A couple from Port Elizabeth have started a ‘Just Say Yes!’ website to journal all their travels, especially highlighting the beautiful places to visit in Nelson Mandela Bay and surrounds.
Nicolette and Roger Thomas, content creators of the ‘Just Say Yes!’ website, experienced the heartbreaking loss of two dear friends a few years ago, far too early. This profound event instilled in them a powerful belief: life is short, and one must live every moment to the fullest. Since then, they have adopted the motto “Just Say Yes!” Whether it’s a spontaneous night away, dinner with friends, a cycling adventure, a delightful breakfast, or a serene walk on the beach, they strive to embrace every opportunity with enthusiasm and joy. Their adventures have led them to discover hidden gems and unforgettable experiences in the most unexpected places. Here are a few of those experiences they have shared on their site.
Conquering the Forts Loop: A Journey of Steep Climbs and Scenic Views!
We decided to tackle the Forts Loop at Crossways, just a short drive from Gqeberha. We knew it was going to be a tough ride, but we didn’t realise just how challenging it would be. It’s not very technical, but there is a lot of elevation: 41km and 1,200m elevation gain. #LegDay. Along the route, we saw amazing scenery and passed two forts from the Anglo-Boer War and the Upper Van Stadens catchment dam, complete with a waterfall. The last 2km of the climb until we hit the downhill was gruelling—not because it was extremely steep, but because we were extremely tired. #ScenicRoute.
We took some snacks, gels, and water. Note to self: take more food and maybe an empty bottle to fill up at the stream. We nearly ran out of water and could definitely have used more snacks. Once we got to the descent of Purple Cow, we knew it was an easy bit home. We love doing Purple Cow on a regular basis, so we are very familiar with this section
All in all, we absolutely loved the ride, but for once, we wished we had e-bikes. My legs were sore for the next three days, but it was that nice feeling like you’ve done some exercise. #NoPainNoGain.
A Bit of History about the Area (info received from the 3 Rivers website):
During the Anglo-Boer War, the Upper Van Stadens Dam, a beautiful waterfall and pool, and the original Van Stadens Dam caretaker’s cottage, which is home to an original Ox Wagon used during the Anglo-Boer War, were key points in the Port Elizabeth region. The dam was conceptualised in 1862 when the issue of water supply and security to Port Elizabeth was raised. The development of the Upper Van Stadens Dam with its intake weirs, filter beds, and caretaker’s cottage was completed in 1893. Approximately 3 km downstream, a pump house and weir were constructed in 1899.
During the Boer War, a battalion was created to protect the dam and surrounding infrastructure, consisting of two parties—one to protect the pump house and the other to protect the dam. The battalion remained at the Upper Van Stadens Dam for three months and during this time constructed two small forts—a lower and upper fort—both still visible today and can be seen along the route.
Discover the Hidden Gem of Gqeberha: Adventure Awaits in Baakens Valley
Nestled in the heart of Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha lies a little piece of heaven known as the Baakens Valley. This natural wonder offers some of the best hiking and cycling trails, beautifully maintained, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Fat Tracks MTB club.
If you find yourself in town for the weekend, make sure to carve out some time for a cycling or walking adventure in the valley. The trails here cater to all levels of expertise, from single and jeep tracks ranging from easy to more challenging routes. With so many options to choose from, you’ll never get bored. While there’s no fee to cycle here, it’s highly recommended to donate to the Fat Tracks MTB club. These are the folks who maintain the trails, build bridges, clear paths, and fill holes to keep the trails in top-notch condition.
A typical ride for us in the valley ranges between 20 and 30 km, with a plethora of routes to choose from. On weekends, you’ll find the valley bustling with cyclists, hikers, and runners. However, we wouldn’t recommend riding, walking, or running alone for safety reasons.
We love starting our adventure at the containers near Cyclo Pro and exploring different routes. Often, we pop out to the surrounding suburbs for a coffee break before diving back into the valley to finish our ride.
So, if you’re looking for a blend of nature and adventure, the Baakens Valley is the place to be.
Sundowners at Sards: A Sunset, Laughter, and Love-Filled Evening
Friday night sundowners at Sards (Sardinia Bay in Gqeberha) is the best medicine after a long, busy week. Just sitting on top of the dune, drinks in hand, with the most amazing friends, watching the sun edge closer and closer to the horizon until it just disappears. But before it does, wow, what a show it puts on! It goes from a yellow ball in a blue sky to a rainbow of colours that follow. The sky transforms into a magical shading of yellow, orange, purple, and pink. Each minute is prettier than the next, until all of a sudden, the sun is gone and the colours start to fade. #Nature’sCanvas.
Sardinia Bay is a pristine stretch of perfect beach that extends for kilometres, offering the ideal setting for a walk, swim, or just enjoying sundowners. The sea can get rough, so it’s best to swim only when there are lifeguards around. #BeachLife. While all this is happening, we had the privilege of sitting with very special people, talking about serious things and silly things. The laughter and fun are just so good for the soul. #SoulFood.
Looking around, there were groups of people doing the same, from old to young. On the beach, people were playing ball and dogs were running around, adding to the lively atmosphere. The group in front of us were teenagers, and one boy had planned a special surprise for the girl he liked. A few of his mates each held a board that spelled out “Will you be my girlfriend?” and he had a bunch of flowers. She just said yes! The joy of youth and those unforgettable moments playing out in front of us just made it extra special. #YoungLove.
These are the moments memories are made of.
Spontaneous 4×4 Adventure: From Sundowners to Buffalo Sightings in the Baviaanskloof
On a Friday night around 10 PM, following sundowners at Sardinia Bay, sitting with friends and sharing a few drinks, one of them suddenly said, “Why don’t we go for a 4×4 trip to the Baviaans tomorrow?” And guess who was the first to say yes? Yep, that would be us. This happened without a second thought, completely forgetting that we had a full day planned. But hey, spontaneity is the spice of life, right?
The plan was simple: meet at 9 AM, stop to buy supplies, and head to the Baviaans. The next morning, we packed the car early and picked up our friends since we had the “manly” car for this adventure through the Baviaanskloof. We stopped for breakfast and coffee at the Windfarm. By this time, I had already phoned to book some accommodation for us. Last chalet available on the farm we like to stay at—score!
An hour later, we were at Komdomo to buy our day pass to drive through the reserve. While we sorted out the paperwork, Roger deflated the tyres for the terrain ahead. Our first stop after the gate was Poortjie. Here, we parked in the shade because, by 11 AM, it was already 35 degrees. We walked about 50 metres to dip our feet in the river and let the fish nibble at them. The water was so refreshing and the perfect recipe to cool us down.
Back in the car, the real fun began. The road was rough, but nothing our “manly car” couldn’t manage. First, the climb up a mountain pass with lots of bumps, and when we reached the top, there was a nice flat road where we spotted some buffalo. This was our first time spotting them in the Baviaans. What a special moment! From there, we headed down the pass, and things got even more interesting. Now, we’ve done this road many times, but it felt like this time the road was the worst (most fun) yet. Carrying on down the mountain, there are breathtaking views of mountain ranges that make you feel so small in the grand scheme of things.
Time for our next stop. We pulled in at Doodsklip for refreshments and to stretch our legs. We walked to the dam, and boy, the water was just too inviting. Next minute, I was in the water (not in a very ladylike manner, mud all over the show), clothes and all, because the 39 degrees was just too much for me. Roger and our friends joined in shortly after. After getting out, we continued our trip and headed to the Western gate, spotting some kudu, buck, baboons, and likkewaan on our way. Just a few kilometres outside the gate was our accommodation.
Pieter at Zandvlakte was our host. We arrived to a friendly welcome from him, his daughter, a gang of dogs, and a few tortoises. They have a few options for accommodation and can cater to bigger groups. It was still extremely warm, so we headed straight for the pool for another cool down. They had set up a lovely portable braai for us where we could sit under the canopy of a bougainvillaea tree and solve the world’s problems with a nice glass of red wine and a few well-deserved whiskies.
The next day, we headed back the same way we came, and boy, how amazing is it that going in the other direction makes everything look completely different? We ended off with a visit to Padlangs for a bite to eat. And just like that, an unforgettable weekend came to an end.
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