Hi, Iโm Leigh from The Rose ‘n Ale in East London on the Sunshine Coast in the Eastern Cape.
East London IS BEST KNOWN FOR its friendly people and lovely beaches.
GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT the Esplande as there are often dolphins surfing the waves.
THE BEST beach PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT Gonubie, and Nahoon beaches.
OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT the lion park (where they breed white lion and you can usually play with them), the East London zoo and the aquarium, not to mention the elephant experience at Inkwenkwezi.
WHEN THE WEATHER’S GOOD, I LIKE TO walk along the beach and absorb the peaceful atmosphere.
WHEN THE WEATHER’S BAD, I LIKE TO go for breakfast at Lavender Blue organic market.
I THINK THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT IS all year round, BECAUSE the weather is just about perfect all year, February is usually the hottest but June / July is perfect with warm days and cool nights.
MY FAVOURITE BREAKFAST SPOT IS Lavender Blue the Florentine breakfast is superb!
FOR LUNCH, I SUGGEST Buccaneer for ribs (great view of those surfing dolphins).
MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IS Graziaโs, TRY THE pork fillet with Dutch sauce but go hungry because it is huge.
BEST LATE NIGHT SNACK FROM the Windmill roadhouse.
MY FAVOURITE sushi SPOT IS Zhong Hua on 48 Beach Road, Nahoon.
FOR A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN TRY Numbers a very popular nightclub.
IF YOU WANT TO MEET LOCALS, GO TO The Deck at the Gonubie Hotel.
East Londonโs BEST KEPT SECRET IS milkshakes at Friesland (both at Hemmingways and on the Quigney).
MY FAVOURITE THING TO DO WITH FRIENDS IS coffee and cakes at Roxyโs, Lavender Blue or Shelleys.
FOR SOME CULTURE, I LIKE TO GO TO the Guild Theater for whatever show is on.
TO RELAX AND RESTORE MY SOUL, I LIKE TO gaze out over the ocean.
IF YOU’RE FEELING ADVENTUROUS, TRY Areena with quadding and various other adventure sports.
MY FAVOURITE DRIVE IS out to our surrounding beaches like Haga Haga, Morgan Bay or Sunrise on sea.
MY FAVOURITE deli SHOP IS Ninaโs Deli in Stirling it sell absolutely everything you need to make the perfect meal. Or we have a fantastic mosaic shop called Priceless pieces which sells everything you would need to make a mosaic as well as pieces on show for your inspiration.
MY FAVOURITE sea WATCHING SPOT IS Nahoon beach.
IF YOU’RE HERE IN November, JOIN IN THE FUN AT East London Food & Wine Fair.
MY FAVOURITE GALLERY IS the Anne Bryant Art Gallery. CHECK OUT THE the mosaic exhibitions.
TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN? A FUN OUTING IS Strawberry Fields with a huge playground for kids up to 12 years, entrance fee charged but it includes a biscuit and juice for kids and coffee and cake for moms/ dads. The Lion Park is also super for kids as is the Zoo which is great on a windy day as it is protected from the wind.
BEST CHEAP AND CHEERFUL OUTING IS a visit to the Aquarium with itโs seal show and great views.
WHEN MONEY’S NO OBJECT, I LIKE TO for a good shop at Hemmingways, then movies and a meal or helicopter flips with AV8 if you really feel like some adrenaline.
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING I SEE HERE IS everyone finishing work at 4:30, getting home and grabbing the fishing rods and heading for the rocks with the family for an evening of fishing!
MY FAVOURITE WEEKEND GETAWAY IS Morgan Bay Hotel for a total spoiling with all meals prepared for you or Hogsback for a bit of culture and wilderness.
WHEN I WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, I make soup for the squatter camp kids, visit one of numerous childrenโs home armed with some eats.
The beaches, especially the Gonubie beach is super for kids with itโs wide flat beach and gentle waves and river mouth. The surfing on the Gonubie Point is also renowned. February boasts our annual surfers marathon which boasts a gruelling 16km run over beach and rocks from Sunrise to Nahoon, not for the fainthearted but well supported with crowds of well wishers to cheer you on!
I Love East London BECAUSE here you can really relax, take a bit of time out, to do outdoor pursuits even if that means lying in the sun or surfing. But there is just enough mall and movies to keep the teenager happy too!
East London Links
- East London Accommodation
- East London Attractions
- Things to Do in East London
- East London Hotels
- Eastern Cape Hotels
- Eastern Cape Accommodation
Desirable Digits
Lavender Blue: +27 (0)43 732-1172
Buccaneers: +27 (0)43 743-5171
Graziaโs: +27 (0)43 722-2009
Zhong Hua: +27 (0)43 735-3442
Numbers: +27 (0)43 748-4425
The Deck: +27 (0)43 740-4010
Friesland: +27 (0)43 722-3260
Guild Theater: +27 (0)43 743-0704 / 5
Nina Deli: +27 (0)43 753-3944
Anne Bryant Art Gallery: +27 (0)43 722-4044