Nelson Mandela Bay is a Bay of plenty; there is always something new to sample, something different to experience and with your Nelson Mandela Bay Pass Card the Bay is an opportunity waiting to be explored thanks to the NMB Pass' budget-friendly discounts and free entries to a variety of activities in and around the Bay.

It's a new year with new hopes, dreams and resolutions. It's a new year granting you the chance to seek out the places and spaces you've dreamt about visiting, to explore the nooks and crannies you've heard about and to venture back to your favourite sights and sites in Nelson Mandela Bay.

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." - Marcel Proust

So put on your Bay 2017 glasses, tie your shoe laces in double knots this year and dive into everything on offer.
 

We've dropped by some of the Bay's bloggers and asked them: Where do you want to go in 2017? Are there any places you want to visit or revisit this year?

New Year’s Resolutions: Bloggers Share Places to Visit in the Bay in 2017

Rebecca Williams from 15bex02, said:

This year, I have visiting SAMREC and visiting the Cape Recife lighthouse on my 2017 bucket list. The walk around the reserve looks like a great adventure and the work that they do at SAMREC is close to my heart!

You can find Rebecca's blog at www.15bex02.co.vu and also on Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

Jocelyn Teri from My Humble Pie, said:

A place I revisit again and again: The Pearson Conservatory. Since I was a little girl, I've loved greenhouses and I find it nothing short of magical. The lawns in front make for the ideal picnic spot away from the all the hubbub of city life. Peace and tranquility and a spot of sunshine at their finest.

You can find Jocelyn's blog at www.myhumblepie.co.za and also on Twitter.

Laurina Machite from Brightly Black, said:

I would love to visit Settlers Park for hiking and go on a guided PE bicycle tour. Hopefully I get to it really soon because I've been putting these things off gift a while now.

You can find Laurina's blog at www.laurinamachite.com and also on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.

The Dirsuwei family from Chasing the Rainbow, said:

Ralph – I have always wanted to go on a ghost tour through PE’s historic and haunted buildings in Central.
Sarah – I would like to SUP (Stand up Paddleboard) along Port Elizabeth’s beachfront from Kings Beach to Humewood Beach’s 6 pillars. Preferably with some dolphins on a windless day.
Jacob (17) – This year I would love to hike through the Groendal Wilderness Area.
Luke (15) – I want to do the giant swing at Adrenalin Addo – it looks like such fun. We have done the double zipline but not the swing.
Cian (11) – Definitely Paintball Heaven – for a kids vs adults shoot out.

You can find the Dirsuwei family's blog at www.chasingtherainbow.net and also on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.

Jonker Fourie from Port Elizabeth Daily Photo and Firefly the Travel Guy, said:

I can never get enough of doing things and exploring in my own back yard. Here are three things on my New Year's Resolutions Nelson Mandela Bay bucket list.
A cruise out to St Croix Island - I am ashamed to say that I have never been on a cruise out to St Croix Island. Would love to see the penguins in their natural environment on the island plus get to spot a few dolphins and whales along the way.
Hike Groendal - I think I've done just about all the trails around Nelson Mandela Bay except for Groendal so for 2017 my aim is to do the 16 km Blindekloof Trail to Crystal Cavern Pool and back to discover this true wilderness gem of the metro.
The Campanile - I absolutely can't wait for the Campanile to reopen to see the work and changes that was done, especially the new viewing window at the top.

You can find Jonker's blog at www.portelizabethdailyphoto.blogpost.co.za and at www.fireflyafrica.co.za, he is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

Thulani Thuli Mkohli from Thuli Loves, said:

Something I've never done before is go on a boat ride and sight see the Bay from the sea. I've seen it from an aerial view but not from the sea. Would be a gorgeous sight to be captured on camera!

You can find Thulani's blog at www.stylingthulz.blogspot.co.za and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Leon Muston from Geek World South Africa, said:

I'm looking forward to taking my two daughters, aged one and three, to the newly opened Jump4Joy at 6 Roshan Street, Framesby, with its trampolines, foam pit and other play areas for kids. On a professional level I'm really looking forward to this year's Con-ect geek festival, which I believe will take place at Baywest Mall this year.

You can find Leon's blog at www.geekworldsa.com and on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Bre-anne Martin from Bre-Anne Martin Blog, said:

My New Years resolution for 2017 is to visit Grass Roof and experience all those amazing looking milkshakes I see on Instagram and Facebook!

You can find Bre-anne's blog at at www.breannemartinblog.wordpress.co.za and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Megan Kelly Botha from By Megan Kelly, said:

I'd REALLY like to finally go to Addo Elephant National Park. I've never been - I know WTH right?

You can find Megan's blog at www.bymegankelly.co.za and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Natasha Zaahida Nathoo - Joel from Journey with Mum, said:

How is it that despite my many years of existence in the Bay, I only discovered just. the. other. day...that a kiddy friendly place called Addo Wildlife Sanctuary exists? Well anyways I make it my goal to visit there with my family in 2017.

You can find Natasha's blog at www.journeywithmum.com and on Facebook. Twitter and Instagram.
 

Ranique from Big Mouth Entertainment, said:

This year sees us revisiting Windsor Kids Play Park. Endless fun for your little one with some of every kid's favourite goodies on their menu.

You can find Ranique at www.bigmouthentertainment.co.za and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Odette Johaar from O So Inspired, said:

Lady Slipper Park Run: Near the start of the New Year, like many people I make New Year’s resolutions. One of my resolutions for 2017 is to get back into running. About six years ago I belonged to an amateur athletics club and used to run 5km and 10km road races for fun. Yes I was one of those people. These days, I can barely run a km and my 5km time is twice what it used to be. It was recently announced that Port Elizabeth will be getting another park run in Lady Slipper. I drive past the Lady Slipper mountain every day on my way to work and the area is gorgeous. It sounds like it will be a trail run, something that I haven’t done before, but I’m up for a challenge. The route begins at Falcon’s Rock and it goes through a forest and a dry dam, passes a labyrinth and apparently even has views of the ocean. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? The first Lady Slipper park run takes place on 11 February 2017 and I can’t wait to participate in it this year.More information can be seen on Facebook.

You can find Odette at www.osoinspired.com and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Anje Rautenbach from Going Somewhere Slowly, said:

This year I hope to work my way through the majority of Mastertons' coffee blends, revisit the Groendal Wilderness Area and explore the treasures of the Elands River Valley.

You can find Anje's blog at www.goingsomewhereslowly.com and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

Well there you have it - the Bay's bloggers had their say, now what are your resolutions for 2017, where will you go?

Remember to get yourself a Nelson Mandela Bay Pass Card to enjoy a variety of activities in and around Nelson Mandela Bay for free or at a discounted rate!