Tag Archives: wanderlust

Blessings, Dreaming, Family, Gratitude, Holidays, Quiet, Reflection, Storytelling, Traditions, Travel

Wanderings Day 11

I think my need to wander began as a girl. Growing up, my mom and dad organised wonderful family holidays that took us the length and breadth of South Africa. Often intrepid and roads less travelled, sparking a wanderlust that has remained with me.

These days I also have incredible memories of travels with my mom – just the two of us. So grateful to have had these opportunities with my very special mama bear.

Today’s wanderings takes on one of these “travels with mom” adventures in search of Middle Earth. She is very patient with me and my obsessions. This will make more sense as my story unfolds.

I have been obsessed with Professor JRR Tolkien’s writing for as long as I can remember. Then Peter Jackson chose New Zealand as his Middle Earth. I think Professor Tolkien would have approved. Anyway, it has been fabulous to have Middle Earth on my doorstep.

Today I am sharing some pics from a Queenstown and surrounds trip with Mom. We found evidence of Middle Earth all along the way from the Fords of Bruinen to Isengard, Ithilien to Parth Galen, the Mountains of Mordor to the West Fold of Rohan. Magic!

Even if you aren’t in search of Middle Earth like we were, New Zealand’s South Island is simply spectacular. A true pure space. I love mountain environments probably more than being on the coast. Just as in the Kalahari, I am similarly inspired by changing light and colour in these stunning surroundings. And just like in the Kalahari, there is something of the serene juxtaposed with harshness in this space that captures the soul.

We visited Queenstown, Glenorchy, Paradise, Arrowtown, Wanaka and Cadrona among other beautiful South Island spots. Besides wonderful sights and scenery there also seems to be great coffee, food and wine to taste everywhere you go in this area. Mom even got me to go on a little horse ride with her in Paradise! The motivation? A chance of wandering through Lord of the Rings filming sites only accessible on said horse ride.

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with weary feet,
Until it joins some larger way,
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

J R R Tolkien

Family, Gratitude, Holidays, Mindfulness, Reflection, Storytelling, Travel

Wanderings Day 9

Today’s wander is remembering back to a cold, crisp January day when my darling cousin and I boarded a train bound for the nation’s capital, Washington DC. After arriving at Union Station we then clambered aboard an open top tourist bus and spent the day being extremely touristy. The open top bus was an interesting choice given the temperature that day. I was also reading Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol at the time which lent an interesting perspective to our wanderings.

Union Station
Jefferson Memorial
Some nature amongst the white marble
Lincoln Memorial
From the Lincoln Memorial looking across the National Mall to the Washington Monument. Yes, that water is frozen over.
The White House
The United States Capitol
Blessings, Family, Gratitude, Holidays, Mindfulness, Nature, Reflection, Storytelling, Travel

Wanderings Day 8

Just so you don’t think I am completely one dimensional, today’s wandering is taking us away from Africa!

I was fortunate enough to spend some months in Philadelphia a few years ago.  Time spent with very special family.

Such a different travel experience for this Southern Hemisphere girl.  It started as I arrived with an incredible snowstorm that turned the world white.  Completely ill equipped I still ventured out from my hotel room the next day to walk the snow still streets of Philly.  I finished off that day’s adventure at the sports bar next to the hotel enjoying a philly cheesesteak sandwich and watching a Philadelphia Eagles game on the big screen.

Lots to see and do and, of course, so much significant history to soak up.  I loved the vibe of Philly much more than any of the other US cities I have visited…. Home of The Roots, a long time favourite of mine.

The big snows came and went all the months of my stay. I got very good at snow angels and finally got a decent pair of boots for snow days.

I loved the glimpses of wildlife even in the suburbs – deer, owls, red cardinals and turkey vultures.

Africa, Birth Place, Blessings, Dreaming, Gratitude, Health and Wellness, Holidays, Mindfulness, Nature, Reflection, Storytelling, Travel, Wildlife Conservation

Wanderings Day 7

So we are back on the Panorama Route headed towards one of my most favourite places on earth.

Many happy childhood memories spent driving this route.  Our end destination today, Hoedspruit, holds a particularly special place in my heart. 

Wind your way along the R532 which hugs the edge of the escarpment.  Definitely a stop at the Three Rondavels lookout for photos of these iconic mountains and into the Blyde River Canyon below.  Mariepskop in the distance. 

The Three Rondavels with Mariepskop in the distance
Blyde River Canyon

The R532 meets up with the R36 at the Abel Erasmus Pass.  This pass takes you through the last of the mountains past interesting vegetation and rock formations.  As you are nearing the J G Strydom tunnel there’s a pretty waterfall if you know where to look amongst the cliffs.  Peregrine Falcon breeding spot apparently? 

The other side of the tunnel you will start a sharp descent into the lowveld of the Limpopo Province, the Olifants River to your left.  You gain a different perspective of those same mountains and cliffs of the escarpment from below. 

Another view of Mariepskop
Unique Kadishi Tufa Waterfall which you can see from a Blyde Dam boat cruise
Leaving Hoedspruit looking back at the mountains of the escarpment

Drive past the game farms and citrus orchards until you get to Hoedspruit.  So much to see and do in this area.  I highly recommend staying for a while. 

One particular recommendation is a tour around the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre…. And yes, that is a pic of the famous Stoffel, the honey badger Houdini.