cooperated with the<br />
British during all nine Frontier Wars. Each year, on May 14, Mfingo<br />
descendants visit this site, honouring their ancestors.<br />
Watchtower: The old watchtower on its hilltop was built in 1841, just in time to<br />
withstand a 4 000-strong Xhosa attack.<br />
SEYMOUR<br />
This little town, situated beneath the slopes of the Katberg and Elandsberg<br />
Mountain Ranges was built in 1862 and started off as a military outpost called<br />
- 133 -
Change language