Barbed Wire is definitely something twisted, something that doesn’t maintain a straight line. Between the old and beautiful buildings of South-Africa you can often find spikes and barbed wire, intended to keep people safe. It does look like some places go to extremes for safety but I guess it is necessary in some cases. In the military science of fortification, wire obstacles are defensive obstacles made from barbed wire, barbed tape or concertina wire. They are designed to disrupt, delay and generally slow down an attacking enemy. They are definitely not desined to be beautiful or appealing.
Barbed Wire Defence
To think that the use of barbed wire was intended in war situations and is now being used to protect houses or alleyways. Barbed wire is undeniably an invention that has changed property and ranching, prisons and concentration camps, and defence and snares.
Barbed Wire Defence
Barbed Wire Defence
Barbed Wire Defence
I wish they could invent something “prettier” to don the gates and walls of properties. What would be even better, would be if this twisted wire were not needed anymore.
Just an hour’s drive from the bustle and buzz of downtown Cape Town lies a large and peaceful reserve: Cape Point – one of the most scenically spectacular parks in the whole of South Africa.
Being out in nature is not only good for your physical health, it is also very beneficial for your mental health. Have you noticed how grumpy people get in winter compared to their mood during spring and summer? I think it is because we don’t always get out into nature during winter and that this affects our mental health negatively.
Here are some reasons why nature is good for your soul.
( All of these photos were taken on a recent trip I went on to the Cape Point Nature Reserve. It is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa.)
There are two lighthouses at Cape Point, only one of which is still in operation as a nautical guide.
Cape Point is famed as the meeting point of two oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans
The Cape Peninsula reaches out like an elongated claw at the bottom of the mighty beast that is Africa.
Cape Point Nature Reserve
Surrounded by great oceans, gale-force winds, ancient mountains and fire-dependent plants, could there be a place that is more brutally elemental than South Africa’s Cape Point?
1. Nature helps to center your mind
If we don’t watch out we are constantly glancing at your to-do list or worrying about, our finances, our relationships, or something else. It seems like we constantly have a never-ending list of things to do. We need to make it a point to give ourselves a cognitive break by distracting ourselves with the sights and sounds of the outdoors. Watch and listen to the birds chirping, the waves crashing, the trees swaying in the wind, and the bugs moving around you. Taking at least a 30min break a day will help improve our mental health.
Wewalked all the way up to the lighthouse
Cape Point Nature Reserve
Cape Point Nature Reserve
The reserve is fenced due to the variety of wildlife and here you will find and abundance of buck, baboons, Cape Mountain Zebra and over 250 species of bird.
A Natural World Heritage Site, Cape Point is historic
2. Unplug andEscape the technological trap.
Multi-tasking, particularly with electronic devices, is a leading cause of stress. Breaking free from the never-ending loop of your Facebook or Instagram newsfeed should be a top reason for getting outdoors. After all, staring at screens too long can hurt your eyes and strain your neck, and it’s often a sedentary activity. Nature, on the other hand, offers a beautiful window into real life. Put down your phone. leave your devices behind and head into nature and just enjoy the calming effect this will have. Nature allows us to to leave the stressors of our everyday lives behind and instead focus our minds on something more pure. By centering your mind, you can relax your body.
We walked all the way up to the lighthouse
These animals are very dangerous!!
Cape Point is beyond a doubt one of South Africa’s most magnificent sightseeing and tourist attractions.
They are definitely ugly looking
They are dangerous and very scary!
3. It Lowers Stress Hormone Levels
It’s true that many of us don’t realize how highly strung we’ve become until we take a step back from it all, let go of the pen welded to our fingers, and tell our shoulders to come back down from our ears.
A recent Dutch study suggests that spending time in nature and performing repetitive tasks such as gardening can fight stress better than other leisure activities.
In Japan, this has really caught on and forest bathing is now an official stress management activity. Research into the effects of these au naturel excursions has found a significant decrease in anger, anxiety, and depression, as well as better immune function.
A lighthouse was built In 1857, on Cape Point Peak, 238 metres above sea level.
The equipment for the lighthouse had been shipped from England.
However, because of its high position, clouds and fog often obscured the lighthouse. In fact, for an alarming 900 hours per year on average, its light was invisible to ships at sea at a certain angle.
After the Portuguese liner Lusitania ran aground on 18 April 1911, the lighthouse was moved to its present location above Cape Point, only 87 metres above sea-level.
On the night of 18 April 1911, the Lusitania, a ship of 5 500 tons, with 774 people aboard, struck the Bellows Rock below the lighthouse.
4. Nature Heightens the Senses and Memory
Spending time outdoors can actually strengthen your senses and memory. When in nature, you’re exposed to plenty of sights, smells, sounds, and touches and have ample amounts of new things to take in.
These experiences help enhance all your senses, and being outdoors has also been proven to improve short term memory. You don’t need to spend hours outdoors even short periods of time are very beneficial.
The signboard announces the Cape of Good Hope as, “The most south-western point of the African continent”. The most southern point belongs to a near neighbour, Cape Agulhas, 150kms to the east.
It was initially called the Cape of Storms due its devastating toll it took on the Portuguese explorers who attempted to round the Cape in the 1600s and 1700s.
After the inhospitable Skeleton Coast of endless dunes and no water sources in Namibia, Cape Point became a symbol of hope.
For a botanist, Cape Point is a rich playground. With 1080 species, the reserve boasts one of the highest concentrations of plant species for similar sized areas in the world.
With fynbos, the indigenous flora, fire is essential for maintaining the ecosystem and requires regular burning.
With fynbos, the indigenous flora, fire is essential for maintaining the ecosystem and requires regular burning.
Fynbos thrives on infertile soils and fire is the mechanism that recycles precious nutrients from old moribund growth into the soil.
5. Learn something new.
Walking around and exploring your surroundings is an excellent opportunity to learn something new about the world. We often take things for granted and it’s only when we look around us that we notice how little we know about the world. What’s the name of that flower that you see around the corner every day? What sort of tree grows along the path you are on? And what do you call that critter that scooted across the road this morning? After a walk, Google what you saw or take out books from the library on flowers, trees, or animals to find answers. You can also arrange for walking tours with experts or visit local botanic gardens that have informative signs. Then when you go for walks with others at a later date, you can wow them with your newfound knowledge.
The name Cape of Good Hope dates back to the 15th century, when Portuguese sailor Bartolomeu Dias became the first European to view Cape Point while in search of the southern tip of the African continent.
Fires are more common in fynbos than in any other heathlands in the world.
Cape Point Nature Reserve
If you want to appreciate these plants, one of just six floral kingdoms in the world, the delight is in the details.
Depending on your time it is possible to spend the whole day here exploring isolated beaches, swimming, hiking, rock climbing, surfing, mountain biking, paragliding or horse riding.
he Cape Peninsula’s rich and diverse plant life has earned it eight World Heritage Site accolades from UNESCO.
6. Nature can help you keep it together
It’s all too easy to get caught in a busy cycle of working non-stop and not taking breaks to go outside, relax for a moment, and breathe in some fresh air. But having a good work/life balance is crucial if you want to have a long, happy existence.
Nature is the glue that can help you keep it together in this increasingly noisy world, as research shows that it can improve both your mental and physical health. No matter how far you feel like travelling, you can always spend at least a little time in nature each day. Whether you take a short, 10-minute walk around your neighborhood or a one-hour stroll along a trail in the woods, getting outside more often is a wonderful first step toward living an even healthier life.
Here you can experience some of the most breathtaking ocean and mountain scenery in the world.
Together with the drive down the peninsula this will be a very memorable day of absolute beauty.
Easy to reach by car or tour this scenic drive will leave you breathless.
Cape Point is home to an array of different animals but due to the vegetation, there are not large herds.
“The life you have led doesn’t need to be the only life you have.” – Anna Quindlen
The lioness and cubs after the rain
They live in groups called pride, and are the only social animals of the big cat family, with the African lions the most social of them all. They seem to enjoy being together in a group and show lots of affection to each other by playing, touching, licking, purring, and head rubbing each other when resting
. Lions belong to the cat family of animals known as feline (Felidae), they are the second largest of the big cats behind the tigers.
A pride usually consists of 15 lions with most of them females and their young. One or two to three males may join a pride for up to three years if they are not replaced by other lions.
A female lion (lioness), which is smaller in size than the male, leads a pride.
The two cubs are not looking very happy after the rain
Little one notices us nearby
Lions mate all through the year. The female carries a pregnancy for 110 days (gestation period) before giving birth to 3 to 4 babies called cubs.
Mother watching our every move
Young lions begin hunting from 11 months; however they remain with their mothers to avoid being attacked by black-backed jackals, hyenas, and leopards which prey on them. When they become 2 years old, they become independent and strong enough to protect themselves.
Female lions are nocturnal and are therefore able to hunt at night. They hunt in a team which makes it easier for them to get their prey
Timbavati Private Game Reserve
In Africa, lions are now only found in the South Sahara desert and in some parts of South and East Africa and not the whole of Africa as it was before.
Lions are carnivores, meaning they eat the flesh of other animals they can hunt. They hunt several kinds of small to large animals for food, including hares, reptiles, giraffe, zebras, impalas, wildebeest, and buffalos.
The population of lions in Africa has been reduced to about 21,000 from twice this number that it was in the 1950s, making lions one of the world’s most endangered animals.
A lion can leap to about 36 feet, run 50 mph over short distances, and when it walks, its heels do not touch the ground.
Lions may have different colors; however, they are usually light yellow-brown with the mature male having a thick brown or black mane around its neck. The lion’s mane protects it from injury during fighting and makes it unique among other big cats.
You can guess the age of a male lion by the color of its mane. The darker the mane, the more mature the lion is.
undreds of spectators camped out — some for as long as a week — to get the best view.
The Kaapse Klopse (or simply Klopse) is a minstrel festival that takes place annually on 2 January and it is also referred to as Tweede Nuwe jaar (Second New Year), in Cape Town, South Africa.
People consider the festival a rite of renewal that has been shaped by the Cape’s history.
The colourful Cape Minstrels Street Parade
This is one of the most important events of the year for Cape Town and receives the most financial support from the city of any event in Cape Town’s calendar.
Cape Town’s legendary Tweede Nuwejaar celebration has the potential to be an international attraction‚ according to the city council.
As many as 13,000 minstrels take to the streets garbed in bright colours, either carrying colourful umbrellas or playing an array of musical instruments.
The Cape Minstrels take over the streets of the Mother City each year for the annual and historic Second New Year Street Parade, a colourful procession also known as Second New Year. Spirited cultural music and dance celebration explodes onto the Mother City’s streets in a flurry of colour, song, drumbeats and movement every year. The colours are bright and fibrant and the minstrels often end up being just ‘a face in the crowd‘ on photos of this even..
Stakeholders, communities and all cultures and religions come together to celebrate the Mother City’s favourite street parade.
It will build on the long tradition and legacy of the Voorsmaakie and Tweede Nuwe Jaar, with the key aim of unifying the people of the Western Cape
The Cape Town Street Parade will kick off the New Year, and see the City of Cape Town come to life with a colourful and vibrant procession
It’s key focus is uniting the people of the Cape, as well as involving the most vulnerable of the Cape Flats through opportunities for youth and cultural development, and employment generation.
Previously known as the Tweede Nuwe Jaar Minstrel Parade, the carnival will build on the historic tradition and legacy of Voorsmaakie and Tweede Nuwe Jaar.
Tweede Nuwejaar (second new year) dates from the 18th century‚ when slaves in Cape Town were given one day off in the year on January 2.
A celebration of Cape Town culture and festivities, The Cape Town Street Parade aims to include all people who want to participate in the carnival .
People line the streets from early morning, some even camping since the previous night just to get good spots. You can spend all day here as there are between 50 and 70 minstrel groups performing, each a spectacular show on their own. I squeezed in between some people and got to watch a big part of the procession before the heat of the day got too much for me. The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, consists out of thousands of members of the Cape coloured community who are divided into several well-rehearsed minstrel troupes.
Old Cape minstrels, such as “The Ethiopians”, had their own collection of Dutch and American songs.
Modern Cape Minstrel tradition was influenced by the visit to the Cape by American minstrels.
On the eve of 1 January, people will gather in the Bo-Kaap (Malay Quarter in Signal Hill) to await the Tweede Nuwe Jaar (2 January) with the songs of Malay choirs and ghoema drums ushering in the dawn of a New Year
During the 19th century, the New Year was celebrated by the Dutch and was considered to be the biggest annual feast.
Slaves would get a day off on 2 January and were allowed to celebrate in their own manner. Slavery was officially abolished in the Cape on 1 December 1834.
The colourful Cape Minstrels Street Parade
he Tweede Nuwe Jaar became a celebration that united the “creole culture” in Cape Town. It is estimated that the first carnival troupe was organised in 1887.
This yearly parade dates back to the mid-nineteenth century when the slaves in Cape Town were given one day off in the year (2 January). To celebrate, groups would dress up as minstrels, waving parasols, strumming banjos and making merry with music, dance and a parade from the District Six area through to the city centre. Many of the songs still sung today date back to the 1800s. Aside from honouring these classic tunes, repertoires are also laden with interpretations of modern pop songs to keep all ages entertained.
Tweede Nuwe Jaar (2nd New Year) is a day that is unique to Cape Town
In 1880–1890, celebration bands and groups linked as societies with sports clubs with distinguishable emblems and dress, paraded through the city and suburbs on New Year’s Eve.
The colourful Cape Minstrels Street Parade
These societies prepared special costumes for New Year’s and these became a crucial part of the event.
They compete for trophies such as the ‘Champion of Champions award’.
Minstrel troupes are fiercely competitive and the preparations leading towards the parade, costumes and performances are kept as secrets until the big reveal on the day.
More than 60 minstrel troupes, some a 1000 strong have been known to participate in the marches.
The music associated with Minstrel history and Tweede Nuwe Jaar was influenced by a variety of sources.
It is truly a vibrant and cheerful sight. An event every Cape-Tonian should attend at least once as it is part of the history and culture that formed cape Town.
I just love the colourful pieces of street art popping up everywhere
My friend Lara, also a street art lover!!
In the last couple of years I have come to appreciate street art. I now go out of my way to see street art and even go on street art walking tours if they are offered. There are so many reasons why people love street art and why it is becoming more popular or important for people of all walks of life. Street art is an important part of history and identity for many metropolises, and sometimes even has the ability to breathe life into communities.
People are starting to accept that the creative and talented people involved are seen as artists, not vandals. And that their work, however ‘urban’, is still worthy of being considered art. People are becoming more open-minded to urban and street art and appreciating where this art form has come from.
There is a major difference between lazy ‘tagging’ and truly valuable street art
Alien done by artist ‘Stainz’
Cape Town has given birth to a number of talented street artists – many of whom travel the world beautifying countries further afield.
Here are the top reasons why Street art is important and why you should love street art.
1. Street art is freedom and diversity
Art is about expression, creativity, freedom, asking and raising questions, protesting, analysing and even beautifying. A way to step beyond convention. There’s freedom with putting work in the street. You don’t even need to be considered a ‘legitimate’ artist; don’t need to have thousands of fans, have a huge social media presence, be taken seriously by galleries or be picked up by an artist agency. all over the world.
Street art is a very diverse form of expression for people from all over the world. There are street artists in nearly every country in the world who are influenced and inspired by a multitude of cultures and styles. This has resulted in a wide and diverse body of urban or street art found all over the world.
I Must not write on the walls
Piece done by ‘Pure Evil’
Done by steeet artist , JAZ (Argentina)
Street art is a way for many people, and in particular minority urban youth, to express themselves.
JackFox was born in the 1998, the street artist based in Cape Town, South Africa.
2. Mystery &Intrigue
There are so many questions when you’re a street art lover! Who did it? Why did someone put this work there? What does it mean? Does it even mean anything?
But with the invention of Instagram it’s now easier than ever to find artists’ official profiles and learn more about their work and why they do what they do. But a lot of street artists prefer to remain anonymous or use aliases for both privacy and legal reasons. There are also still artists who don’t even tag their work so the intrigue and mystery lives on.
This mode of expression allows them to feel part of the community through an investment of the tag name on public property.
Today, street art is a widespread feature of the Mother City, decorating homes and buildings with brightly colored murals, and smaller artworks that are equally captivating.
First piece of Conform we saw on the tour
The time is now
Cape Town street art emerged in the Cape Flats during the 1980s, an expansive area southeast of the city, where people of color were forced to move following the Group Areas Act.
Doing a street art walking tourn in Woodstock, South-Africa.
3. Political or Social Statements
Graffiti and street art has always had a history of being influenced by the present political and social issues. A lot of people have painted on the walls and buildings in their cities as a form of anonymous political protest.
Some political statements are quite controversial; scrawled illegally and boldly in various countries and for various reasons. When people feel they have no power or influence but want to express their anger, hatred or defiance towards political injustice, this kind of art happens. But it is still a peaceful kind of protest.
My friend Lara admiring piece of art by DALeast
DALeast studied sculpture at the Institute of Fine Arts and began doing art on public space at 2004.
DALeast was born in China, 1984. His work is a reflection of his fascination by how the spiritual world unfolds and the infinite space around.
Here in the Cape, these works enable a spectacular form of expression that allows everyone to benefit.
Many works are commissioned by the city, while other pieces have a somewhat more covert presence.
A packs of wolves running across the studio walls by artist DALeast
DALeast uses different mediums, methods, disciplines and spaces to create his works.
Generally seen as a nuisance and illegal activity, street art has become a popular way to deal with current issues and beautify decaying areas around the city.
4. Colourful surroundings = Happier Life
Art in the street makes people happy and can cheer them up. Street art makes their day and their commute more interesting and adds character to what would otherwise just be grey and boring. Art reminds people to feel alive. It’s there to beautify a space. It wakes people up, inspires and motivates them. And sometimes it can make people think.
It may have some broader social commentary, or just be there to bring some chaos to the establishment. Street art takes the ‘normal’ and makes it a thousand times more interesting.Even if you live in poverty, there’s something about bright colors and beautiful art that seems to fill the area with a contagious, buoyant optimism.
While simple forms of graffiti are often thought to be a sign of urban blight, graffiti can be transformed into tremendous works of art in some cases by talented graffiti artists.
Woodstock, South-Africa, Street Art
I just have this inmune system
Woodstock, South-Africa, Street Art
Woodstock, South-Africa, Street Art
Nard Star is a Cape Town based graffiti and street artist
5. Sense of Community
Street art is important to keep urban areas and their residents energized and inspired. In some areas artists and building owners come together to foster the creation of artwork that can be viewed as beautifying and reviving a city, rather than destroying it.
In some cities independent graffiti murals are designed and implemented by artists with a personal connection to the neighborhood in which they are installed. In many of the cases these pieces are created with the permission of the building owner. This relationship can then help develop positive interactions between businesses and members of their community. It is a very cost-effective way both to keep surfaces free from vandalism and to create visual cues to residents that the place they call home is desirable.
Woodstock is one of the foremost areas for street art in Cape Town.
Many of the businesses in the area are adorned with street art, and a host of impressive murals can be seen around the suburb.
If you take a walk or drive anywhere in the Mother City, you are likely to encounter at least one amazing piece of graffiti.
Many people who do graffiti are just normal people trying to make a statement.
Done by artist ‘inkfam’
Woodstock, South-Africa, Street Art
Piece done by artist ‘Conform’
Next time you travel somewhere, take some time to explore the street art of that city. You will undoubtedly be led of the normal tourist path, but I am sure you will be surprised by what you find.
The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest surviving building in South Africa and has been the centre of civilian, political and military life in the Cape since 1666.
Cape Town’s Castle of Good Hope
Cape Town’s Castle of Good Hope
Cape Town’s Castle of Good Hope
Cape Town’s Castle of Good Hope
View of Table mountain from the Castle
Me at the Castle of Good hope
Lying beneath the imposing silhouette of the iconic Table Mountain, the Castle of Good Hope is a priceless piece of Cape History. To really get an authentic taste and grasp of the Mother City’s beginnings, this should be on every traveller’s to-see list.
“The journey not the arrival matters.” –T.S. Eliot
A beautiful sight, having this beautiful creatures drinking water a couple of meters from the camp.
Doing wildlife watching from Shindzela camp. Elephants require a huge amount water on a daily basis; about 18 to 26 gallons but they may consume up to 40 gallons.
The elephant’s trunk contains an estimated 100,000 muscles and tendons.
Recent studies show how important feeling part of nature is to our physical and mental health. I have personally found this to be quite true and think that a connection with nature makes us healthier and happier people. I always feel better or rejuvenated after spending some time out in nature.
Cape Point actually lies within the same national park as the famous Table Mountain – aptly named Table Mountain National Park.
The Cape Point section of Table Mountain National Park covers approximately 20% of the national park, and on a clear day you can see the back of Table Mountain from various vantage points.
The air at Cape Point is among the purest in the world, and thus it is home to one of Global Research Watch’s (GAW) atmospheric research stations.
Cape Point is home to an array of different animals but due to the vegetation, there are not large herds.
The Cape Floral Region makes up only 0.5% of Africa, and yet it is home to more than 20% of the continent’s plants.
The Cape Peninsula’s rich and diverse plant life has earned it eight World Heritage Site accolades from UNESCO
Just an hour’s drive from the bustle and buzz of downtown Cape Town lies a large and peaceful reserve: Cape Point
Here are my top 5 reasons why nature is good for you.
(All of these photos were taken on a recent trip I went on to the Cape Point Nature Reserve. It is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa.)
Out in Nature at Cape Point Nature Reserve
1. Sunny Skies = Vitamin D, which Helps Your Body Function More Efficiently
While working sometimes a day or two passes without us actually stepping a foot outside. I try to work in a morning walk into my daily routine, to get some fresh air and hopefully some much needed sun. Vitamin D is crucial to humans, helping to prevent disease and infection and improving bone health. It can also elevate mood and reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and more. Vitamin D also improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure by literally relaxing your blood vessels.And all we need to do to get more of this vitamin is to spend a bit more time out in the sun.
Me at Cape Point Nature Reserve
Nicknamed the ‘Cape of Storms’ by the legendary explorer Bartholomew Diaz, this dangerous section of coast was a welcome navigational point by day, but a menacing obstacle course of fog, hidden rocks and raging thunderheads at night.
a daytrip to Cape Point is filled with dramatic scenery, fantastic hiking trails, deserted beaches and reach-for-your-camera views.
countless sailors and trusty vessels have met their deaths.
Just an hour’s drive from the bustle and buzz of downtown Cape Town lies a large and peaceful reserve: Cape Point – one of the most scenically spectacular parks in the whole of South Africa.
Recognised as a World Heritage Site, the immaculately preserved stretch of land and the ocean that fans out from its base are also responsible for generating a hearty slice of South African maritime lore.
2. Natural Light Normalizes Your Sleep Schedule
Did you know that getting a good dose of sunlight can also help you feel refreshed and relaxed by helping regulate your body’s melatonin production? This is because the sunlight helps regulate Melatonin, a hormone that controls your body’s internal clock (basically, it makes you sleepy). I find that I have trouble falling asleep and suffer from insomnia if I don’t get enough sunlight for prolonged periods of time. Sunlight, especially in the morning, helps regulate your internal biological clock, making it much easier for you to get a good night’s sleep—and wake feeling rejuvenated.
The reserve is fenced due to the variety of wildlife and here you will find and abundance of buck, baboons, Cape Mountain Zebra and over 250 species of bird.
Recognised as a World Heritage Site, the immaculately preserved stretch of land and the ocean that fans out from its base are also responsible for generating a hearty slice of South African maritime lore.
With vistas so breathtaking they seem hijacked from Hollywood’s “Pirates of the Caribbean”, and with an edge-of-the-world allure astounding enough to render nearby urban civilisation almost inconceivable, Cape Point is beyond a doubt one of South Africa’s most magnificent sightseeing and tourist attractions.
Replete with scenic hikes, deserted wild beaches perfect for picnicking, vibrant tidal pools (Bordjiesrif and Buffels Bay) and breathtaking bike paths, the Cape Point Nature
There is a diverse selection of fauna and flora and dense fynbos valleys.
a broad assortment of animal life that ranges from the nearly extinct bontebok to the deadly Cape cobra, call this home.
Easy to reach by car or tour this scenic drive will leave you breathless.
3. Nature Changes Your Brain – For the Better
We all spend more time staring at the bluish glare of our laptop screens than we do appreciating a good sunrise. Spending time in nature is great for concentration, mood, and offers a general mental boost. Just strolling around outside doesn’t really require any elaborate thinking or action, which is great for your mind.
I find the sound of the ocean often puts me in a relaxed and meditative state. A walk in nature, produces calming and beneficial results for our brains making it easier to think clearly and concentrate on tasks.
Cape Point is one of the country’s most popular tourist sites
4: Get some exercise. Become a Fitter, Healthier You
I’m a firm believer in the idea that nature is good for one’s health. Being out in nature often involves some form of physical activity, whether it be strolling through the park, biking through the mountains, or an exciting river raft ride. This activity both improves physical fitness and our overall health
While I’m out in nature, I usually notice a mixture of people, ranging from relaxed strollers to those who are hoping to burn calories or get fit. I think that’s one of the most beautiful things about nature—all the different ways that you can use it while you enjoy some beautiful scenery along the way.
The Portuguese government erected two prominent crosses at Cape Point that serve as a navigational aid – when lined up, the crosses point to Whittle Rock which was a major shipping hazard in False Bay.
Easy to reach by car or tour this scenic drive will leave you breathless.
Even though on a clear day you feel as if you could see to Antarctica from Cape Point, it is at least 6,000 kilometres away.
Cape Point Nature Reserve
There are two other beacons in nearby Simon’s Town that provide the intersection point.
5. Happiness!!
Let’s face it, being in nature just makes us all happier in general. The great outdoors changes brain chemistry in a positive way, improves mood, decreases stress, provides opportunities for fun, and is simply downright beautiful.
All this ends up making for a happier and, thus, healthier you.
Even though on a clear day you feel as if you could see to Antarctica from Cape Point, it is at least 6,000 kilometres away.
Whenever I go for a walk through the streets of cape Town on a Sunday morning I hardly see any people. The city feels deserted and alien compared to the busy, bustling city it becomes during the week.
Early morning a hawker pushing his cart to someplace where he will sell his goods for the day
Love in the City of Cape Town
Lazy Sunday walk in Cape Town
In front of a local bookshop
The building where I lived for two years in cape Town
Cape Town’s climate is on par with California and the Mediterranean.
Parliament square in the city center
Lazy Sunday walk in Cape Town
View of table mountain
The district 6 museum
Cape Town was appointed the best place in the world to visit by the New York Times in 2014
The streets are quiet this early in the morning
Cape Town was the first city outside Europe to get Blue Flag status due to its high water quality, fantastic facilities, safety and cleanliness.
Lazy Sunday walk in Cape Town
Lazy Sunday walk in Cape Town
Walking along Sea point
Street art in the Bo-Kaap
Lazy Sunday walk in Cape Town
At the top of Long street
Lazy Sunday walk in Cape Town
Lazy Sunday walk in Cape Town
Every year, thousands of tourists flock to Cape Town to experience the eclectic mix of cultures, it’s history and breathtaking scenery.
Beautiful Long street
Approximately 3.5-million people live in Cape Town, South Africa’s second most-populated city.
Lazy Sunday walk in Cape Town
Lazy Sunday walk in Cape Town
Cape Town was founded in 1652 when Jan van Riebeeck of the Dutch East India Company based in The Netherlands arrived to set up a halfway point for ships travelling to the East.
The city of Cape Town seems to be ‘closed’ on a Sunday morning.
If you love gardens then Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden should be top of your list of gardens to visit in Africa. It has a reputation as the most beautiful garden in Africa and one of the great botanic gardens of the world. But I imagine that few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of the setting of Kirstenbosch set against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain.
Two animal bronzes by Dylan Lewis can be found at the Centre for Home Gardening.
I took my mom and Brother for a visit.
It was the first botanic garden in the world to be devoted to a country’s indigenous flora.
Kirstenbosch is the largest of a country-wide network of nine National Botanical Gardens administered by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).
Kirstenbosch displays a wide variety of the unique plant life of the Cape Flora, also known as fynbos
Kirstenbosch was established in 1913 to promote, conserve and display the extraordinarily rich and diverse flora of southern Africa,
Kirstenbosch lies in the heart of the Cape Floristic Region, also known as the Cape Floral Kingdom
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden lives up to its reputation as the most beautiful garden in Africa and one of the great botanic gardens of the world.
The Kirstenbosch Estate borders the Table Mountain National Park, and the Garden merges seamlessly with the natural fynbos and forest of the mountain.
Kirstenbosch, the most beautiful garden in Africa
Kirstenbosch, the most beautiful garden in Africa
I have visited this beautiful garden a couple of times now and each time I am amazed by the wide variety of the unique plant life of the Cape Flora, known as fynbos. Spring and summer is definitely my favourite time here as a lot of the fynbos is in bloom and the garden is filled with bright colours.
Kirstenbosch is adjacent to the Table Mountain National Park, and both form part of the Cape Floristic Region Protected Area that was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
My brother in fromn of one of the bronze statues
Kirstenbosch, the most beautiful garden in Africa
That is my mom in the distance
Kirstenbosch, the most beautiful garden in Africa
Bronze by Dylan Lewis. He is among the most highly regarded figurative sculptors working with the animal form today.
There are two main vegetation types in the natural area of Kirstenbosch: fynbos and forest. The natural area can be explored via a number of walks and trails.
Table Mountain is home to a rich insect life and butterflies are plentiful during summer.
The Kirstenbosch estate covers 528 hectares, of which 36 ha is cultivated and the rest is a protected area supporting natural forest and fynbos, and a wide variety of indigenous birds, animals, reptiles, frogs and invertebrates.
Kirstenbosch, the most beautiful garden in Africa
Few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of the setting of Kirstenbosch, against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain.
More than just a garden, Kirstenbosch is part of a nature reserve.
The 36 hectare garden is part of a 528 hectare estate that contains protected mountainside supporting natural forest and fynbos along with a variety of animals and birds.
“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” – Seneca
A female lion (lioness), which is smaller in size than the male, leads a pride.
Lions belong to the cat family of animals known as feline (Felidae), they are the second largest of the big cats behind the tigers.
A lion can leap to about 36 feet, run 50 mph over short distances, and when it walks, its heels do not touch the ground.
Lions in the wild have a lifespan of between 10 to 16 years, while those in captivity or zoo can live for up to 30 years.
Lions mate all through the year. The female carries a pregnancy for 110 days (gestation period) before giving birth to 3 to 4 babies called cubs.
When lions roar, the sound can be heard over a distance of 5 miles.
Female lions are nocturnal and are therefore able to hunt at night. They hunt in a team which makes it easier for them to get their prey.
Lions do not always hunt for food; sometimes they steal food from hyenas and wild dogs using their higher strength and number to chase the food owners away.
Female lions do most of the hunting, but surprisingly, it’s the male that eat the prey first before the female.
The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, is South Africa’s most-visited destination. It is usually quite crowded, but Sundays are more managable and great for an afternoon of walking aound this harbour with all its shops and restaurants.
Me with my mom, dad and one brother
V & A Waterfront, Cape Town
V & A Waterfront, Cape Town
V & A Waterfront, Cape Town
Over 450 retail stores – diverse offering of local and international brands that guarantee something for everyone shopping in Cape Town, irrespective of taste or budget.
Set against a backdrop of magnificent sea and mountain views, exciting shopping and entertainment venues are intermingled with imaginative office locations, world-class hotels and luxury apartments in the residential marina.
The old world charm of the historical harbour meets the most modern shopping experience
Situated between Robben Island and Table Mountain in the heart of Cape Town’s working harbour, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has become South Africa’s most visited destination.
Over 80 restaurants – Whether you are looking for a quick bite from our world-class food market or a more leisurely experience at some of our unique fine dining restaurants
Variety of leisure activities and attractions that includes helicopter rides, leisure boat cruises, stand-up paddling, live entertainment, visit the Two Oceans Aquarium or take a ride on the Cape Wheel.
V&A Waterfront is home to 22 historical landmarks, learn about the rich history with our Guided V&A Waterfront Historical Walking Tour or the Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour.
V & A Waterfront, Cape Town
My mom and I chilling at the Waterfront
At the forefront of the Waterfront you will find the picturesque working harbour which provides a mooring for passenger liners.
V & A Waterfront, Cape Town
V & A Waterfront, Cape Town
Art at the Waterfront
V & A Waterfront, Cape Town
This sculptural square pays tribute to four South African Nobel Peace Laureates; Nkosi Albert Luthuli, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela. These four remarkable men fought for their beliefs, even during times of struggle and hardship.
V & A Waterfront, Cape Town
V & A Waterfront, Cape Town
Music at the Waterfront
V & A Waterfront, Cape Town
Whether a Champagne Tour or Sunset Cruise – at the Waterfront you will find a number of charter boats with various services.
The V&A Waterfront has a wide range of modern shops, a host of restaurants, banks, money exchange bureaus and entertainment all of which can be safely explored on foot.
V & A Waterfront, Cape Town
Reminiscent of the mammoth London Eye in the UK, the Cape Wheel is an observation wheel that continues to awe visitors that are exploring the Mother City of Cape Town.
Boat trips around the harbour and along the coast are always popular.
Find boutique stores, fine dining restaurants, food markets, cruise boats, museums, and more
The Maritime Museum focuses on the history of shipping from prehistoric times to the present day.
There are over 80 restaurants at the waterfront bringing a fusion of international food, from more casual burger joints or fresh fish & chips to smart a la carte cuisine or sushi.
A beautiful piece done in a parkinglot of Woodstock, Cape Town in South-Africa. You can see Table Mountain peeking out in the background
Woodstock is definitely fast becoming known as Cape Town’s street art hotspot. The neighbourhood is adorned with pieces by both local and international artists, ranging in subject from social commentary to animal rights activism. Some have been around for years, while new ones are being added all the time.
Since the beginning of time art has been used to inspire, express a message or convey a story that hopefully will evoke the emotions and thoughts of those who visually perceive it.
A tag is what represents the graffiti artist (like a personal signature)
Unlike painting on one’s private canvas, street art is public and subject to being covered by a competing artist, so you never really know how long a piece is going to remain visible.
Me in front of one of Conform’s latest pieces of art.
One of Cape Town’s oldest suburbs, Woodstock has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years from a run down town filled with litter, crime and drugs, to becoming a hip neighbourhood with trendy restaurants, offices and boutiques.
Woodstock is an area in transition – the lower part has always been poorer and rougher – but with absolutely fabulous architecture.
I am an avid art lover and in the past couple of years have come to learn about and appreciate street art. This is a small taste of the beautiful street art that the City of Cape town in South-Africa has to offer.
First piece of Conform we saw on the tour
Our tour guide for the street art walking tour
While you can absolutely take yourself on a street art walking tour of Woodstock, the experience is enriched with the correct context applied to each work.
The result is over 100 murals and installations by 40 artists, with topics ranting from the political, to the ecological and educational.
With the lofty goal to change the neighbourhood through beautiful, socially conscious murals, They have invited established artists from all over the world to contribute to the project.
While you can absolutely take yourself on a street art walking tour of Woodstock, the experience is enriched with the correct context applied to each work.
The regeneration of Woodstock comes in part thanks to the Woodstock street art project that began in 2009, where locals like our walking tour guide, decided to take art from its traditional setting indoors, to the great outdoors.
As you walk through the streets of Woodstock in Cape Town you will be amazed at the amount of street art you will find. It is quite difficult to choose a favourite artist or even a favourite piece of art. The best way to see the art and learn about the artists is to so a guided street art tour. I have now done this twice and would gladly do it again.
This is definitely my favourite piece!!
The murals are painted all over the streets – on fences, houses and shops. “Permission is asked and rarely denied”
All the pieces here are done by the street artists Wayne BKS, of which Conform is but one of his aliases. He is South-African born and loves painting pieces with a minimalist African/south American feel.
The success of the Woodstock street art project is evident in the vibrant atmosphere to be found in the streets and converted warehouses, which are filled with young professionals, urban hipsters and plenty of tourists.
At birth, baby rhinos, which are called calves, are still quite big, at40 to 64 kg. And only 10 minutes after it appears it can already stand upright, a couple of hours later it begins to suck. The rhino calf is born without a horn. Its only protection comes from its mother, who seems to delight in caring for her new addition. At around 3 years old, the calf will set out on its own.
These brilliant beasts are known for their awesome, giant horns that grow from their snouts – hence the name “rhinoceros’, meaning “nose horn”.
The white rhino is the largest rhino species and can weigh over 3500 kg (7700 lb) and is the largest land mammal after the elephant. Elephants can grow to be 7,000 kg (15,000 lb)
Rhino skin maybe thick but it can be quite sensitive to sunburns and insect bites which is why they like wallow so much – when the mud dries it acts as protection from the sunburns and insects.
Despite their huge size and strength, these bulky beasts don’t prey on other animals for food. They’re herbivores, and instead like to munch on lots of grass and plants at night, dawn and dusk.
Once they leave, they will go and find a territory of their own. This is not always easy, since rhinos do not share their territory with others. Therefore, the young rhino needs to be able to look after itself as it searches for territory, and to defend itself against other rhinos that want to compete for space.
The rhino’s horn is not bone and is not attached to its skull; it is also not hollow like elephant tusks. It is actually a compacted mass of hairs that continues to grow throughout the animal’s lifetime, just like our own hair and nails.
When a greater one-horned rhino is threatened it slashes and gouges with its long, sharp incisors and canine teeth of its lower jaw.
A group of rhinoceros is called a ‘herd’ or a ‘crash’.
Lions are the second largest big cat species in the world (behind tigers).
Male lions are responsible for defending the pride’s territory. They will roar and use scent markings to declare their territory.
Such a magnificent creature
You can guess the age of a male lion by the color of its mane. The darker the mane, the more mature the lion is.
Lions are known as the king of the jungle. Something that doesn’t really make sense as there are no lions in a jungle. The thing that really scares me is that lions can reach speeds of up to 81 kph in short bursts. This was not a very soothing thought as we were surrounded by a pack of lions while on our safari.
Young lion just chillin
she jumps and goes around the front of the vehicle
Coming towatds us….
We drove down into this riverbed following a lion or two and suddenly the whole pack came walking up the dry riverbed. The watched us a bit and then kept us in sight as they passed and surrounded us. One of the young lions even charged us a bit and looked like he wanted to leap up on to the vehicle.
Most lions found in the wild live in southern and eastern parts of Africa
Lionesses are better hunters than males and do most of the hunting for a pride.
These two young lions were foolling around
Even in play I can see their strenght
Lions can reach speeds of up to 81 kph (50 mph) but only in short bursts because of a lack of stamina.
I was amazed that the guide, which happened to be my younger brother, was still calmly taking photos and just enjoying this sight. It was amazing being this close to them but at the same time very very scary and I just wanted us to please back up and away before we got eaten. I didn’t know if I should be on the lookout or taking photos….and it felt like they were all watching us, just biding their time before they charged.
A young male watching the pack moving
They are all keeping an eye on us
He is coming closer and watching us as he does
Look at how close they were to us!!
The pride starts to move
Two of the lions were fooling around, chasing each other and you could see the power in those paws as they swiped at each other. I didn’t even realise I was holding my breath until we were backed out of the dry river bed and at a safe distance from these majestic creatures again.
This is one of the old females
You can see how old this lioness is
Finally they are leaving
A young male keeping an eye on us as we are sitting just meters away from him
One of the interesting facts we learnt was that an elephant eats up to 300 kg per day, which means each elephant generates about 100kg of manure every day!!!
The African bush has so much to offer, from huge elephants to tiny dung-beetles. I love that everything in nature works in harmony. Out in the bush there is an ecosystem where everything is inter-dependent on everything else. Consequently there is no wasted time, energy or even dung as everything is connected.
When dung beetles do carry or roll the dung away, they do so primarily to feed their young
Dung beetles are one of the few groups of insects that exhibit parental care for their young.
Many dung beetles specialize on the dung of particular animals, or types of animals, and simply will not touch the poo of other critters.
When it comes to poop, the fresher the better (at least from the dung beetle’s perspective).
One of the interesting facts we learnt was that an elephant eats up to 300 kg per day, which means each elephant generates about 100kg of manure every day!!! The elephant’s waste is a source of sustenance for the little Dung Beetles. They collect up the elephant dung into a ball and then roll it to a destination where they bury it. They then climb into the ball of dung with their mate and it is here where they reproduce. The dung beetle larva are then born inside this ball of dung.
But it’s not easy to roll a ball of poop in a straight line, especially when you’re pushing your ball from behind using your hind legs.
With so many dung beetles vying for the same pile of poop, a beetle needs to make a quick getaway once he’s rolled his dung ball.
This is such a classic example of how all the species within the bush are inter-dependent on each other for their survival. The dung-beetle depends on the elephants, the grasslands depend on the dung-beetle for sustenance during winter and so on.
Male dung beetles need exceptional strength, not just for pushing dung balls but also for fending off male competitors.
Even a small ball of fresh dung can be hefty to push, weighing 50 times the weight of the determined dung beetle.
I just love the harmony of nature.
The elephant’s waste is a source of sustenance for the little Dung Beetles.
The herd emerged and continued straight towards us
As the herd headed towards us my heart started pumping faster
Male adult elephants need over 70,000 calories each day. That’s as many calories as you’d find in 127 Big Mac sandwiches!
Humans are known to kill elephants for their ivory tusks.
The average lifespan for an elephant is 60-70 years.
We got really up close to a huge herd of Elephants. The herd approached us from the front and then walked past us. I am sure that if I really wanted to touch one of them I could have just reached out. It was amazing being surrounded by these beautiful majestic creatures and an experience I will always treasure.
Female elephants live in troops. One old mom is in charge. She decides where to sleep and look for food. All the mama elephants help take care of the babies. Male elephants usually live alone.
Elephants take care of each other. If one elephant is sick, other elephants will stay with it.
Elephants form deep family bonds and live in tight matriarchal family groups of related females called a herd. The herd is led by the oldest and often largest female in the herd, called a matriarch. Even though the elephant that walked right to us was a female, she was still extremely intimidating.
Scientists discovered that elephants sing. They use an ultrasound rumble too low for humans to hear to keep the heard together and to find mates.
Elephants can be dangerous if frightened or angered.
Herds consist of 8-100 individuals depending on terrain and family size. I did not count how many elephants were in this herd but I am sure it was more than 25.
First glimpse of a tiny baby in this huge herd
They spend 16 hours a day eating.
Elephants are herbivores meaning they only eat plants and vegetables no meat.
The herd just kept on coming!
When a calf is born, it is raised and protected by the whole matriarchal herd. This small calf was safe between two females and they made sure that he did not venture close to us. Males leave the family unit between the ages of 12-15 and may lead solitary lives or live temporarily with other males.
The baby or calf is protected at all times
A male elephant is called a bull.
Elephants are around 200 pounds when they are born. That’s one big baby!
This was definitely one of the top amazing moments I had in the Timbavati.
Males will leave the herd as they become adolescent, around the age of 12, and live in temporary “bachelor herds” until they are mature enough to live alone.
Elephant brains weigh 5 kg, much more than the brain of any other land animal.
Elephants can get sunburned, and protect themselves by throwing sand on their backs and their head.
An elephant uses its trunk to lift food and suck up water, then pour it into its mouth.
An elephant can use its tusks to dig for ground water.
No matter what the movies taught you, elephants don’t like peanuts.
Elephants can swim – they use their trunk to breathe like a snorkel in deep water.
Male elephants are normally solitary and move from herd to herd.
This is a collection of some of the beautiful birds that I got to see in the Timbavati Nature Reserve. I was on Safari for 4 days at Shindzela Lodge and got to see some amazing animals.
Water Thicknee
Timbavati Private Game Reserve
red crested korhaan
Caught the red crested korhaan as he was calling out
woodlands kingfisher
woodlands kingfisher
Grey go-away-bird
woodlands kingfisher
Black shouldered kite
brown snake eagle
brown snake eagle sitting above a nest
Bateleur
Whalbergs eagle
woodlands kingfisher
Little bee-eater
Dark Chanting Goshawk
I actually got a shot of the bird catching a piece of bread!
