Exciting venues make for happy holidays
Take your pick – from mall-hopping to music gigs, there’s lots to do in the Bay
FOR some, the forthcoming school holidays are a very exciting prospect!
For those of you staying at home these holidays, fear not, because we are here to tell you about the cool and exciting things to do around Port Elizabeth – particularly geared to those of high school age.
The Boardwalk is a fun place to hang out with my friends, says 16-year-old Sarah Forbes. “And among all the fun things to do, go-karting is my favourite!”.
Forbes says you can spend an entire day there and not get bored.
“If you only have a couple of rands on you, then the games centre is perfect.” According to a Boardwalk spokesperson, although there are no activities planned specifically for the holidays at this stage, mini golf, movies, 10-pin bowling and the large array of restaurants are among the activities that can be enjoyed “The Baywest Mall is the perfect spot to check out all the latest fashion trends for this winter. So many new shops that have opened up; and with all their sales for winter trends, it’s exciting,” 15-year-old Tea Reinecke says. There are quite a few malls in PE – among them Greenacres in Newton Park, Walmer Park in Walmer, Baywest Mall off Walker Drive in Sherwood, Cleary Park Mall in Cleary Park, Metlife Plaza in Kabega Park and Sunridge Village in Sunridge Park.
“Another nice thing to do is go to the movies,” say 15-year-olds Caitlyn Bradfield, Sam Scarr and Rachael Trask.
Many of PE’s shopping centres also have cinemas, where one can watch 2D and 3D movies. The much-anticipated Imax movie theatre at Baywest is also due to open these holidays.
And for die-hard beach-goers, who can surf (unlike myself) “surfing is something cool to do,’ 15-year-old Emma Boshoff says.
“The best conditions for surfing are during winter,” says avid lifesaver, Calvin Zeelie. But remember to wear your wet- suits! And as far as the social scene is concerned, Social Clash will be bringing us some of the coolest bands and beats at MacArthur Baths on the beachfront.
Renaldo Gouws and Richard Saunders, two members of Social Clash, have confirmed that there are some fine acts in the pipeline for this holiday, so keep an eye out on their website (www.socialclash.co.za) as well as their Facebook page for some really cool under-18 gigs.
There are also many restaurants in PE that are easy on the pocket and fun to go to. Daena Bradfield recommends Something Good on the beachfront because, “not only is the food delicious, but they also have their Sunday acoustic sessions”.
Julia Morgan and Sasha-Lee Schmidt recommend Spur for their Burger Special every Monday night.
The Bayworld Museum will be hosting a “Night at the Museum” on July 20 from 5pm – 10pm. There will be many activities for the youth, including treasure hunts, dress-up, seal and penguin presentations, exploring Africa’s lost world as well as a picnic.
The cost is R25 per person and there will be snacks on sale. Bayworld Aquarium will also be open during the holidays.
Looking outside of PE these holidays, the JBay Winter Fest is happening from July 8-19 in Jeffreys Bay, The National Arts Festival in Grahamstown is on from July 2-12 and the Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees will be taking place in Kirkwood from June 26-28.