Today was our first game drive! Although it was HOT, I was VERY excited to see some of the animals I’ve been hoping to photograph!
First, though, we had to wake up and leave early so we would have time to explore in Etosha.
From an artistic standpoint, the photos that grab me the most are Reflection with the zebras mirrored in the water, the top of a Makgadikgadi cabin in Triangle, and the eerie photo of me holding a Knife. My favorite, though, is Arches. I walked downtown, thinking I would capture the archway at the entrance to Cheng Park. Given the park is at the corner of Marsh and Santa Rosa streets, it was difficult to capture the arch at a good angle without the sun shining into my camera. Sheila and I continued walking down Marsh and on the bridge over the creek, I noticed these three foot tall arches. I knelt down, snapped a photo, and played with the image on Lightroom. I love the way it turned out!
Another photo that speaks to me is Thankful, as Emmett picking apples from my friends Astrid and Dennis’ tree represents love, family, friendship, bounty, and nature.
Finally, for Work in Progress, I decided to set up my tripod and take a self-portrait. I am a work-in-progress. I’m learning, growing, trying, failing, succeeding, faltering, brushing myself off to try once again. I am, as Merriam-Webster would say, “a project that is not yet finished.”
November 1: Reflection
November 2: Wildlife
November 3: Purse
November 4: Macro
November 5: Penny for the Guy
November 6: N is for…
November 7: Street Photograph
November 8: Triangle
November 9: Bridge
November 10: What I am Wearing
November 11: Brown
November 12: Energy
November 13: Coins
November 14: Flying
November 15: Locks
November 16: Mushrooms
November 17: Church
November 18: Noodles
November 19: Balloons
November 20: Knife
November 21: Arches
November 22: Food
November 23: Tattoo
November 24: In a Row
November 25: Busy
November 26: Vegetables
November 27: Thankful
November 28: Work in Progress
November 29: Giving
November 30: Feast
Three of us (Kayla and Carole from England and me) decided to visit a township today. Kayla found a highly recommended tour company, Hata Angu Cultural Tours, in her Lonely Planet book, and our lovely hotel receptionist contacted the company for us. Two intelligent guides with magnificent English picked us up from our hotel and showed us around Swakopmund on the way to Mondesa, a township just outside this ocean town
During our drive, they shared history of Namibia (colonized by Germany, administered by South Africa, independent since 1990), feelings about Nelson Mandela (a hero in their eyes), economics (50% unemployment), language (four different clicks can completely change the meaning of a word – with those words being unrelated to each other), and ethnic culture (eleven groups with the largest being the Ovambo, second largest is Kavango, followed by Herero and Damara).
We first stopped at a traditional street market with food and clothing vendors. The bottles are recycled and filled with sauces – not alcohol.
In 1948 when South Africa instituted apartheid, blacks were forced from Swakopmund into black-only housing in Mondesa. Permanent residences with, generally, two bedrooms, a kitchen, a sitting area, and a bathroom, house about ten people. A wooden add-on structure often allows a young person to have a “home.”
At the first stop, we met a wonderful 24-year old Herero woman, dressed in traditional clothing, who runs a daycare in Mondesa. Working parents can pay for her to watch their children, ages 3 months to 5 years old, until the children are old enough to attend school, which is free and compulsory. With one or two colleagues, she takes care of up to 15 children. When she is in town (and not showcasing traditional clothing), she wears modern Western clothes. In her village, though, she must once again wear traditional clothing and speak softly and modestly. Herero men are allowed to have up to four wives. The first wife is selected based on love. Later, the first wife can pick additional wives if she can no longer bear children.
Our next stop took us to “the Democratic Resettlement Community (DRC), an informal settlement. It was founded in 2001 as a temporary resettlement community for people waiting for subsidized housing in the city and was built mostly of reclaimed garbage from the city landfill. The materials included corrugated metal, wood, canvas and plastic.”
In the DRC, we met with an herbalist – a healer and midwife – who shared a variety of dried herbs and how these herbs can heal or help people. She spoke no English, so our guide interpreted for us.
For our final township stop, we returned to Mondesa proper and a nice home owned by the founder of our tour company. Here, we ate a traditional Namibian meal (with our hands) and watched a dancing and singing performance by four young people who support themselves from their tips. The noise makers on their ankles are from dried chrysalises that they fill with dried beans.
After the tour and a short rest, we rambled around Swakopmund, chatting and processing what we learned in the township.
A sign warns pedestrians and drivers to beware of guineafowl.
I knew this trip would be a bit “rugged.” The road to Swakopmund was MORE than a BIT rugged! Bumpity bump bump – and repeat. I admit it: I was a bit cranky when we arrived. Dehydrated, tired, and hungry – not a good formula for positivity! A little water, a little rest, and a little food – phew! Much better!
Early morning wake-up! We had to get started before it got too hot.
Today’s highlight? The BEST APPLE CAKE IN NAMIBIA – or at least the sign says!
After leaving Fish River Canyon, we began the long drive to the Namib Desert and our home for two nights, Desert Camp.
Busy busy day!
We started by canoeing on the Orange River for about 14 kilometers. Afterward, we had a delicious brunch and loaded into the Red Elephant for a long drive to Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world.
Today’s goal: Cross the border into Namibia. What did this mean? Waking up in time for 7am breakfast and hitting the road by 8am. Surprise! All twelve of us were ready to leave on time! Unusual, I think, for a group journey.
The crossing itself was, thankfully, uneventful. We had to “check out” three times from South Africa and “check in” twice, including having our temperatures taken, in Namibia.
What do I love doing most (after hugging grandkids and eating ice cream, of course!)? Hiking to a waterfall!
Today’s trip from Cape Town to Cederberg included an optional hike up to a waterfall. Yayyyyy!!!
These photos are definitely culled. There “may” be ones of me at the waterfall in my underwear…and a few of traveling companions in their “natural” bathing suits!
Upon deciding to venture to Africa for a safari, I knew from friends that in addition to seeing and photographing animals, I wanted to explore Cape Town and Victoria Falls. I, therefore, reviewed tours with companies I’ve worked with before and decided on a 22-day adventure with KE Adventure out of England, who books with on-the-ground company Sunway Safaris. I liked the itinerary and the promised small group experience.
This morning, I met my group. With ten travelers and two guides, both named Sifiso!, I climbed into our safari truck and headed to the southern-most tip of the African continent.
Having read Nelson Mandela’s autobiography and being interested in South African history, I scheduled a tour to Robben Island, the UNESCO World Heritage Site where Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison.
I wasn’t planning on a private city tour.
Last night, I did my prep work: I researched on Google what I hadn’t seen that I wanted to see, mapped out my walking route, and downloaded a couple of audio walking tours.
This morning, though, I spoke with my hotel concierge who told me it wasn’t safe for me to walk my planned route. He called a cab for me; the driver is also a tour guide. I showed my guide, Owen, what I had already explored in Cape Town and what I had hoped to see – all by 1:00 pm when I wanted to grab a bite before my Robben Island tour.
What a great experience! Owen drove me to not only the neighborhoods that I had planned to visit but also showed me other sites while explaining the history, culture, and economics of Cape Town. I’m typing this quickly so I can remember Owen’s commentary!
We started in Bo-Kaap, a neighborhood founded by Muslim Malaysians who were enslaved by the British. When they were freed, they painted their homes a variety of bright colors to celebrate their freedom.
Across the street from the beautifully painted homes are “Cape Flats,” public housing units. Unhoused people in South Africa can only be moved from encampments if they are given a place to live. Many are moved to apartments like these. Due to the conditions, crime in these flats is rampant.
District 6 squatters refuse to leave after residents were forcibly removed. Their legal claim to this land has yet to be adjudicated. Until the legalities are settled, as long as someone lives here, they cannot be moved. The unemployment rate in South Africa is over 30%, creating a housing, economic, and cultural crisis.
Central Methodist Church near Greenmarket Square is a bastion of acceptance and progressive politics. The signs on the left speak to current issues, such as LGBTQIA+ rights, supporting vaccinations, and accepting all races. In fact the sign under the stained glass window of Jesus addresses the fact the the depiction of White Jesus is inaccurate given where he was born.
Long Street is a nighttime gathering place.
Outside of a church, these reminders of Apartheid remain.
The Dutch East India Company, which founded Cape Town as a refreshment station for its India-bound vessels, established Company’s Garden to grow fruit and vegetables for scurvy-ridden sailors. We spoke with a gardener harvesting broad beans, which he let us taste. In addition to Company’s Garden, we meandered around Green Point Urban Park, a central meeting place near the stadium built for the 2010 World Cup.
Near the Castle of Good Hope, we walked across the Grand Parade towards Cape Town City Hall where Nelson Mandela gave his first speech following being released from prison after 27 years of incarceration.
On the Old Granary Building, Bishop Desmond Tutu wears a Palestinian scarf symbolizing “his decades-long work championing justice for Palestinians,” his foundation said.
South Africa produces some excellent wines!
I took the bus from Cape Town to the wine tram in Franschhoek and tasted at…FIVE!…wineries along the Navy Line.
The wineries I selected are: Plaisir, Zorgvliet, Allee Bleue, Le Pommier, and Bartinney. All were great! And beautiful!
I’m off on another wonderful adventure!
Ever since I was a child, I’ve always wanted to go on an African safari. With the time, resources, and newfound interest in photography, I knew the time had arrived.
Speaking with friends who’ve been to Africa, I researched tour companies, focusing primarily on those that explore big game locations and include Cape Town and Victoria Falls. Ultimately, I selected KE Adventure’s three-week Cape Town to Victoria Falls Classic Safari – with four days added onto the beginning of the trip solo in Cape Town. I like to do this when I travel so I can get over jet lag and travel weariness before I meet my group.
Preparation for the trip also included reading Nelson Mandela’s autobiography Long Walk to Freedom and the novel Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton. Additionally, I’m still reading (it’s nearly 1,000 pages!) James Michener’s The Covenant.
