I’ve had this picture sitting around for a year now waiting to find out where exactly I took it. It doesn’t look like that’s going to happen, and I’m tired of passing it over every time I look for a photo, so I’ve decided to post it tonight. I think it’s the last of my images from South Africa. It was taken after leaving a beach and on my way for a few drinks sat outside a pub, which we departed due to a chip shortage. Then, we had a nice lunch sat outside a well-stocked pub across the street.
There’s something about this penguin that just makes me think it seems to really be enjoying having the sun on its face. It was stood atop a mound, alone in the brush, frozen in this position.
Arriving at Nordhoek to watch the sunset I was immediately struck by the power of the wind whipping sand into your ankles. Then, I saw the waves, powerful and frequent, their violence emphasized by the mist being whipped from their crests, back lit by the setting sun. Accompanied by the rugged coastline the scene was set for an awesome evening, prior to going for an excellent curry.
I decided it’s time to expand my supply of photographs beyond Bermuda and Southern Africa. So, on Saturday I’m heading down to Guatemala for a week. I’m hoping to visit El Mirador. It’s a Mayan city still overgrown by jungle. You can trek there, which takes two days both ways. I don’t have time for that but have discovered it’s possible to get a helicopter in, overnight in a hammock and then take a helicopter back out. I’ve found a website that offers this service, but haven’t managed to get in touch with them. So, I’m turning up with nothing booked and hoping I can sort one when I arrive. If not, there’s another site called Tikal I can visit. There’s actually hotels right next to the temples there, so that won’t be a bad alternative, just not as adventurous.
For the second half of the trip I’ll be visiting Guatemala’s former capital, Antigua. It’s an old Spanish colonial city nestled amongst three volcanoes. My plan is to climb one of them, the easiest one.
I don’t think I’ll be able to get a load of photos done to upload prior to leaving so this will likely be my last post until I get back on May 26th. Then, I should have lots of photos and stories for you.
On my last trip to Capetown I was lucky enough to stay with my travel buddy’s family. They have a cleaner, Grace, come in once a week and always drive her back home. She lives in this small township called Redhill. It’s in a strikingly beautiful location with vineyards in the valley below. It makes for a startling contrast.
Today’s photo is another shot of Simonstown as the golden rays of sunset drenched the mountain that rises out of the sea behind it.
This is a beautiful spot to walk the dogs as the sun drops low, before a pint round the pub. It was a great way to spend an evening. It took me a while to catch the waves breaking just where I wanted them.
I could spend days on end watching the penguins waddle about at Boulders Bay. These two had left the masses on the beach for a higher local atop the boulders. The one on the right seemed to be battling with a bit of an itch.
My Capetown host said hello today, so I’ve been inspired to post one of the photos I took while staying there. This is a small rocky area at one end of the expansive, beautiful Nordhoek beach. I wanted to capture the power of the water around here so as the sun dropped down I let my shutter speeds slow down to show off the churning movement of the water as it bursts onto the rocky shoreline.
I didn’t actually think it’d rush up as far as it did. Suddenly my feet discovered just how cold the water is this far South of the equator.
I’ve got a few photos lined up and quite possibly a bit of time to breathe so am going to try to get back into posting a photo a day. Comments on photos and requests for places you know I’ve been definitely help motivate me!
I’ve got a week in Cuba on the brain at the moment. I’ll be trying to go late March/early April. If you’d like to join me, feel free to let me know!! 🙂
I climbed on top of a rock to try to get away from the freezing cold water snapping at my heals as the sun set on Windhoek beach. When I turned around I spotted the remnant of this marriage proposal in the sand. Hopefully the wedding will last longer than this message did!
Be cool if one day they stumble upon this photo.
I’m back from a great journey through South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia. I know I’m loads of pictures behind, but I’m going to make up for it, as soon as I’m over this jet-lag. For today, here’s a photo of a penguin couple at Boulder’s Bay, near Simonstown, South Africa.
