East London, South Africa is a destination that has an old style charm while also offering a cosmopolitan ambiance to the tourist. The city can often be found described as the gateway to the wild coast and sunshine coast, it’s therefore no surprise to find out the area is now one of the most sought after destinations in the country.
If you are a lover of water sports then you will be in heaven. East London provides miles upon miles of golden sandy beaches perfect for swimmers, surfers, and sun bathers. There are only a few other places on the planet which can offer such pristine conditions. Because of this, the coastal waters are a regular spot for international surfing events and competitions.
It’s not just the coast that brings tourists to this region of South Africa. It is possible to base yourself in the city and then go and explore nearby attractions; for example you can visit the Amatola Mountains that have the most amazing scenery.
It doesn’t matter how old you are or what your interests are, booking a vacation to East London will not leave you disappointed. Whether travelling with your family or alone you can be sure that every day can be filled with enjoyable activities. There is the option of sand boarding in the massive dunes in Bonza Bay or visiting the natural history museum to learn more about the local culture and environment.
Other interesting attractions include Queens Park zoo and the botanical gardens both of which would give you a good understanding of South African ecology without the need for booking a safari.
Many visitors are left pleasantly surprised by the architectural wonders that still exist here. There are traces of German and English heritage which are apparent even today. If you’re in search of an exciting destination that mixes modern comfort with an old styled charm then you will be more than satisfied with a trip to east London.
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Zanzibar Recipes: Sorpotel
The first time I ate this wonderful dish I had no idea what ingredients went into the making. It took me a while to get the recipe. I traveled from Northern Tanzania to Zanzibar to get this recipe from a great friend.
I think if I had known the ingredients I may never have tried this wonderful dish. Give it a try you won’t be disappointed. It is so succulent it melts in your mouth. It also has a bit of a spicy kick with you would expect coming from Zanzibar.
Ingredients – 1 pound beef (tongue, if available) – 1 pound pork – 1 pound liver – 1 teaspoon cumin seeds – 1 teaspoon whole black pepper corns – 1 teaspoon cinnamon – 4 whole cloves – 1 teaspoon coriander seeds – 1 teaspoon turmeric – 8-12 dried chili peppers
3 medium onions, finely chopped – 2 inch piece fresh ginger, grated – 1 full head of garlic, cleaned and minced – 1 tablespoon tamarind paste – 1/4 cup vinegar
Directions – Place meat in a sauce pan and cover with water. Boil until the meat is cooked
through and remove from heat. Cool and reserve the water. Once the meat is cool enough to handle, cut it into half inch squares.
Place cumin, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, and chilies in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Grind together. Add tamarind and enough vinegar to form a paste.
Fry the onion, garlic, and ginger in a large saucepan. When the onions are
soft, stir in the spice paste. Continue cooking until the onions and spices
are well combined. Add the meat and the remaining vinegar and simmer for at
least one hour.
Now enjoy this wonderful dish with rice.
Facts About Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is an interesting and beautiful country located on the eastern side of Africa. Formerly known as the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, Tanzania is renowned for its geographical diversity. It is blessed with enamoring landscapes, vast expanses of dense forest, magnificent mountain peaks and exquisite species of flora and fauna.
Mentioned below are some important facts about Tanzania that will help you understand the country and its culture better.
1. Spread over an area of 945,000 square kilometers, Tanzania has a population of 29 million.
2. Tanzania is bordered by Kenya and Uganda on the North, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo on the west, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique on the South, and the Indian Ocean on the East.
3. Tanzania became independent from British colonial rule on December 9, 1961.
4. The entire country is divided into 26 regions and ninety-eight districts.
5. It is an ethnically diverse nation with more than 120 ethnic groups. Important among these are Sukuma, Nyamezi, Hehe, Bena, Gogo and Haya. Islam and Christianity are the two most important religions. Major languages include Kiswahili and English.
6. Economy of the country is mainly driven by agriculture. Tanzania is a major exporter of products like coffee, cotton, tea, sisal, cashew nuts, tobacco, seaweed, cloves and fish products. It has vast amounts of natural resources including gold and diamond deposits.
7. Important tourist activities include a hike to the peak of Mount. Kilimanjaro and a safari in some of the biggest wildlife parks in Africa. Significant national parks in Tanzania include the famous Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, Selous Game Reserve, Mikumi National Park and the Gombe National Park.
8. It is home to some of the biggest and deepest lakes in Africa. These include the Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika. Mt. Kilimanjaro, present in the northeast part of the country, is the highest peak in Africa.