If you are interested in 19th century buildings and monuments, you'll have a field day here in South Africa's second oldest city. It is also the second largest city in terms of area and fifth largest in terms of population in South Africa, but there's the small town feel to savour.

However, there's more to this city than museums, memories and marine mammals. It's a great sun, sand and sea destination with lovely weather and beaches that range from highly developed urban playgrounds to wild stretches of virtually deserted sand.

What do the locals call Port Elizabeth?u00a0 Anything from 'PE', 'The Friendly City', 'The Windy City', 'Die Baai' to 'Ibhayi'. "You are going to love it here, mate. This is where it all began. It is around this region where Nelson Mandela grew up," a shopkeeper says. "This is also the watersport capital of South Africa."

Cricket fans here seem to have lost faith in the national team. The cab driver from the airport to the hotel quips: "You guys (Indians) have our number. We don't know how to beat you. It has become psychological now. How could we lose chasing one run from 50 balls? (referring to the Johannesburg ODI)."

Just 73 km from the city is the Shamwari Game Reserve which is home to the lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and rhinos. Maybe after Friday's cricket?