China is definitely filled with beautiful temples and fabulously manicured gardens. Walking through these tranquil gardens on these hot summer days is such a peaceful experience. We spent the morning walking through this beautiful gardens enjoying the sunny weather and the cool the shade provides.
Yu yuan Garden was finished in 1577 by a government officer of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) named Pan Yunduan. Yu in Chinese means pleasing and satisfying, and this garden was specially built for Pan’s parents as a place for them to enjoy a tranquil and happy time in their old age.
Yu Yuan Gardens in Shanghai
Yu Yuan Gardens in Shanghai
In the 400 years of existence, Yuyuan Garden had undergone many changes. During the late Ming Dynasty, it became very dilapidated with the decline of Pan’s family. In 1760, some rich merchants bought it and spent more than 20 years reconstructing the buildings. During the Opium War of the 19th century, it was severely damaged. The garden we got to explore is the result of a five year restoration project which began in 1956.
Dragons cover the tops of the walls in the Yu yuan Garden
Yu yuan Garden
Yu yuan Garden
Yu yuan Garden occupies an area of 20,000 square meters. The pavilions, halls, rockeries, ponds and cloisters all have unique characteristics.
Yu Yuan Gardens in Shanghai
Yu Yuan Gardens in Shanghai
As we entered the garden we encountered a rockery, which is called the Great Rockery. With a height of 14 meters, it is the largest as well as the oldest rockery in the southern region of the Yangtze River.
A small temple on top of the Great Rockery
Yu Yuan Gardens in Shanghai
Yu Yuan Gardens in Shanghai
Cuixiu Hall sits at the foot of the rockery. It is a quiet and elegant place surrounded by old trees and beautiful flowers.
Cuixiu Hall at the foot of this rockery
Cuixiu Hall
Sansui Hall was built in 1760 and was originally used to entertain guests. Later it became a place to hold ceremonies for the gentlemen and bookmen. With a height of nine meters and featuring five halls, it is the largest and most commodious structure in the garden. The name Sansui is derived from the book History of the later Han Dynasty, and means ‘propitious’ and ‘lucky’.
Mom relaxing in the Sansui Hall
Hallo Sansui Hall
Sansui Hall
We walked across the pond on the Yule Pavilion
Sansui Hall
Me in the Yule Pavilion
Wandering through the area of Yule Pavilion and Wanhua Chamber, we found numerous pavilions, corridors, streams and beautiful courtyards.
I am sure that your first thought upon hearing mindful + travel joined together is that its about being hyper-conscious and conscientious about each and every little detail of everything you’re doing when you’re on vacation or out there one the road. But that is not what I mean.
I believe that travelling is not just about capturing the perfect Instagram picture, or sharing our every moment on Facebook. Before social media we travelled differently. Of course we had our cameras and captured moments, but these moments were for ourselves, they were treasured memories not staged photographs to please our followers and gain more likes.
Me with the beautiful magnolia blossoms
It is Springtime in Shanghai!!
These days it is hard to escape the feeling that everyone is travelling and perhaps we are missing out. And that maybe travel has become more shallow than before. Is travelling really only about becoming famous on social media? Or making your Facebook friends jealous? Now more than ever, we need to take time to think about how we can be a mindful traveller, an admirer of earth. How can we get back to a more simple way of travel, like we enjoyed before Instagram and social media changed the way we travelled?
Magnolia Blossoms in Shanghai
Beautiful Magnolia blossoms in Shanghai
1. Take Your Time
Don’t rush. If everything you do and everywhere you go is rushed because you’re in a new place and want to see everything, chances are you won’t actually see anything. Take a deep breath and think about what you actually want to get out of the experience.
A peaceful morning spent in the park
Do you want to see everything as fast as you can? Or do you want to have real and meaningful experiences in this new place, build relationships with people, and create memories?
Take three conscious breaths and stop dead in your tracks long enough to notice where you actually are. Take your time to prioritize your own awareness and realize the significance of each place.
How to Be a Mindful Traveller
Enjoying one of the many parks found throughout Shanghai
2.Feel Each Step
Your body always exists in the present moment, whereas your brain can travel far from where you are. If you’re walking, notice each foot as it touches the ground, lifts and swings.
Notice the feel of the air on your skin. No need to make a big deal of it. Just enjoy the sensuality of being in your body. This awareness will help you remember how you actually felt as you travelled through a distant land, a new place, and a new culture.
How to Be a Mindful Traveller
Early morning in Shaghai
Bamboo forest!!
3.Savour Each Moment
Eating? Taste your food. Hiking? Breathe in the fresh mountain air. Talking with a local? Really listen to them and remember what they say. Looking at beautiful sites, landscapes, and world wonders? Don’t think of it as only something to capture for Instagram or to share on Facebook. Immerse yourself in the moment, and remember it.
Peacefulness in Shanghai
A peaceful spot to sit and read for a while
How to Be a Mindful Traveller
Me in blossom filled Shanghai
4.Get Local
Don’t forget why you travel. To experience something new! The ability to go to a new place and remove yourself from your own cultural upbringing and constraints is a perfect way to practice acute awareness. Notice the subtle differences and embrace them.
The sound of water is very relaxing
A hideaway in the middle of the city
How to Be a Mindful Traveller
5. Relax and Rest
Put away those devices for awhile and have some time that is not governed by schedules, deadlines, and the latest news and information. Drink in something that is timeless and simply cannot be captured on a screen.
Magnolia blossom
Magnolia filled lanes are found all over Shanghai
How to Be a Mindful Traveller
“One of the most powerful things you can do when you’re travelling is to let go and passionately wander. “
Nestled among nine other countries, Germany is an expansive paradise for travellers who love to be on the road. Its idyllic mountain scenery and lush countryside combined with deep pride in its automotive exports are a formula for some of the best driving conditions in the world. The diligence and care they take in the cars they produce are reflected in the pristine, perfectly maintained autobahn. Here are just four of many reasons why a road trip in Germany should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Go on a nostalgic journey through an enchanting Fairy Tale Route
The Fairy Tale Route is perfect for the young at heart, spanning from Hanau where the Brothers Grimm were born to Bremen. There are countless charming towns and villages along the way that still retain that picturesque medieval quality we associate with The Grimm Fairy Tales.
Some of the places you pass through actually featured in the stories – such as Hamelin, where the Pied Piper legend was born, Alsfeld, where Little Red Riding Hood’s house still stands, and Bad Wildungen, where Snow White lived.
Lovers of wine can follow a route dedicated to the beloved grape
The ‘Deutsche Weinstraße’ is the oldest wine route in Germany, having been established in 1935. It starts in Schweigen-Rechtenbach, on the border of France, continues throughout the stunning Rhineland-Palatinate vineyards and ends in Bockenheim an der Weinstraße.
From March through to October many places along the German Wine Route host some of the largest outdoor wine festivals in the world. Everyone from amateur wine drinkers to expert sommeliers can soak in the heritage and majesty of the wine-growing region.
Enjoy a thrilling driving experience with access to roads that have no speed limits
While there are certain stretches of road that do impose limits, Germany is the only country in Europe that has no official speed limit on motorways. Drivers go at speeds of up to 150mph and sometimes more, with the government believing people do not need to be micromanaged. For the ultimate road-trip make sure you choose the right car and have a clear plan of your route. If you do decide to drive fast, be sure to have read the relevant highway information and adhere to all regulations.
Spend a day in areas of astounding natural beauty like Lake Konigssee
The name means ‘Kings lake’ and at 190 meters, it is the deepest lake in Germany – surrounded by the steep cliffs of Mount Watzmann, all road trippers should wind down with a trip here. Fellow travellers recommend typing Hotel Bergheimat in Schonau am Konigssee into your navigation system. This brings you to the main road that leads into the Konigssee where there is a large area for designated parking that is close to the lakes and boats.
As well as the ones already mentioned, there are a number of routes in Germany that are connected by a theme. The roads are signposted clearly and provide road-trippers with tried and tested circuits that suit their interests.
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland is the perfect location to ‘get away from it all’. While driving along the Wild Atlantic Way of Ireland we spent the night in Rathmullan and the next morning walked along the Milford Sli na Slainte (path to health). With it’s wonderful beach and wooded hillsides we could relax and enjoy the quieter pace of life that is characteristic of smaller Irish villages.
The beautiful Beach of Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
So peacefull
The perfect day for a walk along the beach
Untouched beach….
The view we woke up to…busy making a cup of coffee before we start exploring
The Milford Sli na Slainte is a path that started at the pier and tookus all along the beautiful beach to a rocky outcrop at the mouth of a small river. After crossing the bridge over Maggie’s Burn we turned left onto the Fanad by-pass road. This road took us through the countryside, along pastures and woodland until we once again got back to the town centre.
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Exploring the rocky outcrops
Love the rocky outcrop
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Here are ten reasons why you should sling on your best walking shoes and explore the countryside:
Walking is free exercise. Walking is as close to free as it gets. You don’t need fancy shoes, or clothes, or equipment. If you head straight out your front door, a walk will only cost you some time and a little rubber off the bottom of your shoes. Many people are surprised to learn that walking is actually a serious form of exercise. Although you may not feel like you are working too hard, in just one mile you can burn off over 100 calories.
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
The weather started to turn a bit
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
A shell filled beach
Walking connects me with my surroundings. One can’t possibly notice the many small details of buildings and woodlands while driving. When you’re on foot, you notice all kinds of things you’d never notice in a car. I always thing of a walk as an opportunity to explore the area and to admire the scenery. I usually try to do some research beforehand and find out a bit about the area and always take my camera with.
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Leaving the beach
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Walking changes your perspective.You start to see where the environment is built for people, and where it’s built for cars. Cosy shops lining the street become more inviting. It’s while I’m walking that I notice the frost on the grass, or a rabbit hiding behind a tree, or the moon peeking out from behind the clouds.
Remember t stop and smell the flowers
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Walking inspires curiosity. Who built that building? What was it like then? Who uses it now? What is over that hill? Are those berries edible? Wouldn’t it be cool to have a coffee shop on that corner? You might not know where you’re headed, and that’s ok. Getting lost in nature is the bes thing ever!
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Reduce your carbon footprint.Many of us would like to make a personal contribution to climate change, and here is a simple way that you can… ditch those car keys in favour of walking shoes and avoid carbon emissions completely. Every trip (however short) you take on foot is one you aren’t taking in your car. That’s good for you, and it’s good for the environment.
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Free your brain. Anxiety, stress, and mental healthissues are common issues that people face in today’s society. Walking is a perfect way to zone-out, de-stress and rid yourself of all the negative thoughts in your mind from the day. A brief walk can melt mental fatigue, improve memory, and even help stave off the progress of Alzheimer’s disease. Taking a walk is a great way to leave all the worry of the day behind.
The Irish countryside
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
It’s a Great Way to Enjoy the Weather.Summers are short and oh so sweet. I just can’t wait to get outside, and while I haven’t figured out how to be able to spend all day on a blanket at the park, walking somewhere gives me a great excuse to savor a few sweet moments of sunshine. I have nothing against the other seasons. I love rainy spring walks, and crisp fall walks. I even love bundling up for an icy winter walk, especially late at night. Every season (and day, for that matter) has its moments. Walking gives you a chance to soak them up.
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Ruins found in the countryside
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Its Great for Your Creativity. English wordsmith William Wordsworth is said to have spent much of his life on foot, walking. Henry David Thoreau often walked up to 20 miles at a time before he put pen to paper. Virginia Woolf was a regular walker. In fact, there’s a very long list of writers who considered walking part of their craft. If you’re a creative type, the walking path might just lead to enlightenment.
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Irish sheep!!
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
The Irish countryside
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
It’s an Excuse to Get Some Ice Coffee. Walking is a great excuse to pick up a cup of ice coffee to enjoy along the way. At least you’re burning some of those calories, right?
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
Rathmullan, situated in County Donegal, Ireland
It’s the Perfect Time do do Some Reflecting. We often think of meditation as something that happens when you’re sitting still, but in reality, that’s very hard to do. The washing machine will chime. The phone will ring. Your neighbours will make noise. If you walk, your brain will be able to do its quiet wandering with less distraction.
I think that a walk through a beautiful flower filled garden has the same kind of therapy as a day off. While visiting my Parents in England I am getting to explore some of the beautiful gardens the countryside has to offer. The two of us spent a whole afternoon walking around West Acre Gardens in Norfolk. It is in a lovely old walled garden where the plants are well cared for and even labelled in most places. Unfortunately England has been having a very hot and unusually dry summer so far and you can see that the plants are suffering.
My mother exploring West Acre Garden with me
Me at West Acre garden!!
Entering the garden
West Acre Garden in Norfolk
The wall surrounding the garden
You enter the garden through an overgrown gate, I felt like I was entering a secret garden. Many of the original features of the garden still grace it with a sense of timelessness. I spend most of my afternoon trying to capture the bumblebees on the different flowers. It was quite disturbing that there were not a lot of butterflies in the garden. I am seeing a lot less butterflies in the UK this year compared to previous visits.
A Fat bumblebee!
West Acre Garden in Norfolk
West Acre Garden in Norfolk
West Acre Garden in Norfolk
Pollen covered bumblebee
West Acre Garden in Norfolk
The garden has a variety of shrubs and trees, grasses and bamboos, and beautiful brightly coloured flowers. The gardens are planted to give ideas and inspiration to gardeners working with all types of garden conditions, from hot and dry to shady and everything in between. After a walk through the garden you can always visit the beautiful nursery and buy some of the plants that caught your eye.
West Acre Garden in Norfolk
West Acre Garden in Norfolk
Bumblebee!!
Which other garden in Norfolk or Cambridgeshire would you recommend for a visit?
1. Bumble bees use their wings to cool down their nests. Since bumble bees can flap their wings 200 times per second, they are able to use their wings as fans to reduce the heat inside their nests. This technique is called fanning.
Some Random Bumblebee facts
Norfolk, England
Some Random Bumblebee facts
2. Bumble bees are picky about the flowers they collect nectar from. When it comes to flowers, bumble bees have two favourite colours – blue and violet. They’ll often fly to a flower that’s either of those colours over one that’s any other colour. Their preference isn’t due to how the flower looks, though. It’s due to the fact that the violet and blue flowers are often the most nectar-rich (and therefore, the most beneficial to them).
A nice close sapture
Little fuzzy creatures
Some Random Bumblebee facts
They really dont stay still for too long
Some Random Bumblebee facts
3.Queen bees control the genetics of their offspring. Male bumblebees have only one chromosome, and no father. To produce a son, a queen bee merely has to lay an unfertilized egg. To have daughters—who make up the entirety of a bee workforce—a queen bee fertilizes her eggs with sperm she’s been storing since the previous summer.
Me trying to capture bumblebee pictures
Some Random Bumblebee facts
Some Random Bumblebee facts
4. Bumblebees don’t die when they sting. That’s just a thing in honeybees. So yes, a bumblebee can sting you twice. However, male bumblebees don’t have a stinger at all, and female bumblebees aren’t very aggressive. Although they are quite large insects they’re relatively harmless, and will only sting if provoked.
Bumblebees of Norfolk, England
Bumblebees of Norfolk, England
Bumblebees of Norfolk, England
5. The Populations Of Some British Bumblebees Declined. Bumblebees requiring very specific habitats, foraging and food have suffered greatly due to habitat destruction. For example, those relying on grasslands and meadows have suffered due to changing land management practices, the industrialisation of farming, destruction of hedgerows etc. In addition to habitat loss, all bees face the challenge of pesticide use across large areas of land.
I think that Bumblebees, those fat, fuzzy fliers are fascinating creatures. I love that I have come across them in almost every garden I have visited here in England this summer. I have spent some afternoons trying to capture these little creatures on film and believe me it is quite challenging as they do not sit still for very long. Here are some of my captures of bumblebees in Norfolk, England.
While on holiday here in England I have learnt quite a lot about these little fuzzy creatures.
Bumblebees, those fat, fuzzy fliers.
Me on the hunt for Bumblebees
Bumblebees, those fat, fuzzy fliers.
1. There are over 250 different kinds of bumblebee in the world – 25 of these live in the UK. But only six species of bumblebee are commonly seen in UK gardens.
Unfortunately two types of bumblebee have already completely disappeared from Britain (the Cullum’s bumblebee and the Short-haired bumblebee).
Bumblebees, those fat, fuzzy fliers.
Love their delicate wings
Yellow is such a cheerful colour
Bumblebees, those fat, fuzzy fliers.
2. A bumblebee flaps its wings 200 times per second.That’s a similar RPM to some motorcycle engines. Even hummingbirdscannot beat their wings more than a 50 times per second.
Bumblebees, those fat, fuzzy fliers.
Finally a close up of a bumblebee
Bumblebees, those fat, fuzzy fliers.
3. Bees have to eat a ton. Bumblebees have extremely fast metabolisms, so they have to eat almost continuously. “A bumblebee with a full stomach is only ever about 40 minutes from starvation”.
Bumblebees, those fat, fuzzy fliers.
Getting a little closer
Bumblebees, those fat, fuzzy fliers.
Bumblebees, those fat, fuzzy fliers.
Bumblebees, those fat, fuzzy fliers.
Bumblebees, those fat, fuzzy fliers.
4. Bumble bees have 5 eyes. Three of their eyes are smaller and located on the top of their head, and the other two are on the front of their head. They can see UV light but can’t see the colour red!
Bumblebees, those fat, fuzzy fliers.
Daisies!!
Bumblebees, those fat, fuzzy fliers.
5. Bumble bees have smelly feet. They are covered in an oily film so when they land on a flower, they leave their chemical signature behind. Other bees can smell these oily footprints left on flowers, and know not to land on the same place—the nectar’s already been pillaged. Bees also use these footprints as a sort of smelly “Welcome Home” mat; the scent helps them find their way back to the entrance of their nest.
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.
“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.
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.
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
