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| | + | ''This article is about the city in South Africa. For the East End of London in the United Kingdom, see [[London/East End]]. For the Eastern Suburbs of London in the United Kingdom, see [[London/East]].'' |
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| | [[Image:East_London_Statue.jpg|thumb|150px|A statue in East London]] | | [[Image:East_London_Statue.jpg|thumb|150px|A statue in East London]] |
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| | East London is situated on the east coast of South Africa, boasting the only deep water river harbour. Buffalo City Local Municipality incorporates East London, Bhisho and King William's Town, as well as the large townships of Mdantsane and Zwelitsha. and smaller surrounding towns too. Though the renaming is official most people still refer it still as East London. The East London Airport code is still ELS which references to the old naming. However the airport too will undergo a name change in the near future. | | East London is situated on the east coast of South Africa, boasting the only deep water river harbour. Buffalo City Local Municipality incorporates East London, Bhisho and King William's Town, as well as the large townships of Mdantsane and Zwelitsha. and smaller surrounding towns too. Though the renaming is official most people still refer it still as East London. The East London Airport code is still ELS which references to the old naming. However the airport too will undergo a name change in the near future. |
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| − | In 1938 the then curator of the town museum found an unusual fish in the catch of a local fishing vessel. The fish turned out to be a prehistoric [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coelacanth Coelacanth], long thought to be extinct. | + | In 1938 the then curator of the town museum found an unusual fish in the catch of a local fishing vessel. The fish turned out to be a prehistoric Coelacanth[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coelacanth], long thought to be extinct. |
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| | ==Get in== | | ==Get in== |
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| | *East London-[[Durban]] : 676km | | *East London-[[Durban]] : 676km |
| | *East London-[[Cape Town]] : 1100km | | *East London-[[Cape Town]] : 1100km |
| − | *East London-[[Johannesburg]] : 990km | + | *East London-[[Johannesburg]] : 982km |
| | + | *East London-[[Kimberley (South Africa)|Kimberley]]: 720km |
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| | ===By plane=== | | ===By plane=== |
| − | [http://www.flysaa.com South African Airways] flies from East London to [[Cape Town]], [[Johannesburg]] and [[Durban]], ae well as to some smaller cities in the country. Local low-fare airlines [http://www.1time.co.za 1Time] and [http://www.kulula.com Kulula.com] serve the airport as well. See also [[Discount airlines in Africa]] | + | South African Airways[http://www.flysaa.com] flies from East London to [[Cape Town]], [[Johannesburg]] and [[Durban]], as well as to some smaller cities in the country. Local low-fare airlines 1Time[http://www.1time.co.za] and Kulula.com[http://www.kulula.com] serve the airport as well. See also [[Discount airlines in Africa]] |
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| | ===By train=== | | ===By train=== |
| | The central train station is in the city centre, on the corner of Station and Terminus streets. | | The central train station is in the city centre, on the corner of Station and Terminus streets. |
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| − | [http://www.spoornet.co.za/ShosholozaMeyl Spoornet] operates regular inter-city trains to [[Johannesburg]], [[Bloemfontein]] and [[Cape Town]]. You can also get to [[Kimberley]], [[Pietermaritzburg]] and [[Durban]] (by changing trains in Bloemfontein), [[Port Elizabeth]] (by changing trains in Noupoort or Colesburg) and [[Mthatha]] (by changing trains in Amabele). | + | Shosholoza Meyl[http://www.ShosholozaMeyl.co.za] operates regular inter-city trains to [[Johannesburg]], [[Bloemfontein]] and [[Cape Town]]. You can also get to [[Kimberley (South Africa)|Kimberley]], [[Pietermaritzburg]] and [[Durban]] (by changing trains in Bloemfontein), [[Port Elizabeth]] (by changing trains in Noupoort or Colesburg) and [[Mthatha]] (by changing trains in Amabele). |
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| − | The disused railway line to [[Mthatha]] (previously called Umtata) via Amabele has been upgraded and a full passenger service between Amabele and [[Mthatha]] began operating on 1 March 2008. This route is called "Kei Rail". At present trains only run on weekends, with passengers being conveyed from East London station to Amabele (76 km north of East London) by bus. It is envisaged that from May 2008 trains will also operate during the week, not only weekends. | + | The Eastern Cape Department of Transport runs a daily train to [[Mthatha]] (previously called Umtata) via Amabele, this service is called "Kei Rail". Passengers are conveyed from East London station to Amabele (76 km north of East London) by bus. Trains leave early in the morning and the trip takes about 12 hours. |
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| − | [http://www.metrorail.co.za MetroRail] operates commuter trains to some outlying suburbs of East London, with a reduced service over weekends. | + | MetroRail[http://www.metrorail.co.za] operates commuter trains to some outlying suburbs of East London, with a reduced service over weekends. |
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| | + | The disused railway line to [[King William's Town]] is being upgraded. Passenger services should commence sometime in 2009. |
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| | ===By bus=== | | ===By bus=== |
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| | ==Get around== | | ==Get around== |
| − | Unfortunately East London lacks a public transport system, so getting around is difficult if you don't have a car. There are many Car Rental Companies available, 3 of which have branches at the airport. | + | Unfortunately East London lacks a public transport system, so getting around is difficult if you don't have a car. There are many Car Rental Companies available, 3 of which have branches at the airport.But the Goverment promised a BRT system transportation at the cost of 2billion. |
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| | + | Taxis are the best way of getting around East London and the suburbs of the city. They can be pre-booked and are quite cost- effective. A journey from the seafront (Sugarshack hostel) to the Hemingways Mall should only cost around 70 Rand each way(2011 prices). |
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| | + | To get from the Airport to any address in East London, the "Little Red Bus" offers a safe, reliable and good value link. They can be pre-booked by phone or email and will wait at the airport with your name on a sign. There may be other people sharing the bus with you, but the fee is per passenger. The bus will leave when all of the booked passengers have been picked up, so there is no worry about over filling the bus. The return journey to the airport or any other journeys in and around East London can be arranged as well. |
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| | + | * <buy name="EL Bus Shuttle" url="http://www.elbusshuttle.com/">Little Red Bus</buy> |
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| | ==See== | | ==See== |
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| | *The City Hall, in Oxford Street, is one of the proudest landmarks the City has to offer which hasn't been vandalized. | | *The City Hall, in Oxford Street, is one of the proudest landmarks the City has to offer which hasn't been vandalized. |
| | *The East London Harbour is the only natural deep-water port South Africa has. There are restaurants along the waterfront, like the Ballyhoo Bistro, where you can enjoy a very affordable meal with a view of the harbour and the moored yachts right before you. The Ballyhoo offers river cruises and caters for parties and general events. | | *The East London Harbour is the only natural deep-water port South Africa has. There are restaurants along the waterfront, like the Ballyhoo Bistro, where you can enjoy a very affordable meal with a view of the harbour and the moored yachts right before you. The Ballyhoo offers river cruises and caters for parties and general events. |
| | + | *The Botanical Gardens in a supreme surburb Bunkers Hill. |
| | + | *The Gately House built in Victorian style, which used to belong to the former mayor of East London in the 1870's it is now a national monument. |
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| | ==Do== | | ==Do== |
| − | *Visit the museum. It houses the first ''Coelacanth'' that was caught. It is described as a ''living fossil'' and the zoological find of the last century. It provides a fantastic view of the historical happenings of the Border Area through all the battles and discoveries. | + | *Visit the museum. It houses the first ''Coelacanth'' that was caught and a living Dodo. It is described as a ''living fossil'' and the zoological find of the last century. It provides a fantastic view of the historical happenings of the Border Area through all the battles and discoveries,like wars between Xhosa-British soldiers. |
| | + | *Go and play games at the Hemingways Casino for extra fun. |
| | + | *Waterslides are the best in E.L,try them out in Westbank near Morningside. |
| | + | *Take a seat at the Guild Theatre in Selborne to watch interesting plays.we waiting!! |
| | + | *The Ann Braynt Gallery boasts loads of different art pictures snapped around the country,every week their showcasing. |
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| | ==Buy== | | ==Buy== |
| | + | If you like dancing,Gonubie farmers hall is the place. |
| | + | You should stick around till the last or sometimes the first (see newspapers) Saturday of each month. That is when you could head over to Gonubie farmers hall, you'll need an extra pair of dancing shoes! |
| | + | *<buy name="Ziggy" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Visit East London Yacht Club and chat to the locals. Maybe you will be lucky enough to have very pleasant sail along the coast line. |
| | + | </buy> |
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| − | ==Eat & Drink== | + | |
| | + | ==Eat== |
| | + | Must try! The Guidos beach front should be visited while here,not forgetting the Milkshake shop and the legendary Windmill now opened is Cafe Neo which caters delicious treats.Paul's Pies in Central East London-Buffalo Street. |
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| | + | *<eat name="Buccanneers" alt="" address="Esplanade" directions="" phone="" url="" checkin="" checkout="" price="" lat="" long="">Fantastic sports bar and restaurant.</eat> |
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| | + | ==Drink== |
| | + | *The Buccaneers |
| | + | *Mans Tavern |
| | + | *Champions,Vincent |
| | + | *Corner Pocket |
| | + | *Bernies,Vincent |
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| | ==Sleep== | | ==Sleep== |
| − | The Thatch is a very good guesthouses, overlooking the Indian Ocean. It is not far from the town and beautifully situated. It is four star graded, but rates are quite low. | + | |
| | + | *<sleep name="The Thatch" alt="" address=" 37 Flamingo Crescent, Beacon Bay" directions="" phone="+27 (0)43 748-3672" url="http://www.thethatchguesthouse.co.za/" checkin="" checkout="" price="From R245pps" lat="" long="">A very good guesthouse overlooking the Indian Ocean. It is not far from the town and beautifully situated. It is four star graded, but rates are quite low.Also the Hemingways Casino Hotel,Two Rivers Drive has a very comfy splendid welcoming suites to cater for all ages and needs.</sleep> |
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| | ==Get out== | | ==Get out== |
| | *Go west to [[Port Elizabeth]] and the '''[[Garden Route]]''' driving through [[Port Alfred]]. | | *Go west to [[Port Elizabeth]] and the '''[[Garden Route]]''' driving through [[Port Alfred]]. |
| − | *The '''Wild Coast''' is a rough and spectacular coast line to the east | + | *The [[Wild Coast]] is a rough and spectacular coast line to the east |
| | *Go north to [[Bloemfontein]], inside the '''[[Karoo]]'''. | | *Go north to [[Bloemfontein]], inside the '''[[Karoo]]'''. |
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| | {{outline}} | | {{outline}} |
| − | {{isPartOf|Wild Coast}} | + | {{IsPartOf|Wild Coast}} |
| | {{geo|-33.0|27.9}} | | {{geo|-33.0|27.9}} |
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| | [[Dmoz:Africa/South_Africa/Provinces/Eastern_Cape/East_London/]] | | [[Dmoz:Africa/South_Africa/Provinces/Eastern_Cape/East_London/]] |
| | [[World66:africa/southafrica/eastlondon]] | | [[World66:africa/southafrica/eastlondon]] |
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| | + | [[nl:Oost-Londen]] |
East London is situated on the east coast of South Africa, boasting the only deep water river harbour. Buffalo City Local Municipality incorporates East London, Bhisho and King William's Town, as well as the large townships of Mdantsane and Zwelitsha. and smaller surrounding towns too. Though the renaming is official most people still refer it still as East London. The East London Airport code is still ELS which references to the old naming. However the airport too will undergo a name change in the near future.
In 1938 the then curator of the town museum found an unusual fish in the catch of a local fishing vessel. The fish turned out to be a prehistoric Coelacanth[2], long thought to be extinct.
East London can easily be reached by car. The N2 highway connects East London to Port Elizabeth and Durban ; the N6 goes to Bloemfontein.
The central train station is in the city centre, on the corner of Station and Terminus streets.
Translux and Greyhound operate regular bus services to all bigger South African cities.
Unfortunately East London lacks a public transport system, so getting around is difficult if you don't have a car. There are many Car Rental Companies available, 3 of which have branches at the airport.But the Goverment promised a BRT system transportation at the cost of 2billion.
Taxis are the best way of getting around East London and the suburbs of the city. They can be pre-booked and are quite cost- effective. A journey from the seafront (Sugarshack hostel) to the Hemingways Mall should only cost around 70 Rand each way(2011 prices).
To get from the Airport to any address in East London, the "Little Red Bus" offers a safe, reliable and good value link. They can be pre-booked by phone or email and will wait at the airport with your name on a sign. There may be other people sharing the bus with you, but the fee is per passenger. The bus will leave when all of the booked passengers have been picked up, so there is no worry about over filling the bus. The return journey to the airport or any other journeys in and around East London can be arranged as well.
If you like dancing,Gonubie farmers hall is the place.
You should stick around till the last or sometimes the first (see newspapers) Saturday of each month. That is when you could head over to Gonubie farmers hall, you'll need an extra pair of dancing shoes!
Must try! The Guidos beach front should be visited while here,not forgetting the Milkshake shop and the legendary Windmill now opened is Cafe Neo which caters delicious treats.Paul's Pies in Central East London-Buffalo Street.
