My Favourite Sunset

I have decided that my favourite sunsets are the African ones.

Sunset at Camps Bay | Photo credit: Juxxtapose

Africans seem big on sunsets. I say this because (1) there’s always a sunset cruise or a walk to see the sunset, (2) there were many people watching the sunset together with us at the Camps Bay beach (even a film crew), and (3) our local tour guide in Cape Town was obsessed with taking photos of sunsets in his own country.

Sunset at Knysna (Western Head) | Photo credit: Juxxtapose

It’s not hard to understand why. Not when every time we saw a sunset in Africa, it looked like a different one. Sometimes the sun went hiding behind a never-ending horizon, while sometimes it slip below the silhouette of trees. Sometimes it was dressed in fiery reds and oranges, while sometimes it adorned gentle purples and pinks.

Just fiery red ball | Photo credit: Juxxtapose

In some instances, one cannot help but think of the red sunset in The Lion King:

Fiery red sunset (tree included) | Credits: Disney’s The Lion King

I think it’s time to up my photography game. Maybe then, I will be able to capture the sunsets as stunningly as they are in real life. And also, perhaps it’ll look more like the animated version.

Sunset on a cruise along Chobe River | Photo credit: Juxxtapose

Sunset back at Chobe Safari Lodge | Photo credit: Juxxtapose

Watching the sun go down in Africa always marked the end of yet another amazing day and held the promise of another after a good night’s rest. It’s always about the feels, isn’t it?

Setting sun at Okavango Delta | Photo credit: Juxxtapose

Kayak + Lilo = Unexpected Fun

This was the plan for Day 4 of our African Adventure:

1. Get to Tsitsikamma National Park

2. Take leisurely walk to the suspension bridges

3. Enjoy the view and being in nature

4. Take photos

But made a last minute decision to do more, because how can one call it an adventure if there are no adventurous elements within? We already knew that the bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge was out of the question for us (scardy cats). Instead, we decided quickly that we would take up an activity at Storms River. We considered a few options and read countless reviews, and eventually we set our sights on kayaking & liloing up Storms River conducted by Untouched Adventures.

I’ve linked the website if you’re interested in more information, but the gist of it is this:

• First, kayaking across the open ocean and then turning into and up the Storms River mouth (under the suspension bridge and between the beautiful Storms River Gorge).

• Further upstream, about where the salt water turns into fresh water, swapping the kayaks for lilos (which are basically heavy-duty floats) and paddling further upstream.

• Try to do stunts like standing on top of the lilos (I failed miserably at that by the way).

• Going back the way you came.

The suspension bridges at Tsitsikamma National Park | Photo credit: Juxxtapose

Being in South Africa during the off-peak season, we enjoyed the privilege of being only 2 people who had signed up for the activity that morning. The guide to participant ratio was 1:1, as we enjoyed a private tour at our own pace. Before the tour, I harboured slight doubts about my ability to kayak fast enough to keep up with a group, but it didn’t matter because it was just the two of us, and we even had the luxury to slow down for photos.

Entering the magnificent gorge | Photo credit: Juxxtapose

Yes, every time I stopped to take pictures, the double kayak would be reduced to a one-man-powered kayak. The guides, obviously skilled in their kayak maneuvering, would wait patiently as we floated along and even helped us to capture great shots. They also told us more about the river and the caves along the way.

When we got onto our lilos, the guides stayed with their kayaks. So when our arms were tired from paddling, we held on to the rope on their kayak and they propelled us forward. (Yes, we kinda cheated for a while there.)

Our first ‘stunt’ in the lilos | Photo credit: Juxxtapose

Paddling through the black waters of the Storms River was like a personal connection with the land. Falling into the water and being dwarfed by the gorge, I felt like we were really experiencing what the land had to offer. As we kayaked back out to the open sea, I felt sorry to have to leave.

Exiting the gorge with the bridge and sea in view | Photo credit: Juxxtapose

After a quick shower and some smoked kudu (yum!), we took a short hike to the suspension bridges, seeing from over the bridge what we had experienced under.

Loving the journey | Photo credit: Juxxtapose

 

It’s finally happening!

Beautiful Cape Town | Photo credit: blog.needsupply.com

My African Adventure begins in 12 days!!

And now that it’s just barely 2 weeks away, I’m starting to realise that is real and not just plans laid out on paper. I’ve been dreaming of visiting Africa for ages now, and we started planning for this trip early the year. It was all emails and google spreadsheets, tabulating the budget, finding the best connections, reading up on places and activities… and then suddenly realisation sets in – we’re going to Africa! I am beyond excited, and thinking about it makes me feel like my heart is going to explode from my chest!

We’ll be landing in Cape Town for starters and exploring the famous scenic Garden Route, then heading to safaris in Zimbabwe and Botswana, with a short stay at the Victoria Falls in between. After that, an overnight at Joburg before flying home.

I’m so thankful we managed to include almost everything we wanted to see given our limited time and budget. Opportunities to travel don’t come easily and this may well be our only trip to Africa ever.

As usual, being a born-worrier, I’m nervous about how the trip will go, knowing that even the best-laid plans are subjected to circumstances. But I know, for sure, that we are definitely going to have the time of our lives!