11.12.2013

Day 5: SA + Cradle of Humankind

Today’s tidbit: “Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” ― Miriam Beard

Last week I posted on the magnificent Forum Homini Boutique Hotel, which was situated in the Cradle of Humankind. After that luxurious stay we started day 5, our last day with Dornbrack Travel. It was an eye opening day full of culture and history. The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site is one of eight South African World Heritage Sites. It is the world’s richest hominin site, home to around 40% of the world’s human ancestor fossils, located about 50 kilometres northwest of Johannesburg, South Africa in the Gauteng province. We explored the Sterkfontein Caves, Maropeng, Maropeng Hotel and Lesedi Cultural Village before heading to our new hotel that night and starting our new tour the following day.

Sneak peek image:

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11.8.2013

Day 4: SA + Forum Homini Boutique Hotel

Today’s tidbit: “Happy and successful cooking doesn’t rely only on know-how; it comes from the heart, makes great demands on the palate and needs enthusiasm and a deep love of food to bring it to life.” ― Georges Blanc

It’s a busy blog week! I have not been feeling well (changing weather led to a bad cold) so I was able to work on editing pictures and put together some posts in bed, complete with tea and my snuggly dog Sammy. There is just too much I want to share 🙂

So far the posts have mostly focused on amazing wildlife. This one is mixing it up, showing another place we stayed at and 5 star dining: Forum Homini Boutique Hotel. It was the splurge day and a belated (very special) birthday present from my mom. As I mentioned in the very first SA post, there really is diversity and beauty everywhere and we saw that from the tours to accommodations. That’s how you have to travel I think, experiencing as much variety as you can! As far as accommodations, we stayed in 3-4 star (with this 5 star exception) lodges, rondavels, hotels and resorts – all of which were unique and had a different feeling.

Sneak peek image:

Be sure to click below to read more and check out more pictures. Enjoy!

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11.6.2013

Day 3, part 2: SA + Harties Cableway

Today’s tidbit: “We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” ― Jawaharlal Nehru

Earlier this week I posted Day 3, our amazing day at the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve. As if that wasn’t enough of an adventure the day continued with a drive over to Hartbeespoort. We enjoyed the Harties Cableway, an exciting cable car trip on the longest mono-cableway in Africa. It offers views of the beautiful Magaliesberg, Hartbeespoort Dam and surrounding areas. Although it wasn’t a very clear evening the fog added to the mysterious feeling, reminding me of San Francisco, CA. Fortunately, the sky did clear enough to be able to really see the panoramic views and put into perspective all the areas below that we had been visiting the previous few days.

Sneak peek image:

Be sure to click below to read more and check out more pictures. Enjoy!

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11.4.2013

Day 3: SA + Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve

Today’s tidbit: “You know you are truly alive when you’re living among lions.” ― Karen Blixen

Time for another South Africa post (and more amazing wildlife)! This is another day I am so excited to share. As I mentioned, the first few days we had a private tour with Dornbrack Travel. Throughout the trip we did several game drives, starting with this one at the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve. It was a short drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria situated in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site with over 600 head of game. As you will see, I was able to capture a WIDE variety up close (taking hundreds of pictures). We lucked out and were able to see white rhino + lion + white lion + buffalo + cheetah + wild dog + warthog + crocodile + zebra + ostrich + a variety of birds & antelope.

After the game drive we went to a very special part of the reserve, the Animal Crèche. Here we interacted one on one with some of the animals, which were rescued and are either not healthy enough to go back into the wild or are in retirement, being looked after and used for educating. I was able to touch and interact with caracal + cheetah + lion + white lion (cubs 6-7 months old)! Truly an experience!

Sneak peek images:

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10.31.2013

Impromptu Fall + Halloween {little details} session

Today’s tidbit: “Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn.” ― Elizabeth Lawrence

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Taking a quick break from the South Africa posts to get into the fall season!

As you know by now I am all about the little details. Do you remember my impromptu {little details} session | Old Town, Alexandria, VA posts (part 1, part 2 & part 3)? With the gorgeous fall weather this week, wandering around with a camera was the perfect way to spend an afternoon. I decided to do some more impromptu {little detail} sessions focusing on fall and Halloween. I went back to Old Town, Alexandria, VA as well as the neighborhood I am now at in Upper Marlboro, MD.

Sneak peek image:

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10.28.2013

Day 2: SA + Elephant & Monkey Sanctuaries

Today’s tidbit: “Kindness and compassion towards all living things is a mark of a civilized society. Conversely, cruelty, whether it is directed against human beings or against animals, is not the exclusive province of any one culture or community of people. ” ― César Chávez

Amazing Heia Safari Ranch visit (part 1 & part 2) where my mom and I stayed for 2 nights was on the blog last week. Flying in to Johannesburg early (before starting our 2 week group tour) the first few days we arranged a private tour with Dornbrack Travel. I can’t say enough good things about them and the experiences we shared. I have continued to keep in touch and look forward to visiting again soon! The second day Brenda Dornbrack and her daughter Tanneth, picked us up as Heia and we headed to an Elephant Sanctuary and then a Bushbabies Monkey Sanctuary. What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon!

Sneak peek images:

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10.22.2013

Day 1&2: SA + Heia Safari Ranch, part 2

Today’s tidbit: “Every dreamer knows that it is entirely possible to be homesick for a place you’ve never been to, perhaps more homesick than for familiar ground.”― Judith Thurman

First off, my twin sister is MARRIED! Although there has been a lot going on (really rough last few weeks) I tried to focus on just my sister and sharing in her beautiful wedding weekend. It was the perfect day for the perfect pair and I can’t express how happy I am for them! They are enjoying themselves in St. Lucia on their honeymoon right now. Look for a full post soon. For now, back to South Africa…

Last week I posted part 1 of my Heia Safari Ranch visit which focused on the ranch + antelope + monkeys + peacock. As I mentioned in that post, there was just too much to put in one. Continuing with what ended up being one of my favorite experiences the whole trip, here is part 2 focusing on two of my favorites, giraffe + zebra!

Sneak peek images:

This is what I was literally steps away from!!! I can’t even explain what an amazing feeling and experience it was! I loved that little baby giraffe (1 month old at the time), Lumina. The second picture expresses how I was feeling there – full of life and joy!

Be sure to click below to read more and check out more pictures. Enjoy!

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10.14.2013

Day 1&2: SA + Heia Safari Ranch

Today’s tidbit: “Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.”― Marc Riboud
True enough! l know I was in photography heaven, starting with this first post. Narrowing now what to post from hundreds of photos wasn’t an easy job.

South Africa has been on my bucket list for a few reasons: 1. Wildlife + terrain 2. History. 3. Landscape + beauty… and that is exactly what I saw and experienced! Last week I posted The Start, which was really a teaser into the trip. As I mentioned, my mom and I stayed at Heia Safari Ranch the first 2 nights in these beautiful rondavel. After this whole eye opening adventure, I have to say this was definitely one of my favorite places we stayed at. I was trying to take everything in and absolutely LOVED every minute of it!

Sneak peek images:

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10.11.2013

The start: SA + flight & night 1

Today’s tidbit: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” ― Lao Tzu

It has been a really rough week, for personal reasons I don’t want to get into yet. While in South Africa it was sunny and warm the entire trip (aside from 2 much needed rainy days). Since I have been back (both to New York the day after and now back in the DC area) it has rained every day! Enough.

I am trying to focus on the positive… and finally start sharing my adventure to South Africa!! We left exactly 1 month ago from today but it seems like it was SO much longer!

Where to start? A lot of people were shocked when I said this is where I was going and that it isn’t a common vacation place. While that might be true in the United States (I guess), South Africa is a popular travel destination for many countries in Europe and all over the world. I was not going to relax by the beach and sip on delicious drinks (although I did that also). I have been fortunate to do that on other vacations, like to the Bahamas and Caribbean. Instead I was never looking at this like a vacation but rather an adventure. And that’s exactly what it was – an adventure in every way! I am such an animal person and love being outside exploring and taking everything in. I love seeing other cultures, customs and lifestyles.

Sneak peek image:

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10.7.2013

Allie’s bridal shower | Roanoke, VA

Today’s tidbit: “Accept what life offers you and try to drink from every cup. All wines should be tasted; some should only be sipped, but with others, drink the whole bottle.” ― Paulo Coelho

Happy (rainy + dreary) Monday!

Last week I posted on the stationary I designed, both bridal shower and wedding for Allie & Brian (read more). My mom and I left for South Africa 2 days after the bridal shower so I didn’t have time to reflect and put together a post sooner. I then left the day after I got back from South Africa to go to a friends wedding this past weekend in New York. Just can’t stay put! And speaking of weddings, Allie & Brian will be married in less than 2 weeks!!! So, onto the bridal shower…

The shower was held at Allie’s future in-laws (who are just the sweetest people) in Roanoke, VA. My mom, Brian’s mom and I all worked together to plan the shower. I think it’s really special and meaningful – the mother of the bride and groom, and maid of honor, were able to collaborate (and we had so much fun doing it)!

Sneak peek image: Details + Decorations

Be sure to click below to read more and check out more pictures. Enjoy!

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