While we have been driving to my aunt and uncle in Mpumalanga for around two decades, this time we decided to take the picturesque route. It is probably more communally referred to as the dirt road – yes, it’s that road that everyone bypasses because…
Don’t be surprised if as you drive into a game park or nature reserve there is a sign asking you to switch off geotagging, especially if you’re going to be posting photographs on social media platforms. This is just another way to cause a black…
“Their tough, wrinkled, grey skin resembled the furrows and dongas of the African landscape. These gentle herbivores would eat large amounts of grass and the leaves of small shrubs. Depending on the species they could weigh up to three tons. They were characteristically known for…
Firstly, take a deep breath Secondly, appreciate its highest branches by averting your eyes skywards Thirdly, lovingly extend your arms as far as they will go Fourthly, hold onto the outstretched hands of loved ones, friends, strangers, anyone Fifthly, embrace it as tightly as you…
The heartland of Limpopo Province is the ideal location for Moholoholo: a game and nature reserve and its wildlife rehabilitations centre. It is cradled in the arms of the Drakensberg mountains. This animal sanctuary embraces wild animals that have been injured due to the unrestricted encroachment…
The Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre in Limpopo Province also rehabilitations cats of prey.
Tantalising smells allure me from a distance; the vivid colours of the produce draw me deeper into the inner workings of its core; the hustle enchants me, until I realise that I have been standing in the same place for over five minutes – allowing strangers…
The patchwork dhow harnessed the movement of the wind. One, two, three, four and another penetrated the surface of the thigh-high water at evenly spaced intervals. Commands rode upon the back of the wind and filled their ears causing muscles to clench in synchronised movements. Each hauled…
My two dear friends, Christina and Matthias, hosted me in Vienna for just over a week. So often capital citifies and popular travel destinations become synonymous with photographs of their must-see landmarks. In this post I hope to present Vienna’s from a different perspective, not…
Herzogshof Frescoes Herzogshof facade is truly striking: it is covered in frescoes depicting Greek and Roman gods. It was originally painted in 1742 by Johann Mayer, but since then has received multiple new coats of paint. It’s only a couple of hops and skips away…
Graz was already on my list of towns to visit while in Austria, but when my dear friend Rachel, with whom I worked in South Korea moved there with her husband, we decided to explore the city together. As the second largest city in Austria,…
Clock towers and fortress watchtowers are characteristic of many European cities. This panorama of Salzburg was taken from the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Museum Der Moderne, which is situated atop a precipitous granite cliff. Its location is truly spectacular and it calmly observes the the…
The rolling hills from Vienna to Salzburg were dotted with pastel-coloured gingerbread houses, which were sprinkled with icing sugar. Graceful snowflakes danced around me as I descended the train steps. The snow-capped Alps waved hello from a distance. The centre-ville enchanted me with its lucent…
I am visiting two very dear friends, Christina and Matthias, who live in central Vienna (or Wien in German). It’s my first time in Austria and I’ll be here for 11 days. Afterwards I’ll be heading to the university city and UNESCO World Heritage centre of…
I welcomed the new year from atop a mountain in Miedzybrodzie, not too far from Bielsko-Biala, where I was born. Growing up, I heard numerous stories from my parents of the carefree days they spent in the region with their friends as young adults.
The air was infused with the heavy scent of jasmine and roses. Conversation casually rolled off their tongues. Laughter interrupted, yet like the hands of a clock, their fingers continued holding blooms in place and intricately tying them in place. In Hindu tradition floral garlands…